The National Indian Health Board has announced Dr. Donald Warne, director of NDSU's Master of Public Health program, will receive the board's first-ever Public Health Innovation Award. He will be recognized during the opening plenary session of the sixth annual Tribal Public Health Summit in Palm Springs, California, April 8-9.
The honor was created to acknowledge individuals, tribes, organizations and programs that have enriched and improved American Indian and Alaska Native public health. The award recognizes excellence, achievement and outstanding innovations.
The organization praised Warne and NDSU's Master of Public Health program for contributions to improve the quality of life for American Indians and Alaska Natives. In a news release, the board said, "With the support of Dean Charles Peterson, Dr. Warne established an American Indian Public Health track – the first of its kind in the United States. Dr. Warne’s vision and the support of Dean Peterson will lead to cadres of students graduating with MPH degrees with specific education in American Indian public health. These future students will help tribal nations achieve health equity for all their people."
“I am deeply honored to receive this award," said Warne, who is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe. "American Indians suffer from among the worst health disparities in the nation — particularly here in the Northern Plains. Most of the health challenges could be prevented with appropriate public health interventions. At NDSU, we offer the only Master of Public Health in the nation with an emphasis on American Indian Public Health, and we are excited that our graduates will be a part of the solution to these disparities.”
Founded in 1972, the National Indian Health Board is a not-for-profit, charitable organization providing health care advocacy services information and other services to tribal governments. The board also conducts research, provides policy analysis, program assessment and development, national and regional meeting planning, training, technical assistance, program and project management.
Warne, who is an associate professor and holds the Mary J. Berg Distinguished Professorship in Women's Health, earned his Master of Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health and his Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University School of Medicine.
For more information about the Tribal Public Health Summit, visit www.nihb.org/communications/phs_2015.php.
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