Navajo nurses needed
IHS struggles with shortage
Bill Donovan
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — While more than 3,000 Navajos each year have to
leave their reservation to find employment, the Navajo area Indian
Health Service can't find enough nurses.
There are 66 vacancies throughout the area, and IHS officials have
been mounting a year-round effort to find nurses to meet the demands
of the federal health agency.
"We would love to see more Navajos go into the nursing profession,"
said Brenda Gabbard, head of the IHS area's nursing office.
Right now, the supply of nurses, especially in specialized areas such
as emergency room and intensive care, is lower than the demand. This
is why many off-reservation hospitals are giving hefty bonuses to
get experienced nurses in some specialties.
The government can't do that except where the nurse is a commissioned
officer and qualifies for a $3,000 bonus so the area IHS has to use
other incentives to get nurses to sign a civil service contract.
The beauty of the area helps, said Dr. Doug Peter, chief medical officer
for the Navajo area IHS.
"We get people who come out here because they want to work in
the Southwest or want to work on an Indian Reservation," he said.
The salaries aren't bad either.
A nurse with a two-year degree starts at $27,381, which is about the
salary of a starting teacher on the Navajo Reservation. A nurse with
a bachelor's degree can start at $34,898. It goes up from there, depending
on the degree of specialty and the number of years of experience to
a point where salaries can top $50,000.
Becoming a nursing supervisor can add another $5,000 to $20,000 to
one's salary.
But private salaries can easily top that, so IHS is constantly recruiting.
"Our greatest difficulty is in getting nurses with specialties
such as obstetrics, intensive care and emergency room," Peter
said. "These kinds of nurses are in demand nationwide."
Currently, about one-third of the 687 or so nurses employed by the
Navajo area IHS are Navajo, and IHS officials say they wish that percentage
was higher.
Not only do Navajos usually stay with the service longer, but many
have their own homes, which eases the staff housing situation in many
areas. They also have an understanding of the culture that non-Indian
nurses who tend to stay in the area only a couple of years don't acquire.
This constant turnover is the reason the vacancy level stays at about
66.
For example, Gallup Indian Medical Center currently has 15 vacancies.
In the past year, center staff hired 40 nurses but 37 left, producing
a turnover rate of 15 percent. Fort Defiance has 10 vacancies but
has hired only six nurses while 19 have left, four of them obstetrics
nurses. Only Winslow and Kayenta currently have no vacancies, while
Chinle has 11, Shiprock 12 and Crownpoint and Tuba City have nine
each.
Beginning nurses also tend to be older than one would suspect a factor
on the Navajo Reservation as well as nationwide.
The average age of a nurse coming into the system is 44, in part because
women yes, it's still a female-dominated field but male nurses are
becoming more common because of the high pay look at the salaries
and security and begin taking courses in their 30s.
But those who go into the profession at any age find the classes are
hard.
"Nurses have to take the same classes as medical students and
biology majors," Gabbard said.
For most Navajos who go into nursing, the hard work is worth it.
Anita Bradley, who graduated last May from New Mexico State University's
nursing school, now works at Gallup Indian Medical Center.
"It's a very challenging job, but I love it," she said.
Of course, it may be in her blood. Her grandmother, mother and sister
are nurses.
Peter said some turnover exists among Navajo nurses,
but usually they go from one hospital to another within the area.
Besides putting ads regularly in national nursing journals and in
local papers, the area has a website www.navajohealthjobs.ihs.gov
that it uses to attract nursing graduates to the area.
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Official at IHS gets top award
Nancy Watson
Diné Bureau
WINDOW ROCK — Vida H. Khow, the chief executive officer with
the Indian Health Service's Winslow Service Unit, will receive the
1999 American Hospital Association Special Achievement Award.
Khow will receive the award March 30 in Chicago at the Federal Sector
Awards Luncheon.
The award recognizes a federal health care executive who has provided
distinguished service and contributed to the mission of the federal
health care system.
Khow, who is Navajo, was selected from a field of colleagues representing
the U.S. Departments of Air Force, Army, Navy, Veterans Health Administration
and Public Health Service.
"We are extremely proud of Vida. She has shown leadership, innovation
and commitment to providing quality health care in the Winslow Service
Unit," said John Hubbard Jr., area director of the Navajo Area
IHS.
