Under the leadership of Mr. Bill Lance, our health system has grown into one of the most forward thinking, highly achieving health care systems in Indian country. I have some pretty big shoes to fill, and I feel confident that Bill will continue to work with me as I transition into this new role.

My father and I are pictured in my last Legislative article with one of my early day campaign photos. I have included that same picture in my blog. My father went to be with the Lord three years ago. He was always my watcher during my campaigns. I am sure that he is watching over my shoulder even now as I begin this new adventure.  Thank you all for your support, and for your continued support as I begin this new job. I will work to serve the Chickasaw Nation in this new capacity and look forward to meeting your health care needs in the future.

Truthfully, it was a difficult decision to leave my legislative seat. I loved my service to the Chickasaw Nation. You are after all, the unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaw Nation. I do believe that my role as administrator will be a continued service to you in a different capacity. I look forward to the challenges as we navigate through some of the challenges that lay ahead. I am not leaving. I am just changing locations.

Judy Goforth Parker, PhD, RN

Chickasaw Nation Health System, Administrator

Governor Anoatubby Appoints Chickasaw Nation

Health System Administrator

Dr. Judy Goforth Parker, Secretary of the Chickasaw legislature and professor of Nursing at East Central University in Ada, has been named administrator of the Chickasaw Nation Division of Health.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby announced today that they chose Dr. Parker following a search to find a replacement for Bill Lance, Jr. Mr. Lance was named the new Chief Executive Officer of the Chickasaw Nation Division of Commerce in January of this year.  

Dr. Parker, from Ada, Okla., has served as a professor of nursing at East Central University since 1985 and as legislator for the Chickasaw Nation since 1994. She will assume her new duties June 1st.  

“Dr. Parker is uniquely suited to this position because of her experience as a tribal legislator and a national leader on health care issues,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “She is a time-tested leader with the determination, compassion, strength of character and commitment necessary to maintain our record of providing excellent health services to American Indians.”

As an instructor and professor at East Central University since 1985, Dr. Parker has directly impacted the lives of hundreds of students. She is a widely published author who has worked extensively to provide the information nurses and educators need to render effective and culturally sensitive care to American Indians and Alaska Natives.   

“I am looking forward to this incredible opportunity. I share Governor Anoatubby’s vision of providing disease prevention and health promotion services to the Chickasaw Nation and other Native Americans,” said Dr. Parker. “Bill Lance’s many accomplishments as administrator, including the current construction of the new medical center, have set the stage for continued success.” 

From 1999 to 2004, Dr. Parker worked to advise Congress on nursing education, delivery and financing of nursing services, diversity and other issues as a member and co-chair of the National Advisory Council on Nursing Education and Practice.

In 2002, Dr. Parker worked to develop ideas and approaches to improve health education as a member of the “Committee on the Health Professions Education Summit” on a joint committee for the National Institute of Health.  

Dr. Parker has lectured extensively on diabetes in the United States, Canada and Mexico. She was elected as the Oklahoma Area representative of the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee. Her work on that committee includes grassroots efforts aimed at improving access to quality care and making federal policy makers aware of the need to adequately fund diabetes research and treatment programs.

She has served 15 years on the Tribal Legislature, including terms as Secretary and Chairperson. She has also served as chair of the Land Development Committee. She has also served as a member of several other legislative committees, including Finance, Human Resources and Education.

As a Chickasaw Legislator she has worked to improve the quality of health care and education for Chickasaws and other Native Americans.

Her work supporting tribal economic development and business diversification has helped the Chickasaw Nation become one of the state’s largest employers, with more than 10,000 employees.

Dr. Parker has also served as a board member of the Chickasaw Foundation and Valley View Foundation, as well as vice chair of the Bank2 board and president of the East Central Oklahoma Blood Institute. 

Classical music compositions of three Chickasaw students drew thunderous applause from music fans at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts November 8, 2008. My son was one of those students, and the others were Kate Duty and Courtney Parchcorn. The three students were selected for the unique opportunity for the works that they had composed during the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy under the instruction of Chickasaw classical composer Jerod Tate.

