IHC Podcast | Culture is Medicine with Claire Alford
In this inspiring episode of the IHC Podcast’s Culture Is Medicine series, we sit down with Claire Alford (she/her), a proud descendant of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Claire is a public health and biology major at Santa Clara University, a passionate advocate for Native health, and a 2024 Udall Scholar.
Claire shares how her heritage influences her passion for public health, what led her to study both biology and public health, and how these fields connect to Native health priorities. As Senior Chair of the Santa Clara Powwow and President of the Native American Coalition for Change (NACC), she discusses the importance of leadership and advocacy in creating spaces for Native students and communities.
We dive into Claire’s work founding a free hygiene program for Native communities, her leadership in establishing Indigenous Peoples’ Day at SCU, and her volunteer work with IHC’s Diabetes Program. Claire also shares her insights on the biggest healthcare challenges facing Native communities, strategies for balance and motivation as a student leader, and powerful advice for Native youth aspiring to enter public health or community leadership roles.
Tune in for an episode full of passion, action, and inspiration!
#CultureIsMedicine #IHCPodcast #NativeHealth #PublicHealth #AbsenteeShawnee #SantaClaraUniversity #IndigenousExcellence
