Department for Diversity & Inclusion at ATSU

Hanukkah began at sundown this evening. May the traditions of the season bring peace to your heart. Happy Hanukkah!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 18, 2026 — the ATSU Graduate Health Professions Scholarship (GPS) Golf Tournament is back at Superstition Springs Golf Club in Mesa, AZ.

Enjoy a day on the greens while making a difference for future healthcare leaders. Early registration is now open — secure your spot and start practicing your swing today!



https://bit.ly/3JGsD51

This , you can change a life. For many students, scholarships aren’t just dollars—they’re doorways to opportunity, belonging, and a brighter future. Today, those doorways are at risk. Shifts in funding and financial aid are creating new barriers for students who need support the most.

Your gift to the ATSU Graduate Health Professions Scholarship Fund—of any size—helps keep those doors open. Make a gift this Giving Tuesday and ensure future ATSU students can pursue their dreams. Give a gift and change a life.

Today, we proudly recognize Jessica A. Rickert, DDS, a trailblazer whose dedication and leadership continue to inspire generations in dentistry and beyond.

• 🦷 The first American Indian female dentist in the U.S.
• 🎓 Earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1975 from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry
• 👶 Served as a general dentist in private practice and as director of the dental clinic for the Children’s Aid Society in Grand River, Michigan

Dr. Rickert’s legacy reminds us of the power of perseverance, representation, and service to community.
At ATSU, we celebrate leaders who pave the way for future health professionals.

Today is Native American Heritage Day. It is a day to celebrate the strength and resiliency of Native Americans today and everyday. It is also a time to recognize the Native American heritage, history and contributions.

The ATSUDI office will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will be back in the office on Monday, December 1, 2025. Have a great holiday!

🌟 Honoring a Trailblazing Healer 🌟

Meet an extraordinary pioneer and proud member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska, who made history as the
first American Indian woman in the U.S. to earn a medical degree, graduating from the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1889.

Driven by compassion and commitment to her community, Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte provided essential medical care for residents of a government boarding school in Omaha, Nebraska. Her dedication didn’t stop there—she went on to open a hospital in Walthill, Nebraska, on the Omaha Reservation.

That historic hospital still stands today as a museum, preserving her remarkable legacy of service, resilience, and leadership in medicine. Her life continues to inspire generations of Native healers, scholars, and leaders.

A proud member of the Seneca tribe, Dr. William Bluesky made history as ATSU-KCOM’s first American Indian graduate, earning his degree in 1954. During his time at the College, he was also an active member of Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity dedicated to leadership and community.

After graduation, Dr. Bluesky established a distinguished medical practice in Mentor, Ohio, where he served his community with compassion and dedication. His commitment to service began long before his medical career—he honorably served in World War II as a Technician Third Grade.

Today, we celebrate Dr. Bluesky’s legacy as a pioneer, healer, and leader whose impact continues to inspire future generations of healthcare professionals.

Happy Veterans Day to the brave men and women who protect our nation and keep us safe.

Today, we honor Dr. Blue Spruce, Jr., the first American Indian dentist in the United States, who paved the way for future generations of indigenous students. He served as the assistant dean of American Indian Affairs at ATSU-ASDOH. He received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation for Excellence in Social Mission in Health Professions Education. With 20 years of service in the U.S. Public Health Service, including as Assistant Surgeon General and Director of the Indian Health Service Phoenix Area Office, he made a significant impact on healthcare for American Indian communities. He also authored an autobiography, “Searching for My Destiny,” in which he shared his remarkable journey. Dr. Blue Spruce was a member of the Laguna/Ohkay-Owingeh community.

Today begins the observance of Kristallnacht. On Nov. 9 and Nov. 10, 1938, N***s in Germany torched synagogues, vandalized Jewish homes, schools, and businesses, and killed close to 100 Jews. In the aftermath of Kristallnacht, also called the “Night of Broken Glass,” approximately 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to N**i concentration camps. After Kristallnacht, during World War II (1939-45), Hi**er and the N***s carried out the systematic murder of nearly 6 million European Jews in what came to be known as the Holocaust.