“Uniting Indigenous Surgeons”

We are creating a national community where Indigenous surgeons connect, lead, and thrive—together.

What we’re doing:

• Building a Network: Verified directory of Native surgeons, surgical trainees, and students across the U.S.

• Grounding in Identity: Centering Indigenous values, languages, and ways of knowing in all we do

• Fostering Mentorship: Connecting members across generations and surgical subspecialties

• Gathering Our People: Hosting events, panels, and meetups at national surgical and Native health conferences

• Supporting Leadership: Promoting Indigenous-led research, committees, and policy work

• Honoring Diversity: Uniting members from many specialties, regions, and Tribal Nations

“Guiding the Next Generation”
We are committed to mentorship, visibility, and representation for Native students pursuing careers in surgery.
What we’re doing:

• Offering structured mentorship through our NASS mentorship network for Native premed, medical students, and surgical trainees.

• Hosting workshops and talks at national conferences (AAIP, ACSS, etc.) to connect Native youth with Indigenous surgeons.

• Providing travel scholarships and sub-internship support for Native medical students applying into surgical specialties.

• Uplifting early-career Native surgeons through speaking opportunities, committee leadership, and professional development.

“Caring for Our Communities with Skilled and Respectful Hands”
We believe surgical care must be both technically excellent and culturally attuned.
What we’re doing:

• Supporting Native surgeons practicing in Indian Country and underserved tribal communities.

• Advocating for equitable surgical access for Indigenous patients through policy, partnership, and data transparency.

• Developing culturally grounded care practices that respect traditional values and health beliefs.

• Building a community of Native surgical professionals who serve not only as clinicians but as role models, educators, and leaders.

“Strengthening Surgical Care Through Research That Serves Our People”
We center Indigenous voices and priorities in research about surgical disparities, access, and outcomes.
What we’re doing:

• Leading and collaborating on projects that assess gaps in surgical services for Native patients.

• Publishing work on Indigenous representation in surgical training and practice, including NASS’s founding manuscript.

• Pursuing FOIA and database-driven studies to quantify needs in Indian Country (e.g., burn reconstruction, trauma care, specialty access).

• Providing platforms for Indigenous scholars to contribute to and lead research in surgery.