Atheda W. Fletcher is the Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative Grant Principle Investigator for the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System. Ms. Fletcher is also an Absentee Shawnee tribal member whose passion for the well-being of all tribal members of Native American tribes, who are well represented in the patient population of the AST Health System. She understands that not all Tribes are alike, but there exists a common thread that can bring Tribes together to provide more services and support for all Native peoples in the health care arena. Atheda’s goal is to bring greater understanding of the disease “dementia” and awareness of the needs for services and support to not only the individuals living with dementia, but to unpaid caregivers within the Native American population service area of Lincoln, Logan, Oklahoma, Cleveland, and Pottawatomie Counties.
Prior to joining the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Health System, she retired from a leading global independent energy company, Hess Corporation. Continuing to be active after retirement, she travelled extensively and volunteered at various non-profit organizations that included clinic settings. She also was elected as the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Representative for a two-year term, governing during the worst pandemic in generations to hit the world.
She holds a degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Certification as a Professional in Human Resources. She is also a Dementia Certified professional.
