National Center for American Indian Health Professions

ATSU / DIVERSITY / ORGANIZATIONS / National Center for American Indian Health Professions

Helping future indigenous healthcare providers thrive

The American Indian and Alaska Native communities are among the most underserved in terms of healthcare. To help address this great need and building on its long tradition of working closely with these communities, A.T. Still University (ATSU) created the National Center for American Indian Health Professions (NCAIHP) as a way to develop outreach to American Indian and Alaska Native high school and college students, with the goal of sparking interest in healthcare careers.

NCAIHP provides prospective American Indian and Alaska Native students with healthcare career advising, assistance with admissions applications, financial advising, academic support, and more. NCAIHP is dedicated to helping American Indians and Alaska Natives to become physicians, dentists, physician assistants, and other healthcare professionals.

Download Brochure

Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, founder of osteopathic medicine and ATSU, of mixed American Indian heritage, was influenced by the healing traditions of the local Shawnee Indians in Kansas. In 1835, Dr. Still learned the native Shawnee language while assisting his father in treating the Shawnee Indians at the Wakarusa Mission in Kansas. In 1892, when Dr. Still opened what is now ATSU, he used the simplicity of the Shawnee communication of “objects not words” to take an Indian approach to teaching by deep observation without the distraction of language. Dr. Still’s founding concepts of body, mind, and spirit along with the body’s natural ability to heal itself remain closely aligned with American Indian and Alaska Native traditional healing.

Current American Indian and Alaska Native students attending ATSU benefit from academic and personal support, cultural connectivity, and mentorship through NCAIHP. By working closely with academic programs, NCAIHP serves to provide students with the opportunities to successfully complete their education and, in turn, provide healthcare services to underserved communities.

ATSU NCAIHP offers a mentor program connecting high school and college students to ATSU alumni who can answer questions and help find volunteer opportunities in healthcare. Alumni are also invited back to campus as both honored speakers and guests for continuing education opportunities.

From admissions to graduation and beyond, ATSU’s NCAIHP serves all American Indian and Alaskan Native students needing and seeking support to become academically and personally successful.

Academic programs

ATSU provides master's and doctorate-level health professional degrees at its campuses in Mesa, Arizona, Kirksville, Missouri, and Santa Maria, California, along with online programs. For further details regarding ATSU's programs, admission requirements, and tuition fees, reach out to ncaihp@atsu.edu.

REVIEW ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Funding resources

Graduate school is an investment in the future of the student and of the community. Although most graduate students take out federal loans to cover their tuition and living expenses, the following resources can specifically assist American Indian and Alaska Native students:

Indian Health Services offers scholarships and loan repayment programs
American Indian Graduate Center provides scholarships annually
Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service offers loan repayment potential
American Indian Education Fund provides scholarship opportunities
National Medical Fellowships (NMF) is dedicated to increasing the number of underrepresented minority physicians and other healthcare professionals to improve access to quality care in medically-underserved communities
Financial Resources for Native American Students is a list of over 100 scholarships, grants, and internships specifically for Native American students
Online Emergency Fund Calculator helps students be prepared for the unexpected. With drop out rates for Native Americans at twice the national average, this tool can help students have enough money saved for an emergency
Online Budgeting Tools is a comprehensive guide to online budgeting tools and apps helps make budgeting easier

Connect to a mentor

Curious about a healthcare career? What better way to learn about a student’s journey than to talk with someone who already completed their education. The NCAIHP can connect you to ATSU alumni and current students to answer your questions about continuing your education or help find volunteer opportunities in the healthcare field.

Email ncaihp@atsu.edu and we’ll connect you to an ATSU alum and current students

Outside the classroom

American Indian and Alaska Native students at ATSU actively participate in extra-curricular events both on and off-campus. Opportunities include:

Student clubs specifically for American Indian and Alaska Native students
Check-ins sponsored by NCAIHP
Cultural events
Healthcare educational events at local tribal reservations
First Fridays at the Heard Museum
American Indian healthcare guest speaker

ATSU’s American Indian heritage

Andrew Taylor Still, MD, DO | Hoconethowa
Dr. Andrew Taylor Still is the father of osteopathic medicine and founder of ATSU. He believed healing had to be a mind-body-spirit connection, much like the philosophy of the American Indian Medicine Wheel. Dr. Still’s approach to medicine was a revolutionary concept in his time that spread worldwide. It was influenced by his years of living among the Shawnee Indians. He went by the name, “Hoconethowa,” a Shawnee name given to him, meaning healer.

William C. Blueskye, DO, ATSU-KCOM Class of ’54 | Seneca
Dr. William C. Blueskye was the first documented American Indian, Onöndowa’ga:’ (Seneca Indian) to graduate with a doctor of osteopathic medicine from Kirksville College of Osteopathy and Surgery (now ATSU-KCOM). Dr. Blueskye practiced in Mentor, Ohio.

George Blue Spruce Jr., DDS, MPH | Laguna/Ohkay-Owingeh
Dr. George Blue Spruce, an enrolled member of the Pueblo Tribe (Laguna/Ohkay-Owingeh) is the first recognized American Indian dentist. Dr. Blue Spruce was also the first American Indian dentist to be given the title of Assistant Surgeon General. Although he officially retired in 1986, he has continued to work hard to enhance the health of American Indian people and to encourage Indian people to become dentists as well as leaders in the other health professions.

In 1990, he was instrumental in founding the Society of American Indian Dentists. Today, he is assistant dean for American Indian Affairs at ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health located in Mesa, Ariz. Recently, ATSU renamed its Hero Healers speaker’s forum the Dr. George Blue Spruce Hero Healers.

Pathways to Admissions Workshop (PAW)

Reach out to ncaihp@atsu.edu for details and questions about the PAW events.

The American Indian and Alaska Native population suffers from the worst health disparities when compared to all other ethnic groups in the United States. The goal of the American Indian/Alaska Native Pathways to Admissions Workshop (PAW) is to promote the health of Indian Country by increasing the number of AI/AN healthcare employees. The workshops will help attendees navigate their choice of medical school application process, strengthen their applications, and expand their professional network. Moreover, the workshop induces a 2-night stay and all meals will be provided. Transportation to and from the workshop will be at the discretion of the participant. The expected arrival date is Wednesday, September 11, between 2:00 and 6:00 PM. Departure will be Friday, September 13, 5:00 PM.

PAW Dates

PAW Date: September 12 - 13, 2024
Deadline: August 19th, 2024

APPLY HERE

Aside from completing the application you will need to either mail or email in the following documents. Your application will not be complete without this step.

Completed application (this form)
Written description (250 words or less) of your connection to an American Indian, Alaska Native tribe, nation, or community
A one (1) page personal statement of 4,500 characters or less describing who you are and why you are interested in your specific medical program
Proof of tribal enrollment

Reach out to ncaihp@atsu.edu for details and questions about the PAW events.