Hunter Burrow is using her education money to attend medical school at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She says that “the funding from the Seneca-Cayuga Nation has been a huge help in my education, I have used it every year of school.” One of the significant benefits of the funding is that it can be used for any education expenses. She has used it to pay rent, buy food, and purchase a computer. This flexibility means that she is avoiding loans, and she does not have to work as much, so she can focus on her studies.

Hunter grew up in Miami, OK. She is the first in her family to attend college, and her younger siblings are following in her footsteps. Hunter has been able to mentor them through the process of applying for school, filling out FAFSA forms, and finding scholarships. They even remind each other every year to apply for the Seneca-Cayuga Nation funding! 

One challenge Hunter has faced is being in a place with fewer native people. She says that “it’s not like home, where so many people are members of a tribe, here in Ohio, people are sometimes surprised to learn that I am Seneca-Cayuga.” She has also had some great experiences meeting other native people. Recently, Hunter had her first native patient. This experience was significant for both of them. There was an instant connection between them, and her patient was proud of her success as a medical student. Hunter is also working hard to serve and connect with other minority students through the Student National Medical Association.

As she nears graduation Hunter is spending more time with patients, so she can work with people to help them reach their health goals. Helping people is what she wants to do in life, and she is excited about her future as a doctor.