Kodi Emerson Wins Udall Scholarship

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The Udall Undergraduate Scholarship honors the legacies of Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall, whose careers in public service had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care, and the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. This year, the Udall Foundation awarded scholarships to 55 undergraduates from 45 universities across the country, including the University of Arizona.  

Kodi Emerson, a student in the University's Accelerated Pathway to Medical Education (APME) program was one of the recipients, with future goals to become board certified and provide care to underserved populations as well in Arizona as well as the Navajo Nation. Emerson is a Diné student from Mesa, Arizona, and was born in Gallup, New Mexico. He became interested in healthcare from watching his mom and sister in their professions—both registered nurses.

"[They] showed me how powerful caring for others through healthcare can be," said Emerson. He is working toward becoming the first physician in his family.

As a member of the Accelerated Pathway to Medical Education (APME) program at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Emerson will complete a 7 year M.D. program. He is passionate about emergency medicine and enhancing healthcare access for Indigenous and rural communities. In his current role as a research assistant, Emerson supports research on firefighter occupational health through the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study and other associated sub-studies at the Center for Firefighter Health Collaborative Research.

The Udall Scholarship provides up to $7,000 of funding for students' junior or senior year of academic study. Since the program began in 1996, the Udall Foundation has awarded 1,953 scholarships, totaling over $10.360 million in financial support for students throughout the United States.