Staff
Yá'át'ééh. (Hello and may goodness surround you.)
At Northern Navajo Medical Center, we believe that medical professionals who are not doctors teach students and residents skills that other doctors cannot. All of the staff on this page were nominated by family medicine attendings because of what they have taught us. Please enjoy learning more about the people we are lucky to work with and who make us better doctors.
Ronda Billie
Program Coordinator
Ya’at’eeh! Shi éí, Ronda Billie, yinishyé.
My clans are Tódík’ózhí (Salt Water), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House People), my maternal grandfather is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water) and my paternal grandfather’s clan is Tótsohnii (Big Water).
I am the Program Coordinator for the Family Medicine Residency Program here at Northern Navajo Medical Center. I am born and raised here in Shiprock, NM.
My hobbies include hiking, mountain biking, going to the movies and spending quality time with family. I have a teenage daughter who keeps me busy with her school and sporting activities. She is my only child so all my free time is usually spent with her. She is my tail, we do everything together.
As the program coordinator my goal is to ensure that residents have the best experience possible while they're here, whether that be their educational experience or their experience within our community. As a lifelong member of Shiprock I can tell you we are thrilled to have this program here.
Terry Teller
Pharmacist
Terry Teller is from Lukachukai, AZ and completed his Pharm D at UNM in Albuquerque. He is Tó Aheedlíini’ (water collects, referring to Navajo Dam where in Navajo Legend 2 children were saved by relay runners from the Water Monster and their children’s children went on to become this clan) born for Ma’ii Deeshgiizhnii (narrow path where the coyote runs referring to the mountain pass near what is now Jemez Pueblo). His Chei’s clan is Tsé Nahabi?nií (Sleeping Rock) and his Nali is Hónágháanií (meaning walks around and referencing the Apache people). His parents and his grandparents taught him to speak Navajo and he learned to read Navajo in church. He’s one of the best people in the hospital to ask for help with Navajo.
What advice do you have for new doctors?
Think a lot slower. When interpreting, sometimes there’s a huge lump of things that’s easy in English, but is not in Navajo, it takes much more to translate all those ideas and thoughts. Patients often want a physical assessment, to be touched and to be looked at.
Who should consider training at the UNM-NNMC FMRP?
People who are interested in an integrative approach. In Tsaile, pharmacist Teller did home visits with the Public Health Nurses to see the community and the challenges that come for a person trying to manage their health care. It’s invaluable to work with the public health nurses or dietary for example, to know that sometimes people buy spam and potatoes because that is what will keep, where the diet you might want to prescribe isn’t feasible.
Vanessa Shorthair
RN Case Manager
Vanessa Treva Parker Shorthair, ADN RN, is a case manager for Yucca Clinic at NNMC. She is from Shiprock. Her clans are Kiyaa'áanii (Towering House clan) and Tó'aheedlíinii (Water Flows Together clan). She completed her nursing degree through San Juan College, then worked at NNMC for 11 years, left for 11 years and has now been back for more than 11 years. She did home health, nursing home and contract work while her children were younger so she could have school breaks off with them. She has always wanted to work in Shiprock.
What do you do at NNMC?
“It’s a different type of nursing-I know patients and families more closely. They have our phone number in their phones. I know their living situation and other family members. It’s good when it’s good and hard when it’s not. [laughing] The bedside commode you saw in my office today, I’m trying to call so they can pick it up, but also find out where they live to maybe drop off on my way home. It’s a different relationship than floor or clinic nursing.”
Who should consider training at the SUNM FMRP?
People that are open to change. It’s a different life out here. People who can adapt, that listen, that have empathy, a good sense of humor, just people persons.
Patty Etsitty
RN Case Manager
Patty Nancy Etsitty, RN, BSN is a Case Manager at NNMC. Her clan is Dzil tl’ahnii (Mountain Cove) and her paternal clan is Todích'íí'nii (Bitter Water Clan). She is from Upper Fruitland and was born in a Navajo hospital in Bloomfield, NM that no longer exists. She earned her Associate degree from UNM-Gallup and and her bachelors from the Univeristy of Phoenix while working in Women’s Health clinic. She now is a supervisor in case management which she thoroughly loves and enjoys.
