Working with the Moran Eye Center helped me to see that there are health disparities in our own communities. It also taught me a valuable lesson: culture plays a direct role in health. I understood this idea in theory, but it was not until I worked with the Ute Tribe that I truly saw it in practice. Because of past injustices, the Ute Tribe is very distrustful of non-Native American programs. This imposed a significant barrier to the Moran’s capacity to provide their services, all of which are free to the Tribe.
Trust is a key element to the delivery of care, whether it involves a patient or a community. As a physician, I cannot abuse the trust of my patients. Public health professionals are under the same obligation. When that trust is lost,
Trust is a key element to the delivery of care, whether it involves a patient or a community. As a physician, I cannot abuse the trust of my patients. Public health professionals are under the same obligation. When that trust is lost,