As a Board Certified PA and Assistant Clinical Director at New Life Clinic in Ukiah, California, Rachel Chavez, PA-C, has dedicated her career to expanding health services in Native American communities, particularly those battling addiction and chronic pain.
“Increasing awareness of Native people and organizations in medicine is crucial to the survival of Native people,” Chavez said. “Offering medicine by Native providers, support staff and organizations that can understand the cultural context of the issues that Native people face daily is one of the most important steps of ensuring ourselves a place in the future.”
According to the NCCPA 2024 Statistical Profile of Board Certified PAs, there are about 527 PAs (0.4%) who identify themselves as American Indian or Alaskan Native.
Chavez’s journey to New Life Clinic and pain medicine was marked by formative experiences within her community.
Growing up in Mendocino County, both on and off reservations in the north coast of California, Chavez recalls her early fascination with medicine
“I loved going to the clinic,” she said. “We would see family and friends from all over and visit each other and catch up on all the gossip.”
But over time, the care patients received at her local clinic began to decline.
“Medical providers would come and go,” she recalled. “You could see the pain and distress in people’s faces caused by the discontinuity of care.”
Determined to make a difference, Chavez aimed to become a doctor but shifted her focus after a life-changing car accident. She pursued her PA degree through UC Davis, rotating in rural clinics and later returning to Mendocino County, where she recognized a gap in pain management. This inspired her to commute about 90 miles to Santa Rosa on her days off to gain expertise in the field, eventually focusing full-time on pain management.
Chavez’s arrival at New Life Clinic marked a new chapter in her journey as a PA, combining her medical expertise with leadership in an underserved area. The clinic, owned by the Pinoleville Pomo Nation, is California’s first tribally owned opioid treatment program, serving Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma counties.
“The program uses a holistic approach for treatment; offering medication-assisted treatment, counseling, mental health services, medical care, transportation and connections to community resources and group activities,” Chavez said.
She adds that they aim to expand services, including offering dental care.
“Our clinic has been dedicated to helping all staff continue to increase their education while offering internships to Native American students interested in addiction medicine,” Chavez said.
Now in its fourth year, New Life Clinic is preparing to expand its physical footprint.
“We are going to be constructing a new building to include more services for our patients,” Chavez said, “We have been working with the state to incorporate traditional healing into our practice — I’m thrilled about this.”
The clinic recently hosted its third meeting focused on addiction and tribal communities, including a summit in Ukiah that featured both elder and youth panels alongside professional discussions.
The clinic also welcomed its first group of Native American summer interns.
“It was fantastic,” Chavez said. “We had four students that were college bound, and they learned patient care, counseling and sutures. It was a great experience, and I am so proud of them.”
One of the clinic’s first Native interns returned this year as a mentor and is currently working as a back office medical assistant while awaiting admission to UC Davis Medical School. He recently completed the Huwighurruk Program, a Native post-baccalaureate initiative for students pursuing medicine.
Chavez noted that one Native student is currently completing clinical hours at the clinic while pursuing a nurse practitioner degree through UC Davis.
“It is very exciting to be helping the community,” Chavez said.
Chavez, whose role has expanded beyond patient care to include facility operations, outreach and regulatory compliance, shared insights on the evolving landscape of opioid treatment regulations.
“The state and federal regulations are constantly evolving for opioid treatment facilities, and learning how to improve our facility for patient care is fun and challenging every day,” Chavez said.
Chavez envisions a future with more Native Americans in health care and additional Native-owned clinics.
“I would like to see the broader health care community become more diverse,” Chavez said. “I believe this will help ensure a healthy future for us all.”
Rachel Chavez, PA-C:
Rachel Chavez, PA-C, is a Board Certified PA who graduated from UC Davis. She has a degree in cellular and molecular biology, applied mathematics and Native American studies. She is currently the assistant medical director at New Life Clinic and has worked in family practice and pain management prior to landing in the addiction medicine specialty.