MedCaT is an academic-community partnership between the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Center for Native Health, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and Mountain Area Health Education Center that creates a structured pipeline to engage Appalachian Rural and American Indian (AI) high school students with multiple resources that support the pursuit of health and biomedical science careers. MedCaT students, also participate in a number of to integrate TEK into their healthcare career preparations, including a Medicine Walk.

The Center for Native Health’s Education & Training Program area has partnered with Western North Caroling School of Nursing to create the MedCaT Mentorship Program. MedCaT Alumni are eligible to participate in this education and professional development program as a part of their education at WCU. Mentors receive training in understanding American Indian historical, political, and social inequities in order to better guide their mentees, as well as guiding their own future careers in health care. MedCaT Mentors also work with current MedCaT students to create shared educational opportunities and community networking at every level of training and education for all parties. Those interested in participating should apply below.

Free and open to the public, this event is led by Executive Board member Onita Bush. Carrying a wealth of traditional knowledge, Onita provides culture-based care for her remote rural community. Onita’s knowledge of Native plants for medicinal purposes and nutrition has made her an invaluable resource in her community. 2025 dates to be announced shortly.

Meetings in which clinicians listen to and learn from the insights, experience, and concerns of elders.

A collaboration between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Center for Native Health and WCU’s College of Health and Human Sciences Rooted in the Mountains is an interdisciplinary forum where ethnography, literature, art, music and native and western science are center stage. Topics range from native heart disease and diabetes prevention, climate change and nature’s resilience, the cultural significance of water, food sovereignty issues and healthy lifestyles. Registration opens annually in August, therefore, 2024 dates and speakers to be announced shortly.