Tribal Health Scholars (THS) is a paid externship program that supports and inspires AIAN high school students to envision themselves as healthcare professionals. Scholars from our partner communities, as well as from any Tribes in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), are encouraged to apply.

Stipend

• $700 for completing online curriculum (10 hours)
• $600 for completing shadowing (10 hours)
• Scrubs provided

Program Structure

• Scholars join virtually 1 hour per week, for 10 weeks, and meet as a cohort with a member of the NNACOE team. Together, scholars will:
• Hear from AI/AN guest speakers working in the healthcare field
• Review educational pathways for the different career fields in healthcare, and
• Have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their experiences
• In addition to the online course, scholars will shadow at their local clinic following different health care professionals for 10 hours.

THS works as a partnership between tribal communities, NNACoE, and the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB).

THS now operates in twelve tribal communities:

• Colville Tribes
• Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
• Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
• Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
• Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
• Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
• Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
• Coquille Indian Tribe
• Klamath Tribes
• Mt. Edgecumbe High School (Sitka, AK)
• Nez Perce Tribe (Lapwai, ID)
• Quinault Indian nation

Scholars from these communities, as well from any Tribes in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), are encouraged to apply! *

*Please note: Scholars from non-partner PNW Tribes will have to arrange their own shadowing.

THS Virtual Course Overview

• Week 1: Orientation & Mentorship
• Week 2: Doctors/Providers/Surgeons Part 1
• Week 3: Doctors/Providers/Surgeons Part 2
• Week 4: Eyecare
• Week 5: Dental
• Week 6: Public Health
• Week 7: Nursing Careers
• Week 8: Research, Diagnostic, Lab, Pharmacy & Allied Health
• Week 9: Emergency Medicine
• Week 10: Behavioral Health
• Week 11: Finance/Extra Credit & Focus Groups

Interested in applying or learning more? Visit https://www.nnacoe.org/tribal-health-scholars or contact us at tribalhealthscholars@ohsu.edu.