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09-01-09 | Dennis and Phyllis Washington Native American Graduate Fellows’ Stories
This year the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation selected two Montana University System students to receive the prestigious Native American Graduate Fellowship: Vernon Grant, a Blackfeet tribal member from Browning and graduate student in health and human performance at the University of Montana - Missoula; and Nicole Merchant, a Crow and Blackfeet tribal member from Billings and graduate student in nursing at Montana State University - Bozeman.
The Fellowship, a scholarship fully funded by the Foundation, upholds Dennis and Phyllis Washington’s long time vision of promoting the betterment of society and the development of a highly diverse workforce through education.
Although in decidedly different fields, both students share an interest in improving the lives of their community members and a concern for the health issues that face the Native American population.
Vernon Grant
Vernon’s educational journey started in his hometown of Browning, Montana at Blackfeet Community College where he earned his Associate of Arts in Elementary Education. His experience at BCC was a successful one, as evidenced by his overall GPA of 3.9 and acceptance to the University of Montana in Missoula. His record of success continued; after three years of coursework at UM, Vernon graduated with high honors and a degree in health and human performance. The Browning native is now set to begin his second year as a master’s student in health and human performance at UM.
“I [am] the first person in my family to graduate from college and now the first family member to attend graduate school,” says Vernon. As a Dennis and Phyllis Washington Native American Graduate Fellow, Vernon will receive a significant stipend to help cover the cost of tuition, books and living expenses. He will also have the opportunity to serve as a research or teaching assistant.
After graduate school, Vernon plans to pursue a PhD in Exercise Physiology, with the eventual goal of working in disease prevention. Growing up in Browning opened his eyes to the health challenges facing many families in American Indian communities across the Country. “Diabetes, cancer and heart disease are common in many American Indian families. My goal is to prevent these diseases from occurring through exercise, nutrition and education,” explains Vernon. Specifically, Vernon hopes to counsel patients on proper exercise and nutrition so they may improve their outcomes of manifested chronic disease including diabetes and cancer.
In addition to disease prevention, Vernon holds an interest in creating opportunity for physical activity. “I hope to use my graduate education [to] empower the Blackfeet people through promoting change for healthier lifestyles.” He continued, “I believe that through collaborative efforts, positive change can be made and I can be one small but powerful link to creating a better life in Indian country.”
Family and financial responsibilities can be a challenge alone, but adding graduate school to the mix can seem overwhelming. Vernon stays motivated by his goal of providing for his family. “I have 2 beautiful baby girls who I support and raise part-time by myself. They are the reason why I work so hard. I want to give them a better life that I never had.”
Nicole Merchant
It was her experience as a nurse on the Crow Reservation that led Montana State University student Nicole Merchant to pursue a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Nicole’s passion for providing quality health care to the Native American population inspired her to continue her education so she could continue working toward improving the overall health of her community.
After graduating from Billings Central Catholic High School, Nicole received a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from MSU Bozeman. Her first job following graduation from MSU was as a dialysis nurse for the Northern Rockies Kidney Center satellite dialysis unit in Crow Agency, MT. She also worked for an Indian Health Services rural clinic in Pryor, MT and in a Newborn Intensive Care Unit for St. Vincent’s Health Care Center. “I provided care to patients from birth to elderly,” says Nicole. It was at this time that she started to consider taking her career to the next level as a family nurse practitioner.
Her experience working with the Native American population led her to her thesis topic. “The Native American people are facing an epidemic in the rate of Type II Diabetes. It is my research goal to identify the challenges this population faces in managing this disease process,” explains Nicole.
Nicole notes that research has show that Type II Diabetics have a decreased rate of morbidity and mortality if they have a “life coach.”
“I believe that if we can plant the seed of partnership in the health care treatment of patients they can learn to take ownership of their health.” Nicole’s goal is to someday be the person coaching patients in this way. “I am personally invested in assisting the Native American population to accomplish this task,” she continued.
After she graduates Nicole hopes to continue working directly with the Native American population. “I feel that it is my calling…” she says.
The Foundation wishes all the best to both Vernon and Nicole as they continue their education and future careers improving the lives of the Native American population and their communities as a whole.
Native American Graduate Fellow and Blackfeet tribal member, Vernon Grant, is set to begin his second year as a graduate student in Health and Human Performance at the University of Montana. |
Montana State University family nurse practitioner student Nicole Merchant smiles for the camera in an exam room. Nicole's master's thesis focuses on identifying challenges the Native American population faces in managing the type II diabetes disease process.
