Canku Ota
	(Many Paths)
	An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America
	February 9, 2002 - Issue 54
	Alaska Native Woman Wins Distinguished Service Award From University of Washington School of Medicine

(Seattle, WA) Martha Flores, an Alaska Native Physician Assistant (PA-C) recently was awarded the 2002 Distinguished Service Award from MEDEX Northwest, the University of Washington’s Physician Assistant Training Program. Flores, a 1991 alumni of MEDEX Northwest, currently serves as a PA for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, located in Bethel, Alaska. She provides urgent care, emergency, and clinic services to community members and is a representative to the YK Medical Staff Executive Committee. She also is the Vice President of the Alaska Physician Assistants Academy. As the only Alaska Native PA on hospital staff, Flores has been accepted into her adopted community as the primary clinician for many of Bethel’s 6,000 residents. She says that one of the most satisfying parts of her job is helping community elders navigate the health care system. Health care is a family tradition for Flores. Her mother was a community health aide in Mountain Village, and Flores’ daughter eventually hopes to become a PA. In accepting her award, Flores stated that the PA profession has helped her to become more confident and assertive, allowing her to “grow from within.” About MEDEX Founded in 1969 as one of the first physician assistant programs, MEDEX Northwest was developed to train primary health care providers for underserved areas in the Pacific Northwest. Located in the University of Washington School of Medicine, MEDEX Northwest offers both a certificate of training and a Bachelor in Clinical Health Services Degree in order to serve the diverse needs of MEDEX students from a minority, rural, or disadvantaged populations. The program currently offers full-time didactic training based in Seattle, Spokane, and Yakima, Washington. Clinical training takes place at a variety of sites throughout the Pacific Northwest. MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Training Program MEDEX Northwest is a regional program that educates physician assistants in a proven tradition of excellence. http://www.washington.edu/medical/som/depts/medex/

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