Raised in Gallup, New Mexico, Dacia Cunejo chose to pursue nursing to address the persistent health disparities affecting Native American communities, particularly in rural areas where access to care is limited and chronic diseases are more prevalent. For Dacia, nursing is about building trust, honoring tradition, and supporting holistic healing for individuals and families. 

As a Southwest Leadership Fellow, Dacia aims to deepen her understanding of how cultural identity, historical trauma, and social factors shape health outcomes in Indigenous communities. She is especially eager to learn from Navajo patients, families, and traditional healers, and to grow as both a clinician and advocate. 

Through the fellowship, she hopes to contribute to long-term, community-led solutions that strengthen chronic disease management, expand access to care, and promote wellness across generations.