DURANT – The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma recognized four graduates from the Family Medicine Residency Program this summer. Drs. Caitlyn Bowman, Talayna Leonard, Christian Matthew Meeks and Mason Two Crow finished their three-year residency with Choctaw Nation and began careers across the United States.
“The commitment, compassion and perseverance demonstrated by these residents clearly show they are prepared to make a meaningful impact in the lives of many patients,” Dr. Eric Gillette, residency program director, said. “We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to the promising careers that lie ahead.”
Bowman is from Ozark, Ark. She received her Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark. She received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in 2022 from the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith. Bowman will begin her career in rural primary care at Mercy Clinic in Roland.
Leonard grew up in Gillette, Wyo. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in both physiology and microbiology from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo. She graduated with her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from A.T. Still University, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Mo.
Leonard plans to focus on rural, procedural pain management and emergency room coverage in her future career.
Meeks is from Sallisaw. He graduated in 2015 from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford with a degree in biology with a biomedical emphasis. He continued his education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and in 2017 graduated with a masters in microbiology and biomedical sciences.
With those degrees in hand, he continued with the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine where he graduated in 2022. He will continue his career at the Choctaw Nation Stigler Health Clinic in September, providing rural outpatient medical care.
Two Crow is from Sachse, Texas. In 2017, he graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology and a minor in American Indian studies.
He continued his studies at the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated in 2022. Two Crow will be the family practice physician at the Choctaw Nation Ruby Choate Health Clinic in Broken Bow starting in August.
The residents completed the program on June 30, and are board certified in family medicine. They gathered with family and friends for a recent graduation ceremony to celebrate.
Gillette added, “They’ve not only mastered the clinical knowledge and skills required for excellence, but have also displayed a steadfast dedication to patient care, public health and lifelong learning. Their deep passion for medicine and sincere concern for their patients will no doubt bring lasting, positive change to the communities they will serve.”
The ceremony included recognition for the faculty that gives its time to teach the residents throughout their three years of the program. This year’s Attending (Physician) of the Year is Dr. Henry Gutierrez.
“Since I recently graduated from the residency program myself, I have an appreciation of all of our attendings,” Gutierrez said. “It’s not just the advising of the residents, but the mentoring during all hours of the night when they have a question or giving personal advice that I enjoy.”
The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian Nation in the U.S. with almost 230,000 tribal members and more than 13,000 associates.
This ancient people has an oral tradition dating back more than 13,000 years. The first tribe over the Trail of Tears, its historic reservation boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, covering 10,923 square miles.
For information about the Choctaw Nation’s culture, heritage and traditions, visit www.choctawnation. com.
