American Indian Physicians Head To Anchorage This Summer

Native News Network Staff in Native Health. Discussion »

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – The Association of American Indian Physicians will partner with the University of Hawaii, Center for Native and Pacific Health Disparities Research to co-host the "Advancing Native Health and Wellness" Conference.

Association of American Indian Physicians

The conference, which will be the Association of American Indian Physicians' 41st annual meeting, will be held July 31 - August 5. The two health organizations will hold their annual meetings jointly.

“This will mark the first time Native Hawaiian physicians and American Indian physicians will come together to share research and ideas on Native health and wellness,”

said Association of American Indian Physicians President Dr. Donna Galbreath.

“This unique partnership and opportunity will bring together ideas and opportunities that can help us all better address the multitude of health issues that are critical to our organizations and to indigenous populations.”

“The gathering of native health care providers and native communities from across the US and the Pacific will provide an opportunity to learn from each other and to join our voices together on critical issues related to native health and wellness,”

said Dr. Marjorie Mau, Center for Native and Pacific Health Disparities Research director.

“This conference will also embrace cultural practitioners and traditional healers who are key to defining who we are by honoring our past… as we move forward to take ownership of our health and wellness - and to be proud of who we are today and into the future.”

Galbreath said topics for the conference will include sessions on: traditional healing; workforce diversity in the biomedical and healthcare field; Native driven research; social determinants of health; public/private collaborations to address wellness; health disparities in Native communities; models of healthcare delivery; and community engaged interventions.

“This will be a great opportunity to share best practices for implementing health and wellness initiatives in our Native communities,”

Galbreath said.

Physicians, health professionals, health researchers, and tribal leaders are expected to attend. The Association of American Indian Physicians, which has close to 400 member medical doctors, will also partner with the University of Hawaii - Center for Native and Pacific Health Disparities Research to host cultural activities and a fun run/health walk for meeting participants.

posted May 19, 2012 6:00 am edt