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2021 Cancer Prevention & Control Fellows!
DR. BECKER'S MESSAGE For this issue, we chose the theme of 'Charting Your Own Career Path’. The topic seems timely; the planet seems to have turned many of our career plans and goals upside down this past year! However, we shall proceed to move forward from a position of strength, not that of panic or undue worry. Perhaps resolve is called for now, more than ever in the recent past, in charting your own career. All of us have benefited from sage advice along the way from people whom we respect and admire, and who clearly hope to see us succeed. Some of these advisors and mentors are very quick to offer their advice and guidance without knowing our goals, hopes, and career aspirations. While I do not think that anyone would purposefully try to harm your career development with bad advice, I have observed that mentors and career advisors sometimes give advice to others to validate their own careers and choices, particularly. In my own ‘n of 1’ career path, if I had followed my parents’ advice and direction, I would have been a bank teller in my little hometown in Ohio. I respected my parents’ values and appreciated their commitment to my success, but their advice was not helpful if I wanted a research career/public health type of position. Working for a bank is a good job, just not one I wanted. Later in my career, my medical school advisors and counselors took turns advising me to do whatever they did for a career - pediatrics, urology, orthopedic surgery, internal medicine. The ‘fit’ with any of those choices did not seem right; it did not mesh with my desire to improve health on a population level, particularly for those populations with health statistics that reflected inequities in disease rates, risks, survival, and other indicators of health. My take home message - You are all promising junior (and beyond) researchers. You are all smart and highly capable to weigh opportunities and risks. And, only YOU know what you want to do with your career. Thus, my advice to you: don’t take any advice. A ‘softer’ opinion might be: weigh advice into your decisions, but consider all of the picture before you act. Make your own decision, chart your own course. You can listen to trusted advisors and weigh their advice into your equation, but you know yourself, your goals, your ideal path, better than anyone else. Trust yourself the most when the path leads you to a decision point!
NW NARCH
Spring/Summer | 2021
NEWS
WELCOME
As I wrap up the postdoc period of my career, I’ve spent a substantial amount of time considering my academic path - both reflecting on the past and anticipating how to build for the future. Like so much else, the landscape, structure, and tenor of public health research is shifting. While much can still change, the capacity to chart your own path has expanded. I always encourage students to develop both non-linear academic and non-academic experiences. Also growing in your cultural identity will help reframe the Western knowledge learned. These experiences that are rooted in relationality and kinship can assist in creatively building out and owning your unique pathway. Native mentorship is important here too. All these life experiences are connected. Here, critical thought and ingenuity are the force that can begin to pull at the threads that connect those experiences and that begin to shape your own pathway. Many of my younger relatives are practicing traditional ways of knowing, like silversmithing, weaving, farming, and herding. These practices steeped in a Native worldview are critical to informing new approaches to apply to fields like public health, policy, education, etc. Charting one’s own path is to integrate our identity into our work. By doing this we are recreating the framework of how we will carry out the work we want to do. The cultural practices and critical awareness of identity are the vehicle that carry forward how we map that onto our professions. For many of us growing up and seeing the legacies of structural racism and violence, specifically within settler colonial contexts, we see how they have manifested in the social and economic disparities today, especially now with COVID-19. For me, this has reinforced my path towards addressing downstream consequences of the social determinants of health. The goal in charting my path has been to apply the processes, philosophies, and orientation as a Dinéscholar to epidemiology. Applying our cultural teachings (as best as we can) is what will drive and sustain us to creatively do the work to make the change that we want to see together.
