The Huwighurruk Tribal Health Postbaccalaureate Program seeks to enroll pre-med students passionate about providing health care to American Indian and Alaska Native communities in rural and urban areas.

Huwighurruk is pronounced hee-way-gou-duck. In the Wiyot language, huwighurruk means plants, grass, leaves and medicine.

Dr. Christine Athmann shares why it's important to have Ojibwe doctors and other Native Americans in the medical field.

More Native Americans going to med school through OHSU program

The Northwest Native American Center of Excellence was established a few years ago at OHSU with the goal of training more American Indian and Alaska Native physicians. The director of the center says right now, less than 1% of medical students nationwide are Native American, but the tide is shifting.

Read the interview with Erik Brodt, MD (Ojibwe) and Jared Delaney (Klamath, Modoc, Yaqui & Tohono O'odham) here.

Past and present, near and far, connections surround Lenora Waconda, M.P.H., M.D. Class of 2025.

For Waconda, connections hold value, purpose, meaning. She finds them in her family, in her home city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, around Portland and at the OHSU School of Medicine. These everlasting links to people and places have inspired her educational journey, leading to eye-opening experiences and newly discovered passions. As the second-year medical student looks toward a future that bridges her love for data and public health, she reflects on how the feeling of connection at OHSU has already left an enduring impact.

“I’m Teaching the Future”

Becoming a doctor wasn’t his childhood dream. In fact, Erik Brodt ’02, M.D., decided to go to medical school the week before it started. But the decision proved to be the right one, both for Brodt, who is Ojibwe, and the many Native American voices he lifts up. Now he’s a physician, an associate professor of family medicine, and a passionate advocate for American Indian/Alaska Natives in health professions. In recognition of his work, he’s been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Medicine.

An Oregon Health & Science University physician and advocate for increasing Native American representation in health care is among 100 newly elected members of the National Academy of Medicine, whose members advise the nation on medical issues. Election to the academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

School of Medicine Dean Sharon Anderson has appointed Erik Brodt, M.D., associate professor of family medicine and director of the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence, as assistant dean for Native American health, effective immediately.

“Without the Wy'east Postbaccalaureate Pathway program, I would not be entering medicine. We need more programs like it.” - Paige Morris MS1

Oregon Health & Science University’s Northwest Native American Center of Excellence has concluded a series of public service announcements about the impact of COVID-19 in tribal communities, with what the production team called “our love letter to you, our community.”

We are all developing tools to battle loneliness and isolation. It is more important than ever to find ways to stay connected this season. Check out how these brothers stay CONNECTED and remind one another they are supported.

Physically distant, together.

“I’ve always had a strong connection to OHSU and Doernbecher,” he said. “It was my dream to learn how to practice medicine at OHSU.” - Jacob Smith

With high infection rates among tribal communities, Exercise Safe Sweats aims to keep traditions alive, and elders protected.

Published by Portland Monthly
Written by Eden Dawn

“American Indians face more significant health issues than the national average, overcrowded housing, scarce medical resources”

Written by:

Andrew Steinfeldt, M.D., of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin.(OHSU)

Allison Empey, M.D., of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. (OHSU)

Northwest universities, health board combat disparities by boosting Native enrollment in health sciences, medical school

Written by:

Franny White, Senior Media Relations Specialist (OHSU)

“Erik Brodt, M.D., is always on the go – whether it’s helping students, treating patients or breaking down barriers for American Indians and Alaska Natives.”

Written by: Tracey Lam, Communications Specialist for the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at OHSU