Curriculum Vitae (updated 16 August 2024)
Kiara M. Tanta-Quidgeon, MPH
kmt2176@caa.columbia.edu
kiaraxrie.com
____________________________________
EDUCATION
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health | New York, NY
Master of Public Health, Dept. of Sociomedical Sciences, Certificate in Social Determinants of Health, September 2022 - May 2024
Thesis Title: Bridging Cultural Divides: Understanding the Becoming of an Indigenous Traditional Healer
Thesis Sponsor(s): Dr. Kim Hopper (kh17@cumc.columbia.edu) and Dr. Joseph Gone (jgone@g.harvard.edu)
Harvard Medical School | Boston, MA
Visiting Graduate Student, Dept. of Global Health and Social Medicine, May - August 2023
Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT
Bachelor of Science, cum laude, Major in Health Science Studies, Independent Minor in Indigenous Cultures/Diversity Studies, August 2018 - January 2022
Capstone: The Social-Ecological Model in Public Health: The Importance of Connecting Sociology and Health; Understanding the Framework Itself and Addressing its Limitations
Capstone Advisor: Dr. Alden Mead (alden.mead@quinnipiac.edu)
Norwich Free Academy | Norwich, CT
High School, magna cum laude, June 2018.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Volunteer Research Assistant
The Gone Behavioral Health Action Research Team, June 2023 - Present
Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow/Visiting Trainee
Harvard Medical School, Dept. of Global Health and Social Medicine, Indigenous Behavioral Health Innovations Research Lab, May - August 2023
Research & Community Engagement Intern
United States of Care, January 2023 - May 2023
PUBLICATIONS
Academic Publications:
Tanta-Quidgeon, K. M., Stonefish, M., Wilbur, R. E., & Gone, J. P. (in press). Traditional healing as mental health intervention: Contemporary insights from an American Indian healer. Journal of Counseling Psychology [forthcoming].
Non-Academic Publications:
Tanta-Quidgeon, K. (2023). Centering Indigenous voices in pursuit of health equity. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/centering-indigenous-voices-pursuit-health-equity
Schiavo, R., Davids, J., Roca-Sales, M., Tanta-Quidgeon, K. M., Ramesh, R., and Health Equity Initiative. (2024). Mental health equity: Strategies for community engagement and policy change. A community leaders forum: Report and call to action. New York, NY: Health Equity Initiative. https://www.healthequityinitiative.org/reports.html
Tanta-Quidgeon, K. (2023). Understanding how the U.S. healthcare system can better serve Indigenous People through the lived-experiences of five Indigenous women. United States of Care. https://unitedstatesofcare.org/mistrust-mistreatment-and-marginalization
Tanta-Quidgeon, K. (2021). Equity in COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Health Equity Solutions. https://www.hesct.org/blog/including-equity-vaccine-distribution/
Tanta-Quidgeon, K. (2020). Native youth have the power to make change. Center for Native American Youth. https://www.cnay.org/native-youth-have-the-power-to-make-change-if-there-is-a-change-you-want-to-see-make-it-happen-we-are-the-future/
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Employment:
Project Assistant (remote)
ACBC Consulting, March 2024 - Present
Project Coordinator (remote)
City of Medford, Massachusetts, April 2024 - June 2024
Figure Skating Coach & Office Employee
RoseGarden Ice Arena, May 2015 - March 2022
Teaching:
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Foundations of Public Health (Ethics, History, Human Rights)
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, August - December 2023
Internships:
Community Health Intern (remote)
Providence Health, Dept. of Community Health Investment, June - December 2021
Policy & Advocacy Intern (remote)
Health Equity Solutions, January - June 2021
ACHIEVEMENTS
Scholarships:
Community Scholars Award
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, March 2022
A merit and/or need-based scholarship awarded annually to full-time MPH students in the dept. of Sociomedical Sciences. Selection for the scholarship is competitive and based on a review of all admission materials.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Norwich Award
Norwich Free Academy, June 2018
Scholarship established to recognize a member of NFA’s senior class who embraces diversity and promotes acceptance of all differences and tolerances.
Awards/Honors:
UNITY 25 Under 25 Native Youth Leadership Awardee
United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY), April 2024
Multicultural Student Leader of the Year
Quinnipiac University Multicultural Student Leadership Council, May 2021
Undergraduate Division Winner of Quinnipiac University’s 12th Annual ‘Be the Change’ Essay Contest
Quinnipiac University, April 2020
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Presentations:
Tanta-Quidgeon, K. M. (2023). Mistrust, mistreatment, marginalization: What the experiences of five Indigenous women tell us about healthcare challenges and solutions. Annual Indigeneity Teach-In. Quinnipiac University Indigeneity Initiative: Indigenous Student Union, Dept. of Cultural & Global Engagement, Albert Schweitzer Institute, and the Arnold Bernhard Library.
Tanta-Quidgeon, K. M. (2023). Indigenizing healthcare: Understanding and addressing the barriers created by a homogenous healthcare workforce. Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Week Series. Quinnipiac University Indigenous Student Union.
Tanta-Quidgeon, K. M. (2022). Indigenous excellence. Annual International Women’s Day Teach-In. Quinnipiac University Dept. of Cultural & Global Engagement, Albert Schweitzer Institute, Collaborative for Interdisciplinary/Integrative Studies, Women’s & Gender Studies Program, and the Arnold Bernhard Library.
Tanta-Quidgeon, K. M. (2021). Indigenizing education. Annual Indigeneity Teach-In. Quinnipiac University Indigeneity Initiative: Indigenous Student Union, Dept. of Cultural & Global Engagement, Albert Schweitzer Institute, and the Arnold Bernhard Library.
Tanta-Quidgeon, K. M. (2021). Indigenous identity at a predominantly white institution (PWI). The First Annual Bobcat Day. Quinnipiac University.
Other:
DNC Native Youth Roundtable
Indigenous Peoples Initiative, Democratic National Committee (DNC), 26 January 2024
Community Leaders Forum: Mental Health Equity
Health Equity Initiative, 19 January 2024
Dept. of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commencement Ceremony
University of Connecticut, 8 May 2021
EXTRACURRICULAR EXPERIENCE
Leadership:
Vice Chairwoman
Mohegan Tribal Youth Council, October 2020 - August 2022
Founder & President
Quinnipiac University Indigenous Student Union, September 2019 - December 2021
Educational Programs:
Native Youth Perspectives on Land Back
The University of California, Berkeley, October 2023
UCLA Public Health Scholars Training Program
CDC Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (CUPS) Programs, June - August 2021
Dartmouth Bound Native American Community Program
Dartmouth College, October 2017
Other:
Democracy is Indigenous Youth Council
The Center for Native American Youth, The National Urban Indian Family Coalition, October 2020 - August 2021
Quinnipiac Democrats
Quinnipiac University, September 2018 - December 2021
Club Figure Skating Team
Quinnipiac University, September 2019 - December 2021
Mock Trial Association
Quinnipiac University, September 2020 - August 2021
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Sociomedical Sciences (SMS) Buddy
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Dept. of Sociomedical Sciences, October 2023 - May 2024
Volunteer Web-Based Researcher
eGirl Power, #StopGBV Initiative, February - March 2023
The Big Event
Quinnipiac University, 1 May 2021
QTHON Team Captain
Quinnipiac University Club Figure Skating Team, October 2019 - May 2020
Junior Volunteer
Backus Hospital Junior Volunteer Bridge Program, June - August 2017
CERTIFICATIONS
Social Determinants of Health
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
May 2024
Human Subjects Protection (SBR)
CITI Program [Credential ID: 53895230]
January 2023 (Expires January 2026)