Linda Aranaydo facts for kids

Dr. Linda Susan Aranaydo is a Native American physician, educator, and activist. She was born in 1948 and is a member of the Muscogee Creek, Bear Clan. Dr. Aranaydo saw how hard it was for people in her community to get good healthcare. This inspired her to work in public health and family medicine. She has received many awards, including the 1995 David Vanderryn Award for her amazing community service as a family doctor.

Education and Learning

Linda Aranaydo first went to the University of California, Berkeley. There, she earned a bachelor's degree in social sciences. Later, when she was 37 years old, she decided to go to medical school. She studied at the University of California, San Francisco and earned her M.D. degree in 1992. An M.D. is a special degree that allows someone to practice medicine as a doctor.

Her Career Journey

Dr. Linda Aranaydo started her career helping young children. She was a preschool teacher at the Hintil Native American Children's Center in Oakland, California. She taught there for 11 years.

After teaching, she decided to follow her dream of becoming a doctor. Once she finished medical school, she began her new career in healthcare. She worked in many different places. She was a medical provider, which means she directly helped patients. She also gave advice and taught people at Indian clinics. For five years, Dr. Aranaydo was a primary care provider in Northern California. This means she was the main doctor for many families, helping them with their everyday health needs.

Helping on Councils and Boards

Dr. Aranaydo has also been a part of important groups that make decisions. In 1977, she joined the Governor's Task Force on Early Childhood Education. From 1978 to 1980, she was a member of the California State American Indian Education Council. Today, Dr. Aranaydo is the director of medical services for the California Rural Indian Health Board.

She once explained why her career was so important to her: "Since a young age I had seen the tragic effects of untreated chronic illness in family, friends and elders who were reluctant to seek or unable to obtain health care. I have lost dear family members in California and Oklahoma to the complications of diabetes. My goal was to become a primary care provider and to help provide easily accessible, culturally appropriate quality health care to American Indians and other underserved people."

Standing Up for Rights

Dr. Aranaydo is also known for her activism. She was one of the first 14 people who tried to occupy Alcatraz Island on November 9, 1969. A few days later, on November 20, the group returned to the island and started the famous Occupation of Alcatraz protest. During this protest, Dr. Aranaydo helped by teaching in the school that was set up on the island. She also worked with Luwana Quitiquit (who was Pomo) to manage the kitchen and feed everyone involved in the protest. She was still a student at UC Berkeley during this time. This protest was very important and had a big impact on how the United States government worked with Native American tribes.

Awards and Special Recognition

Dr. Aranaydo has received many awards for her excellent work and studies. In 1970, while she was studying at the University of California, Berkeley, she won an award for her great academic achievements.

Later, when she was in medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, she received the Robert Crede Award. This award was given to her for her outstanding work in primary care medicine. In 1995, Dr. Aranaydo also earned the David Vanderryn Award for Outstanding Community Service as a Family Physician. This award recognized her efforts to help her Native American community prevent diseases and stay healthy.

See also

In Spanish: Linda Aranaydo para niños