Post by blackcrowheart on Sept 5, 2007 14:21:31 GMT -5
THE NAVAJO NATION
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 13, 2007
CONTACT: GEORGE HARDEEN
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
OFFICE â€" 928-871-7917
CELL â€" 928-309-8532
pressoffice@opvp.org
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. â€" Former Navajo Nation Vice
President Taylor McKenzie, the first Navajo to become a
medical doctor, surgeon, and the Navajo Nation’s first
and only Medical Officer, died Friday at Presbyterian
Hospital in Albuquerque. He was 76.
Dr. McKenzie served as Navajo Nation Vice President
under Navajo Nation President Kelsey Begaye from 1999
to 2003. He was appointed as the first Navajo Nation
Medical Officer in December 2005. Prior to that, he
served a distinguished 30-year career as a physician and
surgeon with the Public Health Service on the Navajo
Nation.
He was known throughout Native America as a symbol of
success for what a Navajo and Native American person
can do, and as an inspiration to others to enter the health
care professions.
Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr., said he was
saddened to hear of Dr. McKenzie’s passing and said his
thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Betty, their nine
children and the rest of the McKenzie family.
“The late Dr. McKenzie made an important and great
contribution to the Navajo people and the Navajo Nation
through his service as a physician with the Indian Health
Service for more than 30 years, as our Vice President,
and as our first Medical Officer,†President Shirley said.
“He loved his people and he dedicated his life and career
to them,†he said. “We all need to pay homage to his
leadership. Through his contributions, we have grown
and succeeded, and our Nation has become known as
great. The Nation and our people will be forever indebted
to him. He will be deeply missed.â€
On Monday, the President will issue a
proclamation to have Navajo Nation flags
flown at half-staff in honor of the late Dr.
McKenzie.
Former Navajo Nation
President Kelsey Begaye said he
received news of Dr. McKenzie’s passing
this afternoon and was also deeply saddened
by it. He remembered him as a good friend,
a loyal and dedicated servant of the
people, and a devoted health advocate for the Navajo Nation.
“It was an honor to have chosen the first Navajo medical
doctor and surgeon as Vice President,†President Begaye
said. “I thought that was something when I found out that
he was a man of that caliber.â€
President Begaye said as Vice President Dr. McKenzie
took the lead on all health issues.
“He just went 110 percent,†he said. “The results
are
some of the clinics like in Pinon, the reauthorization of the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and laying the
groundwork for a future clinic at Bodaway-Gap. It
saddens me deeply to hear of his loss.â€
P.O. BOX 7440 WINDOW ROCK, AZ 86515 â–ª (928) 871-7000 â–ª FAX:
(928) 871-4025
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 13, 2007
CONTACT: GEORGE HARDEEN
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
OFFICE â€" 928-871-7917
CELL â€" 928-309-8532
pressoffice@opvp.org
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. â€" Former Navajo Nation Vice
President Taylor McKenzie, the first Navajo to become a
medical doctor, surgeon, and the Navajo Nation’s first
and only Medical Officer, died Friday at Presbyterian
Hospital in Albuquerque. He was 76.
Dr. McKenzie served as Navajo Nation Vice President
under Navajo Nation President Kelsey Begaye from 1999
to 2003. He was appointed as the first Navajo Nation
Medical Officer in December 2005. Prior to that, he
served a distinguished 30-year career as a physician and
surgeon with the Public Health Service on the Navajo
Nation.
He was known throughout Native America as a symbol of
success for what a Navajo and Native American person
can do, and as an inspiration to others to enter the health
care professions.
Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr., said he was
saddened to hear of Dr. McKenzie’s passing and said his
thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Betty, their nine
children and the rest of the McKenzie family.
“The late Dr. McKenzie made an important and great
contribution to the Navajo people and the Navajo Nation
through his service as a physician with the Indian Health
Service for more than 30 years, as our Vice President,
and as our first Medical Officer,†President Shirley said.
“He loved his people and he dedicated his life and career
to them,†he said. “We all need to pay homage to his
leadership. Through his contributions, we have grown
and succeeded, and our Nation has become known as
great. The Nation and our people will be forever indebted
to him. He will be deeply missed.â€
On Monday, the President will issue a
proclamation to have Navajo Nation flags
flown at half-staff in honor of the late Dr.
McKenzie.
Former Navajo Nation
President Kelsey Begaye said he
received news of Dr. McKenzie’s passing
this afternoon and was also deeply saddened
by it. He remembered him as a good friend,
a loyal and dedicated servant of the
people, and a devoted health advocate for the Navajo Nation.
“It was an honor to have chosen the first Navajo medical
doctor and surgeon as Vice President,†President Begaye
said. “I thought that was something when I found out that
he was a man of that caliber.â€
President Begaye said as Vice President Dr. McKenzie
took the lead on all health issues.
“He just went 110 percent,†he said. “The results
are
some of the clinics like in Pinon, the reauthorization of the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and laying the
groundwork for a future clinic at Bodaway-Gap. It
saddens me deeply to hear of his loss.â€
P.O. BOX 7440 WINDOW ROCK, AZ 86515 â–ª (928) 871-7000 â–ª FAX:
(928) 871-4025