She earned her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and her medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine. Subsequently, the American College of Surgery named Dr. Arviso Alvord as a certified board surgeon and sent her into the world as the first Navajo woman surgeon.

Dr. Arviso Alvord has made her mark. She was a chief surgical resident at Stanford University Hospital. She has also practiced in New Mexico and provided health services for Native Americans at Gallup Indian Medical Center.

“Being in Gallup was really comfortable. If I wanted mutton stew or posole, I knew where to go,” Arviso Alvord comments with a chuckle, and she continues, “I had some of the greatest patients from there and the surrounding areas. I would love to have a home in New Mexico!”

This busy surgeon is also known for blending traditional Navajo ways with Western modern medicine. The Navajo belief is to bring everything into harmony and balance, and it is easy to sense the serenity and confidence of Dr. Arviso Alvord.

“I am honored that patients place their trust in me and expect me to do the right thing,” she says.

She recognizes significant connections between her profession and her heritage, as she explains, “Medicine men work through channels that Western medicine has not yet developed, so Western medicine is playing catch-up. Modern medicine often doesn’t recognize the power of the mind.” She also says that research shows that the mind is a powerful tool to assist in the healing process and modern medicine certainly has its place in healing as well. She understands the importance of both traditional and modern medicine, she interweaves her two worlds, and keeps her cultural beliefs intact.

Reminiscing about her Native soil and roots, she says that she incorporated her grandmother’s maiden name “Arviso” into her own name to honor her Navajo grandmother. Another cultural characteristic that shines is her humor. She laughs at the fact that she has a team that races sailboats on the East Coast and that she is on a women’s hockey team.

Right now she has a leadership position that enables her to help her Native peoples. She is the associate dean of Student Affairs and Multicultural Affairs at Dartmouth, helping students strive to become doctors, surgeons, and leaders. She is also an assistant professor of surgery, psychiatry, and comparative literature. In addition to her campus work, she is researching surgery outcomes on Native Americans and still performs surgery.

Dr. Arviso Alvord has walked a path like no other. She didn’t let her background slow her progress, but embraced it. She has inspired many women and especially her students. Many have adopted her as a role model.

She has been awarded for “Dedication and Concern for Quality Health Care of the Navajo Nation” and recognized for “Exemplary Dedication and Service in Enhancing the Quality of Life Among All Peoples in The Land of Enchantment.” The impressive list of educational, commencement and convocation addresses, committees, awards, recognitions, professional societies, professorships, and lectures goes on and on.

Envisioning a young Navajo girl of a matrilineal society emerging as the woman in hospital scrubs, you can see how far she has come, how much she has experienced and accomplished, and how she has reached such a high degree of professionalism.

She returns to New Mexico whenever possible. Her most recent visit was to speak at San Juan College in Farmington. Those who have the opportunity to meet her experience the feeling of meeting a long lost friend. Not only is she easygoing, but you can’t help but feel her kindness.

Dr. Arviso Alvord has walked a path like no other. She didn’t let her background slow her progress, but embraced it. She has inspired many women and especially her students. Many have adopted her as a role model. She wants to continue to help advance Native communities and to contribute to a lifestyle and better quality of life for her people.

Karyth Becenti is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor of Arts degree in professional writing and a minor in intercultural communications. She has completed internships with UNM’s Media Relations Athletic Department and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training.