Who We Are

Our Team

Introduction about the team.

The AAIP Mission Statement:
“to pursue excellence in Native American health care by promoting education in the medical disciplines, honoring traditional healing practices and restoring the balance of mind, body and spirit”

AAIP Staff

Joaquin Baca

Executive Director

Margaret Knight (Laguna-Pueblo)

Executive Assistant

Echo Duerksen (Wichita/Caddo)

Operations Manager

Board of Directors 2026-2027

Thomas ‘Blair’ Matheson

President Cherokee

Missy Begay, MD

Treasurer Diné

Vanessa Jensen, MD

Secretary Diné

Nizhoni Denipah, MD

At Large Director Navajo

Lala Forrest, MD

At Large Director Pit River Nation

Bret Benally Thompson, MD

At Large Director White Earth Ojibwe

Allison Kelliher, MD

President-Elect Koyukon Athabascan

Nicole Stern, MD

At-Large Director Mescalero Apache

Each year during the Annual Conference, the Governance committee nominates board members who are then voted on by the AAIP Members during the business meeting. Contact board members for questions or comments.