Modern Medicine, Meet Indigenous Tradition

Modern Medicine, Meet Indigenous Tradition

 

Hensci (Hello)—My name is Apollonia Pina. I am a citizen of the Mvskoke (Creek) Nation. I am ecovlke, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the mother of a fun, fearless, and gregarious toddler (we make a cute pair). Today I’m graciously asking for your support:

For several years, I have been working toward my dream—to open an Indigenous-focused clinic that aims to improve health outcomes for Native women and their children. As you can imagine, this is a long path and I’ve already hit several milestones, but in order to advance my work, I need your help…

 
In March, I reached another milestone—I was accepted to the University of Oklahoma’s accelerated nursing degree program and will begin my studies on June 3rd! But the process of obtaining a degree is costly. I come from a working-class Mvskoke family. While this has given me a strong, growth-minded work ethic and a great sense of humor, my family is not in a position to provide me with financial assistance. For us, every dollar counts. Moreover, scholarship and financial aid opportunities do not always align with institutions’ academic calendars. I have applied for several scholarships and am taking out federal loans to cover the expenses that my scholarships will not. However, my loans and scholarships will not go into effect until August, leaving me with two months of out-of-pocket educational costs. I’m not typically one to advertise for assistance, but I cannot reach my goal without you. Please help me raise $2,440 by June 15th so that I can begin nursing school (budget outlined below)!

 

>What is my vision?

 

Ultimately, my goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner Midwife who provides the appropriate balance between traditional Indigenous birth care and modern medicine in my own clinic. To do this, I am beginning my journey with a degree in Nursing from the University of Oklahoma. My expected date of completion is July 2020. Next, I will earn credentials as a Nurse Practitioner. My nursing education and practice will then lead me to apply for and complete a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, where I will be able to conduct important research in cooperation with Native communities and develop a business plan for my own clinic. My love for my tribe, my culture, and my family drives my work and will serve as moral and emotional support for me along the way.

 

>Why do we need more Indigenous nurses?

 

Part of my role as a Mvskoke citizen is to pinpoint the needs of my tribe and my community and, in response, to do what I can to meet those needs. Across the U.S., there is an extreme shortage of Native doctors and healthcare workers. For instance, out of the 19,553 medical school graduates in 2017-2018, only twenty-one (21) identified as Native American or Alaska Native. (Association of American Medical Colleges, 2018). In 2017, only six percent (6%) of those who graduated from entry-level, Master’s, and Doctoral programs in nursing were Native American or Alaska Native. (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2018). Further, these statistics do not address how many Native healthcare workers use traditional Indigenous knowledge to guide their work. In contrast, my cultural knowledge is always evolving and maturing. I have established and honest relationships with my elders. I have also been a dedicated participant in Mvskoke and other indigenous ceremonial ways for several years. By earning a degree as a Registered Nurse, I’ll be doing my part to increase Native representation in the medical field and to incorporate traditional Indigenous knowledge into western medical practice.

 

>How likely am I to succeed in this program?

 

There is no doubt that I will succeed. I have a proven track record of high achievement and total dedication to Native communities. In 2017, I graduated cum laude from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science in Cross-Cultural Epistemologies in Science and Math. During my undergraduate career, I was a McNair Scholar and conducted research projects like the Osage County Health Assessment and Native American Student Achievement Study where I helped design culturally appropriate research methods for working with Native communities. In addition, I was one of the organizer’s for OU’s first Indigenous Peoples’ Day and was heavily involved with the OU Native American and Latinx organizations. This past spring break I organized Tulsa’s first-ever STEAM camp for Native kids, where all the instructors were Native American scientists and doctors.

 

Out of the hundreds of applicants for the OU accelerated nursing program, only 40 students were selected. I was one of those 40 and I have every intention of completing this program so that I can continue meeting my personal and community-focused objectives.

 

>Your Impact

 

Any contribution you make will go directly to my school expenses. In total, I only need $2,440 to begin my academic career in nursing. With your help, I can easily reach this goal! 

 

The $2,440 I hope to earn will pay for:

-       Scrubs ($100)

-       Needlestick injury insurance ($75)

-       Medical textbooks ($1,300)

-       The remaining balance for my first semester ($665)

-       Cushion for unexpected expenses ($300)

 

If I reach my fundraising goal, I will become a Registered Nurse by July 2020 and begin working by August or September 2020. Meeting my fundraising goal also brings me closer to my ultimate purpose—to open an Indigenous-centered clinic aimed at improving health outcomes for Native women and their children.  

 

Mvto ce kicvs!