Lori Alvord facts for kids

Lori Arviso Alvord (born 1958) is a Native American surgeon and author. She is famous for being the first Diné (Navajo) woman to become a certified surgeon. Her book, The Scalpel and the Silver Bear, tells her story and has sold many copies.

Dr. Alvord was also considered for the role of U.S. Surgeon General in 2013. She is known for combining traditional Navajo healing methods with modern Western medicine.

Early Life and Family Background

Lori Alvord was born in 1958 in Crownpoint, New Mexico. This small town is located on a Navajo reservation. Her father was Diné (Navajo), and her mother was White. English was the main language spoken at home.

Lori Alvord is a member of two important Navajo clans. These are the Tsinnajinnie' (Black Streaked Wood) clan and the Ashihii' (Salt People) clan.

Education and Medical Training

Dr. Alvord graduated from Crownpoint High School in New Mexico. She then attended Dartmouth College. She first studied natural sciences. Later, she changed her focus to social sciences.

In 1979, she graduated from Dartmouth College. She earned degrees in psychology and sociology. She also studied Native American history and culture.

Becoming a Doctor

After college, Alvord worked as a research assistant. She was at a clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A doctor there suggested she go to medical school. This idea made her blush, but she decided to try.

She took more science classes at the University of New Mexico. Then, she applied to medical schools. She was accepted into Stanford University School of Medicine. She earned her medical degree (M.D.) in 1985.

Dr. Alvord completed six years of training at Stanford University Hospital. In 1994, she became a board-certified surgeon. This made her the first Diné woman to achieve this.

Career as a Surgeon and Author

After her training, Dr. Alvord returned to her Navajo reservation in New Mexico. She realized that just fixing physical problems was not always enough. She learned that healing also involves a person's mind and spirit.

This led her to a new way of practicing medicine. She started to combine modern surgery with traditional Navajo healing. This approach considers the patient's whole life and surroundings. She believes that a hospital should feel comforting. It should have art, gardens, and pleasant smells.

She wrote a book about her experiences called The Scalpel and the Silver Bear. This book shares her unique approach to medicine.

Key Roles and Contributions

From 1991 to 1997, Dr. Alvord worked as a surgeon. She served at an Indian Health Service facility in Gallup, New Mexico. Later, she became an associate dean at Dartmouth Medical School. She also taught surgery and psychiatry there.

Dr. Alvord has held many important positions. She served on the National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This group advises the National Institutes of Health. She also helped develop the new medical school at Central Michigan University.

From 2012 to 2014, she was an associate dean at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. She worked in Tucson, Arizona.

Awards and Special Recognition

Dr. Alvord has received many honors for her work. She has been given honorary degrees from several colleges. These include Albany Medical College (2001) and Drexel University (2006).

In 1992, she received the Governor's Award for Outstanding New Mexico Women. This award was from Governor Bruce King. Her book, The Scalpel and the Silver Bear, also won awards. These include the Will Solimene Award of Excellence in 1999. In 2000, she received the Circles Book Award.

In 2013, Dr. Alvord was recognized for her unique medical philosophy. Both the National Indian Health Board and the National Congress of American Indians supported her. They nominated her to be the U.S. Surgeon General.

See also

In Spanish: Lori Arviso Alvord para niños