ADA, Okla. - The Lowak Sho'li (Carry the Fire) First American Humanities Forum will take place 6 p.m., Nov. 18, at the Chickasaw Nation Ada Community Center, 700 N. Mississippi Ave.
This year’s theme is “First Americans in Medicine.” Four panelists in the medical field will be exploring their contributions within the First American community, as well as their work in medicine at large.
This year’s panelists will include Dr. John Krueger, Dr. Brandon Postoak, Dr. Judy Goforth Parker and Dr. Jesicah Gilmore. Ethan Cox will serve as moderator.
Community members are invited to learn more about health field careers, experiences and the state of medicine in Indian Country and how it will impact the future.
“The Lowak Sho'li First American Humanities Forum has taken place annually since 2012,” Ethan Cox, Chickasaw Nation Creative Arts Manager, said. “Our panelists bring individual, unique experiences in serving First Americans in the areas of medicine. They have a shared understanding of the importance of First American representation in these areas. This representation is not only important to today’s patients, it is vital to the future First Americans in medicine.”
As physicians serving the First American population, the panel will explore how First Americans can pursue a career in medicine, the rewards of the profession and how medical personnel stay current in research and practices. Resources and professional advice will be shared during the forum.
Presented in a Q&A format, Lowak Sho'li features scholars as they share insights about Chickasaw language, philosophy, history, culture and literature, among other topics including medicine. Scholars will also cover important current initiatives and challenges facing the First American population, cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.
Lowak Sho'li gives local First American youth and college students the opportunity to meet with and learn from experts in various fields of study.
The event is open to the public at no charge.
Visit Chickasaw.net/Lowak to register.
For more information, contact the Chickasaw Nation Literary Arts Division at (580) 272-9236 or CreativeArts@Chickasaw.net.
About the panelists
Dr. John Krueger
John Krueger M.D., MPH has served as the Under Secretary of Medical Staff and Quality for the Chickasaw Nation since 2019. In this role he also serves as chief medical officer and chief quality officer. Dr. Krueger is a board-certified family physician. He completed medical school at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 2000 and received his Master of Public Health from the T. H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health in 2014. Dr. Krueger is a 2010-2011 George W. Merck Institute for Healthcare Quality Improvement (IHI) fellow and IHI faculty member.
Dr. Brandon Postoak
Dr. Brandon Postoak, a Chickasaw citizen, is an emergency medicine resident physician at Integris Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He graduated medical school from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OSU-COM) in 2022. Before medical school, he attended East Central University (ECU) and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 2018. During his time at OSU-COM and ECU, he served in various roles to enhance the diversity of current and prospective students. These included serving as the Association of Native American Medical Students national president, the OSU Student Government Association diversity chair and member of the Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Program.
Dr. Judy Goforth Parker
Dr. Judy Goforth Parker, a Chickasaw citizen, serves as Commissioner of Health Policy for the Chickasaw Nation. She earned master’s degrees in nursing and advanced practice nursing at the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing, before earning a Ph.D. in nursing from Texas Woman’s University. She has many years of experience working to increase quality of health care for First Americans throughout the United States. She also serves as chair of the Tribal Technical Advisory Group’s long-term services and support subcommittee.
Dr. Jesicah Gilmore
Jesicah Gilmore, a Chickasaw citizen, is a family practice physician at Council Oak Comprehensive Health Center in Tulsa. She attended the University of Oklahoma for medical school and residency. She practiced at Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, taking on administrative duties as chief medical officer, before transitioning back into full-time patient care