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Susan La Flesche Picotte: A Trailblazing Native American Physician

Ken Simmons

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Published in Susan La Flesche Picotte: Discovering History S Heroes (Jeter Publishing)

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Susan La Flesche Picotte was a groundbreaking Native American physician who dedicated her life to improving the health and well-being of her people. Born in 1865 on the Omaha reservation in Nebraska, Picotte overcame numerous obstacles to become one of the first Native American women to earn a medical degree.

Susan La Flesche Picotte: Discovering History's Heroes (Jeter Publishing)

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Language	:	English
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After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1889, Picotte returned to the Omaha reservation to practice medicine. She quickly realized that her community was facing a severe shortage of health care providers and that many of her people were suffering from preventable diseases.

Determined to make a difference, Picotte worked tirelessly to improve health conditions on the reservation. She established a hospital, a clinic, and a nursing school. She also traveled extensively throughout the reservation, providing medical care to those who could not reach her facilities.

In addition to her medical work, Picotte was also a passionate advocate for Native American rights. She testified before Congress on behalf of Indian health care and education, and she helped to found the Society of American Indians.

Picotte's legacy is one of service and compassion. She was a pioneer in the field of Native American health care, and her work has helped to improve the lives of countless Native Americans.

Early Life and Education

Susan La Flesche was born on June 17, 1865, on the Omaha reservation in Nebraska. Her father, Joseph La Flesche, was a respected Omaha chief and scholar. Her mother, Mary Gale, was a mixed-blood woman of French and Omaha descent.

Picotte grew up in a bilingual and bicultural household. She learned Omaha traditions from her father and English from her mother. She was also educated in the white man's schools, attending the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania and the Hampton Institute in Virginia.

At Carlisle, Picotte excelled in her studies and became fluent in English. She also developed a strong interest in medicine. After graduating from Carlisle, she enrolled in the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, where she was one of only a handful of female students.

Medical Career

In 1889, Picotte graduated from medical school and returned to the Omaha reservation to practice medicine. She quickly realized that her community was facing a severe shortage of health care providers and that many of her people were suffering from preventable diseases.

Picotte's work was not without its challenges. She faced discrimination from both white and Native American communities. Some white doctors refused to work with her, and some Native Americans were hesitant to trust a woman doctor.

Despite these obstacles, Picotte persevered. She became a skilled and compassionate physician, and her work saved countless lives. She also became a role model for other Native American women who aspired to careers in medicine.

Advocacy for Native American Rights

Picotte believed that Native Americans had the right to self-determination and that they should be able to govern their own affairs. She also fought for the preservation of Native American culture and traditions.

Picotte's advocacy work was often controversial. She was criticized by some white Americans who believed that she was too radical. However, she never wavered in her commitment to the rights of her people.

Legacy

Susan La Flesche Picotte died of tuberculosis in 1915 at the age of 49. She left behind a legacy of service and compassion. She was a pioneer in the field of Native American health care, and her work has helped to improve the lives of countless Native Americans.

Picotte's story is an inspiration to us all. She shows us that anything is possible if we have the courage to dream big and to never give up on our dreams.

Susan La Flesche Picotte, A Native American Physician, In Traditional Dress Susan La Flesche Picotte: Discovering History S Heroes (Jeter Publishing)