Title:Tools of the trade

Mechem Frashier, MBA, BSN., R.N. (NHS’01), a member of Navajo Nation, is the nursing director for children’s programs at Presbyterian Healthcare in New Mexico. 

The tools of her trade are:

1. Phone: to communicate

2. Notebook: to take notes on rounds

3. Kids’ toys (jacks and ball): a reminder of her humble beginnings

4. Picture of family and Navajo rug in office: a reminder of who supports her and the tribal communities she serves

5. Bible app: a daily reminder of servant leadership

Mechem Frashier serves on the boards of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations and National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association. Frashier won the Scholars for Change Award from the American Nurses Foundation in 2024.

“One of my proudest accomplishments is being able to provide health care services to my fellow tribal communities and being an advocate for their care,” says Frashier.

Frashier carries Georgetown’s value of servant leadership into her career of over 20 years.

“At Georgetown, I learned that we are created to serve others who are in need and to be grateful for what we are blessed with,” says Frashier. “I make it a mission in my career and my life to make sure I help those around me.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Frashier was asked to lead mobile testing in the greater Albuquerque area. Then the local Pueblo and Native American community asked for help.

“We jumped at the chance, using our mobile clinic (bus) to drive out to tribal reservations and provide testing seven days a week,” says Frashier. “We were their only option for testing. To provide this service for almost two years, we partnered with the Indian Health Service and the New Mexico Department of Health.”

Frashier says the lack of minority nurse leaders has been challenging for her as she navigates her career, but Bette Keltner, former dean of the Georgetown School of Nursing and former president of the National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association, has been a great mentor and guide to her.