Claudia Charles (Navajo Nation) — Clinical Epidemiologist & MPH

Project Title: Advancing Culturally Responsive Cancer Survivorship Care for Urban AI/AN Communities

Project Focus:
Claudia focused on improving survivorship care for urban American Indian and Alaska Native cancer survivors, integrating cultural and spiritual practices into patient support systems.

Key Activities:

  • Assessed care gaps and built a multi-stakeholder coalition.

  • Partnered with Survivor Healthcare, Indian Health Services (IHS), and Urban Indian Health Programs.

  • Presented findings to health professionals and community advisory boards.

  • Secured funding and led recruitment strategies for AI/AN participation in research.

  • Advocated for culturally integrated cancer care and improved policy frameworks.

Outcomes & Impact:
 Claudia’s work emphasizes the cultural dimensions of survivorship, pushing for system-level change and community healing. Her efforts serve as a model for culturally responsive public health interventions.

View Claudia’s Cancer Survivorship Coalition Presentation

Message to Future Healers:
 "Stay connected to your roots and community. As Indigenous healers, we must walk in two worlds and ensure culturally nourishing care is available to all our relatives."

Claudia completed her MPH at the University of Utah in 2023 with a global health emphasis to address the health disparities and inequities for her Indigenous relatives. Outside of schooling and work, she enjoys reading books, being with her dog and going hiking, fishing and road cycling. She chose public health because she is deeply interested in epidemiology. Claudia wants to continue her education by working towards a PhD in Epidemiology. Claudia says, epidemiology is an important field because it helps identify the health status of our relatives and then focus on the right interventions and reduce disparities in our communities.

“I am completing my MPH with a global health emphasis to address the health disparities and inequities for my Indigenous relatives. I chose public health because I am deeply interested in epidemiology. I want to continue my education by working towards a PhD in Epidemiology. Epidemiology is an important field because it helps identify the health status of our relatives and then focus on the right interventions and reduce disparities in our communities.”