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

Tom Anderson (Cherokee)

Executive Director

Gary Lankford (Cherokee)

Program Director

Echo Duerksen (Wichita/Caddo)

Operations Manager

Tecumseh Cline (Sac & Fox)

Communications Manager

Magaret Knight (Laguna-Pueblo)

Executive Assistant

Board of Directors 2023-2024

Lukejohn Day, MD

President Oglala Lakota

Thomas ‘Blair’ Matheson

President Elect Cherokee

Allison Kelliher, MD

Secretary Koyukon Athabascan

Missy Begay, MD

Treasurer Diné

Lynnae Lawrence, MD

At Large Director Hopi/Nakoda

Antoinette Martinez, MD

At Large Director Chumash

Annie Rusk, M.D.

At-Large Director Blackfeet Nation

Nizhoni Denipah, MD

At Large Director Navajo

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.