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A decade of service among the Navajo people Providing medical care to Native Americans is one of hundreds of ways in which Medical Mission Sisters around the world try to be a healing presence to others today. In January, 2000, Sister-Doctor Pat Lowery began working as the only surgeon in the hospital at Fort Defiance, Arizona, in the Navajo Nation reservation. The reservation, which is roughly the size of Ireland, has a population of 400,000. The Fort Defiance Service Unit serves about 30,000 persons. There had not been an active surgical department since 1984, so Sister Pat was asked to restart a program in surgery. Sister Pat remembers, “Since I was the only surgeon, I was available any time, being used to that from 21 years in Ghana. Within 3 years, another surgeon had joined me on an alternate week basis.” In Sister Pat’s third year, a new hospital opened. Gradually, over the next 7 years, the surgical department was built up and services were expanded. There are now 4 general surgeons, all with wide experience, who receive consults and cases from all over the Navajo reservation, as well as the Zuni and Hopi reservations. Sister Pat shares, “One of the main achievements over the past three years has been the development of a very active cancer awareness and treatment program…most significant has been the ability to engage the Navajo people themselves who have had cancer to speak out and address the situation in terms of screening, treatment, support, and dispelling of myths…we have had large scale weekend conferences in 2008 and 2009, and are planning the next for 2010.” “The important thing is the people. I am sure I receive more than I ever give,” she adds. “Because I have been here a number of years and have established continuity of care, am easy to contact, and know so many of the people well, it is rare that I see anyone now, even as an emergency in the ER, that I do not know some member of the extended family.”
“The Navajo are more reserved than some of the other tribes…but friendships, once made, are deep and lasting. Harmony with nature, the universe, the ancestors, and people are primary in their living philosophy, ‘walk in beauty.’ That is something we are now trying to learn.”
February 1, 2010
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