From our journey to Cherokee, NC and every day since our arrival, it has been an adventure!  Our days have been full of taking in the culture and learning about heritage, disparities and resilience. The  observational clinical experience today alone today has sparked so much discussion and reflection ranging from access to care, health care models, delivery systems, disparities, cultural influence, respect, advocacy and ethics. Never would I imagine that we would be having a debriefing and discussion about our day at past 11pm at night! These young ladies are fantastic- I hope you take time to click on their links, read their blogs and look at photos.

      I am nothing short of impressed at the way the Cherokee Indian Hospital is caring for their people and proactive to bring about positive change.  In the first few hours today I learned more and considered concepts related to holistic care, that I have yet to witness in my 22 years of nursing in a traditional health care system. The collaboration and mutual respect demonstrated by everyone in this system we encountered is nothing short of phenomenal!  Regardless if you can speak the native tongue of others or know all their customs and beliefs, an attitude of genuine caring is universally understood.