[Editor’s Note: It’s that time of year! Migrant Clinicians Network (MCN) is celebrating the 5th Annual Kugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award. Named after MCN’s Candace Kugel, FNP, CNM, MS, former Specialist of Clinical Systems and Women’s Health, and Ed Zuroweste, MD, Founding Medical Director, the Kugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award recognizes early-career clinicians making an impact at the intersections of vulnerability, migration, and health. This is quite the special occasion, because in a Kugel & Zuroweste Award first, there are TWO incredible recipients of this prestigious award. In this blog post, we celebrate the accomplishments of one of the winners, Dr. Clint Brayfield.]  

Clint Brayfield, MD, one of two recipients of this year’s prestigious Kugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award, is a physician addressing health disparities at the University of New Mexico, in Albuquerque. “Clint Brayfield, MD, represents some firsts for this award so far: first physician, first Native American, and first male!” noted Candace Kugel, FNP, namesake of the award along with Ed Zuroweste, MD. “His focus on maternal child health resonated for me and Ed, both of us knowing the importance of quality care in that realm. We look forward to watching his career unfold.”  

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Dr. Brayfield knew he wanted to work in medicine from a young age. Growing up in Shiprock, New Mexico, he was selected as a senior in high school for the University of New Mexico’s combined BA/MD program, where he chose to specialize in family medicine. This was born from a desire to provide well-being for his family that experienced significant health-related hardships and instability, which resulted in a period of homelessness throughout his middle and high school years.  

As a member of the Navajo Nation, Dr. Brayfield also understands the importance of sharing a cultural background with so many of his patients. After his first year of medical school and as part of his practical immersion experience, he was able to return to the clinic in Shiprock that he attended as a child. This was an incredible opportunity, recalled Dr. Brayfield, because it was the first time his eyes had been opened to the distrust his community had with Western medicine. His ability to connect with patients on a different level than his mentors allowed Dr. Brayfield to understand the impact that he could have as an advocate for his people and strengthened his commitment to his work.   

Initially, Dr. Brayfield intended to pursue a fellowship in sports medicine, but an obstetrics rotation in his third year of medical school changed his mind. “I have four sisters. I have 30-plus nephews and nieces… I was always surrounded by pregnant people in my family,” explained Dr. Brayfield. “I felt like there was like a special connection there… to be able to be there and help people.” This led him to apply for the University of New Mexico’s Maternal Child Health Fellowship, where he could achieve his desire to help both his family and the wider Native community. He is now thriving in his second year of the program, serving the most vulnerable of pregnant patients, such as those suffering from Opioid Use Disorder, delivering babies, and acting as a mentor to other Native students and residents.   

 “[Dr. Brayfield] is hoping to impact the disparities that exist in maternity care for Native American people, and I have no doubts he will go on to make a significant impact,” said Dr. Francheska S. Gurule, Family Physician and Director of the Maternal Child Health Fellowship at the University of New Mexico. “Dr. Brayfield consistently exudes calm and compassionate energy and truly embodies the legacy of the Kugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award.” 

Dr. Gurule, who submitted the nomination on Dr. Brayfield’s behalf, is inspired by his drive, energy, and deep level of commitment, both to his patients, as well as the residents he mentors. 

“The fellows are enormous educators and supporters of our residents,” noted Dr. Gurule. “It is especially valuable when we have a Native American resident, to have a Native American role model in Clint. I have witnessed Clint [being] just super patient… [There are] fires in the background and he's supporting and guiding our residents in learning a new skill. He's a very good teacher.” 

The Kugel & Zuroweste Award committee considered many applications, ultimately selecting two finalists and two winners. The two finalists for the award this year are: Martha “Melissa” Herrera, at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC; and Shahid Jaffer, MD with the Mobile Health Initiative at the University of Minnesota. “We had some wonderful candidates and as usual it was a hard choice,” commented Karen Mountain, RN, MSN, MBA, Founding Chief Executive Officer of Migrant Clinicians Network, and Kugel & Zuroweste Award committee member. 

“This year brought us more nominations than any previous year, which presented us with the difficult task of choosing a single awardee,” added Kugel and Dr. Zuroweste. “As it turned out, the votes from the selection committee resulted in a tie between two candidates and we elected to recognize them both! Perhaps we’re in a celebratory mood, with MCN marking 40 years of working to provide quality health care for the underserved and supporting the clinicians who are dedicated to that mission.”  

As the recipient of the Kugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award, Dr. Brayfield will receive a gift in the amount of $1,000, as well as considerable recognition across MCN’s network of partners, collaborators, and constituents. A virtual ceremony acknowledging the finalists and honoring the accomplishments of both Dr. Clint Brayfield and Dulce J. López will be hosted January 27. Those interested in attending are encouraged to request a formal invitation by emailing salvarado@migrantclinician.org before January 24. 

Here's a moment from an interview MCN had with Dr. Brayfield: