TUBA CITY – On May 7, Dr. Jennifer Whitehair received the prestigious American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Outstanding American Indian/Alaska Native Women’s Healthcare Clinician Award in San Diego, Calif. Dr. Whitehair is a board-certified Navajo Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Tuba City Regional Health Care Corp. where she has worked for the past 16 years.
“TCRHCC is fortunate to have such a skilled OB/GYN physician taking care of our women’s health,” said Lynette Bonar, CEO. “Dr. Whitehair is very deserving for this award, as her intimate knowledge of our AI/AN communities provides her insight on how she approaches and incorporates the unique challenges present across the Western part of the Navajo Nation, such as; the lack of running water and electricity in approximately ~30% of our homes and the high presence of health disparities.”
In a news release, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated: “On behalf of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the College Committee on American Indian and Alaska Native Women’s Health is extremely pleased to announce that Jennifer Whitehair, MD, FACOG, is the 2022 recipient of the Award for her career-long commitment to the highest standards of clinical care for American Indian and Alaska Native Women.”
Dr. Whitehair said she was honored and privilege to be the 2022 recipient of The William H.J. Haffner award. “It is a privilege to serve the women of the Navajo Nation and to be their Obstetrician and Gynecologist,” she said. “I am thankful for their trust and acceptance in the community. I hope to continue to advocate for Indigenous Women’s Health for many more years to come.”
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic Dr. Whitehair did more than just see patients, she also coordinated with off-reservation organizations to deliver masks, hand sanitizer, food, cleaning products, and other supplies to the community.
This past December, she also provided testimony at the White House’s Maternal Health hearing organized by Vice President Kamila Harris. The topic was on improving maternal morbidity and mortality in the Indigenous community.
“Women of color carry a disproportionate burden of maternal mortality. In Arizona alone, American Indian women and Alaska Native women had the highest pregnancy associated mortality ratio and 100% of these deaths were considered to be preventable,” she testified. “The severe maternal morbidity rate was the highest for American Indians and Alaska natives at over 3.5x the rate for non -Hispanic white women and the severe maternal mortality rate was again the highest for women living in rural communities versus women living in urban communities. It’s important for this data to be analyzed and mandates to be enforced to change this trajectory for the future of our people.”
The award was given during a reception at the organization’s annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting which will be held on May 6 through May 8, 2022 in San Diego, Calif.
Dr. Whitehair’s desire to help began while growing up in Southern California. The passion to return to the Navajo reservation and help her people is what led her to the field of medicine.
At Tuba City she serves as the Chief of Surgical Services and Staff Obstetrician and Gynecologist and since 2012 she is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arizona School of Medicine. During her years at Tuba City, she has presented a variety of educational topics at local, regional and national medical meetings and conferences.
Upon completing her residency, she remained in Tuba City after completing her four-year Indian Health Service Scholarship requirement.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology Professions from Northern Arizona University, a medical degree from the University of South Dakota, and OB/GYN residency at the University of Arizona. She has been a recipient of the Medical Student Teaching Award from the University of Arizona in 2004.
Whitehair is married and has two daughters.
