About Us | What is Pathways Into Health |
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Pathways Into Health is a grassroots collaboration of more than 150 individuals and organizations dedicated to improving the health, health care and health care education of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) in this country. We are combining the expertise, resources, and strength of Tribes and AI/AN organizations, tribal colleges, prominent universities, the Indian Health Service and American Indian and Alaska Native communities
as we work together to solve a major problem that exists today: the shortage of AI/AN healthcare professionals. Begun in 2004, Pathways Into Health (PIH) is creating a unique program that enhances Native culture, traditional institutions, values, and way of life. Typically, when students become interested in entering the healthcare fields, they must travel to distant academic institutions for on-site education. These students are often far from their homes and lack the social support and cultural familiarity that is needed for successful completion of their academic goals. PIH is creating an innovative, interprofessional, team-based educational program for nurses, physicians, public health workers, pharmacists and other health professions that allows for professional health education to occur near their homes, whether on a distant, rural reservation or in an urban Indian healthcare setting. By integrating cutting edge distance education and telehealth technology, Pathways Into Health will employ new curricula and learning will take place in an entirely new environment. Students of differing professions will learn together in classes, small groups, in clinics and at the bedside
Although just begun several years ago, numerous successful programs and activities have developed, including: The PIH Clinical Laboratory Sciences Training Program
Nursing and Public Health Initiative
Cruz Begay Jessica Black Sean Clendaniel Karine Crow Jacque Dolberry Carl Fox Michael Grey Jan Harris Rhonda Johnson Colette Keith Jacqueline Kelley Fred Kopacz Esther Littlewolf Brenda Manuelito Ian Rawson Larry Roberts Leona Schick Mary Ann Sens Mary Jo Tippconnic-Fox Lillian Tom-Orme Cynthia Yahola Wilson Gerald Yutrzenka
George Blue Spruce, DDS, MPH Assistant Dean of Indian Affairs Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Phoenix Area Director Indian Health Service
John Lowe, PhD Associate Professor Florida Atlantic University
Margaret Knight Executive Director Association of American Indian Physicians
Bette Keltner, PhD, RN, FAAN Dean School of Nursing & Health Studies Georgetown University
Past President of Association of American Indian Physicians Previous Director, Indian Health Service
Friends of Indian Health
Chairman, National Indian Health Board
Executive Board
Chairperson-Michael Allison Vice Chair-Carl Fox Secretary-Fred Kopacz Treasurer- Sean Clendaniel |