Native Healthcare Benefit: Welcoming New Indigenous Physician Residents
Each year on the third Friday of March, students from underrepresented Indigenous communities in medicine, who've endured grueling exams and relentless studying throughout their final year of medical school, discover the U.S. physician-residency programs they've matched with. This anxious yet joyful event sees Indigenous nations across the country celebrating alongside their communities, heralding a new generation of Indigenous physicians committed to improving the health of their tribal brothers and sisters.
These rising Indigenous medical doctors come from communities that have long been overlooked in the medical field, enduring disproportionate health issues. Matching into various specialties isn't just a victory for each physician's respective field, but for their Indigenous communities as well.
To honor their tireless dedication, we caught up with several newly minted Indigenous residents to learn more about their journeys and what Match Day means for them, their families, and their Indigenous nations. Here's a glance at a few outstanding Indigenous students who recently matched into residency programs:
Morghan Byrnes (Sicangu Lakota): Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic
A member of the Sicangu Lakota, Morghan Byrnes is a proud student at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She's actively involved with the Association of Native American Medical Students (ANAMS) and currently interns at the Office of Academic and Clinical Affairs, working on a project centered on integrated behavioral health in rural Minnesota. Morghan has focused interests in child and adolescent psychiatry, addiction medicine, and public psychiatry.
Having Match Day signify a monumental step for her future, Morghan sincerely honored the unwavering support of her community, family, friends, and mentors. She's eager to continue advocating for underserved populations.
Eleanor Adams (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma): Family Medicine, University of Oklahoma-Tulsa
Growing up in Oregon, Eleanor spent her summers with family in Oklahoma, learning the importance of support from a young age. She's completed research and advocacy projects with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and We Are Healers during her time at OHSU/PSU School of Public Health. Excited to continue her career in rural family medicine, Eleanor plans to make her home near her community and family during her training with the Indian Health Service clinic at OU-Tulsa.
Matching near family and community was more meaningful than Eleanor could have imagined, given the long years her family has invested in her dreams.
DeAnalisa Jones (Mvskoke, Cherokee): Internal Medicine (Research Track) at Mount Sinai Hospital
A proud member of the Cherokee Nation, DeAnalisa Jones is graduating from the MD/PhD program at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Driven by a passion for heart failure and cardiovascular disease risk among American Indians, DeAnalisa completed her PhD in Dr. Eric Sobie's lab, focusing on mathematical models of calcium signaling in heart failure. She is the founding president of the Icahn School of Medicine chapter of ANAMS and plans to grow the IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian healthcare systems through community-based participatory research.
For DeAnalisa, it was essential that Mount Sinai prioritizes her family, Native, and Indigenous health, making her decision to stay there for residency feel like the perfect fit.
Hailey Baker (Cherokee Nation): Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Minnesota
A proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Hailey Baker, raised in Alaska, followed the footsteps of her family members into healthcare, working as an obstetric surgical technologist for her community hospital. Throughout her medical education, Hailey contributed to research and advocacy initiatives focused on uplifting the health of communities like hers. As an OB/Gyn, Hailey looks forward to practicing in a tribal setting.
Matching into University of Minnesota's OB/Gyn program within reach of her family, Hailey feels deeply grateful for the community's support and encouragement.
Brianna Irons (Chickasaw Nation): Pediatrics, Boston Combined Pediatrics Program - Leadership Equity and Advocacy (LEAD)
A citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Brianna Irons at UC San Diego School of Medicine advocates for Native youth wellness and representation in healthcare. She completed a Master of Public Health in Quantitative Methods at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health during medical school and will continue her training in pediatrics at the Boston Combined Residency Program in the LEAD track. Committed to strengthening IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian healthcare systems, Brianna plans to use research to improve child and adolescent health.
Matching into Boston's Pediatrics LEAD program, Brianna celebrated with the ANAMS family who supported her throughout her journey, eager to make a difference in pediatrics.
Shaelyn Hayes (Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska): Internal Medicine-Geriatrics
Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Shaelyn Hayes attended Kansas State University for her undergraduate degree, where she was a NCAA Division 1 Track and Field All-American and Big 12 Team Champion. A member of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Shaelyn will graduate from Oklahoma State College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation as part of their second class of graduates, after completing the tribal medicine track.
Matching as part of the underrepresented .3% of American Indian/Alaskan Native physicians, Shaelyn hopes to inspire future generations of medicine, prioritizing geriatric care for her community.
Melody Brown-Clark (Cherokee Nation): Psychiatry-Public and Community Psychiatry Track, Stanford University
Born and raised on the Cherokee reservation, Melody attended the University of Southern California as a neuroscience major and comedy minor. She completed her medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and currently serves as the National President of the ANAMS. Passionate about caring for patients experiencing psychosis, Melody aspires to integrate traditional healing services into standard psychiatric care.
Matching into Stanford's Public and Community Psychiatry Track, Melody is thrilled to give back to her Indigenous community and continue fostering cultural competence in her practice.
