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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2016)
8 S moke S ignals MAY 1, 2016 Lynch the right prescription for Tribal Pharmacy By Brent Merrill Smoke Signals staff writer Dr. Leatha Lynch, the new di- rector of the Tribal Pharmacy, is a Tribal member who, according to Grand Ronde Health and Well- ness Center Executive Director of Health Services Kelly Rowe, con- tinues the recruitment of quality people to work in Grand Ronde. Lynch lives in Depoe Bay with her husband Rob and new Siberian Husky Kaia, but she said she is thrilled to be looking for a place to live in Grand Ronde. The Lynches have two adult daughters, Natasha, 27, and Tyler, 22. Just before coming back to work for the Tribe, Lynch had been man- aging the pharmacy for the Siletz Tribe and she had spoken with Rowe on the phone about the open position in Grand Ronde. “Kelly and I started talking about our vision, our dreams, our hopes and our enthusiasm to bring our talents back to our Tribe,” said Lynch. “The more I spoke to her the more I started to entertain that I really could come back home and I could bring my talents back here. If you listen to life, I think it takes you where you are supposed to be and I like that.” Lynch brings experience and education to the job as lead phar- macist having graduated in 2010 from Paciic University’s School of Pharmacy with a doctorate degree. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in pre-med from Portland State University in 2007. “I really am thrilled to have her here,” said Rowe. “She brings a wealth of knowledge and experi- ence, and she has a great style and demeanor that its very well with the clinic and what we’re working toward.” health as a whole,” said Rowe. “To do something that is bigger than each individual is excit- ing. And then to be able to have Tribal members be involved in our own Tribe, it’s just the right thing and it feels good. She’s here and it its well.” Lynch said there is a new feeling around the clinic and she’s happy to be a part of that. “I’m excited to see what we can start to accomplish,” said Lynch. “I’m really excited af- ter talking with Kelly to start sharing her vision and start sharing with her mine. I’m realizing how aligned we are. It’s an interesting place to be on the crest of when you can see the potential of what we Photo by Michelle Alaimo could be as a clinic and what Tribal member Leatha Lynch is the Tribe’s new Pharmacy director. we could be as a community. It’s an awesome feeling.” Leatha has achieved in mastering Lynch said leaving Siletz was Rowe said she and Lynch found the rigorous studies of her disci- bittersweet, but that the welcome common ground during their con- pline, pharmacy. The recruitment she has received in Grand Ronde versations. for a chief of Pharmacy has been has made a difference. “We had some similar feelings a long road, but one worth waiting “I left there (Siletz) with so many about being able to contribute to for when one of our own with her people that are like family,” said not only the health and wellness, credentials is hired.” Lynch. “It’s been amazing (here in but be involved with the Tribe and Lynch has a science background Grand Ronde). Everybody has just how meaningful that is to both of and studied genetics, but she also been really friendly, really helpful us,” said Rowe. “I was very happy has experience with executive-lev- and really informative. It’s helped to know that we would have some- el administrative work and spent solidify that feeling of coming back body of her caliber that is incredibly time working for the Tribe as a site home.” knowledgeable and has the experi- monitor doing archaeology-related Since Rowe took over the clinic ence with Tribal health. For one of activities. last November, she has hired a our own to be able to come back and “I believe life is a pathway and team that now has Lynch as well be here is amazing.” you go after what you’re passionate as new Behavioral Health Direc- Tribal Council Secretary Cheryle about,” said Lynch. “That’s what’s tor Jan Kaschmitter, new medical A. Kennedy, who was the Tribe’s going to make you happy.” provider Dr. Paul Vitt and new irst Health Director, said she was Rowe said Lynch ills a crucial Optometrist Dr. Andrew Ngo. happy about Lynch returning to role on the team she’s trying to put “The wellness center now has a Grand Ronde. in place. full team of providers resulting in “I am illed with gratitude when “We are looking at where we’re enriching our community,” said a Tribal member comes home to at and where we want to go,” said Kennedy. “I look forward to seeing serve our people in the health Rowe. “She (Lynch) gets that and our health services lourish.” care ield,” said Kennedy. “What the vision is the same, so I’m very “We have a really good staff and a tremendous accomplishment happy. I shared with her what the we have brought on people that possibilities here are and how much have the ability to make it great,” of an opportunity there is here to said Rowe. “We want to be the best really make a difference.” that we can be to deliver the best Rowe said they both share a view that we can to the Tribal members of the larger picture. in the community and to always “It really fits the idea of being be focused on the mission. That is able to effect a change on the Tribal the goal.” Hello Community! We would like to invite you all to the Canoe meetings set for this year. When: May 14, June 12 Who: Those people interested in participating in Canoe Journey Time: 12-3pm (Lunch is provided) Where: Grand Ronde Tribal Gym Please contact Cristina Lara for more information 503.879.2040 Ad created by George Valdez