I can see we have a complex problem that certainly will not be solved easily. But through my background, my true personal commitment to this, I think that we’ll make some strides — not quickly, this is a complex problem — but I think we need to shift the conversation from health disparities to health equity, and I’m hoping that’s what I can do.

Fraser: How did you get your start in health care?

Billy-Old Coyote: I started my career early on in consulting and was part of a consulting practice with Native Americans at KPMG.

I had the opportunity to start one of the first Native American practices in the United States, and one of our first initial efforts was the second tribal health care plan developed in the U.S. It was one of the most innovative efforts at the time. We were developing a practice and a plan for this particular tribe that was across 41 states and four countries. I reached a crossroads.

You can’t get much luckier than that, when your personal and professional interests come together.

Fraser: What are some of the challenges to improving health outcomes in Indian Country?

Billy-Old Coyote: Access to health care — for example, transportation.