FELLOW IN FOCUS
Read about what some of our NARCH Fellows have been doing this past year: Angela Fernandez (Menominee) I am currently a University of Michigan School of Social Work Postdoctoral Research Fellow, and will begin my appointment as an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Nursing in the fall of 2021. In the past year, I published four articles and a book chapter, and was invited to be a William T. Grant AQC Scholar with the Institute in Critical Quantitative, Computational & Mixed Methodologies as part of a two-year cohort. I also submitted a Research Supplement to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research proposal to the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities. If funded, this project would allow me to develop a culturally-grounded measure aimed at chronic disease prevention among American Indians (AIs). My research goal is to better define the role of engagement in Indigenous cultural practices that involve nature contact in prevention, and to respond to the significant gap in culturally informed measures that can be used to evaluate chronic and co-occurring health outcomes within culturally-grounded health interventions. Ultimately, I aim to contribute to the protection and preservation of Indigenous lands, waters and corresponding cultural practices for the health and well-being of current and future generations. Hayden Hedman (Cherokee) The last year has been an exodus for me. Initially, I worked as a post-doctoral research associate studying the ‘zombie deer disease’ (i.e. chronic wasting disease) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Several months into the pandemic, I started serving as the only epidemiologist for my hometown’s local public health agency in Summit County, Colorado. A few Netflix seasons later, I began working as a data scientist and AAAS Fellow for the U.S. Department of State with the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This summer, I will begin my service with the CDC EIS program, supporting a broad spectrum of public health topics in South Dakota. I also adopted two german shepherds (Tony and Loki), which I'm excited to bring with me to South Dakota. Jacy Hutchinson (Rampart Village) This past year came with many challenges and successes. I successfully defended my dissertation proposal, received IRB approval, and interviewed 23 Alaska Native people about their experiences with internalized oppression and resistance. Many of these steps were new to me as a developing researcher, but I received an incredible amount of support from my advisor, dissertation committee, and Community Advisory Board. Participation in my research far exceeded my expectations and the narratives I heard were incredibly rich and insightful. Once intimidating, this process has been extremely meaningful and motivating. I look forward to further data analysis and to sharing the voices of these diverse participants. Jonathan Credo (Navajo) Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and slow down in research, I had an incredibly productive year. With funding from NPAIHB, I started a pilot project to assess the angiogenic potential of perchlorate in the thyroid tissue of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Perchlorate is a ubiquitous aquatic contaminant that is used in thousands of everyday products. It inhibits iodine uptake by the thyroid. This can result in hypothyroidism and other health complications associated with low thyroid hormone. The pilot showed that (at environmentally relevant concentrations) perchlorate exposed D. rerio displayed increased vascularization in their thyroid. If perchlorate does act as an angiogenic agent, its pervasive existence in nature could increase morbidity and mortality of thyroid cancer patients. I also received additional pilot funding from two additional sources to investigate the health consequences of aquatic contaminants in the Colorado River using the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as an animal model. Beyond this work, I also conducted analytical analyses on three separate contamination projects. Lastly, with the help of colleagues at Northern Arizona University and the University of AZ, we began a research collaboration with the Cocopah Tribe in Arizona to assess contaminant exposure and subsequent health effects in their tribe. I recently gathered pilot data for this collaborative research project. I will continue to gather pilot data for my work on the CO River project and will travel to North Carolina to complete genomic studies for my dissertation. I plan to finish the year by writing up manuscripts for the half-dozen or so projects I have going on and will defend my PhD before transitioning back to my MD studies in February 2022. Saydie Sago (Mescalero Apache) I have been wrapping up the last year of my Master's and have completed my thesis. My thesis title is "Effects of Mycobacterium aurum Aogashima on biological signatures of stress-induced neuroinflammation and stress-resilient behaviors in adult male rats". I plan on submitting this work for publication in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. I will continue to work on this project and hope to submit more first-author papers. Richelle Lynn Thomas (Navajo) For the past year, I have been working on developing relationships with collaborators for my PhD project. I have also been developing a relationship with traditional practitioners on the Navajo Nation. I have also been working on new ideas for the project, stay tuned. I am hoping many of the ideas can be directly implemented into the communities in the next year.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
How you were selected to serve on the Biden-Harris COVID-19 Advisory Board and what did it mean to you to be selected? It happened very quickly. It might be due to the work that I did with the Navajo Nation, but I didn't expect it. I did interviews and was just honest about the reality of COVID in Navajo Nation. We were also the epicenter of COVID, too. That was such a privilege connecting with new people and professionals...who wrote books! I enjoyed their company. I enjoyed their perspective and we all still talk to this day. We did a lot of listening sessions. I was able to hear similar perspectives from the African American communities,