Tamee Livermont-Čhaŋtét'iŋs Kičúŋ Nakíčižiŋ Wiŋ (Oglala Lakota), General Surgery, UCSF-East Bay
Tamee Livermont's journey highlights her commitment to her community and her unique blend of skills. A South Dakota native, Tamee discovered she could transfer sewing skills learned in making blankets and beading into operating room procedures. Recognizing the significant need for surgeons in her community, Tamee decided to pursue surgery, aiming to excel both in surgical skill and patient care.
Matched at UCSF-East Bay, Tamee looks forward to serving her Oglala Lakota community as a surgeon, remaining rooted in her values and cultural teachings throughout her practice.
Hannah Rae Slattery (Bear River First Nation, Mi'kmaq): Family Medicine, Maine Medical Center
Hannah Slattery is a member of Bear River First Nation and a Tufts University School of Medicine - Maine Track Class of 2025. Committed to public health policy and addiction medicine, Hannah aims to strengthen the health systems within the Wabanaki Confederacy, advocating on behalf of Indigenous leaders fighting for tribal sovereignty in Maine.
Matching into Maine Medical Center's Family Medicine program, Hannah aspires to advocate for health equity, forming lasting relationships with patients across generations.
Anna Klunk (Red Lake Nation): Combine Emergency and Internal Medicine, Hennepin County
Anna Klunk is an Indigenous medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, with interests in addiction medicine, health policy, and critical care medicine. Dedicated to improving health care access and outcomes for Native populations, Anna aspires to integrate traditional knowledge systems and western medicine to advance Native health equity.
After matching with Hennepin County, Anna feels grateful for the opportunity to make a difference within her community while staying close to her family.
Adam Carl (Navajo/Hopi): Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic-Arizona
A fourth-year medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Adam Carl is a proud descendant of the Navajo and Hopi Tribes. Dedicated to community health and improving healthcare access, Adam has completed rural healthcare rotations across Arizona. Following Match Day, Adam expressed overwhelming gratitude for his family's unwavering love and support and enthusiasm to help the diverse community in Minneapolis.
Jared Delaney (The Klamath Tribes): Emergency Medicine, Hennepin County
Raised mainly in Klamath Falls, Jared Delaney is an OHSU student who chose Emergency Medicine because it allows him to work with vulnerable populations. Having matched at Hennepin County, Jared feels grateful for the opportunity to give back to his community, fostering trust and improving health care access for young Indigenous people.
Jasmine Fernandez (Pascua Yaqui Tribe): Emergency Medicine, Hennepin County
Originally from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Jasmine Fernandez QuickMed became an enrolled member in her early twenties. Immersed in the world of medicine after her brother's diagnosis with autism, Jasmine attended the University of Portland, obtained a Bachelor's of Science in Biology, and later became a Wy'east Scholar and medical student at Oregon Health & Science University. Eager to become an emergency physician, Jasmine is excited to make a difference within the Pascua Yaqui tribe and other Native American communities.
Samuel Williams (Lumbee Tribe of NC): Internal Medicine-Infectious Disease, UC San Diego
Having grown up in Arizona, Samuel Williams graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, working on multiple Native American healthcare projects during his time there. Passionate about infectious diseases and addressing health disparities within Native American communities, Samuel intends to become an infectious disease physician-scientist and minority health advocate.
Matching into UC San Diego's Internal Medicine program, Samuel feels thankful for the chance to make a positive impact in both the local community and Native American healthcare.
References:[1] American Medical Association. (2021). Native American Mental Health Awareness: Building a Better Support System.https://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/about-ama/our-people/offices/ama-foundation/foundation-programs/native-american-medical-students-association/ama-issues/native-american-mental-health-awareness
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Critical Success Factors for American Indian and Alaska Native Health.https://www.cdc.gov/tribal/pdfs/Critical-Success-Factors.pdf
[3] National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities. (2020). American Indian and Alaska Native Health.https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/health/topics/pid/aianh.html
[4] National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (2018). American Indian and Alaska Native Healing Robes.https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/lung-disease/american-indian-alaska-native-healing-robe.html
[5] American Board of Medical Specialties. (2021). Accredited Residency and Fellowship Programs.https://www.abms.org/programs/crips/accredited-residency-and-fellowship-programs/graduate-medical-education/
- Morghan Byrnes, a recent matched resident in Psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic, is excited about the prospect of combining her Sicangu Lakota heritage with her medical expertise to improve the mental health of her community.
- Eleanor Adams, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, found joy in matching for her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, a decision that holds deep significance for her family, being close to her roots.
- DeAnalisa Jones, a Cherokee Nation member, matched into an Internal Medicine (Research Track) residency program at Mount Sinai Hospital. Prioritizing native and indigenous health, she feels it's the perfect place for her to focus on heart failure and cardiovascular disease risks in American Indians.
