Hundreds honor McKenzie
Navajo Nation's first doctor remembered for his service

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

GALLUP — In his 76 years, it was clear Wednesday afternoon that the late Dr. Taylor McKenzie touched the lives of many, and his service to the Navajo people will never be forgotten.

Nearly 400 people squeezed into the pews and stood against the walls of the First Methodist Church to celebrate the life of McKenzie, the Navajo Nation's first doctor and surgeon, as well as former Navajo Nation vice president. He passed away in Albuquerque on Friday at the Presbyterian Hospital after complications related to a periprosthetic hip infection. He was born into the Red House Clan for Bitter Water Clan.

Throughout the public memorial service, those who knew him best reminisced about his quirky habits.

Lewis Tutt, former chief of staff of the Navajo Nation and longtime colleague of McKenzie, spoke of McKenzie's love for salty mutton and his extensive knowledge of the best food stands. Tutt painted a vivid picture of how McKenzie would drench his mutton with salt and his hands would be covered in grease just before he took would take a bite into his mutton sandwich.

Tutt continued, "Then he would look around and say, 'Is there any physician around?'"

The crowd broke into laughter upon hearing the story, as well as a number of other stories that were recollected by family and other colleagues throughout the service; however, it was his dedication and lifelong service to the Navajo people, as well as his qualities as a humble Navajo man, that were most reflected upon.

"The journey that he made marks the life of a healer," said Ben Shelly, vice president of the Navajo Nation. "Because of him, we are truly a healthier Navajo Nation."

Shelly recalled how McKenzie's testimony before Congress on the detrimental effects of radiation on the Navajo people brought national attention to the issue. It was one among a number of things that McKenzie did on behalf of his people, Shelly said.

During a time when Native American doctors and surgeons were unheard of, McKenzie became a pioneer in American Indian health care and opened the doors for other Native American young people who aspired to be in the medical field.

"He touched a lot of young people's lives," Tutt said.

After graduating from high school from Navajo Methodist Mission School in 1950, McKenzie attended Wheaton College, where he received his bachelor of science degree in 1954 and his medical doctor degree in 1958 from Baylor University.

He interned at Pontiac General Hospital in Pontiac, Mich., from 1958 to 1959, and completed his surgery residency at Pontiac General Hospital from 1959 to 1963, where he immediately began a lifetime career on the Navajo Nation.

In 1964, he became a member of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps working in numerous hospitals and health care facilities across the Navajo Nation in various high-level capacities until he retired in 1995.

But his service to the Navajo people did not stop. He continued his medical practice part-time in the outpatient department at the Gallup Indian Medical Center until he ran for tribal vice president in 1998.

Kelsey Begaye, former Navajo Nation President, with whom McKenzie served in office, said he was honored to work alongside him in office, and was inspired by the dedication McKenzie had to improving the health among the Navajo people.

"Dr. McKenzie took the health care of the Navajo Nation to a higher level," Begaye said. Begaye said he knew McKenzie as an unselfish person.

After serving as an elected official, McKenzie became the CEO of Sage Memorial Hospital in 2005, and in 2006 became the Nation's first and only Medical Officer. McKenzie was still serving in that capacity until the time of his death.

"He lived for his people," said James McKenzie, grandson.

McKenzie received a multitude of distinguished awards and honors throughout his lifetime and held membership in numerous associations, but the love, compassion, and dedication that he had for his people is how he will forever be remembered in Navajo history.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Association of Native American Medical Students, 1255 Sovereign Row Suite 103, Oklahoma City, OK 73108.