Partnership encourages Native Americans to pursue health care careers

Three Northwest universities and a regional health board are collectively working to increase the number of Native Americans practicing health care to decrease health disparities and improve public health.

The joint project, called Reimagine Indians into Medicine, stands to substantially increase the total number of Native medical and health science students nationwide.

“Tribal communities face some of the most striking health disparities in the nation, and the number of Native medical students has been flat – at best – for the past few decades. Our team sees a connection here,” said Erik Brodt, M.D., an associate professor of family medicine in the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. “It does not have to be this way. We believe more Native physicians will lead to better care for everyone and eliminate these health disparities, especially for tribal people. We’re striving to make medicine an accessible and welcoming career for more Natives.”

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Written by:

Franny White, Senior Media Relations Specialist (OHSU)