Greetings!

The Association of American Indian Physicians has grown a great deal over the last several decades since its inception in the early 1970’s. Along with this has come an increase in our capacity to impact the health of our people. As President, I envision AAIP as continuing to grow and collaborate with many institutions – both Native American and Non-Native American – to reduce the health disparity of our American Indian and Alaska Native people and communities.

The Association has come a long way on our journey. It is evolving and becoming a stronger voice in meeting our mission and goals. AAIP has persevered and will continue in our mission to increase the number of American Indian physicians and address the health needs of our communities. However, we are emerging into an era where partnerships and collaborations with other National Indian organizations, tribes, and urban communities will be even more critical for all of us to achieve our goals. We must all stand with “one strong voice”. By doing so, we will become more effective and will increase our impact.

AAIP has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Council of Urban Indian Health at our last meeting in Nashville. Also, AAIP and NCAI have agreed to collaborate, as addressed by a resolution, to address the severe shortage of Native American health care providers, to reduce the health disparities, and to ensure that Congress provide programs and adequate funding earmarked to address these issues. As I chaired the long range planning committee this past year, it became increasingly clear to me that by joining hands in this way – all of us will have a louder voice. It is my intent to pursue the same course of action with other national Indian organizations in order to address our common goals. It can only be a win-win situation for all of us.

The next Annual Meeting will be held on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation in Northern Idaho and I am looking forward to returning home. The theme for the meeting will revolve around “Indian Youth Health Issues” – as the youth are our future, we must do everything in our power to address their needs. Margaret Knight and I have met with the Chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council and various other representatives on the reservation. We have been met with enthusiastic anticipation and welcome. The meeting will be held at the end of July at the time that the Coeur d’Alene Tribe holds its annual Powwow, "JULY'AMSH", the largest outdoor event of its kind in the Northwest. There will be many opportunities to enjoy the beauty of all that the Coeur d’Alene Reservation and my fellow tribes-people have to offer. I am looking forward to seeing all of you there and reconnecting with old friends in the Association. It is always invigorating for me and renews my strength and energy. This will be even more so as I will be returning to the homeland where I grew up as a youth, a place where I can re-center myself with my people and walk the earth of my ancestors. I consider myself so fortunate to have been born SCHITSU’UMSH (Coeur d’Alene).

GERALD IGNACE, M.D.
PRESIDENT
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN INDIAN PHYSICIANS