| To the UW Medicine Community:
Our observance of Native American Heritage Month begins Nov. 1. It is a time to celebrate the diverse cultures, histories and contributions of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples in the United States. Flag raising events will take place on UW Medicine hospital campuses.
Some of the most vital programs at UW Medicine were created by and for Indigenous members of our community. The Indian Health Pathway — led by Dr. Joseph Nelson (an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation) — provides Indigenous-specific coursework and in-field experiences for both Native and non-Native medical students. The program was created over 30 years ago by Dr. Walt Hollow (a member of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes). Dr. Hollow was the first Native American student to graduate from the UW School of Medicine. Today, 66 students are enrolled in the pathway, and clerkship opportunities are in place with 15 Tribes across the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho region.
The Center for Indigenous Health — founded and led by Dr. Jason Deen (descendent of the Blackfeet Nation) and Millie Kennedy, J.D. (Tsimshian Tribe) — provides outreach, mentorship, community building, research support and career guidance to Indigenous students and faculty. It also sponsors specialized programs with the goal of sparking interest in Indigenous children today to become physicians and pursue academic careers tomorrow.
Whether in classrooms, clinics or labs, representation matters. Today, Indigenous physicians make up less than 1% of the total physician population in the United States. The Indian Health Pathway and Center for Indigenous Health seek to improve this representation, and we are grateful to the teams in both programs for the future they are building.
Our community is upon Indigenous land. Take the opportunity to learn more about Native peoples’ culture and contributions by visiting the Burke Museum or taking the Indigenous Walking Tour on the UW campus. More opportunities for learning are available on The Huddle’s Native American Heritage Month page. and digital assets are available to take part in this month’s celebration.
UW Medicine is committed to creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. For resources on equity, diversity, inclusion and justice, visit the Office of Healthcare Equity web page.
Please join us in honoring and celebrating the many rich heritages of our Native American colleagues and patients.
Sincerely,
Timothy H. Dellit, MD (He, His, Him)
Chief Executive Officer, UW Medicine
Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and
Paul G. Ramsey Endowed Dean of the School of Medicine,
University of Washington
Paula L. Houston, EdD (She, Her, Hers)
Chief Equity Officer
Office of Healthcare Equity, UW Medicine
Associate Vice President for Medical Affairs,
University of Washington
Bessie A. Young, MD (She, Her, Hers)
Vice Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Office of Healthcare Equity, UW Medicine
Professor of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine,
University of Washington
Brad Simmons (He, Him, His)
President, UW Medicine Hospitals & Clinics
Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs,
University of Washington
Jacqueline Cabe (She, Her, Hers)
Chief Financial Officer, UW Medicine
Vice President for Medical Affairs,
University of Washington
Becca Kelly (She, Her, Hers)
Chief Advancement Officer, UW Medicine
Vice President for Medical Affairs,
University of Washington
Anneliese Schleyer, MD (She, Her, Hers)
Chief Medical Officer, UW Medicine
Vice President for Medical Affairs,
University of Washington
Cindy Hecker (She, Her, Hers)
Chief Executive Officer
UW Medical Center
Sommer Kleweno Walley (She, Her, Hers)
Chief Executive Officer
Harborview Medical Center
Jeannine Erickson Grinnell (She, Her, Hers)
Chief Executive Officer
Valley Medical Center
Erica Floyd (She, Her, Hers)
Interim Executive Director
UW Physicians
Pranika Laing (She, Her, Hers)
Associate Administrator
UW Medicine Primary Care and Population Health
Jeff Richey (He, Him, His)
Associate Administrator
Airlift Northwest
Lab Medicine, Pathology and Telecommunication
Harborview Medical Center |
