Quality Improvement Specialist
Quality Health Associates of North Dakota
Minot, ND

What is your background?

I am an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and originally from Fort Yates, ND. I completed my Undergraduate degree at NDSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Radiologic Sciences in 2011. I worked as an X-ray Technologist for 3 years and decided that I wanted to do something more. After researching the MPH program at NDSU, I knew it was a perfect fit. As a working wife and mother of 3 beautiful children, the distance learning option made my decision to return to school much easier. 

Specialization at NDSU

I chose the American Indian Public Health specialization because I know the tremendous health disparities that plague our people and wanted to be a part of changing that. This is something that I am very passionate about and hits very close to home as I have several family members that struggle with chronic disease and accessing the care they need. 

How did the NDSU MPH prepare you for the workforce?

The education that I received from the MPH program at NDSU provided me with a wide array of knowledge from the unique structure of healthcare delivery in Tribal communities to understanding the importance of data driven efforts and program evaluation. I also received guidance from experts in the field that serve in faculty and staff positions within the program. The various relationships that I have gained through the program have also influenced my career and professional work. My practicum experience resulted in a job opportunity and would not have been possible without the MPH program reaching out and seeking partnerships to promote student opportunities such as mine. 

What is your current position?

I am currently a Quality Improvement Specialist with Quality Health Associates of North Dakota, which is part of the Great Plains Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization that serves ND, SD, NE, and KS. It is great to work for an organization that understands the dire need for change in the delivery of healthcare as we attempt to make improvements in the health of our nation.

How are you impacting the health of North Dakotans?

My current work is focused on improving disparities in diabetes care and improving colorectal cancer screening rates across the state and region. I have also had the opportunity to find ways to spread our organization’s work into Tribal communities, where there is a great need for healthcare quality improvement. I am excited to be a part of an evolving movement that is geared towards making healthcare quality improvement for American Indian and Alaskan Native populations across the country.