Tribal Health Experiential Student Internship Seminar THESIS

This past week, I had the opportunity to present my research, "A Comparative Analysis of Tribal Self-Governance and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Interventions in the Southeast," at the THESIS showcase as part of the CDC John R. Lewis Scholars Program. I’m proud to share that I was recognized with the Distinguished Scholar Award for my research! From engaging public health leaders to thought-provoking seminars, THESIS reminded me why I chose this path. Huge thank you to the Tribal Health Experiential Student Internship Seminar THESIS program and the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board for pouring into the next generation of public health professionals. Another huge thank you to my mentor LaKaija J. Wood, PhD whose guidance has shaped my research experience! This experience strengthened my public health research skills and connected me with passionate mentors and peers committed to health equity among underserved populations.

This past week, I had the honor of presenting my research on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in AI/AN communities at the THESIS 2025 Showcase in Oklahoma City, OK as a THESIS alumni. A huge thank you to Southern Plains Tribal Health Board and Tribal Health Experiential Student Internship Seminar THESIS for this amazing opportunity! Also, thank you to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Lewis Scholars Program for making this happen. My research serves to analyze how collective systemic factors and the social/environmental infrastructure of AI/AN-dominated rural areas impacts the high SIDS rates seen in AI/AN communities. My goal was to provide an alternative approach to the core factors contributing to these elevated rates as opposed to analyzing individual behavior such as prenatal substance use and parent-infant sleeping practices. During this conference I was able to tour the brand new Wahzahzhe Osage Healthcare Facility and visit Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal lands to see wild bison, which was incredibly beautiful and grounding. I also visited the First Americans Museum with my intern cohort. These two field experiences taught me about tribal self-governance and data sovereignty efforts. As I take these two upcoming semesters to conclude my B.S in Public Health at the University of Georgia, I am incredibly grateful for the abundance of mentors, support, and knowledge throughout my public health journey. I am dedicated to continuously learning about the communities I wish to work alongside every single day, and this trip was no exception. I am so appreciative for the THESIS community of AI/AN mentors, leaders, and fellow interns who continue to share their culture, challenges, and stories with the world.

Good afternoon LinkedIn Family, It has been a little over two months since I have graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I obtained my Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology, with Highest Distinction. Reflecting on my undergraduate experience, I’m filled with gratitude for the incredible mentors, peers, and opportunities that shaped my academic and personal growth. From being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa to serving as director of my college dance team, my undergraduate experience was a rich blend of academic rigor and creative leadership. I am excited to announce that I will be attending Wake Forest University in the fall to obtain my Masters of Biomedical Sciences. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to continue growing academically and professionally in a field I’m passionate about. Thank you to my mentors, family, and friends who have supported me throughout this journey! I look forward to expanding my knowledge, engaging in meaningful research, and preparing for the next steps in my career in healthcare and science.