Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord is the first Navajo woman to be certified in surgery. She attended Stanford University to gain the technical and clinical skills needed to perform surgery. She also listened to the lessons of the healers of her tribe who use songs, symbols, and ceremonies with families and neighbors to provide comfort and speed recovery. Similarly, she saw that hospitals should provide trees, the sky, comfortable food, and soothing smells and sounds – not things that cause stress like harsh lights and loud paging systems. She continues to perform surgery and is still seen as a role model for the Navajo community. Learn more at Changing the Face of Medicine
Lori Alvord
Surgeon