DP/HH

When I first started at IHS, I took over the Diabetes Prevention/Healthy Heart program from the previous coordinator. There was so much to learn about the programs including what IHS area they corresponded to, the history of each program and the success rate that each program had. The lead on these programs was a Registered Nurse from the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service. Shortly after I started, the RN left his position at IHS to return to Zuni Pueblo. A Commission Corps officer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota took over running the DP/HH program, Juanita Mendoza. At first, Juanita seemed quiet, even shy. After I got to know her a bit better working on tasks despite being in different states, I came to appreciate her sense of humor. We would continue working with each other, and we would grow to be good friends, even though we never met in person. One day our supervisor introduced me to CeciliaButler, a Registered Dietitian who primarily worked in the Santa Fe Indian Hospital. Cecilia was able to work onDP/HH two days a week, and we immediately bonded as we both spoke Spanish.

One day, I went to get the newspaper, and there was an article there about the Public Education Department secretary designate, Hanna Skandera. I couldn’t believe my eyes; Hanna had been my roommate at Pepperdine! I thought it odd that someone who had been homeschooled was now in control of the Public Education Department.