Lori Arviso Alvord

Lori Arviso Alvord , M.D., is a groundbreaking figure in medicine as the first Navajo woman to become board-certified in surgery.

Born to a Navajo father and white mother, she grew up on a reservation in New Mexico.

Alvord attended Dartmouth College and Stanford Medical School before returning to serve her community at an Indian Health Service hospital.

Her work focuses on integrating Navajo healing practices with Western medicine, emphasizing a holistic approach to patient care.

Alvord later became an associate dean at Dartmouth Medical School, where she continued to advocate for culturally competent healthcare.

Her efforts to bridge two worlds in medicine have made her a respected voice in both Native American and medical communities.