The program was sponsored through Classical Native conducted by the National Museum of the American Indian. This is the third year from the program to offer performances at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage as a part of Classical Native. This year, the artists featured were all students. There were six students total that had been under the tutelage of Jerod Tate. Jerod first worked with the Chickasaw students during the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy. The works of the students were performed by a young quartet called Ambrosia. The young composers and Ambrosia had the chance to work together to perfect the performance.

Before a standing room crowd, the performance touched us all. It was really something to get to listen to the music that my son Wyas had written at home. I remember hearing him as he worked out the music score several summers ago. It was really touching.

Chickasaw Nation Health System

Principal Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation made the following comment in the welcome letter to those attending the summit. “Diabetes is a disease prominent among Native Americans, being made aware of all its effects on our health will benefit us in the choices we make in our lifestyles, eating habits and exercise habits.” Participants had the opportunity to hear about healthy lifestyle choices, make healthy food selections during lunch and snack times, and participate in exercises. Some even went to a yoga class. Fun.

Dr. Kelly Moore, member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, addressed the participants about the causes and impact of diabetes. Dr. Moore did a great job. Her father, Ed Moore, was in attendance at the meeting. Mr. Moore sent his greetings to many in the Chickasaw Nation, including Governor Overton James. I had the opportunity to share that message with Governor James, much to his delight. Friendships and fellowship are important in combating this disease we call diabetes.

You do realize that diabetes has not always been with us. It is a product of our lifestyle changes, including obesity. Speakers discussed the phenomenon we call acanthosis nigracans in the medical community. This is a darkening of the skin around the neck or under the arms. Moms will sometimes try to wash this off of their children’s necks, thinking that they are dirty. If your child is over weight and has this dark skin, bring them in to be checked by their pediatrician. What it actually means is that they may be at risk for developing diabetes, and some lifestyle changes need to be made. Diabetes can be delayed.

We laughed and laughed at the lunch entertainment with Vanessa Short Bull, member of the Oglala Sious Tribe. Vanessa is the first American Indian to win the titles of Miss South Dakota.

Miss South Dakota, Vanessa Short Bull

She used the title “Laughter is a Good Medicine”, and we experienced her joy and humor. Vanessa was born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and is currently the spokesperson for Nike’s Air Native N7 shoe along with Notah Begay. Vanessa is a beautiful young Indian woman, as you can see from the pictures.

Darryl Tonemah, member of the Kiowa/Comanche/Tuscarora tribes talked about the psychosocial aspects of diabetes and how we can make healthy choices. Darryl runs and runs to prevent diabetes. He is a great example for us all.

At the end of day one, I participated in a panel discussion. What amazed me most was the questions asked by the grandmothers and grandfathers in our audience. They wanted to know how to combat this disease, what they could do to help their children and grandchildren, and they shared their stories. Panel participants were Kelly Moore, M.D., Johnnie Braswell, MSN, ARNP, Scott Robison, M.Ed, and myself.

Panel Discussion

Together, we shared from more than 80 years of experience in diabetes education and prevention. It was a wonderful experience. After more than an hour of questions, we had to end our discussion, but the enthusiasm of these elders remains with me.

I encourage you to do the following. The message is still good.
1. Make healthy lifestyle choices. You are in control of that. Our genetics, we cannot change, but good choices are in our control.
2. Eat healthy. If you do not know what healthy choices are, contact your dietician or health care provider. They want to help you make good choices.
3. Stay active. You can do chair exercises if your activities or limited, or you can take a simple walk about the park. I try to remind myself that if I walk one mile every day that in a year, I have walked 365 miles. A little bit of good effort can go a long way in making a healthier you.
4. Remember to laugh and have some good healthy fun. Laughter is a medicine. There is actually a scripture in Proverbs that says “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” That is a know fact. Laughter is also a great way to combat depressions that tries to sneak in with diabetes.

We are entering a time of the year where food is one of the many ways that we celebrate. Make a list of healthy foods and stick by it. I hope that you will encourage those around you.