Jerry Crowshoe named director of Native American Health Sciences
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Jerry Crowshoe has been named director of Washington State University’s Native American Health Sciences after serving as interim director for six months, following two years as the department’s assistant director.
“Jerry’s dynamic leadership and program development experience will enable Native American Health Sciences to expand its experiential learning opportunities for health science students and drive engagement with Indigenous communities,” said Daryll DeWald, executive vice president for WSU Health Sciences and chancellor of WSU Spokane.
Crowshoe, an enrolled member of the Piikani Nation (Blackfoot Confederacy), has previously held leadership roles developing and coordinating community-based programs on topics such as positive youth development, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed care. Throughout his career, Crowshoe has also worked as a mental health counselor, American Indian studies program coordinator, and a training and technical assistance instructor.
“I am very honored and thankful for this opportunity,” said Crowshoe. “A lot of groundwork and a solid foundation has been built with the Center for Native American Health and Native American Health Sciences, and I am very thankful for those that were in this position before me and all that they accomplished.”
The appointment comes as the department prepares for its 30th anniversary of the Na-ha-shnee STEAM Summer Institute, a summer program that invites local youth grades 9 – 12 to explore health science careers as they prepare for college.
Native American Health Sciences is committed to reducing health disparities across rural communities by developing programs that recruit, matriculate, and support health science students so they enter the workforce as culturally informed healthcare leaders.
“I see the value in all our work that everyone does and the impact this university has, and I am very excited to help continue to contribute to the mission here at WSU Spokane and Native American Health Sciences in this role,” said Crowshoe.
His work also coordinates with the NAHS Tribal Advisory Board on programs such as OLDWAYS and the Indigenous Healing Perspectives Certificate, where he leads a course on Native American health trends.
“I feel very blessed to work here at WSU Spokane, with the local and neighboring tribes, and the students on and around campus,” said Crowshoe.
