Amber Laughing (Navajo Nation) Graduate Student

Yáʼátʼééh. My name is Amber Laughing and my path toward becoming a health professional has grown from the teachings of my community, my family, and the land that raised me. I first found my place in healthcare as an ER scribe, where I witnessed how much strength and resilience lives in our rural and Indigenous families; also how deeply we need providers who understand our stories, values, and traditional ways of healing. Those early experiences, paired with my work in community health education across Arizona and New Mexico, shaped my desire to become a Physician Assistant (PA) who can walk comfortably in both Western and Indigenous worlds.

My journey is guided by the belief that healing is not just clinical — it’s cultural, relational, and connected to who we are as Native people. I’m inspired by the mentors, Elders, and clinicians who cared for my family through moments of joy and loss, and who showed my what it means to create space for Indigenous knowledge alongside modern medicine. As I move through my training, I hope to help build healthy spaces where families feel seen, respected, and held with compassion.

Beyond school and healthcare, I love supporting tribal youth, mentoring Native students, and staying connected through community events and time spend with family. Cooking, traveling, and being on the road between home communities help keep me grounded and centered in who I am. My hope is to return home as a PA who not only provides care, but helps uplift traditional practices, strengthens community trust, and supports the next generations in carrying our teachings forward.