Seattle Indian Health Board’s Dr. Terry Maresca (Mohawk) and Dr. Socia Love-Thurman (Cherokee, Delaware, Yuchi) hosted a walking tour of Seattle with new resident physicians from both Seattle Indian Health Board’s and Puyallup Tribal Health Authority’s Family Medicine Residency programs.

Dr. Maresca orated the true history of Seattle—what the home of the Duwamish once was and the impacts of colonialism. 

They walked from Seattle Indian Heath Board to Pioneer Square, making stops at Chief Seattle Club, the yəhaw̓ exhibit at the King Street Station, and the infamous totem pole in Pioneer square, which was originally stolen from the Tlingit people of Southeast Alaska. 

The group also visited major landmarks of the ports of entry, longhouses, and ended up on the Jose Rizal Bridge where Dr. Maresca illustrated the water highways that once existed and the current water issues the Duwamish people are experiencing today.

SIHB is dedicated to sharing knowledge with the next generation of health professionals

Seattle Indian Health Board provides jobs and internships to healthcare professionals interested in working in a setting that provides culturally attuned care for its patients.

In partnership with Swedish Family Medicine Residency, Cherry Hill, Seattle Indian Health Board operates a Family Medicine Residency Program. Three-quarters of graduates from the residency program go on to work in underserved communities, with half going on to work in Indian Country.

Through jobs, internships, and programs like the Family Medicine Residency Program, we carry out our obligation to our elders and past leaders by sharing our knowledge with the next generation of health professionals.