“As a modern Native, I feel like I have to balance a delicate line between honoring my heritage but also trying to meander my life outside of the reservation that isn’t necessarily easy for my elders to comprehend. I believe that by creating this library, I can bring a piece of home to all fellow Natives who might be in my same position, forge connections between elders and participating students, and create something special for all to enjoy.”

Kayleigh Paddock (Navajo Nation) - Gap Year Pre-Med Student

Project Title: Exploring Health Through Storytelling and Cultural Connection

Kayleigh Paddock’s Healers Community Circle project centered on exploring holistic wellness—physical, mental, and spiritual—by connecting Native youth with knowledge holders through virtual storytelling sessions. Initially aiming to feature elders from various Arizona tribes, Kayleigh shifted her approach after encountering concerns around sharing traditional knowledge online. This sparked rich conversations among students about the ethics of documenting Indigenous wisdom.

Adapting with care, she interviewed three community leaders—a Navajo language educator, a museum curator, and a university student—who shared their perspectives on health and well-being. These sessions sparked meaningful conversations and formed the foundation for lesson plans that Kayleigh developed to deepen cultural understanding. Her student group evolved from quiet participants to active contributors, engaging in interactive discussions and talking circles that strengthened their sense of connection and belonging.

To build trust and community, Kayleigh also organized social gatherings for students and honored each speaker and participant with a personalized gift at the project's end. Inspired by this work, she now plans to expand her website into an “artist spotlight” project featuring Indigenous voices and knowledge keepers.

Throughout the year, Kayleigh also experienced major personal growth—transitioning into a role supporting Native student outreach and participating in the MPATH program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The loss of her grandmother in 2024 deeply impacted her, prompting her to pause her medical school plans. This period of reflection brought clarity: Kayleigh is committed to a future in medicine rooted in cultural connection and community healing.

Kayleigh Paddock, originally from Tuba City, AZ, situated on the Navajo reservation, has a deep-rooted commitment to addressing healthcare disparities in Indigenous communities. Graduating from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Physiology in 2023, she followed the pre-medical track, driven by a lifelong passion for healthcare instilled during her middle school years. Having experienced firsthand the challenges within the Indian Health Services system, particularly during her grandfather's need for emergency heart surgery, Kayleigh was compelled to pursue a career in medicine to advocate for her community. Cultural taboos, language barriers, and medical distrust underscored the need for change, motivating Kayleigh to aspire to become one of the few Native physicians serving her homeland and representing her people in the medical field.