Khow was recognized for her outstanding leadership abilities and strategic
planning skills.
Since becoming the Winslow Service Unit's CEO in 1992, Khow has implemented
a management system that is people-centered and focuses on collaboration
with community leaders.
Khow began an annual wellness conference for the community and started
the first traditional healer program in IHS. The traditional healer
is a member of the medical staff and works in a traditional hogan
located on the Winslow Service Unit premises.
In 1998, Khow led the Winslow Health Center through
a successful accreditation process, achieving a score of 99 out of
a possible 100 points, although at the time, there were vacancies
in key management positions.
The Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
highly commended the service unit.
Khow also found ways to renovate the facilities at both Winslow and
Leupp. The Winslow Health Center was built in 1931 and was in dire
need of renovation, officials said. A Deployable Medical Systems Unit
was used during the renovation to continue to provide health care.
It was the first time a DEPMEDS unit was deployed in the United States
and involved the joint efforts of the Army Reserve, Department of
Defense and IHS. Reservists with the Army, Air Force and Navy were
assigned to the DEPMEDS unit in Winslow for a regular tour of duty.
Other options would have cost the service unit up to
$1 million, but the effort relied on teamwork and cost significantly
less.
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Russian teens get taste of local schools,
culture
Zarana Sanghani
Staff Writer
GALLUP — Young visitors from Russia are getting a taste of the
United States via Gallup this month.
Seven Russians five 10th graders, one 11th grader and one teacher
came to Gallup on Feb. 5 to participate in a student-exchange program.
For the past two weeks, the students took in local sites and observed
the workings of the Gallup High School classrooms.
"Students are allowed more freedom than in our country,"
one Russian student, Olga Markelova, said.
Her peers agreed. They said students here talk more to each other
in class, American teachers are not so strict, lessons are less demanding,
and most importantly, no one goes to school on Saturday.
Freedom for these Russian students, like teen-agers anywhere, means
free time, not political empowerment.
However, the young scholars preferred their educational system over
Gallup's.
"It gives profound knowledge," Anton Chernyshov said of
their school year's 16-course curriculum. He gave the example of a
precalculus class he visited here where juniors and seniors were working
on a math problem he learned to solve in eighth grade.
Their accompanying teacher, Assistant Principal Lidia Andrianova,
said testing methods differ also.
In her classrooms, as in other Russian classrooms, teachers will orally
ask students to recall information they were assigned to study. These
frequent oral exams are preferred over written tests, though Russian
students must take a few written tests as well, Andrianova said.
In March, six students from Gallup High School will complete the exchange
and go to Sarov in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Region to observe their
visitors in their classrooms in Sarov School Number 2.
Gallup High history teachers Dave Zehrung and Vesta Henry will accompany
the students. Zehrung said he is looking forward to learning about
the Russian educational system to find new ways to help him teach
his students.
Henry said she is looking forward to being a tourist in Russia. Many
of the Russian students said that was what they enjoyed about their
trip to Gallup.
"It was interesting to know what America looks like," Yana
Olekhnovich said.
Among sites they saw was Chaco Canyon. Zehrung said some students
were amazed to hear the architecture was more than 1,000 years old,
since much of Russia's oldest structures were destroyed through years
of war.
Gallup is different than Sarov. Sarov has a population of 88,000,
but looks even more populated than Gallup because most of the residences
are high-rise apartments. The city is small, but dense.
In Gallup, students and teacher also got a flavor of Native American
culture. The teacher, Andrianova, said she visited Acoma Pueblo's
Sky City this past weekend.
"It was amazing. I believe it's very good to keep folk traditions,"
Andrianova said. "The same with our country we try to keep many
folk traditions. It's so interesting to see different folk trades,
clothing, dancing and traditions."
The Russian students began learning English in first grade, so they
could easily communicate with their American peers and teachers.
Although the Gallup exchange students do not know Russian, they expect
few problems because their counterparts know English well, Zehrung
said.
Both groups of students are researching water and resource management
in the two countries. The U.S. Department of Energy, in part, sponsored
the exchange program and chose the subject.
The results of the students' research will be presented at a conference
in Russia, where all students involved in the program will gather.
