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