News Release
We Are Healers
In medicine, every minority group has seen increases in medical students except for Native Americans. Native physicians represented only 0.56% of active physicians in 2016, and that number does not appear to be increasing. As of 2022, only 0.17% of American Indians and Alaskan Natives were MD-granting medical school matriculants.
We Are Healers is changing this by helping Native youth to pursue careers in medicine, connecting them to resources and advising academic health institutions on how to recruit and retain Native students.
One way we offer direct support is through the Fellowship program. We are now expanding our Fellowship program from four Fellows in our previous cohort to 10 in the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year. These Fellows represent multiple tiers of education levels. Applications open on October 15 and will close on November 15, 2022.
“Our fellows are key to demystifying the journey of medical school for Native youth interested in a career in healthcare,” said Dr. Erik Brodt (Anishinaabe/Minnesota Chippewa), Founder and Board President of We Are Healers.
We Are Healers is building a social media community and presence that engages future Healers in a deeper and more relational way. The Fellowship will build and grow this community, cultivate Fellows’ existing social media talent and connections and provide mentorship and professional development. Our goal is to expand these resources and reach more Native youth.
Part of the fellowship program is covering the costs of standardized testing (MCAT, USMLE, test preparatory courses, etc.) for more Native youth who dream of being a health professional. Exam fees and prep courses can cost thousands of dollars and can be a real barrier for Indigenous students.
We Are Healers is working to dismantle colonial structures that suppress the success of our kin and provide them with positive role-models. We are positively changing our communities as we are training a workforce that is better suited for tribal needs.
For more information visit: https://www.wearehealers.org/fellows.
For questions, please contact We Are Healers Communications Director via email mandy.yeahpau@wearehealers.org.
About We Are Healers
We Are Healers is a 501c3 non-profit initiative featuring stories of American Indian health professionals. We aim to inspire American Indian youth to envision themselves as dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, etc. — all through stories of Native role-models. Through a wide reach and national partnerships, we are able to connect American Indian students with Native-centric programs proven to provide successful academic enrichment. We Are Healers opens doors and provides opportunity. For more information visit, www.wearehealers.org.
