Alma Knows His Gun McCormick


Alma Knows His Gun McCormick, a member of the Apsáalooke Indian Tribe, is a founder and the Executive Director of the non-profit Messengers for Health, and a member of the Crow Environmental Health Steering Committee. An educator, mentor, and advocate, McCormick has been nationally recognized for her development of community-based research programs that have improved Indian women's health.

Early life and education

After her mother's death, McCormick was traditionally raised by her grandparents. As a result, she became fluent in the Crow language as well as English.
McCormick earned her bachelor's degree in health and wellness from Montana State University Billings.

Career

In 1985, one of McCormick's twin daughters died of neuroblastoma, a type of cancer. Her loss led McCormick to become involved in cancer outreach and advocacy.
From 1996–2000 McCormick served as the Outreach Coordinator for the Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Also in 1996, she helped to found the non-profit Messengers for Health, of which she is Executive Director. Working with Montana State University, Messengers for Health is nationally recognized for its community-based research programs. McCormick initially focused on issues of women's health and wellness such as preventative cancer screenings. She worked to provide culturally sensitive information to Indian women at reservations and urban clinics throughout Montana. Her work at Messengers for Health now addresses a range of health and wellness issues for both men and women. She has had a significant impact on local health patterns.
McCormick is also a member of the Montana Cancer Coalition and the Montana American Indian Women's Health Coalition. During 2020- 2023, she served on the Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

Awards and honors

Selected publications

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