HEAL Welcomes Dr. Adriann Begay to the team as a Senior Officer
She brings her expertise in American Indian health as a strategic advisor to HEAL’s work in Navajo Nation
OAKLAND, CA, OCTOBER 11, 2021 — The UCSF HEAL Initiative is thrilled to announce Dr. Adriann Begay, veteran Navajo Nation Indian Health Services (IHS) employee, physician, mentor, leader, and HEAL alumni, will join the HEAL team this month. Dr. Begay brings over 20 years of experience working at Gallup Indian Medical Center, one of the largest hospitals serving Native American Patients, as a physician, mentor, administrator, and leader.
Raised on the Navajo reservation, Dr. Begay is Tábaahi (Edge of the Water clan) and born for Bít’ahnii (Folded Arms People clan). Her maternal grandparents are Ta’néészahnii (Badlands People clan) and paternal grandparents are Tl’aashchí’í (Red Cheek People clan). While raising three children, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona; and received a medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine through the Indians into Medicine program. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Arizona and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice.
Dr. Begay worked for the Indian Health Service for 21 years initially at Salt River Clinic under Phoenix Indian Medical Center for 4 years as a primary care provider. Then at Gallup Indian Medical Center as an urgent care physician and administrator for 17 years. Her career is dedicated to elevating healthcare for American Indians/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN). Increasing the pipeline of AI/AN students who can come home and care for their people is a major part of her dedication.
Dr. Begay’s greatest accomplishments are being a mother of three, being a grandmother to nine beautiful grandchildren, being a daughter to a strong Navajo woman who she can now care for, being a wife to a caring artistic husband, and always being a source of support for family, colleagues, friends and anyone who needs even a hug or pat on the back.
Dr. Begay’s 20+ year career in the field of healthcare, including deep relationships with all the major American Indian and rural health organizations, brings unique assets to bear in her role which is critical to HEAL’s future.
During the COVID pandemic, Dr. Begay served as a trusted leader, partner and advisor to HEAL in her capacity at the Indian Health Service. She spoke extensively to HEAL fellows and national audiences alike about Indigenous history in the United States, Indian Health Service underfunding, and her focus on resilience in the face of disproportionate impact of COVID on Navajo communities.
At HEAL, Dr. Begay will be leading HEAL’s Strategic Plan goals of 1) expanding to additional domestic sites in addition to Navajo Nation, 2) designing and building a pathway for Native American health workers to transform as they work with the underserved both in Navajo Nation and nationally 3) advocating for policy and programs on behalf of Native American health care equity, and 4) serving as a mentor to fellows based in Navajo Nation.
The HEAL Initiative is thrilled to have her join our team.
The UCSF HEAL (Health, Equity, Action, and Leadership) Initiative (www.healinitiative.org) trains and transforms front line health professionals through building a community dedicated to serving the under-served as their lifelong choice.
HEAL offers a two-year fellowship that recruits and trains health professionals from the United States and around the world to work in underserved communities. With nearly 180 health professionals across 9 countries in 19 partnerships, UCSF HEAL fellows provide crucial clinical care, technical assistance, and training — all to advance health worldwide.
Learn more about the work of Dr. Begay and other HEAL fellows and healthcare workers who volunteered to serve in Navajo Nation at the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Sami Schilf, HEAL Communications Officer at healinfo@ucsf.edu
