Bridges
Hello my name is Joshelle Tsinnijinnie. I am a member of the Navajo Nation, from Inscription House, AZ. Shí eí Kinłichíi’nii nishłį́, dóó Táchii’nii báshíshchiin. Bit’ahnii dashíchei dóó Tábąąhá eí dashínáłí. I am a student at Coconino Community College, here in Flagstaff, AZ. My major is in Nursing and I am studying to become a registered nurse. My interest in nursing began in high school when I took several nursing classes. In these classes I enjoyed learning about the human body and practicing “skills” necessary for CNA clinicals. Theses “skills” are understood as helping a patient with daily activities that they are unable to do themselves. I graduated from Page High School in 2015. I am the second oldest out of five siblings. I enjoy hiking, watching movies, and occasionally I like to read fiction novels. This is my first time that I have written a blog using Weebly and I got to say it was difficult to navigate through so many tool options.
The first time I heard about the NAU Summer Bridges Program was in a meeting with my TRiO adviser, Paula. She was well aware of my interest in the medical field and encouraged me to apply. My initial thought was that it's a great program to participate in, but I wasn't sure if I had enough experience in conducting health research. However, Paula assured me that this program is designed to give Native American students an opportunity to learn how to conduct health research. I am glad I joined the program because it didn't matter that I hadn’t done much health research, now I am getting the exposure to the field I hope to work in. So far, I like how much exposure I am getting in health research. Through this program, I got the opportunity to attend a conference. I was excited to attend the Native Research Network conference that was held at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina. I got to fly on an airplane for the first time and viewed many research studies. My favorite presentation was about how cases of diabetes lessen with the help of prevention programs implemented in Indian healthcare. Ann Bullock, the presenter, also mentioned the cause of the increasing cases of diabetes. Which was due to the stress and trauma that the Native American tribes had to endure, such as the Trail of Tears, the Long Walk, and being sent to dormitory school. I also find it interesting how other tribes besides the Navajo Nation are also experiencing a rise in cases of diabetes. This is a major concern on the Navajo Nation and I find it reassuring to see this type of progression occur throughout the United States. Along with conference we were given the option to tour Cherokee’s new hospital facility. The hospital had a unique set up of how their patients are seen. Instead of having to follow the system of having to wait to be called, check vital signs, and to have to wait again, you can immediately go directly to the facility that you need care in. This is unique because it allows the patient quicker access to the facility they need to be seen in. The following week I got to observe a student pipetting reagents into a master mix for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to occur. Before this program I never got the chance to learn how to pipet, in result I spent part of my first day in Dr. Wilder's lab practicing how to do so. My goal is to learn as much about the procedures of conducting a PCR, amplifying it, and other procedures that I have not yet experienced. I also want to see how these experiments impact the community. With the experiences and skills that I gain from this program, I hope to contribute back to my community and to improve the health of Navajos living on the reservation.
2 Comments
Hi Joshelle, first of all we are related by your second and third clan! I believe you are the youngest out of all of us researchers here! I’m so glad you reached out to gain research experience at a young age, I wish I would have done so. There’s a first for everything and you’re getting great exposure so far, keep up the hard work! My major is Nursing as well, although being expose to research might add another goal on my list. North Carolina was such a fun trip, I wish we could all go back and take another picture because you can barely see me (laughs). I remember my first time using pipettes in lab! I got it closely right the first time but afterwards, it took a number times to get it right! I’m excited to see how your research will turn out and how it could contribute back to the community. I think that’s a huge statement that sums up everything and I agree with that statement. Not everyone gets the opportunity to be expose to these kind of researches and apply them to improve the health of the community. I hope I get the chance to visit you during your lab to see your awesome project and how you do it. Proud of you girl and we need to get the group together again and do volleyball!
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Jasmine Benally
6/22/2016 10:44:16 pm
Hi joshelle,
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August 2016
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