By: Grazia Cunningham, MPH I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Jim, Executive Director of the Navajo Nation Health Department and member of the Biden-Harris COVID-19 Advisory Board, for this issue. Humble and eloquent, Dr. Jim shared her professional journey with me and offered some pearls of wisdom to NARCH Fellows. How did you enter this journey? When did you know public health was your path? I always go back to being an athlete at an early age. I took part in mentorship camps for Navajo children called Wings of America. They are a non-profit organization through Nike, based out of Santa Fe. They basically go on to the reservations across the United States and provide running camps, but also motivational ways of encouraging kids to go to school and not do drugs and other things. I spent three summers with Wings of America and had that connection early on. That early experience inspired me to work in public health, but I actually thought I would be a PE teacher! I decided that I was interested in going back to school and addressing our health disparities. At that time, diabetes was common on the Navajo Nation and everywhere else - it still is a major challenge to overcome. I didn’t know about the profession of health education before college. I was not really familiar with promotion and education, but I enjoyed health. If I could prevent diseases, then why not? So I went on the path of receiving a Bachelor's in health education. That’s how my formal public health education started. I went back to the reservation a little over two years after school. I realized that the work that I was doing felt like it wasn't enough in regards to managing health programs, and also evaluating health programs. I was always interested in numbers, so I decided to go back for one master's degree. I thought, "What can I do or learn in order to do this kind of work in the future because I don't have the skills to do it now?" Creating good managers to oversee programs in Indian Country was my next effort. I signed up for a dual degree in health care administration and public health. For some, that might have felt confusing, but really it isn't that confusing. We know there's a large need in Indian Country, especially for public health people in general. I think we're very compassionate people. We care about individuals’ health-their well being and their mental health. When I was in business school, it's quite different. It was quite interesting to come through those two paths-the business world and the public health world where we're more interested in the well being of others. I thought that was a good combination and a good experience to have, especially when there's a large need in Indian country and the Navajo Nation.
Q&A with Dr. Jill Jim
Dr. Jill Jim (Navajo) zooming with Ms. Cunningham
Latina and Latino, and Hispanic communities. There was a sense of hope in those conversations. The diversity in that group made it very unique in the transition for President Biden and Vice President Harris to be ready on day one. That was a privilege. Representing Indian country was very, very important, but it was also very surreal. I did shy away from a lot of interviews during that time, but am open to speak now because during that time, of course, we were restricted. It was a great opportunity. We don't advise directly now, but we meet still as a group. That's something that I would never have experienced, but I am glad I did because it can lead to new journeys and opportunities. What advice do you have for current NARCH fellows who are in the beginning of their careers, particularly careers in academia? I think one thing in our culture that I had to overcome is we are raised young not to brag about yourself. I had to find mentors to help me see it from a different perspective. Talking to someone helped me see things in a different perspective. Once you begin talking about the work that you're doing, you identify something that you didn't see. Talking about it verbally, rather than thinking about it, helped me see that I did more than I thought I did. It's always good to find good mentors in your lifetime. I have several wonderful older women who are very seasoned professionals in their work that have helped guide me or listened to me-and also I listen to them as well-especially in these trying times of COVID. We're not all experts in it, but I think finding people that you can connect with through your lifetime, in regards to your profession, is very important. I would encourage people not to be shy about looking for individuals to connect with and determine if that's going to be a good fit. As a student, you may need to target individuals or mentors you want to meet. For me, some [mentors] happened haphazardly because of the work that I did. After my Master’s degree, my mentor continued to be a friend. Some are just classmates that I’ve had who I still connect with from time to time or employees who I had a connection with in the work I was doing at the time. There are certain individuals people need to find, connect with and continue those relationships. Every now and then, I have to remind myself to catch up with them. It does take time but it’s always well worth it to connect with other individuals who are in your work life or targeted mentors for your own career development. The experience I had-as far as the physical feeling of doing a dissertation - prepared me for this job because of the amount of pure exhaustion. It’s a well worth experience. There are lots of students that can do the impossible if they just commit to it. It can be done, but it will take a lot of hard work and a lot of failures. Any things future tribal graduate students should be aware of as they navigate higher education and careers in academia? I often encourage individuals to work in between their degrees, just so that they get a perspective on what it's enough or not enough in their skill set or what is needed in the workforce. Also, I feel like sometimes when I’m talking with other individuals who are younger, they might not be decisive about what profession they’re going to go into. I didn’t really bounce around other than getting the dual degree. It’s really unknown what people might want, especially if they’re in their bachelor program. Also, even if you’re starting from scratch as a high school graduate, a university doesn’t