Michael Yanuck, MD, PhD, Shares Experience in Service to Native Peoples

On Wednesday, October 12, 2016, Michael Yanuck, MD, PhD came to YSN and gave a talk entitled, “A call to be essential in the service of native peoples: the real story of life on the Indian Reservation with the highest suicide rate in the world.”

Michael Yanuck, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist whose groundbreaking research at the National Institutes of Health was the basis for a FDA-approved vaccine for cancer. Following a traumatic leg injury, he returned to medicine. Intent on caring for the less fortunate, he enlisted in the National Health Service Corps, worked in urban and rural health centers throughout the country, then served native peoples with the Indian Health Service.  Currently, Dr. Yanuck is leading the VA effort to assist homeless Veterans in Northern California, as well as introduce outstanding VA programs to the Indian Health Service. 

Dr. Yanuck shared his experiences serving native peoples with the audience and discussed his book, “the blue light at the center of creation people.”  During a stay on an Indian Reservation, Dr. Michael Yanuck was caught in a flood. Unbeknownst to him, at the same time he was struggling in the river, a rash of suicides had claimed the lives of several young people. Stunned upon hearing the news of the tragedy and learning that the rate of suicide on this Reservation was the highest in the world, he would follow the lives of tribe members summoning the native ways to heal the people.  Dr. Yanuck wrote this book with the intent of inspiring idealistic students and people of service to enter the Indian Health Service and serve native peoples.

The YSN community enjoyed hearing Dr. Yanuck’s compelling stories and engaging in a discussion about native healing practices and rituals.  We extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Yanuck and all who attended the event.