Tribal Health the Podcast

Interview with Mariah Zavala

What happens when healthcare systems prioritize efficiency over humanity—and entire tribal communities are left without critical services? In this episode, Mariah Zavala, Chair of the City of Flagstaff Indigenous Commission, shares her journey as a Pascua Yaqui, Oaxacan, Puerto Rican, and Mexican leader whose experiences as a first-generation college graduate and public health professional have shaped her commitment to Indigenous communities. She discusses her decision to return home to Tucson to give back to her community through youth development, coaching, and community engagement after gaining leadership experience across Arizona. Mariah also examines the devastating impact that healthcare service closures could have on tribal communities, particularly for patients facing transportation, financial, and access barriers. Throughout the conversation, she highlights the systemic inequities embedded in healthcare and advocates for more culturally responsive, community-centered approaches to care. Tune in as Mariah Zavala shares her inspiring journey back to her community and offers a powerful perspective on Indigenous leadership, healthcare inequities, and the importance of giving back! Resources * Connect with and follow Mariah Zavala on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariah-zavala-2220551ab/]. * Visit the City of Flagstaff Indigenous Commission website [https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/4468/Indigenous-Commission]! * If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out via email [hello@tribalhealth.com].

Interview with Barbara Bessette

Culture isn’t an “add-on” to prevention; it’s the intervention. In this episode, Barbara Bessette, a prevention specialist and tribal liaison working in Indigenous health and community prevention across Montana, discusses the role of culture in healing from substance use and trauma and in strengthening community resilience. She shares how her career evolved from college health prevention work into culturally grounded tribal prevention initiatives. She explains how programs that reconnect youth with language, ceremony, and identity are reshaping long-term health outcomes. She also reflects on the systemic challenges of funding prevention work and why meaningful change requires a shift toward protective, community-led approaches. Tune in to hear how cultural connection is transforming the future of prevention and healing in Indigenous communities.  Resources * Connect with and follow Barbara Bessette on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-bessette/]. * If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out to hello@tribalhealth.com [hello@tribalhealth.com]

Interview with William Carson

What if the biggest barrier to cancer prevention in Indigenous communities isn’t awareness, but how disconnected our systems are? In this episode, William “Billy” Carson, a postdoctoral researcher at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, explains the barriers Indigenous patients face throughout the cancer care continuum, from prevention and screening to specialty treatment and genetic counseling. He shares how Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and its Department of Indigenous Cancer Health collaborate with tribal nations and urban Indigenous organizations to close gaps through patient navigation, stronger referral pathways, and better coordination across healthcare systems. Billy also discusses how some cancer diagnoses require patients to travel far beyond major urban hospitals to access the right specialists, while chronic underfunding limits what urban Indian organizations can realistically provide. He emphasizes that improving how healthcare services are promoted online can be a practical and impactful first step toward increasing access without requiring major new funding. Tune in to hear how Billy is building the research and policy case for a more connected, accessible cancer care system for Indigenous communities. Resources * Connect with William “Billy” Carson on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamocarson/]. * Follow Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Department of Indigenous Cancer Health on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/roswellpark/] or visit the website here [https://www.roswellpark.org/]. * If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out to hello@tribalhealth.com [hello@tribalhealth.com]

Interview with Orien Fiander

What if the real reason wellness programs fail isn’t funding, but how they’re run? In this episode, Orien Fiander, Founder and CEO of Native Fitness, shares how his organization is working to transform wellness in tribal communities by focusing not just on equipment, but on operations, accountability, and community engagement. He argues that the biggest issue isn’t funding, but ineffective management, highlighting the lack of metrics, poor facility hours, and minimal member engagement in many wellness centers. Fiander emphasizes that true wellness starts with human connection, consistent follow-up, and the creation of environments where people feel seen and supported. Ultimately, he calls for a shift from checking the box to running wellness facilities like high-performing businesses that actively drive health outcomes. Tune in to hear how Orien Fiander is challenging the status quo and rebuilding community wellness from the inside out! Today's Guest - Orien Fiander Orien Fiander is the Founder and CEO of Native Fitness. Orien is an enrolled member of the Grand Ronde Tribe in Oregon. He grew up most of his life on the Yakama Reservation with a few years on the Nez Perce Reservation. A successful entrepreneur, former division 1 athlete, husband of 24 years and counting, father of 6 and a weekend “anything outside” warrior! Traveling throughout Indian Country, OJ saw that the need was real, not only in his own family, but also from Reservation to Reservation showing almost exactly the same challenges despite different geographic locations. With over 21 years of experience owning a successful chain of health clubs along with setting up 1000’s of facilities with exercise equipment, OJ felt with his expertise and experience it was time to give back and launched NativeFitness.org. Key Takeaways * Most wellness facilities fail due to poor operations, not lack of funding. * Many centers lack basic performance metrics, making success impossible to measure. * Facility hours often don’t align with real user behavior, limiting engagement. * Human connection, like greeting members by name, is foundational to wellness. * Staff training, SOPs, and accountability systems are critical for success. * Preventative health is undervalued compared to reactive care. * Targeted outreach, especially to key influencers such as mothers, can drive stronger community health outcomes. Resources * Connect with and follow Orien Fiander on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/orien-fiander-401b9758/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/orienjfiander/]. * Follow Native Fitness on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/nativefitness-org/] and visit their website [https://nativefitness.org/]. * If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out to hello@tribalhealth.com [hello@tribalhealth.com]

Interview with Dr. Johanna Missak

Serving in rural and Tribal communities takes clinical skill, flexibility, and a lot of heart.  In this episode, Mario Trujillo sits down with Dr. Johanna Missak, a family medicine physician who has spent nearly eight years supporting Tribal Health facilities across the Great Plains. Dr. Missak shares how she moved from rural family practice and military service into emergency medicine work in IHS settings, and why the travel schedule can create a healthier rhythm for both providers and patients. She also talks about what continuity of care can look like in the emergency room in underserved communities, the realities of harsh winters and limited resources, and why hope and teamwork matter most when caring for patients facing addiction and other long-term challenges. Listen to hear what makes Tribal Health work meaningful, and why Dr. Missak believes this care model can be a strong fit for clinicians who want purpose, adventure, and community impact. Resources * Connect with and follow Johanna Missak on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanna-missak-787034147/]. * Follow Tribal Health on LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/tribalhealth/]! * If you have questions about Tribal Health, please reach out to hello@tribalhealth.com [hello@tribalhealth.com]