Paige Priest (Seneca Nation) First Year Medical Student

Paige's journey to medical school is marked by resilience, determination, and a deep-rooted commitment to her Native community. Graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender Studies on the pre-medical track, alongside minors in sociology and biology, she continued her academic pursuits at Cornell University, earning a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in food systems and health. After a year off working as a nanny, Paige pursued her dream of attending medical school, enrolling at Wy’East before ultimately being accepted into the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Inspired by her father's passing and her grandmother's health journey, Paige's passion for becoming a Native physician blossomed, driven by a desire to provide culturally sensitive care and prevent others from experiencing the loss she endured. In her free time, Paige finds solace in beading and coffee shop visits, channeling her artistic expression and seeking peaceful moments amidst her busy journey toward becoming a physician.

“I want to explore and possibly help my tribe apply to grants that can help improve our USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR) program. I want this opportunity to help expand food options through the program that can promote consumption of culturally relevant foods that are accessible to the community.”

Culturally Relevant Nutrition - Enhancing the USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Paige's project aims to enhance her tribe's USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) by exploring grant opportunities to expand food options and promote the consumption of culturally relevant foods within the community. Through thorough research on available grants and outreach to resources familiar with grant opportunities, Paige plans to investigate the potential for improving the FDPIR program. Drawing inspiration from successful grant applications, such as the Spirit Lake facility, Paige aims to gain insights into grant writing processes and understand how USDA policies impact program implementation. With a long-term vision of contributing to policy development as a physician, Paige anticipates that successful grant applications will pave the way for tangible improvements in the FDPIR program, while also laying the groundwork for future grant opportunities if initial results prove inconclusive. Through this project, Paige seeks to blend her passions for healthcare and community advocacy, fostering positive change within her tribe's food distribution program.