Strengthening Native American Outreach and Engagement at the 2024 AAIP Conference
University of Utah Health continues to deepen its commitment to Native American outreach and engagement by actively participating in the 52nd Annual Association of American Indian Physicians Conference (AAIP). The conference, held this week in Salt Lake City, is themed “Empowering Indigenous Health: Unifying Efforts for Progress.” It is a pivotal event for medical professionals, educators, and students working to advance the health and well-being of Native communities because it provides a unique platform for collaboration, learning, and advocacy.
“Our participation in AAIP’s conference reflects our ongoing commitment to engaging tribal and rural communities through strategic partnerships, increased resource access, and a broadened national impact,” says Samantha Eldridge, Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagementdirector. “Attending the conference allows us to connect with AI/AN health care professionals, researchers, and community leaders. It’s one way to advance innovative approaches to enhance health outcomes and well-being in Native communities.”
Faculty and staff from various departments, including the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine’s Office of Academic Culture and Community are attending the conference to share knowledge and learn from Native health professionals.
“The AAIP conference provides a meaningful opportunity for us to learn from Native communities,” says Donna Eldridge, director of the Office of Academic Culture and Community. “By engaging with the community, we can better support Native students academically and in their future medical careers.”
Jeff Robinson, MD, from the Department of Pediatrics’ Clinical Partnerships with Tribal and IHS partners agrees. “We are excited to learn from AAIP about the ways in which academic medical centers can best engage with tribal facilities and communities to improve care,” he says.
U of U Health’s commitment to improving care is especially important in light of the physician workforce shortages in Utah. Projections indicate that Utah will be in the top quintile of states with a primary care physician shortage by 2025.*
This shortage is particularly acute in tribal, rural, and urban underserved settings, where only 11% of primary care physicians work, despite 28% of the population residing in these areas. Consequently, as many as 53% of individuals in these regions are without a primary care provider.**
“As an indigenous student, and U of U chapter of ANAMS co-president, the support I’ve received in realizing my goals of building community and providing support for AI/AN students in health care programs is overwhelming,” says Caroline Nelson, a Medical Scientist Training Program student. “Heading into AAIP, I am excited to proudly share the programs and initiatives available here and brainstorm ways to enhance our community.”
Maija Holsti, MD, highlights the significance of the event, stating, “This is an incredible opportunity for our AI/AN pre-medical and medical students and those interested in helping narrow AI/AN health disparities to connect and build collaborations with AI/AN physician leaders from all over the country.”
U of U Health’s participation in the AAIP Conference demonstrates its ongoing commitment and programming to serve Native communities. These efforts include outreach programs, culturally sensitive curriculum development, and community engagement initiatives that address Native students' specific needs. The conference offers a platform to highlight these endeavors.
Interested attendees can sign up here.
Departments participating:
Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Office of Academic Culture and Community
The Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement
Native American Research Internship (NARI)
Association on Native American Medical Students (ANAMS)
Graduate Certificate in Tribal, Rural, and Urban Underserved Medical Education (TRUE)
Department of Pediatrics Clinical Partnerships with Tribal and IHS partners
*U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. HRSA, 2015. “State-Level Projections of Supply and Demand for Primary Care Practitioners: 2013-2025.” November 2016.
**Cited August 23 2021; Public Health Indicator Based Information System (IBIS) – Utah Department of Health & Human Services: Health Indicator Report of Personal Doctor or Health Care Provider.