Trudie Jackson: From Body & Spirit to Better Health

Across the Southwest, American Indian (AI) communities continue to experience a disproportionate burden of certain cancers, underscoring the importance of culturally grounded prevention and education efforts. Through visibility, listening, and relationship‑building, Trudie Jackson, a community engagement coordinator at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, helps ensure Mayo Clinic shows up in meaningful ways — from urban settings to rural areas and tribal sovereign nations.

In this staff feature, Trudie shares what community engagement looks like in practice, how programs like Body & Spirit come to life through community leadership, and what it truly means to serve as a guide rather than a driver.

Can you tell us a little about your role at Mayo Clinic and what led you to community engagement work?

I am the community engagement coordinator serving urban American Indians in Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.  My love for the AI community and public health has always been my drive in serving the community by being visible, promoting Mayo Clinic events, and being in spaces to share with the community that Mayo Clinic serves everyone from urban to rural areas including tribal sovereign nations.

What does “community engagement” mean to you in practice — beyond the job title?

Introducing myself in my native (Navajo) language to members of my tribal nation is crucial, as it serves as an icebreaker and helps establish my identity, highlighting the importance of community by speaking in my native tongue. Wearing native jewelry also brings harmony not only to myself but to the community, helping me connect with my traditions and culture. Being able to converse with the community is important, and I make sure my sentences are clear and align with their understanding and comprehension; if needed, I convey information in simpler sentences. Being visible at community events that serve the community is important, too, especially since Phoenix is an intertribal community where many different nations are represented, including those formed through interracial marriage, dating, and other connections.

 Body & Soul, a healthy living program, has been used in many communities, but Body & Spirit is the first time the program was tailored for Native communities in Arizona. What did it take to adapt the program in a way that honored culture, values, and tradition?

Body & Spirit is the name chosen by the community—listening to community input is important, as it encourages involvement in Body & Spirit. Including a native chef, physical instructor, and mental health specialist is vital for participants to engage, feel welcome, and be open to learning, sharing, and asking questions. Most importantly, it is essential that every participant understands why eating fruits and vegetables helps fight cancer and considers changing eating habits to align with healthy eating, exercising, and trying new native recipes.

How do programs like Body & Spirit help bridge the gap between cancer prevention research and everyday life?

Encouraging participants to engage in conversations about cancer prevention and to address any misinformation helps them consider how to care for their body, mind, and spirit. The significance of exercise remains important—whether it involves walking to the store, the post office, or the bus stop—empowering individuals to take the initiative and start gradually. Helping participants understand the value of balancing traditional foods with cancer-fighting fruits and vegetables by making creative dishes is also essential.

What advice would you give to others who want to do community-engaged work well, especially in Native or Indigenous communities?

Let AI community members take the lead while you step back—watch, listen, and embrace the teachings shared by and among them. Be respectful, as you are a guest invited into their space. Some members may speak their native language and prefer to communicate in it; simply step back and absorb the teachings shared. Many AI members may not fully understand English, so avoid using advanced words. Instead, adjust your communication to a level where both parties can understand each other.

What are you most proud of in this work?

It took me a while to earn respect from the AI community after joining Mayo Clinic, but I have learned that the AI community is always in the driver’s seat as they are the stewards of their own community. I serve as their guide, sharing the importance of taking care of their health, encouraging cancer screening, and being able to communicate—whether in my native language or simply by listening. Putting Mayo Clinic on the map in Native communities is important because it shows that we practice the RICH TIES (Respect, Integrity, Compassion, Healing, Teamwork, Innovation, Excellence, and Stewardship) with all communities.

Trudie’s work is a powerful reminder that effective community engagement begins with humility, trust, and honoring community knowledge. By listening first, centering culture, and allowing communities to lead, she helps bridge cancer prevention research with everyday life in ways that feel relevant, welcoming, and respectful.

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