Wassaja Center’s Andrews receives Drachman Impact Award

Christina C. Bell Andrews, JD, MPH, MBA, MA, an assistant professor of family and community medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and executive director of the University of Arizona’s Wassaja Carlos Montezuma Center for Native American Health, received a Drachman Impact Award. 

The U of A’s College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture’s Drachman Institute honored Andrews for her significant contributions to the academic year and overall positive impact on students. She was one of 28 community leaders, professionals and partners to receive awards at the inaugural Community Outreach and Impact Celebration earlier this summer.

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Andrews said she was humbled to receive the recognition, especially since she didn’t quite understand what college was when she first applied — she only filled out an application because a friend did. 

“Many times, I have to pinch myself to make sure this is not a dream,” said Andrews. “I came from humble means: homeless, living out of cars and cleaning up at hotels and convenience stores. We were always moving across the United States, so attending school and keeping up with academics was impossible. I learned mostly at college. However, what I did have engraved in my heart were my ties to my Hia-Ced O’odham (“Sand People”) Culture and staying true to our Himdag, our way of life in being a good human being. This means to be kind and serve my fellow man. So, receiving this award for something that comes naturally to me was surprising, unexpected and truly an honor.”

The honor is well-deserved, said Kristen Rundell, MD, chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine in the College of Medicine – Tucson, which oversees the Wassaja Center.

“With her extensive experience in policy, Christina C. Bell Andrews has brought a wealth of knowledge, expertise and energy to the Department of Family and Community Medicine,” Rundell said. “As a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation and a respected leader in the Native American community, Christina has advanced the mission of the Wassaja Carlos Montezuma Center to improve the health and well-being of Native American communities in Arizona and beyond.”

Andrews has been the Wassaja Center’s executive director since May 2023. Before that, she served on the university’s Community Action Council Committee of the American Indian Research Center for Health, making sure Tribal, urban American Indian and Alaskan Native people had meaningful participation in the development of relevant programs and priorities.

Andrews, a former writing instructor at Pima Community College, and mother of 11, said she knew as a child that she wanted to either teach or be an obstetrician-gynecologist. For certain, she wanted to help women and children. She said her mentor, Diane J. Humetewa, the first Native American woman to serve as a U.S. federal judge, demonstrated the importance of service. Bell interned with Humetewa while in law school.

“Honorable Judge Humetewa was a testament that someone who looks like me could hold such a high position,” Andrews said. “She showed me to take time, no matter how busy you are, to give back, whether that be mentoring a student or serving the community.”