Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, a trailblazing Native American woman, broke barriers in medicine and advocacy. Her life began on the Omaha Reservation to later become the first Native American woman to earn a medical degree. Her story is one of resilience, compassion, and dedication to her community. 

Susan La Flesche Picotte was born on June 17, 1865, on the Omaha Reservation in Nebraska. She was the youngest of four children in a family with mixed Omaha, Ponca, Iowa, French, and Anglo-American heritage. Her father, Joseph La Flesche (Iron Eye), was a prominent leader of the Omaha tribe, and her mother, Mary Gale (One Woman), was of Omaha, Otoe, and Iowa heritage.

From a young age, Susan witnessed the poor health conditions and lack of medical care on the reservation. A pivotal moment came when she saw a sick Indian woman die because the local white doctor refused to treat her. This tragedy inspired Susan to pursue a career in medicine to provide care for her people.

Susan attended school on the reservation until 14 years old, She moved to New Jersey to attend the Elizabeth Institute for Young Ladies. After graduation, she returned to the Omaha Reservation and taught at the Quaker Mission School. Encouraged by Alice Fletcher, an ethnologist working at the school, Susan decided to pursue formal medical training.

Susan enrolled at the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) that is still in existence as Hampton University. Later, she applied to the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania with the help of Alice Fletcher. She received scholarship funds from the U.S. Office of Indian Affairs. She graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1889, becoming the first Native American woman to earn a medical degree.

After completing her internship in Philadelphia, Susan returned to the Omaha Reservation to provide healthcare to her people. She served over 1,300 people across 450 square miles, often making house calls on horseback or by horse-drawn buggy. Susan also worked to improve public health on the reservation by promoting good hygiene, food sanitation, and the prevention of tuberculosis.

Susan La Flesche Picotte was not only a physician but also a passionate advocate for her community. She campaigned for the formal allotment of land to Omaha tribe members and worked to discourage alcohol consumption on the reservation. Susan also helped Omaha people navigate the bureaucracy of the Office of Indian Affairs to receive the money owed to them for the sale of their land.

Susan La Flesche Picotte married Henry Picotte, a Sioux Indian from the Yankton agency, in 1894. In 1913, Susan achieved her dream of opening a hospital on the reservation named Memorial Hospital. The hospital in Walthill, Nebraska served both Native and non-Native patients and included general wards, private wards, a maternity ward, and an operating room.

Susan La Flesche Picotte passed away on September 18, 1915 in Walthill, Nebraska at 50. years old Her legacy lives on through her contributions to medicine and her tireless advocacy for the health and well-being of her people. To learn more about Susan La Flesche Picotte, click here.