Faculty Publish Insights on Culturally Competent Leadership in Indigenous Healthcare

Dr. Courtney Hamby and Dr. Rick Wallace of NSU's College of Business & Technology recently co-authored an impactful article titled “A New Paradigm: Culturally Competent Leadership for Indigenous Healthcare”—a timely and important contribution to leadership and health services scholarship.

The publication tackles a critical need within healthcare systems that serve Indigenous communities: aligning leadership practices with cultural values, histories, and community priorities. According to Dr. Hamby, the inspiration for the research came from recognizing the importance of honoring Indigenous identity and traditions at every level of decision-making.

“Strong healthcare leadership must honor Indigenous identity and traditions to truly support health, trust, and healing,” she said.

One of the key insights from the article, Dr. Wallace added, is that cultural competency extends far beyond a one-time training. “Cultural competence isn’t a training session, it’s a leadership mindset,” he said. “When leaders embed cultural humility and Indigenous knowledge into everyday decisions, they strengthen trust, improve care, and create more equitable and socially responsible health outcomes.”

The manuscript also aligns with the authors’ ongoing focus on advancing equity-centered leadership in healthcare. Their research continues to explore Indigenous leadership models, culturally grounded health delivery systems, and inclusive governance approaches that promote fairness, frontline engagement, and community trust.

This publication not only highlights valuable strategies for improving healthcare delivery but also reaffirms NSU’s commitment to uplifting Native perspectives and promoting equity in leadership.