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DR. RICE C. LEACH
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"Tu|)crculosis in Navajo women was Health Service Office of Research and on NASA’s part and could result in _ l
a particularly disruptive situation," Development, in Tucson, Ariz. some youthful mischief such as missing j
explains Leach, "because back then the "Among other things, the position hubcaps or possibly other more j
woman tended to be the central force in included field consultation and important equipment. However, if the i
the family. She managed the sheep, evaluation of health services delivery elder saw that NASA respected his l
cared for the children, and ran the programs in the IHS, and serving as needs, he would probably ensure that  
home. If we put her in the tuberculosis site project officer for the STARPAHC every youngster within hearing knew  
sanitarium, things frequently fell apart. program," he explains. STARPAHC that the van was there to benefit the I
The sheep got sold for drinking money was ajoint venture by the IHS, NASA, people. "It was a question of winning a f
and no one looked after the children or and Lockheed Missile and Space battle . . . or winning a war," Leach  
the elders." Corporation, and the Papago Tribe of said laughing.  
I Consequently, PHS workers often Arizona. Its objective was to test the "To their credit, NASA moved the  
had difliculty finding the patient once applicability of telecommunications van. The dog got his nap. The elder  
she was diagnosed. "When we systems (television, laboratory, ECG received his due respect. In short, E
prescribed a sanitarium stay, our telemetry, X-ray, and health records) everyone was pleased.”  
patient was likely to leave for the in 21 FL11‘21i S€Ili11g. Leach’s commitment to his  
summer sheep camp to avoid being "R€€011Ciiingth€ Y1€€d$ Of 311 "community of patients" has not gone t
‘sent away`." 0Yg2111iZHii01"¤ iii<€ NASA with ih€ unnoticed. In May 1987, Amherst  
So, the Service developed a network philosophies 2111Ci Ti€€Ci$ of fh€ I11Cii311S College, his undergraduate alma mater, [
ofoutpatient clinics and home care who had iiV€Ci 011 this P3YKi€Ui&Y Sif€ f01` conferred that institution’s honorary {
offering more convenient, more 10,000 Y€21FS WHS quifc H ChHii€11g€ at degree of Doctor of Science on him. t
flexible, and more comprehensive times," he said with a chuckle. In bestowing the degree, Amherst Y
medical services. HC 1"€111€111b€FS 0116 i11Ci€i€11f i11 stated: "After earning your medical  
"l learned to listen to the patient P211"[iCUi?1Y· "NASA WHS USi11§ 3 V811 degree at the University of Kentucky, »
community regarding their needs. capable oftransmitting health you turned your back on all prospects ,
'l`hen I made deals that both the patient i11i`0Y111H1i011 Viéi mi€¥`0W&V€ 10 ih€ local ofa lucrative private practice and {
and (hg "](~(|j(·;y_l {;_j;U]] (f()u](| ljyc wj[l]"’   l`lOSpII3.I,H IIC explains. MTO ChOS€, ll']S[€3.Cl, to WOI`I{ in COI'l'IITILlnItI€$ l
explains Leach. "If` we offered a transmit, the van had to be parked at a Oflewest jncgmg and greatest need, {
ctnnprehensive clinic where the patient p211‘liCUi3.F site, i`€1Ci11§ il specific including places as far afield as  
could receive medical tests, medication, microwave tower, etc. Guatemala and Bolivia. But your .
mul bring the kids in f`or an innoculation "The van went into a village and principal ministrations have been to the ,
at the same time, then go right back parked. I i111111€Cii€1i€iY F€C€iV€d Ei Indians of the Dakotas and the South °
home . . . they’d be there. So that’s complaint from a village elder. It seems West; you have brought health care to
what we did. Out here, if you want to that the van had parked on the exact the Hopi, Navajo, Winnebago,
get thc job done . . . you have to do it spot where his dog napped every Chippewa, Sioux, and Papago peoples.
the patient's way even if it is a little afternoon. He wanted the van moved Your selHess work has made this
diflcrent. But, if the alternative is legal because the dog was there first. College proud to claim you as its own." .
and safe . . . try it." "When I called NASA and told them And, this University, too.
()ne of l.each`s most interesting why thc van had to relocate, they were j
experiences was as associate director for incredulous.” Leach explained that  
Health Services Delivery for the Indian refusing would be very bad judgement  
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