Langston University

by Gary Piercy, Program Manager of the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board

OKLAHOMA CITY–Rasheedah Blackwood, a recent healthcare administration graduate at Langston University, made a significant impact during the eight-week Tribal Health Experiential Internship Seminar (THESIS) program. THESIS, a virtual internship, focuses on promoting Tribal public health and is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Minority Health and Health Equity through their Lewis Scholars Program.

As one of seven organizations in the Lewis Scholars Program, THESIS operates under the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board in Oklahoma City. Interns delve into Native American culture, resilience, and various aspects of public health, including epidemiology and research. Their intensive eight-week journey culminates in the creation of research posters, which they present at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

Blackwood’s research topic centered around “Addressing the Impact of Limited Sexual Education in the American Indian/Alaska Native Community.” Reflecting on her THESIS experience, she shared how beneficial the program was for her own personal and professional growth in the healthcare field.

“My experience with THESIS was nothing short of amazing,” Blackwood said. “The lessons forming around Native American culture and its history, proper ways to conduct ourselves as individuals in professional settings, and embedding effective research methods for our various topics over Tribal Health were paramount in my development in public health research. Being able to hear stories of individuals from a Native background felt genuine, personable and inviting into their experience.

“The opportunity to receive professional and academic advice from individuals in the field was beneficial; showing a very substantial interest in the development of our professional careers and end products of our projects for THESIS. The most valuable aspect I experienced from the program was the ability to connect with future Public Healthcare Professionals.

“The drive, support, and compassion placed into every conversation during the program was very inspiring, which kept the program engaging. This allowed me to have a voice along other individuals who shared the same passions in facing public health disparities and creating initiatives in the betterment of all individuals. I will forever cherish the opportunity to participate in the THESIS Program. My experience with the amazing individuals I was able to connect with and the passionate presentations on Tribal Health have left a great mark and I am excited to further carry it into my journey with public health.”

For more information about THESIS and the Lewis Scholars Program, visit https://thesis.spthb.org.