Bridging Tradition and Care: A Muscogee Creek CRNA’s Journey to Transform Tribal Health

Being an Indigenous provider means honoring my Muscogee Creek heritage and serving my community through healthcare. Though I wasn’t raised on the reservation, my grandmother and great aunt nurtured my connection to our traditions and identity. Their love laid the foundation I carry with me today. 

My tribe’s values—fortitude, service, and community—have guided me through my education and career. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation has shown incredible resilience, including building its own health system, but health disparities persist. Native people face lower life expectancy, higher chronic disease rates, and limited access to care. 

With less than 1% of healthcare providers identifying as Native, representation matters. I strive to build trust, treat the whole person, and show the next generation they belong in these spaces too. 

I’m proud to be part of a growing movement to strengthen tribal health and to honor my family and community through this work. 

Brittany Harris, CNP, CRNA, a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing's DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program. Brittany continues serving patients in Philadelphia as a Temple Fox Chase Cancer Center CRNA.

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