FULTON, MI – On Indigenous Pink Day, the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribe introduced a mobile mammography van for the first time. The initiative, led by NHBP Community Health Representative (CHR) and tribal member Lisa Walker, exemplified her commitment to improving healthcare access for Indigenous women.
As a survivor herself, Walker is deeply motivated to provide her fellow tribal members with access to breast cancer screening, which is the second deadliest cancer for Native American women. Although she joined NHBP less than two years ago as a CHR, a role that connects patients with clinical care, her efforts have garnered recognition both within and outside her tribe.
In October 2023, Walker received two prestigious awards for her work as a CHR for NHBP, including recognition in the field of cancer. The first award, the Jean E. Chabut Public Health Advocate, was presented by the Michigan Association of Local and Public Health and the Michigan Public Health Association on October 3, 2023. Nominated by her supervisor, Community Health Outreach Manager Shelby Brueck, MPH, CHES®, Walker was commended for her tireless advocacy on behalf of her clients and her dedication to their well-being.
The second award, the inaugural High Five Award: Saluting Excellence in Michigan Healthcare, was granted by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) on October 4, 2023. ACS CAN recognized Walker’s outstanding service, noting her selfless dedication, empathy, and commitment to delivering high-quality care to her patients and their families.
For Walker, going the extra mile is a natural part of her role as she assists her fellow tribal members in navigating the complexities of the healthcare system. Drawing from her personal experience with breast cancer in May 2020, Walker offers support and empathy to NHBP tribal members and clients as they face various healthcare challenges.
