Melinda Smith was thinking about public health long before most children paid much attention to their own health.
Smith, a Ph.D. student in interdisciplinary health and a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, noticed the various health, economic and educational disparities that affected her tribal community when she was young. Simultaneously, she noticed the efforts her relatives made to advocate for better services.
When it was time to pick a career path, her decision was easy. A master’s program at Montana State University led to a connection with Nicolette Teufel-Shone, professor and associate director of the Center for Health Equity Research (CHER). Teufel-Shone talked up the experience at NAU, and Smith was convinced.
“Prior to moving to Flagstaff and starting in NAU’s interdisciplinary health program, I followed the amazing work and published literature from my now-advisor and dissertation chair, Dr. Teufel-Shone,” Smith said. “I could not have asked for a better experience and place to have completed this milestone in my academic career.”
Smith’s focus is on health promotion; her dissertation project examines the comorbidity of cancer and Type 2 diabetes. Collaborating with three different health programs in the Hopi Department of Health and Human Services, her community-based research project aimed to increase knowledge related to diabetes self-management and cancer prevention among individuals with Type 2 diabetes.
Her collaborative workgroup for this project included health educators, managers and other staff from the Hopi Wellness Center, Hopi Cancer Support Services and the Hopi Community Health Representatives Program.
Not only is she finding this path fulfilling, but she is also succeeding. Smith was recently recognized with the Most Promising Graduate Student Research Scholar Award, which she says makes her feel supported and has given her the hope and drive to continue pushing forward once she earns her doctorate.
“I am grateful for having been a part of this very large and important project,” Smith said. “I have learned new skills, led certain aspects of the project and connected with fellow researchers and Indigenous scholars in my field.”
Furthermore, her experience has exceeded her expectations and has solidified her role as a strong independent Indigenous researcher and academic. Smith expects to graduate in August and will continue her work in health equity.
“Perseverance and patience are key in completing a doctorate degree,” Smith said. “Having self-compassion and making time for self-care is super important throughout your graduate degrees and beyond.”