What do you do at NNMC?
Many patients are afraid, and I get to be the middle person to say it’s OK and help them with further care whether it is to explain the plan of care, or just to offer encouragement. When I was little [and came to NNMC], the nurses seemed to be so stern and straightforward, and my goal has always been to change that. I make [patients] feel comfortable and thank them for coming. I think it’s because of the patients that I have a job, so I’m happy that they’re here. I love it here. Maybe I’ll stay till I’m 95.
Who should consider training at the UNM-NNMC FMRP?
Everybody. It’s good to have residents come and stay and experience our culture and make a difference. Many of our patients want a familiar voice or face—one of the first questions they ask me is, “So how long will you be here?” They like to get to know someone who will be here for a while. Have a passion for the people, they are so nice, so unique, and the scenery here is beautiful.
Laura Dewitt, OD
Optometry Supervisor
Laura Cottam DeWitt, OD, FAAO is the Optometry Supervisor at Four Corners Regional Health Center in Red Mesa, AZ, one of 3 health care centers in the Shiprock Service Unit. She went to Georgetown for undergrad and what was then the University of Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia for optometry. She moved to the Four Corners Area and started working with IHS in Shiprock because she wanted more of a challenge and more meaningful work than she had found in retail. “And I’m still challenged.” She and her husband now both work at Four Corners (he is also an optometrist) and they and their son live in Cortez, CO.
How would you describe what you do at NNMC?
Clinically, she’s a “problem solver for the patient.”
Who and how do you teach?
NNMC has a one year optometry residency and 4th year optometry students come from Southern California College of Optometry for 3 month student intern rotations. Dr. DeWitt introduces them to motivational interviewing as soon as possible. It’s not something she learned in optometry school, but was exposed to when she first started at NNMC.
What advice do you have for new doctors?
“I wish I would have known it was OK to tell patients I didn’t know what was going on with them. Now I’m more open to saying, ‘I’m puzzled, these are the things it could be and the resources we’re going to use.’ Find mentors that you’d want to see as a patient. Always evolve.”
Jacqueline Chavez
Mental Health Specialist
Jacqueline Chavez works in the Family Medicine Clinics. She is Salt Clan born for One Who Walks around the Hogan. Her maternal is Banana People and her paternal is Red Bottom. She is originally from Tees Nos Pos, AZ but was raised in Shiprock and Farmington, NM. She earned her MSW thru New Mexico Highlands University courses offered at San Juan College.
Who and how do you teach?
I help people to understand and to process, this is especially needed for behavioral change. Deep breathing exercises have to be practiced to work; I teach the importance of self-care. I’ve been told that I have a soothing tone of voice. Guided imagery can take a patient to a quiet safe place. I provide education, one patient at a time, depending on the patient’s ability. There’s often trauma. But I’ve seen changes happen and [the patients] appreciate us. I came with some skills and then added to them.
What advice do you have for new doctors?
To be patient; to be culturally sensitive: the understanding of culture, that everybody was raised differently, the impact of religion, always ask questions; understand patients, especially demanding ones that want immediate results; build rapport, then they can open up more; have fun
Fiona Chao
Pharmacist
Fiona Chao is the pharmacy informaticist at NNMC. She is from New Jersey and graduated from Rutgers University. She came to Shiprock in 2014 to pursue a PGY1 pharmacy residency. After completing her residency, she stayed in Shiprock because, “I like what I do. Pharmacy practice is way more progressive here.”
How would you describe what you do at NNMC?
“Hopefully I make your [providers’] lives easier.” PharmD Chao builds the EHR menus for medication ordering and runs the medication safety committee. Reviewing medication errors informs how she sets up the EHR and shows the impact of what she does.
Who and how do you teach?
Fiona is the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Director. She teaches both PGY1 (1 per year) and PGY2 (2 per year) pharmacists as well as pharmacy students. She teaches staff pharmacists and providers about EHR and medications.
What advice do you have for new doctors?
Get to know your pharmacists. We love when you ask us questions.
