By Jeremy Hawkes, Sun Devil Media Relations
On March 18 of last year, Michelle Tom was able to realize her prevailing life's goal of returning to her hometown and becoming a licensed physician for her native Navajo people in Winslow, Ariz.
It was a selfless objective, knowing she would be providing care for one of the most vulnerable populations in the United States. She would not have the resources and equipment available to her that she could have had at any number of locations across the country. She would be subjecting herself to extreme conditions in underfunded and understaffed health centers.