Press Article: UNLV Students Seek to Transform Healthcare Access for Native Communities
Three Native American students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) are championing improved healthcare access for Indigenous populations after their own experiences on reservations. Ethan Greyhorse Hunter and Zachery Burns, both from the Northern Nevada Paiute Tribe, along with Quintin Allen, share a common goal: to become physical therapists and enhance community health services.
Hunter’s journey began during his freshman year when he tore his ACL and meniscus while playing football. Living on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, his family had to travel 45 minutes for imaging services at the Reno-Sparks Tribal Health Center. Despite the challenges, Hunter’s rehabilitation ignited his passion for physical therapy—a field notably lacking in Native representation, which constitutes only 0.14% of physical therapists in the U.S., according to a 2023 American Physical Therapy Association report.
Burns, who has family ties to the Walker River Paiute Reservation, echoed these sentiments. He acknowledged the healthcare barriers experienced by his family, emphasizing the necessity of accessible physical therapy services, particularly for older adults.
Allen, raised by his Native American grandmother, developed an understanding of his identity through his summers spent on the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Reservation. His experiences have propelled him toward a career in physical therapy, motivated by a desire to give back to his community.
All three students are determined to establish clinics closer to home, fostering a sense of belonging and service among their communities post-graduation. They are also actively involved on campus, participating in events like UNLV’s "Powwow for the Planet," which promotes cultural preservation.
"Coming to Las Vegas was definitely a culture shock," Burns reflected. Their shared mission to bolster Native healing practices emphasizes the importance of cultural representation in healthcare.
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Photo credit www.unlv.edu
