The NNACoE Mission

The Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE) works to sustainably address the health care needs of all people by increasing the number of AI/ANs in the U.S. health professions workforce.

Our Approach

Recruit
the next generation

Inspiring Native youth to nurture their identity as future healers.
We use digital stories, text mentorship, and clinical shadowing to explore health careers.

Train
tomorrow’s leaders

Preparing the Native health leaders of tomorrow.
We equip students for medical school through a 10-month culturally rooted pathway.

Retain
a vibrant community

Creating an Indigenous learning community for Natives to ascend in medicine. We provide opportunities for connection through innovative coursework & career development.

The Path

We guide Native students on their educational journeys, from middle school through early career. We offer initiatives at key moments along the path to accelerate their success throughout their journey to becoming a health professional.

We acknowledge the original inhabitants and traditional village sites of the land Oregon Health & Science University is occupying and built upon: the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Tumwater, Watlala bands of the Chinook, the Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla, Wasco and many Indigenous nations of the Willamette Valley and Columbia River Plateau.

We take this opportunity to thank the original caretakers of this land - past, present, and future.