Health care workers | Washington State Magazine

Winter 2020

Strength and success: Profiles of Na⁠-⁠ha⁠-⁠shnee graduates

Founded 25 years ago at Washington State University, Na-ha-shnee has given Native American high school students hands-on experience of the health care professions.

Many graduates of the Na-ha-shnee summer camp have gone on to successful health care careers, including Sarah Burke, Cheryl Ellenwood, Shian Kelly, Rhonda Martinez-McFarland, Shoshannah Palmenteer, and Hailey Wilson.

Sarah Burke: You are capable

Sarah Burke graduated with her bachelor’s in nursing from Washington State University in 2018—just in time to be greeted by a coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s been crazy!” says Burke of her nursing job at EvergreenHealth Medical Center in Kirkland. “I … » More …

Native American students at Na-ha-shnee in 2019

Winter 2020

The audacity to dream

Na-ha-shnee, a program to introduce Native American young people to health care professions and research, has been inspiring students to dream beyond the limits of cultural stereotypes for 25 years. » More ...

Summer 2019

Tails of comfort

Veterinarian, author, and counselor Robert Slack helps health-care workers who struggle with substance use disorders, mental health problems, or both. » More ...