Missy Begay, President
University of New Mexico, MS III

Yaa’a’t’eeh! My name is Missy Begay and I am honored to serve as ANAMS President this year. Currently, I'm in my third-year at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am Dine' from the Blackrock (Tsezhin) community near Canyon de Chelly, Arizona and am of the Towering House (Kiyaa'aanii) clan born for the Black Streak through Forest (Tsinaajinii) clan. I received my undergraduate degree in Psychology from Stanford University. My priority issues for ANAMS this year include: strengthening our ANAMS membership base and support network, and coordinating ANAMS events which shed light on the unique challenges Native communities face in dealing with health inequities. I hope to pursue a career in Internal Medicine/Primary Care and would love to work with my hometown community someday. When not studying, I enjoy spending time with family, researching Native American traditional medicine, cooking, running, and playing with my rez dogs..

Andrea Garcia, President-Elect
UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program, MS III

My name is Andrea Garcia and I am Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara, also known as the Three Affiliated Tribes. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and am a third year in the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program. Through the years I have benefited tremendously from a number of AAIP student programs and I am more than eager now to give back as a member of the ANAMS board. I enjoy geeking out about Native health policy and research, and am passionate about giving back to my community. I look forward to strengthening our recruitment and outreach through our beautiful new website, and learning from all of our awesome Native medical students and physician mentors.

Bijiibaa' Garrison, Immediate Past President, Treasurer
Harvard Medical School, MS III

Ya’at’eeh! Bijiibaa’ Garrison yinishye. Ashiihi nishli, bilagaana bashischiin. Hello, my name is Bijiibaa’ Garrison. I’m Navajo – Salt clan – and grew up in Kayenta, AZ and Waterflow, NM. I attended the University of Arizona where I earned a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences. I'm a fourth-year medical student at Harvard Medical School interested in general surgery and public health, particularly related to Native Americans. As a member of the ANAMS board, I am very excited to help represent a group of talented Native American medical and health professional students across the country who are passionate about improving Native American health care. When I get free time, I enjoy watching college basketball, baking pies, weaving Navajo rugs, traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. 

Ashley Castillo, Secretary
University of Washington, MS II

Hi my name is Ashley Castillo! I am a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation. I grew up in Mesa Arizona but my family is originally from Ajo Arizona, a small copper mining town in southern Arizona. I am in my second year at the University of Washington School of Medicine. I received my undergraduate degree from Arizona State where I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Microbiology. In the future I am interested in Family Medicine or possibly Obstetrics/Gynecology. I had many amazing people that helped me reach my goal of medical school and as a result love acting as a mentor to pre-medical students. I am your ANAMS secretary and look forward to working with ANAMS members to promote community among AI/AN medical students and in addressing health of AI/AN populations. In my free time I enjoy travelling and meeting new people.

Socia Love-Thurman, Member-At-Large
University of Minnesota, Duluth MS III

Osiyo nigada! My name is Socia Love Thurman and I am Cherokee, Delaware, and Yuchi from Tahlequah, Oklahoma. I am currently a 3rd year medical student at the University of Minnesota. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Microbiology and a minor in Native American Studies. I plan to become a Family Practice Physician and serve in the Indian Health Service. AAIP was crucial in guiding me along the path of Medicine. I was a participant in the National Native American Youth Initiative and the Pre-Admission Workshop in Nashville. I realize how important having mentors and role models was to help get me to this point and have a big passion to see more Natives in the higher education, particularly in medicine. I know how important having support and guidance is for success in higher education. I enjoyed spending my first two years on the U of M Duluth Medical School which has a focus on American Indian health and support from the Center of American Indian and Minority Health. We had several student groups on campus but I really felt like it needed a Native American student group. I and several others with the support of the CAIMH and AAIP founded the first ANAMS Chapter at the University of Minnesota Duluth. This allowed for more opportunities to serve and lead in the community and have a student-led group to lean on during those difficult academic years. I am now pleased to be on the National ANAMS board as Member-at-Large to help be a resource for those interested in medicine as well as a support network for those currently on this path. Wado!

Christine White, Member-At-Large
University of Minnesota, Duluth MS III 

I am Tlingit and Haida enrolled in the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. I was born and raised in Sitka, Alaska where I graduated from Sitka High School. I earned my BS in Microbiology from the University of Washington to become the first person in my family to graduate from college. I made the move to the University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth because of the great support system there for AI/AN students and have just begun my 3rd year of medical school in the Twin Cities. I plan to earn my Masters in Public Health next year and am very interested in preventing the health care problems that affect our people so that I won't have to treat the illness in the end. Through AAIP I have been able to make amazing AI/AN contacts that have helped me take the right steps to achieve my goals. I have decided that I want to be a family physician "when I grow up." I plan to go to residency in family medicine and practice in Alaska serving AI/AN populations. I'm very excited to be a new Member at Large on the ANAMS Executive Board and I am passionate about encouraging AI/AN students to pursue higher education because I have only reached medical school with the encouragement of my mentors, family, and friends. When I get a chance, I enjoy cooking, traveling, beading, and have recently learned how to sew moccasins.

Nizhoni Denipah, Membership Coordinator
University of New Mexico, MS III 

 My name is Nizhoni Denipah. I am Navajo, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, Hopi and Assinaboine. I grew up in Northern New Mexico and Northern Arizona both off and on the many reservations I am from. I obtained my undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona in Physiological Sciences. I am currently a third year medical student at the University of New Mexico and I am happy to be the Members coordinator for ANAMS. I have had many wonderful mentors through ANAMS as well as AAIP, hence mentoring Native American students from preschool to college is my priority. I believe that children should be encouraged to pursue a career that they are passionate about, whether is it Medicine, Business, Art or Law. Medical school has been a humbling challenge, an honor and joy. I have not yet decided on which field of Medicine I will pursue, but as I continue through medical school, I am enjoying my time learning and and interacting with my colleagues and patients, all the while deciding exactly what I want to be when I grow up. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my wonderful daughter, family, hiking, camping, running, making jewelry, and working on other miscellaneous art projects I have around my house. We all look forward to expanding our membership list!

Donald Goudreau, DVOPP Liason
University of Connecticut, DS III 

My name is Donald Goudreau, everybody calls me “Doc.” I am a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Bear clan. I am currently a 3rd year student at UConn School of Dental Medicine in Farmington, CT. I earned my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences and played football at UConn in Storrs, CT before beginning dental school. I am excited to serve as the representative for DVOPPP (dentistry, veterinary, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, public health) members of ANAMS. My career goals include specializing in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and eventually treating pediatric patients with congenital head and neck maladies. I look forward to deepening the relationship of ANAMS with the allied health professions and to increasing awareness of careers in all disciplines of health care for Native students. In my spare time I enjoy golfing, visiting zoos and tending to my garden when the weather allows.