How Should Health Professions Schools Partner With AI/AN Communities?

Abstract

Many health professions education institutions exist on land once inhabited by American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Land acknowledgment by these academic organizations is helpful, but collaborative support of AI/AN health is also needed. Because tribaluniversity partnerships in education are fewer than in research but just as important, this article considers health professions schools' responsibilities to offer students clinical rotations on tribal lands and to recruit AI/AN students. Such investment expands student educational opportunity, diversifies clinical workforces, and helps tribes improve health infrastructure and sustainability. This article also offers an adaptable roadmap for building such partnerships. Case After months of processing paperwork and permissions between the medical school and tribal health facility, NZ and KY, 2 medical students, finally start a surgery clerkship on tribal land. In prior weeks, they attended seminars to learn some of the history and culture of this area of the Southwestern United States. NZ grew up on the Navajo reservation and KY grew up in Ohio and has never been on a reservation. Both students are interested in rural health and hope this clerkship will help them make career decisions.