"I'm very interested in the environment," Gallup High School
junior Carmella Kahn said. "I hope we can establish a tie with
them so we can work with them to solve these problems."
| Top |
Teen killed in crash
Staff Report
GALLUP — A Gallup High School senior's life ended suddenly in
a car accident Sunday morning at the 39 Mile Marker on Interstate
40 East.
Police say Matthew Padilla, 17, was traveling eastbound about 5 a.m.
when he lost control of his 1998 Nissan passenger car and struck a
guard rail.
The vehicle then made a three-quarter turn, ending up lateral with
the highway, police said...
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Art show, fun run at powwow
By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Special to the Independent
GALLUP — Two local men, Hank Grizzle and Brian Chee, share Norman
Roach's hope that the first Gallup Area Schools Festival and Powwow
will prove to be an event that all community members can enjoy.
Grizzle, an art teacher, and Chee, a university student
and runner, are assistant coordinators of the festival.
Grizzle, a fellow teacher with Roach at JFK Middle School, called
Roach "a breath of fresh air" for both the school and community.
"We need to bring everybody together," he said. "That's
his mindset, and that's also mine..."
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'Powwow bum' issues invitation
Organizer says event for everyone
By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Special to the Independent
GALLUP — Norman Roach has an invitation he wants to share with
the Gallup and reservation communities. And it's for everyone, regardless
of age or cultural background. The only requirements are that you
come as you are and you come to have fun.
Roach, a self-described former "Powwow Bum," loves being
a part of powwow celebrations and wants to share that experience with
the local community, particularly the area's youth.
The primary organizer of this Saturday's upcoming first Gallup Area
Schools Festival and Powwow at JFK Middle School, Roach is extending
the invitation to come and enjoy the day's festivities to everyone
in the community, not just Native Americans...
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Bengals' strong start falls short
Alan Arthur
Sports Editor
GALLUP — For the first two quarters Saturday night, it seemed
the Gallup Bengals couldn't miss a shot against the Farmington Scorpions.
For most of the fourth quarter, they couldn't buy a shot.
When it was over, the 11 three-pointers made by the Bengals wasn't
enough to overcome the Scorpions in a 77-66 defeat in their District
1AAAA prep boys basketball game at Gallup High School...
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Idaho man sets new quadrathalon record
Tom Purdom
Staff Writer
GRANTS — Mike Tobin breezed across the 17th Annual Mount Taylor
Winter Quadrathlon finish line as if he had just taken a stroll across
the street. But the 36-year-old from Boise, Idaho, broke the quad
record by a whopping 5 minutes and 29 seconds. His time: 3:23:29.
The first woman to cross, Danelle Ballengee, dedicated her win to
her grandmother, who died last year.
In all, 540 quadrathletes bicycled up, ran up, snowshoed up, then
snowshoed down, ran down and bicycled down Mount Taylor in a grueling
44-mile race Saturday that tested the will and endurance of entrants,
including an 11-year-old boy and New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson...
| Top |
Mess in Milan
Murrietta retains job; Tom Ortega apologizes
Tom Purdom
Staff Writer
MILAN — In a tough special village board of trustees meeting
punctuated by harsh words and strong emotions, Village Manager Joe
Murrietta got his lame-duck job back and Trustee Tom Ortega apologized
for his alcohol episode last week.
One Milan resident said the community has become the laughing stock
of the state because of recent actions.
Mayor Elisabeth Lopez-Rael last week issued an order barring village
employees from entering Village Hall before 8 a.m. or after 5 p.m.
while early voting was being conducted for the March 7 municipal elections...
| Top |
St. Michaels fullfills coach's prediction
Santiago Ramos
Staff Sports Writer
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Heading into the Class 1A girls state finals, St.
Michael girls head coach Joey Rollings was confident about his team's
chances of claiming its fourth state title, even predicting a 20-point
win if his players played well.
That air of confidence carried over to his 30-6 Lady Cardinals, dominating
North region foe and top seed Joseph City 57-36 Saturday afternoon
at the America West Arena to capture its fourth state title in the
last eight years.
The 21-point margin of victory was the third highest for Class 1A
girls state finals. Ironically St. Michael posted the widest margin
of victory of 24 points in 1997 during Rollings' first year at St.
