Linda Burhansstipanov facts for kids

Linda Burhansstipanov is an American expert in public health. She teaches and studies how to keep people healthy. She is a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, which is one of the largest Native American tribes.

Linda focuses on helping Native American communities with cancer care. She is a top leader in this field. She started and leads the Native American Cancer Research Corporation. This is a non-profit group that studies how cancer affects Native Americans. They also look at how their unique cultures and lives connect with cancer treatment.

Helping Native American Communities

Linda Burhansstipanov is part of a special group called the National Institutes of Health national advisory council. This group gives advice on health for minority groups.

Native American communities have their own special beliefs and ways of talking. They can also be affected by things like poverty. These are called social determinants of health. They can impact how people understand cancer and get treatment. Linda's research explores how these factors shape health.

Research and Community Work

Linda is also an expert in something called Community-based participatory research. This means that researchers work with communities, not just on them. The community members become equal partners in the research. This helps make sure the research is helpful and respectful. Linda has written many articles using this method.

Her Journey

Linda Burhansstipanov taught at California State University, Long Beach for 18 years. After that, she worked for the National Institutes of Health from 1989 to 1993. There, she helped create the Native American Cancer Research Program.

After working as a researcher and advisor for two years, she decided to start her own organization. This was the Native American Cancer Research Corporation. Her goal was to continue helping Native American communities with cancer.