An enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Rick grew up along the shores of Lake Superior. In 1993 he earned an MPH from the University of Hawai’i. His 28-year public health career has been focused entirely on Indigenous peoples of North America. Rick has assumed a variety of roles including community Health Educator, Public Health Advisor, and Director of Public Health at the tribal, state, and national levels. He has specialized in operational management of HIV/AIDS, Maternal and Child Health, Tobacco, Health Promotion/Disease Prevention, and Community Capacity Building. Rick currently works for the Indian Health Service as their National HIV/AIDS Program Director.
