Raised on the Navajo reservation, Adriann Begay is Tábaahi (Edge of the Water clan) and born for Bít’ahnii (Folded Arms People clan). Her maternal grandparents are Ta’néészahnii (Badlands People clan) and paternal grandparents are Tl’aashchí’í (Red Cheek People clan). While raising three children, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Arizona; and received a medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine through the Indians into Medicine program. She completed her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Arizona and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice. Adriann worked for the Indian Health Service for 21 years initially at Salt River Clinic under Phoenix Indian Medical Center for 4 years as a primary care provider. Then at Gallup Indian Medical Center as an urgent care physician and administrator for 17 years.  Her career is dedicated to elevating healthcare for American Indians/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN).  Increasing the pipeline of AI/AN students who can come home and care for their people is a major part of her dedication.  Adriann’s greatest accomplishments are being a mother of three, being a grandmother to nine beautiful grandchildren, being a daughter to a strong Navajo woman who she can now care for, being a wife to a caring artistic husband, and always being a source of support for family, colleagues, friends and anyone who needs even a hug or pat on the back.

Dr. Begay joined HEAL in 2021 as a Senior Officer and leads HEAL’s Strategic Plan goals of 1) expanding to additional domestic sites in addition to Navajo Nation, 2) designing and building a pathway for Native American health workers to transform as they work with the underserved both in Navajo Nation and nationally 3) advocating for policy and programs on behalf of Native American health care equity, and 4) serving as a mentor to fellows based in Navajo Nation.