Every year on the third Friday of March, medical students in their final year of medical school eagerly await the results of their residency program matches. This milestone marks the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, as these students find out where they will begin their medical careers. While this is a momentous occasion for all medical students, it holds particular significance for Indigenous students, who are significantly underrepresented in the field of medicine and face disproportionate health disparities.
The rise of Indigenous physicians is a cause for celebration within Indigenous communities across the country. Each new Indigenous resident-physician represents a victory not only for their respective medical specialties but also for their Indigenous nations. These trailblazing individuals are paving the way for future generations of Indigenous healthcare providers and making lasting contributions to the health of Indigenous Peoples.
To honor the achievements of these Indigenous medical students, we spoke with a few who recently matched into residency programs. Their stories reflect the diversity of backgrounds and interests within the Indigenous medical community.
Morghan Byrnes, a member of the Sicangu Lakota tribe, matched in Psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic. Her journey from rural Minnesota to medical school has been fueled by a passion for mental health advocacy and a commitment to serving underserved communities.
Eleanor Adams, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, will be pursuing Family Medicine at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. Her dedication to rural healthcare and community support has guided her path to becoming a rural family physician.
DeAnalisa Jones, a citizen of the Mvskoke and Cherokee Nations, matched in Internal Medicine (Research Track) at Mount Sinai Hospital. Her background in biomedical engineering and research will inform her work in heart failure and cardiovascular disease risk among American Indians.
Hailey Baker, a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation, will be specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Minnesota. Her experience as an obstetric surgical technologist and commitment to tribal healthcare will shape her future practice.
Brianna Irons, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, matched in Pediatrics at the Boston Combined Pediatrics Program – Leadership Equity and Advocacy (LEAD) track. Her advocacy for Native youth wellness and community-based research will drive her work in child and adolescent health.
Shaelyn Hayes, a member of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, will be pursuing Internal Medicine-Geriatrics. Her background in athletics and public health advocacy will inform her approach to caring for elders in her community.
Melody Brown-Clark, a member of the Cherokee Nation, matched in Psychiatry-Public and Community Psychiatry Track at Stanford University. Her dedication to culturally competent care for Native communities and advocacy for traditional healing services will shape her practice.
Tamee Livermont, a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, will be specializing in General Surgery at UCSF-East Bay. Her commitment to tribal health policy advocacy and surgical care in her community will guide her practice.
Hannah Rae Slattery, a descendant of the Bear River First Nation and member of the Mi’kmaq tribe, matched in Family Medicine at Maine Medical Center. Her advocacy for Tribal Sovereignty and commitment to health equity for Wabanaki Tribal Nations will inform her work in community-based care.
Anna Klunk, a medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, will be pursuing a combined Emergency and Internal Medicine residency at Hennepin County. Her interests in addiction medicine and integrating traditional knowledge systems will shape her approach to patient care.
Adam Carl, a descendant of the Navajo and Hopi Tribes, matched in Anesthesiology at Mayo Clinic-Arizona. His dedication to improving healthcare access for Tribal populations and research within his communities will guide his practice.
Jared Delaney, who grew up in Klamath Falls and Chiloquin, matched in Emergency Medicine at Hennepin County. His passion for working with vulnerable populations and inspiring youth in his community will shape his career.
Jasmine Fernandez, a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, matched in Emergency Medicine at Hennepin County. Her commitment to serving her community and advocating for indigenous representation in healthcare will guide her practice.
Samuel Williams, a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, matched in Internal Medicine-Infectious Disease at UC San Diego. His aspirations to become an infectious disease physician-scientist and minority health advocate will inform his work in researching illnesses affecting Native Americans.
These Indigenous medical students represent the future of healthcare in Indigenous communities and beyond. Their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and passions will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the field of medicine. As they embark on their residency training, they carry with them the hopes and dreams of their communities and the potential to create positive change in healthcare for Indigenous Peoples.
