Twyla Baker-Demaray, MS
Twyla B. Baker-Demaray is the Director of the National Resource Center on Native American Aging (NRCNAA) at the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota (UND) School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Grand Forks. Before assuming her current position Baker-Demaray worked as a research analyst at the Center for Rural Health and as a graduate research assistant at the NRCNAA.
Baker-Demaray stays busy through involvement in community and campus groups such as the Seven Feathers Dance Troupe at Lake Agassiz Elementary School, the UND Indian Association, and the UND chapter of the American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES). Twyla currently serves as the National Student Representative for National AISES.
She is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nations of Fort Berthold, and is originally from New Town, ND. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental geology and technology and earned a Master of Science degree in education general studies with a focus in research methodologies in 2005 from UND. She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree in research methodologies, also at UND.
Established in 1980, the Center for Rural Health is one of the nation's most experienced rural health organizations. It has developed a full complement of programs to assist researchers, educators, policymakers, health care providers and, most importantly, rural residents to address changing rural environments by identifying and researching rural health issues, analyzing health policy, strengthening local capabilities, developing community-based alternatives, and advocating for rural concerns.
Contact Information:
Projects
Publications
- Body Mass Index and Cancer Screening in Older American Indian and Alaska Native Men, Muus, K., Baker-Demaray, T., McDonald, L., Ludtke, R., Allery, A., Andy Bogart, A., Goldberg, J., Ramsey, S., & Buchwald, D.,
Journal of Rural Health, Winter 2009
Regular screenings are important for reducing cancer morbidity and mortality. There are several barriers to receiving timely cancer screening, including overweight/obesity. No study has examined the relationship between overweight/obesity and cancer screening among American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs).
- Healthcare Needs of North Dakota American Indian Veterans, Baker-Demaray, T., McDonald, L., Ludtke, R., March 31 2008
The final report on the Healthcare Needs of North Dakota American Indian Veterans project funded by the Otto Bremer Foundation is now available. This project conducted a statewide assessment of health status, healthcare access, and health risk of AI veterans residing on North Dakota’s reservations. The purpose for the project is to inform tribal and state health policymakers of the needs of AI veterans and provide valuable information for tribal and state planning efforts to assist with the development of community plans of action and infrastructure, and assist in decreasing jurisdictional confusion between the Indian Health Service and Veteran’s administration.
Presentations
- Overview of the National Resource Center on Native American Aging
Presented by Baker-Demary, T. on
Jan 23,
2009 at the UND College of Nursing Brown Bag Seminar Series, Grand Forks, ND.
- How To Talk to Your Doctor
Presented by McDonald, R., Ludtke, R., Baker-Demary, T., Ruliffson, K., Miller, A., LaBelle, J., Charles, G., Easley C., Mokuau, N., & Browne, C. on
Apr 30,
2008 at the Administration on Aging Training and Technical Assistance Forum and 30th Anniversary Celebration, Prior Lake, MN.
- Identifying and Addressing Chronic Disease Among American Indian Elders
Presented by McDonald, L.R., Ludtke, R., Baker-Demaray, T., Ruliffson, K., Fasteen, D., Gattis, M., & Miller, A. on
Apr 29,
2008 at the Administration on Aging Training and Technical Assistance Forum and 30th Anniversary Celebration, Prior Lake, MN.
- Conducting and Uses for Native Elder Needs Assessments
Presented by Baker-Demaray, T. & Gattis, M. on
Nov 1,
2007 at the National Telechat sponsored by Kauffman & Associates and the Administration on Aging, Grand Forks, ND.
National Telechat sponsored by Kauffman & Associates and the Administration on Aging: Title VI programs must complete a needs assessment to be eligible for funding. Since new applications are due early next year, programs should be planning their needs assessments now. This session will discuss the needs assessment process and its importance to effective Title VI service delivery.
- Conducting Needs Assessments
Presented by Baker-Demaray, T., Gattis, M., McDonald, L., & Ruthig, J. on
Sep 5,
2007 at the Title VI Directors attending the Indian Health Service Long Term Care Conference, Albuquerque, NM.
- Native American Veterans Needs Assessment
Presented by Baker-DeMaray, T. on
Mar 20,
2007 at the Dakota Conference on Rural and Public Health, Mandan, ND.
- Tips on Quantitative Research Article Development
Presented by Muus, K. & Baker-Demaray, T. on
Jan 18,
2007 at the Center for Rural Health's Research and Development Staff meeting, Grand Forks, ND.
- Perceptions of Health Status and Elder Abuse
Presented by Baker-Demaray, T. on
Apr 6,
2006 at the American Indian Research Forum, Grand Forks, ND.
Discuss the thesis results "Perception of elder abuse against Native American Seniors." The study assessed the general health status and perceptions of elder abuse among Native Elders from a viewpoint of their community rather than a personal experience.
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