In honor of Women’s History Month, Ellsworth LLC—a Native-owned Indigenous healthcare staffing company—is proud to celebrate the legacy and ongoing impact of Native American women in healthcare. By striving to integrate traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern medical practices, especially within the Indian Health Service (IHS), Ellsworth sets new standards for culturally competent healthcare delivery. This celebration honors the matrilineal traditions and Native Ways of Knowing that have shaped communities for generations, reinforcing the values of motherhood, feminine strength, and female leadership.
Celebrating Native Women’s Impact in Healthcare
Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord of the Navajo Nation stands among the first Native American women to become a surgeon. Her innovative work, blending traditional Native healing with modern surgical techniques, has redefined clinical practice while inspiring Native youth to pursue medical careers that honor their heritage. Dr. Alvord’s contributions exemplify how ancient traditions can invigorate modern medicine, creating a legacy of resilience and innovation.
First Lieutenant Marcella Ryan LeBeau grew up on the Cheyenne River Reservation, overcoming early hardships with remarkable courage. After enduring the loss of her mother and challenging boarding school experiences, she pursued nursing and entered the Army Nurse Corps during World War II. Her service took her across Europe—caring for casualties in major campaigns like the Battle of the Bulge and Rhineland—and earned her prestigious honors from Belgium and France. After the war, LeBeau continued her commitment to her community by serving in the Indian Health Service and on the Cheyenne River District 5 Tribal Council, becoming a revered tribal elder.
Dr. Sara Jumping Eagle, an Oglala Lakota from South Dakota, excels as a pediatrician and Clinical Director with the Standing Rock Indian Health Service in Fort Yates. In addition to her clinical work, she is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. Her research and medical practice—focusing on adolescent medicine, reproductive health, and behavioral health—demonstrate a strong commitment to culturally competent care and the prevention of high-risk behaviors among Native youth.
Jana Gipp, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, leads a regional healthcare facility dedicated to serving Native communities. As CEO, she is focused on integrating innovative ideas with cultural practices to improve healthcare delivery across her rural region. Pursuing a doctoral program in healthcare administration, Gipp is determined to combine modern management strategies with indigenous insights, ensuring that the healthcare system reflects the values and traditions of her people.
Dawn Wyllie’s journey into medicine was ignited by childhood curiosity and nurtured through diverse life experiences. As a family physician, policy leader, and former rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service, she has been a staunch advocate for culturally appropriate care. Based on her environmental health background and her Native heritage from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Wyllie has worked tirelessly to address health disparities. Her legacy includes contributions to federal guidelines incorporating integrative and cultural approaches to patient care.
Lisa Martin, an enrolled member of the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, is a distinguished Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing. With extensive experience in public health and clinical education, she has dedicated her career to advancing nursing research and community health initiatives. Lisa’s leadership in Indigenization learning groups helps to address the under-representation of American Indian nurses and fosters a renewed focus on health equity and the social determinants of health.
Merging Indigenous Wisdom with Modern Medicine
Ellsworth LLC is rapidly emerging as one of the fastest-growing government contractors for the IHS, winning over 27 government contracts and placing 17 medical staff in key locations such as Chinle and Shiprock, with further expansion planned into the Dakotas and Oklahoma. This growth is driven by a steadfast commitment to merging Indigenous wisdom with modern healthcare. The company also prioritizes comprehensive cultural competency training, ensuring that every practitioner respects and understands the cultural context of the communities they serve.
Building a Culturally Competent Future
Ellsworth LLC’s commitment to honoring Native American women and striving to integrate traditional Indigenous knowledge into modern healthcare is reshaping the landscape of medical care. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate these remarkable leaders and their enduring influence on a healthcare system that is both innovative and deeply rooted in Native cultural traditions. Through innovation, cultural awareness, and an unwavering commitment to community, Ellsworth LLC is leading toward a healthier future that embraces matrilineal legacies and Native Ways of Knowing for generations to come.
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Create your free profile. We look forward to helping you embark on a rewarding and adventurous career. Ellsworth LLC is proud to confirm its eligibility under the Buy-Indian set-aside ISBEE (UEI: E84NXMLHLMS5) and operates under NAICS Codes 561320 — Temporary Help Services and 621111 — Offices of Physicians, except Mental Health Specialists. Our business model and services are designed to meet these specific requirements, and our partnership with LiquidAgents Healthcare, LLC and StaffingEngine, LLC supports us. With over 22 years of combined recruiting expertise, we ensure culturally competent staffing solutions that meet the needs of healthcare professionals and organizations alike.
