Indigenous Pathway
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine's Indigenous Pathway Program is designed to increase the representation of Indigenous students in the medical field as well as educate non-Indigenous medical students who have interest in Indigenous health.
Mission
The program began in 2022 with the primary purposes of:
- Enhancing Access: Providing Indigenous students with tailored support and resources to navigate the application process and succeed in medical education.
- Cultural Competence: Training future healthcare professionals to understand and respect Indigenous cultures, traditions, and health perspectives, ultimately improving patient care.
- Community Engagement: Encouraging collaboration between medical institutions and Indigenous communities to address specific health issues and needs.
- Reducing Barriers: Identifying and minimizing systemic barriers that Indigenous students face in accessing medical education, including financial, social, and educational challenges.
- Promoting Health Equity: Aiming to reduce health disparities experienced by Indigenous populations through increased representation in healthcare and medical research.
The pathway program aims to create a more diverse and inclusive healthcare workforce that can better serve Indigenous communities.
Program Team
Associate Director of Rural Health
Elizabeth Guerrero Lyons, EdD, is the associate director of Rural Health and assistant professor at MSU College of Human Medicine. Prior to this role, she has worked in undergraduate admissions and served as the director of minority recruitment for the medical school. Dr. Lyons is co-founder of the Great Lakes Native American Applicant Workshop, a multi-school initiative that provides mentorship and guidance for Native American premedical students from a six-state region.
Faculty Advisor
Frank Animikwam, MD, is a faculty advisor for the Indigenous Pathway Program and an alumnus of the College of Human Medicine. Dr. Animikwam is a citizen of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and serves as the medical director for the tribe.
Faculty Advisor
Sophina Manheimer Calderon, MD, is a faculty advisor for the Indigenous Pathway Program. Dr. Calderon is Diné (Navajo) from Tuba City, Arizona and received her medical degree from University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She is the chief medical officer for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Health System.
