Native American Health Sciences

About Us

Since 1995, WSU Health Sciences Spokane has been active in recruiting Native Americans students to health care fields through these two programs – a student recruitment and retention program, and a two-week summer institute for Native American high school students.

2020 Na-ha-shnee Summer Institute and Native STEAM Institute Combined Into One Online Event

Due to the current COVID-19 public health emergency, Native American Health Sciences has adapted our summer Institutes to distance learning experience to ensure that we offer our students access to these learning experiences while keeping our tribal communities safe and healthy. Our office has decided to combine the Na-ha-shnee Health Sciences Institute and the Native STEAM Summer Research Institute into one program called “Na’ha’shnee STEAM Health Institute”

LEARN MORE AND APPLY HERE

INMED Reimagine Indians Into Medicine (RISE)

June 22 – July 31, 2020

The RISE Summer Academy, a six-week program, will be open to 15 American Indian Alaskan Native (AIAN) enrolled members of federally recognized tribes or descendants.

Focus of the RISE Summer Academy:

• MCAT Prep
• Supplemental Basic Science Refresher
• Cultural Engagement and Community Building
• Medical Student Mentors

Learn More

Student Spotlights

Learn about some of our Native students!
Find all Student Spotlights here.

Lauren Sanford
Graduate Student, Speech and Hearing Sciences

 

 

Native American Recruitment and Retention Program

The Native American Recruitment and Retention Program (NARR) was implemented at WSU in 1995 to increase the number of Native American nurses. The program successfully contributed to the graduation of more than 60 nurses during its first 18 years, and had recruited Native American students to pursue the highest levels of nursing degrees available (Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing). After graduation, most nurses returned to their tribes or went to work in clinical settings that predominately serve Native Americans.

Today, the NARR program has expanded its focus to increase the number of Native American students entering all health science careers.

The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine boasts the Indians into Medicine Program (INMED).