My name is Lincoln Mark. My momma is Deanna De Vore.

I’m reaching out to family, friends, community, and anyone who believes in honoring a life dedicated to service.

My mother retired as a Commander; CDR; in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, after dedicating more than two decades of her professional career to serving Native communities through the Indian Health Service.

This November, she has been selected to receive the 2025 U.S. Public Health Service Outstanding Service Medal at the 2025 IHS Directors Award Ceremony in Rockville, Maryland, November 6, 2026.

For our family, this is much more than an award. It is a recognition of decades of service.

My mother is a social worker by profession, but her work has always been about much more than a job. Throughout her career with IHS, she dedicated herself to serving the Navajo people and supporting patients, families, elders, and communities who depended on her.

During her tenure, every Christmas, she would make sure that many of her elderly clients received household gift baskets. She found ways to give even when she didn’t have to. She built relationships with people she served and treated them with dignity, compassion, and respect.

Her commitment to public service also took her beyond the Navajo Nation. As a Commissioned Corps officer, she was deployed on multiple occasions to assist communities affected by national disasters and public health emergencies.

The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is a uniformed service of the United States made up of public health professionals. Its mission is to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the nation. Commissioned Corps officers serve throughout agencies such as the Indian Health Service and are trained to respond when the nation faces public health emergencies and disasters.

The Commissioned Corps is a federal uniformed service with commissioned officers, uniforms, ranks, and other military-related benefits.

For more than 20 years, my mother wore that uniform and served.

She served the United States.

She served Indian Country.

And most importantly, she served our people.

Now that she has retired, I don’t want her to miss this once in a career opportunity to stand among her fellow public health professionals and be recognized for the service she gave so generously.

I am asking for donations to help cover travel expenses to Rockville, Maryland, including airfare, lodging, transportation, dining, and other costs associated with attending the ceremony.

Any amount helps toward getting her to the ceremony. $25, $50, $100, or simply sharing this message with someone who may want to contribute.

If you know my mom, you know that she has spent her career giving to others. This time, I want her to know she’s isn’t forgotten for her deeds and service.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my mother throughout her career and to everyone who recognizes the importance of honoring those who dedicate their lives to serving others.