Health Pathways
“Growing-Our-Own” to increase the number of Native American students employed in the healthcare related fields, on Tribal lands.
American Indians into Healthcare Professions (AIHP)
American Indians into Healthcare Professions (AIHP) | 2025 Report
The American Indians into Healthcare Professions program is designed to serve tribal youth and adults interested in healthcare professions by exploring careers in medicine, nursing, public health, veterinary medicine, agriculture for traditional healings, and other unique fields.
The program focuses on Healthcare topics through presentations, hands-on activities, campus visits, cultural workshops, and student panels.
Wassaja Center Alternative Credentials Program (ACP)
The Wassaja Carlos Montezuma Center for Native American Health was awarded a two-year, $200,000 grant from the Kellogg Foundation, to fund their Wassaja Center Alternative Credentials Program (ACP). This innovative program will significantly increase the number of Native American individuals employed in healthcare-related fields on tribal land. This approach is the first of its kind to foster professionals that are highly trained in their field, while simultaneously remaining culturally competent regarding the unique issues facing tribal communities. This program has been developed by the Wassaja Center and their Tribal Advisory Board, a unique partnership that ensures tribal voices are centering the work they do, and that all aspects of the Wassaja Center are Indigenous led. The program will be led by Christina C. Bell Andrews, JD, MPH, MBA, MA, Executive Director of the Wassaja Center.
“This program will increase high-quality jobs and more equitable employment opportunities for tribal members while pursuing their degree,” said Bell. “Our program will provide Native American students with the proper credentialing to connect them to a four-year institution and will also provide each student with individualized guidance and resources to help them navigate the university experience and connect them to future employment on tribal land.”
The ACP is part of a larger initiative within the Wassaja Center to work with Tribal Nations, students, practitioners, and community to assist Indigenous families in healing the body, mind, spirit, and environment. The Center uses a culturally-appropriate holistic approach through Indigenous knowledge, research, data, public health, law, and policy. The ACP falls within the black and yellow quadrants of the Wassaja Center’s mission and comes after months of dialogue with the Tribes.