UW News

August 2, 2007

Maresca leads Native American Center of Excellence

Dr. Terry Maresca, clinical assistant professor of family medicine, has been named director of the UW School of Medicine’s Native American Center of Excellence by Dr. David Acosta, associate dean of multicultural affairs. She is succeeding Polly Olsen, who held the position for four years.

Maresca is a member of the Mohawk tribe, and is a board-certified physician in family medicine. She is a mentor faculty member in the Big Sky College of the School of Medicine. She is also a teacher and former program director of the Seattle Indian Health Board family medicine residency program, part of the Swedish Providence/Cherry Hill residency site.

Maresca is the former president of the Association of American Indian Physicians. Her medical practice with the Snoqualmie Tribe of Washington combines Western and herbal medicine approaches. She maintains a medicinal herb garden at the clinic, and is a frequent speaker on the subject of combining Western and traditional approaches to health.

The UW’s Native American Center of Excellence is intended to attract Native American and Alaska Native students into the study and practice of medicine; recognize Native healing traditions and integrate them into Western medical education; provide the Indian Health Pathway certification program; provide continuing professional development of Native physicians; encourage Native researchers and research into Native health issues; and support multicultural outreach and diversity efforts at the UW with the School of Medicine’s Office of Multicultural Affairs.