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Polacca Indian Health Service - Hopi Reservation

Kristen Burkholder, MD & Darren Vincente, MD

Site Coordinator: Kristen Burkholder, MD (pictured above with Darren Vincente, MD, Clinical Director)

1 Student per period (periods 2, 4, 6 & 8 only)

Junction of AZ Hwy 87 & 264
PO Box 4000
Polacca, AZ 86042

Housing: Fully furnished modular "pre-fab" house provided in Keams Canyon 13 miles east. Meals not provided.

Mileage: compensation not provided by FCM

Residency: No
100% with attending

Hospital Affiliation*:

4-bed inpatient unit on site
Inpatients may be sent to IHS hospitals in Tuba City or Phoenix

Daily # of FP patients: 180

Patients Population Profile:
Native Americans, mostly Hopi and Navajo; full spectrum of ages and problems

13 FPs; 5 FNP's; 3 Dentists; 1 Optometrist; 1 Psychiatrist
Full spectrum Community Health Nursing staff does home visits
4 10-hour days at Polacca. Tuesday is for travel to Flagstaff for core curriculum and Hopi/Navajo cultural sites en route

Flex-time activities:

Full spectrum emergency room plus EMT/ambulance
Special gynecology clinics
Public Health Nurse visits to traditional homes
Give health education messages on Hopi radio station
Hopi High School teen clinic
Acupuncture

Insurance Spectrum:
100% IHS single payer

Specific Site info:

Colorado Plateau recreational and cutural activities
Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly
Hopi Ceremonies includnig "Indian Days" each September
Hiking, camping, fishing
Basketball & tennis courts on sit

Comments from Dr. Burkholder:

"The entire staff at Hopi Healthcare Center is eager to welcome University of Arizona Clerkship students. A number of us are graduates of the University, its Family Medicine Residency or its Faculty Development Program. We offer clinical and cultural diversity, furnished housing, and team camaraderie."

Comments from Students:

Comments from previous year IV students uniformly positive. 2008-9 is first year for UA Clerkship students at this site.

Location http://www.fcm.arizona.edu/index.cfm/1,136,1106,0,html