White Earth Indigenous Health
Location: White Earth Indian Reservation (Ogema, Minnesota)
UMN Faculty global partner lead contact: Dr. Michael Sundberg
Objectives:
Demonstrate attitude/skill/humility to work effectively with the White Earth community
Understand the circumstances of and demonstrate ability to manage limited medical resources on a rural Native American reservation
Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and manage common medical conditions in a rural setting and know when to escalate care
Recognize health disparities prevalent on a Native reservation
Explore the possibility of practicing in a Native American community
Understand the health belief system and traditional medical practices among the Anishinaabe people
Demonstrate knowledge of unique health issues in the White Earth community
Pre-readings and videos:
Grand Rounds - June 16, 2021 "Improving Health Equity Through Academic Partnerships with Native American Communities" Mike Sundberg, MD, MPH, Krish Subrahmanian MD, MPhil, DTM, Alice Lehman, MD and Damon Leader Charge (Sicangu Oglala Lakota), MA, Director of Tribal Relations, University of South Dakota
Ideal time for residents to go:
2nd and/or 3rd year of residency
Estimated Costs White Earth
Housing - Available, lake cabin near Ogema, no cost.
Medical License - $
Ground Transport - Gas to travel to White Earth
Read the November 2023 Newsletter to hear about Dr. Cassidy Huun's time at White Earth
Background
Type of Experience: Clinical and Community Health
Is a Temporary Medical License Required? No
Primary Language Spoken: English
Housing: Available, lake cabin near Ogema, no cost.
Dress code: Business casual
Brief Background/History:
The University of Minnesota Medical School’s Center of American Indian and Minority Health and University of Minnesota Physicians collaborate with the Indian Health Service (IHS) and regional Indigenous communities in a program called the Minnesota Indigenous Health Workforce Initiative (MnIHWI). This collaborative aims to improve health disparities by providing direct clinical care within the IHS, disseminating Indigenous health resources, and developing a future health workforce more representative of Indigenous communities.
Pediatrics residents have the opportunity to participate in a rotation focused on providing care within the White Earth Health Center located in Ogema, and at satellite clinics in Pine Point and Naytauhwash. The White Earth Health Center is an Indian Health Service comprehensive, ambulatory care facility providing care to White Earth Nation. The rotation includes approximately 40-50% of rotation time dedicated to community-centered learning including curricula focused on the health of the White Earth community, understanding local traditional medicine practices, and assisting the MnIHWI community health-liaison in projects engaging youth around health workforce development.
