Join us for a Native American health lecture! Hosted by the Northwest Native American Center of Excellence, the Native American Health Seminar Series aims to bring awareness to contemporary and historical American Indian/Alaska Native health issues, how to address social and behavioral determinants of health with Tribes and Urban Indian communities and share American Indian/Alaska Native knowledge, strength and wisdom.

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 @ 5pm – 6pm PST

Robertson Life Sciences Building
2730 S. Moody Avenue
Room 3A003A & 3A003B
Portland, Oregon 97201
 
This year’s talk will be presented by Dr. Claymore Kills First on Land Connection and Cancer Research.
 
Dr. Claymore Kills First Bio:
I am an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and ethnically Mnicoujou Lakota. I am a board-certified clinical oncology pharmacist at the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon, clinical faculty in the OHSU/OSU College of Pharmacy, and conduct research with the Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Research. My research focuses on identifying and addressing disparities in cancer care for Indigenous populations, including identifying genomic and familial components that increase cancer risk. My interest in equitable access to high quality oncology care is rooted in my personal family history. My father was diagnosed with cancer while we were living on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The nearest academic medical center was located out of state over 6 hours away. The logistical and financial burden created an overwhelming barrier to access adequate healthcare. He would ultimately succumb to his disease, but because of this personal history I have dedicated my career to cancer research in AIAN communities. I strive to create pathways to identify and overcome barriers to accessing cancer care and elucidate genomic and familial characteristics that can be addressed to positively impact pancreatic cancer treatment for Indigenous people.