Michael when the Lady Cardinals hammered Salome 65-41. The second
largest margin of victory was 22 points in 1991 when Fredonia whipped
Seligman 55-33...
| Top |
Deaths
Darlene Yazzie
COTTONWOOD, Ariz. — Services for Darlene Yazzie, 36, will be
held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic
Church. Father Blane Grein will officiate. Burial will follow at the
Black Mountain Mission Cemetery.
Yazzie died Feb. 18 in Chinle, Ariz. She was born July 5, 1962, in
Ganado, Ariz., into the Red Bottom People Clan for the Cliff Dwelling
People Clan.
Yazzie attended school at Cottonwood Day School and Elementary, Chinle
Junior High and Chinle High School. Her hobbies included rug weaving
and domestic crafts. She was a life resident of Cottonwood.
Survivors include her husband, Roger H. Yazzie Sr. of Cottonwood;
sons, Roger Yazzie Jr. and Roggerick Yazzie, both of Cottonwood; daughters,
Valerie Yazzie, Vera Yazzie, Deidre Yazzie and Destiny Yazzie, all
of Cottonwood; mother, Winnie Yazzie of Cottonwood; brothers, Wendell
Yazzie of Chinle, and Garrett Yazzie and Reynaldo Yazzie, both of
Cottonwood; sisters, Pauline Bitsui, Charlene Tom and Ginlene Betom,
all of Cottonwood, and Arlene Yazzie of Farmington; grandmother, Zonnie
K. James of Cottonwood; and three grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Lou Bitsui II, Roger Yazzie Jr.,
Wendell Yazzie, Ray Slim, Tracy Yazzie.
Cope Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Edwardo Ramirez Sr.
GALLUP — Services for Edwardo Ramirez Sr., 79, will be held at
10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
Father Ulric Pax, O.F.M., will officiate. Burial will follow at Sunset
Memorial Park.
Visitation will be held from 1-7 p.m. today, Feb. 21, at Rollie Mortuary.
Ramirez died Feb. 18 in Albuquerque. He was born May 18, 1920, in
Tokay.
Ramirez was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American
Legion.
Survivors include his wife, Tillie Ramirez of Gallup; sons, Danny
Ramirez and Eddy Ramirez, both of Los Lunas, Lalo Ramirez and Robert
Ramirez, both of Santa Fe, John Gabaldon of San Diego, Calif., Mike
Gabaldon and Robert Gabaldon, both of Albuquerque, and Thomas Gabaldon
of Gallup; daughters, Cyria Ramirez of Los Lunas and Oralia Lucero
and Rosei Sinclair, both of Gallup; brothers, Cleto Ramirez of Questa
and Juan Ramirez of Cerrillos; and sisters, Lupita Block of Calif.
and Josephine Gallegos of San Jose, Calif.
Ramirez was preceded in death by his parents, Jesus and Flora Ramirez,
and a daughter, Josephine Ramirez.
Pallbearers will be Daniel Gabaldon, John Gabaldon, Robert Gabaldon
Jr., Silvano Lucero, Patrick Ramirez and Tom Vigil.
Rollie Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Gilbert "Lonestar" Lucero
GRANTS — Services for Gilbert "Lonestar" Lucero, 84,
will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at the Immanuel Baptist
Church. The Rev. Garland Moore will officiate. Burial will follow
at the Grants Memorial Park.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. today, Feb. 21, at the Grants
Mortuary Chapel.
Lucero died Feb. 18 at the Cibola General Hospital in Grants. He was
born March 8, 1915 in Petaca to Eliseo and Gomincida Trujillo Lucero.
Lucero was a resident of the Grants area for 58 years. He was a uranium
miner for Kerr-McGee for 25 years. He was a member of the Elks. His
hobbies were gardening (especially with flowers), dancing, hunting,
camping and traveling.
Survivors include his sons, Gilbert L. Lucero of Milan
and Tony R. Lucero of Los Lunas; daughters, Betty Winstead of Grants
and JoAnn Gurule of Milan; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Lucero was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Lucero; daughter, Charlotte
Lucero; and a brother, Roberto Lucero.
Pallbearers will be Gilbert Lucero, Tony Lucero, Joseph Griego, Douglas
Cone, Ted Blea and Gene Aragon.
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