One Student’s Focus on Indigenous Health and Community

The Association of American Medical Colleges provides five annual scholarships to outstanding students entering their third year of medical school. In 2024, UW School of Medicine student Shelby Snyder was awarded this prestigious scholarship because of her leadership efforts in eliminating inequities in medical education and healthcare.

Snyder, who is of Diné (Navajo) and Southern Ute descent, is training to become a primary care physician and is passionate about incorporating Indigenous knowledge in clinical spaces, a focus that emerged from watching the people in her community advocate for the same practices.    

“She knows representation matters,” says LeeAnna Muzquiz, MD, associate dean for admissions for the UW School of Medicine and clinical professor and instructor in the Department of Family Medicine. “When Shelby has something to say, it’s worth listening to.” 

Snyder’s community-based inspirations

Snyder says her choice to pursue medicine was inspired by her father, her role model, who also works in the medical field. She had the privilege of watching him use both Indigenous Medicine and Western medicine while also continuing to do community work, which motivated her to do the same. 

“Witnessing him be a resource to community members outside of a medical setting has always inspired me,” says Snyder. “It made me emotional to see that he’s able to help our people in that way, in their medical and health journeys, and led me to think that it was something I can and want to step into as well.”

This desire eventually led Snyder to the UW School of Medicine.

Choosing the UW School of Medicine

When applying for medical school, Snyder says it was important for her to attend somewhere that emphasized and incorporated Indigenous health into her medical education. 

 “UW has the Indian Health Pathway, and that stood out to me as a sign that this institution cares about and prioritizes Native health and the Native population that lives in this region,” says Snyder. “That excited me, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it here at UW Medicine.” 

After arriving at UW, Snyder’s natural leadership skills and desire to help those around her manifested into a mentorship role for students entering the School of Medicine. 

“Shelby has a passion for mentoring and helping those who came behind her to have an easier path,” says Muzquiz. “She’s helped the admissions team and has contributed to building a mentorship program for people who are coming to medical school. This will be her lasting legacy.”

Community involvement and outreach

In addition to her mentorship work, Snyder’s leadership was crucial in reviving the Indigenous Anatomy Blessing, where students and community members come together for a ceremony to support Indigenous medical students entering the anatomy lab for the first time. 

“It took a lot of work, and Shelby has that ability to bring people together and help them understand the importance of the blessing,” Muzquiz says.  

Snyder also led the Indigenous Health Professionals Gathering during Native American Heritage Month, celebrating diverse Indigenous cultures and voices at the School of Medicine. The event attracted 55 attendees from over 30 Tribal Nations and 10 health professions, showcasing Snyder’s commitment to community involvement.  

Snyder also participated in the Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program summer experience, which allowed her to create a community outreach project focused on the urban Indigenous population at the Seattle Indian Health Board. Her project, titled “lina’ nizhoni ba da’ashzhish,” emphasized a holistic, Indigenous view of health by integrating powwow dancing to enhance adolescent mental and spiritual well-being.  

While Snyder is an essential leader in these organizations and community outreach, she says it’s important to note that this work isn’t hers alone. 

“I never do this work by myself,” Snyder says. “There’s always my community, Native faculty and classmates — they’re there with me advocating for this work.”  

Learn more about the UW School of Medicine Indian Health Pathway and the UW Medicine Center for Indigenous Health.