(1955- )
Bemidji

Dr. Kathleen Annette is a member of the White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians. She grew up on the Red Lake Indian Reservation and graduated from Red Lake High School. She continued her education at the University of Minnesota, pioneering the way for Indian women by becoming the first female Ojibwe Indian physician. Her home has been in Bemidji since 1989.

In 1986, Dr. Annette began her public service career path with the federal government as a medical officer at the Public Health Service Indian Hospital at Cass Lake, Minnesota. By 1990, she was promoted and became Area Director of the Bemidji Area Indian Health Service (IHS). In this capacity, she works with 34 Tribal and five Urban Indian programs that provide health care to over 95,000 beneficiaries in a five state region. She is directly responsible for the federal oversight of these health programs and works in collaboration with local, state, federal entities on public health, prevention and intervention activities and initiatives.

At the national level, Dr. Annette has participated in numerous workgroups that affect IHS national policy. Most recently, she has chaired an IHS committee addressing the health concerns of the urban Indian population and currently serves as vice-chair on the National Director's Executive Council charged to provide national policy development.

Dr. Annette has been nationally recognized and received numerous awards for her endeavors, including selection as a recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, the Jake White Crow Award, and as a finalist for the US Medicine Berry Prize for her compassion and contributions to improving the health care of American Indian people.

She has impacted Indian health locally through her work as a physician and civic activities developing American Indian leaders. She served for twelve years on the Blandin Foundation Board of Trustees and is an inspirational role model, committed to mentoring and encouraging Indian youth to complete their education and consider health careers. She currently is serving on the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors in Bemidji.

In 2005, the Red Lake Nation recognized Dr. Annette for her exceptional efforts to assist the tribe during the aftermath of the March 21st Red Lake High School tragedy. Dr. Annette immediately responded to Red Lake's request to provide assistance. She spent countless hours on the Red Lake Reservation working with the tribal council and various federal, state and local programs. Because of her commitment and compassion, she was accepted as an honorary member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, the first woman and only the third person ever to receive this tribute from the tribe, according to tribal secretary Judy Roy.

Through Dr. Annette's leadership, advocacy, education and quest for excellence, she has significantly contributed to raising the health status of American Indian and Alaskan Native people.