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Kelly McCue Nation, MPH
CONSULTANT IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Kelly McCue Nation is originally from Fort Collins, CO, but has called Flagstaff, AZ “home” since 2007. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Public Health degree with an emphasis in Maternal and Child Health from Boston University. Kelly is a Research Scientist for the Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) at Northern Arizona University and is adjunct faculty at Diné College (course: PUH 360, American Indian Maternal, Child, and Sexual Health). Outside her work life, Kelly spends time with her husband Nick, mountain biking, trail running, and gardening.
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DeeDee James, MPH
CONSULTANT IN PUBLIC HEALTH
DeeDee James (She/Her) is a Diné (Navajo) woman, originally from Promise Rock, AZ, and now residing in Flagstaff, AZ. Her matrilineal line is of the Tódích’ii’nii (Bitter Water clan), born of the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House clan). Her maternal grandfathers’ lineage is of the Kinłichíí’nii (Red House clan), and her paternal grandfathers’ are of the Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle clan).
DeeDee currently serves as a Research Coordinator at Northern Arizona University (NAU) - Center for Health Equity Research. Her academic journey includes earning a B.S. in Exercise Science with a minor in psychology, followed by her Masters of Public Health with an emphasis in Indigenous Health, both achieved at NAU.
Beyond her professional endeavors, DeeDee finds joy in being an auntie, indulging in her love for hiking, powerlifting, and attending concerts. Her passions extend to advocacy, particularly for maternal and child health, and environmental health within the Navajo Nation.
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Shannon Begay, BS
Shannon Begay is from Rock Point, AZ. A senior at Diné College pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Science in public health. With a passion for healthcare and community well-being, she have gained valuable knowledge in various healthcare roles. Shannon has worked in contact tracing, as a public health tech, nursing assistant, creating social media posts, and is lactation trainee. Shannon is currently interning with the Navajo Maternal and child health program at Diné College.
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Mia Wilson
INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Yá’át’ééh shi ei Mia Wilson yinishye. Tá’chii’nii (Red Running into the Water clan) nishłį, Tódíchinii (Bitter Water clan) bashishchíín, Ta’neeszahnii (Tangle clan) dashicheii, Honágháahnii (One Who Walks Around clan) dashinalí. I am from Shiprock, NM.
I am a senior at Dine College, and will be graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in Public Health. As an intern with the Navajo Maternal and Child Health Project, I have greatly enjoyed working with the team and broadening my perspective on maternal and child health. My next step in my public health journey is to pursue a Master’s degree and provide back to the Navajo MCH community.
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Charmayne Gene
INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Charmayne Gene focused on Public Health at Diné College. She also interned for Northern Arizona University’s Summer Bridge program, tracking progress in malnourished patients and conducting health education. She completed her internship with Diné College’s Summer Research Enhancement Program. Her research project was with the Diné College Maternal and Child Health project.
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Shermaine Nelson
INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Shermaine, from Ganado, AZ, graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2021, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health. Working as an intern at Diné College, she assisted with the Healthy Navajo K’é podcasts.
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Ella Haas
INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Ella graduated from Northern Arizona University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. She worked with the MCH team with the Healthy Navajo K'e podcast, editing, transcribing, interviewing, and collecting data for podcasts. She envisions a fulfilling career dedicated to supporting children and families.
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Brooke Nez
INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Brooke is originally from Tocito, New Mexico. She is now attending Carthage College pursuing a nursing degree.
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Alexandrea Ingram
INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Alexandria is from Phoenix, Arizona and completed her undergraduate degree in health sciences at Northern Arizona university. Working as an intern at Diné College in the Maternal and Child Health project provided an opportunity to expand her knowledge of maternal and children’s health topics and to share her research with community members and other health educators on the Healthy Navajo K’é podcasts.
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Alyssa Baca
INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Alyssa Baca is from Phoenix, Arizona, and recently graduated from Northern Arizona University with her Bachelors in Public Health. I plan to take a small break to travel. She hopes to continue her career in the field of maternal health. While interning at Diné College, she assisted in the production of the Podcast series Healthy Navajo K’é.
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Chassity Begay
INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Chassity Begay is originally from Whippoorwill Arizona, and is a graduate student in the Masters of Public Health program at Northern Arizona University, focusing on the Maternal and Child Health project at Diné College. She assists with the Health Navajo K’é podcast project.
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Marissa Tutt
INTERN IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Marissa Tutt is a Research Coordinator at the Center for Health Equity Research at Northern Arizona University. She assisted on the qualitative work for the 2020 Navajo Maternal and Child Health Needs Assessment and the listening sessions. She received my Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Public Health from Northern Arizona University.