have to be your first choice. There are junior colleges and other choices because it’s so expensive now! It’s a progression and letting people understand you don’t have to follow one way to university, etc. Now that colleges and junior colleges are offering bachelor’s degrees, there are different mechanisms. People ought to find something they enjoy doing for the rest of their lives, but they might not be really sure about it. Like me. I went into something I didn’t know about, but I liked health in general and looking at prevention. Being open-minded about what a degree can do for you going forward is important. If you come to a point where you’re not satisfied with the work that needs to get done, you need to elevate yourself. When a person makes that decision, they should just go for it. Also, when I was in college or even in my PhD, there were people in their 60’s. There’s no determination when people should go back but I always found it inspiring that these older people who were seasoned professionals go back. Learning is something we will do continuously for the rest of our lives. Individuals can be open-minded to exploring and finding ways to connect with different nationalities. There’s always new ways to find friendship and also learning about other cultures. I always befriended those kinds of classmates-we did homework together or study groups together. Also, if there’s not a large Native population or diversity, you can make it your own by finding ways to engage in your school setting and make friendships with just about anybody and make it more comfortable. Was the NARCH Fellowship useful for your career? In what ways? It did help me get to where I'm at, not only financially, but it also kept me focused on completing and reporting my progress! I think when you have a certain accountability, you're committed to doing it. I hope that young individuals learn that there are grants and funds and organizations out there to help. NARCH was one of them. Tom, I would say, is a good friend and a good mentor too. He was always rooting you along and supported the work that I was doing or other students were doing. Allowing us to convene there in the summer-I thought-was always very helpful to connect with people, but also to understand that one day, we would be there contributing to the larger work of Indian country. There's a sense of community around research and Epidemiology, around helping the Navajo Nation and Indian country. I would say I belong to that community. NARCH and Tom are well identified from my perspective to engage other tribal leaders or tribal members, who will one day be leaders in their own respect too. I hope that you all continue to get the grants that you do because it meant a lot to me as well. This year has been a very challenging and painful year for so many. When you aren’t working, how do you spend your time to recharge yourself? I try to walk when I can. Also, I try to take Saturdays off to not think about work and work on Sunday. Most of last year, I was working all the time. Finally, the numbers are down and I was able to take some time off. Earlier this year, I committed to spending time with my family on Saturdays as much as I can. The reality of this job is 24/7. It’s not an 8-5 job, so committing to a day and trying to connect with friends every now and again is helpful. If you could pick one person to have lunch with tomorrow, who would you choose and why? Sitting down with Vice President Harris would be a dream come true. I’m so passionate about the work they do and the decisions they’re making.
Beading through a Pandemic
By: Birdie Wermy (Southern Cheyenne) MPH, NPAIHB Behavioral Health Project Manager
Last year, the world as we knew it changed in the blink of an eye. The shutdown moved every part of our lives moved into our homes. In April 2020, I joined my first virtual “Bead Circle” hosted by Ryerson College (Canada) and, recently, celebrated my one-year, virtual beading anniversary! We meet twice a month for 2 hours. A guest beader leads the session and showcases their beadwork and current beading projects. In addition to teaching the group a new beading technique, they share stories on bead working and discuss their favorite stitch/pattern. Throughout this pandemic, my love and imagination for beading grew stronger, as did my desire to learn new beading techniques! I learned how to make earrings using different beading techniques and materials. I made my first peyote stitch necklace for my daughter and my first beaded medallion for my Dad. I also learned how to make moccasins! I made my very first medallion for my father last year for Father’s Day and I was able to replicate a painting my Grandfather made for my dad. As I looked at his rock painting, I realized there was so much time, effort, love and meaning that went into this painting. It was truly an honor to replicate this painting into beadwork that was created more than 30 years ago. I also inherited my Grandfather’s beads and tools after he passed away, I have yet to use them but I know there will be a special time for me to use them in the future. Not only have I gained new skills, but I have gained new friendships with other Indigenous artists and Native beaders from Hawaii and Canada.
Beading is also a stress-reliever and my personal “self-care” time. I enjoy the silence or occasional conversation while beading. Good thoughts, prayers, and a clear mind go into my bead work. I am able to take advantage of our current situation while having 100% access to all of my tools, beads and materials from the comfort of my own home. I set aside a few hours a week and dedicate my time and energy to focus solely on what my current beading activity may be. When I bead, I think of the generations before me, how beading has played a significant role in our culture, and how I will pass this on to my kids and grandkids knowing each of them will have a piece of my beadwork to share or use as a guide. I take great pride in the work I and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when I finish a project. Here are a few of the projects I completed during the pandemic. Enjoy!
CONTACT US! Ashley Thomas, MPH NW NARCH Program Manager athomas@npaihb.org
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers S06GM123543 and S06GM127164. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.