Tributes to Librarian Patricia Bradley
Faculty and staff at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Library are sorry to announce that Patricia Bradley, MLS, Native and Distance Services Librarian, passed away last week after a brief illness. Her daughter, niece, and sisters were with her.
Pat's career in medical librarianship spanned more than 40 years, during which she was a hospital librarian and outreach specialist in places as diverse as Shiprock and Houston, Gallup and Seattle. Her plans were to retire this year from the University of New Mexico where she was the Native and Distance Services Librarian for the past fifteen years.
"Those who knew her will miss a reserved and strong woman, dedicated to her career and culture," Paul Roth, MD, executive vice president and chancellor for Health Sciences.
"Throughout the years at the UNM Health Sciences Center, she was a tireless worker for the Native American Community, a champion of increasing diversity in the library profession and an invaluable resource to colleagues within and outside of the UNM Health System," he continued.
In 2014, Bradley received the Michael E. DeBakey Library Services Outreach Award. This award, established by Friends of the National Library, acknowledges outstanding service and contributions to rural and underserved communities.
She was also a Distinguished Member of the Association of Health Information Professionals, Medical Library Association. She was active in the South Central Region, serving on committees and presenting her work at conferences.
Funeral services were held for Bradley on June 17.
Knowing how much Bradley valued her work at the UNM Center for Native American Health and for Native communities in general, a mechanism through CNAH has been set up for gift giving.
University of New Mexico Center for Native American Health (CNAH) https://www.unmfund.org/fund/cnah/?_ga=2.174013027.1990781890.1560780622-701743517.1554746034
Bradley also evinced a strong desire to increase the diversity of the library profession. To that end, a Knowledge River Scholarship at her alma mater has been established as an additional gift giving opportunity. Knowledge River is an educational experience focused on educating information professionals who have experience with, and sensitivity to Latinx and Native American populations.
University of Arizona Knowledge River Scholarship - https://www.uafoundation.org/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=493&fid=gr7CFbeON1s%3D&fdesc=HpVIHxvhbMWxOETp%2BzC4F%2FCjs0573RlKppbHt3H2041LCsMReFqREg%3D%3D
Tributes to Bradley have come in from across the campus and state.
"Pat will be greatly missed for her service to our communities of color and for serving from the heart. She had a kind, gentle, giving and humble spirit. She was always ready to share her knowledge and resources with all; especially the most marginalized communities. She firmly believed in supporting communities through education and information." Francisco Ronquillo, Interim Director of Community Health Worker Initiatives.
"Pat traveled across the state, from Taos to Las Cruces to Shiprock, to train medical professionals, college students, hospital continuing education centers and librarians about how to access the UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center's resources." - Anthony Fleg, MD.
She was a quiet but powerful force developing the Native American reference library section and was so well known in rural areas across the state, especially in Native American communities," said Art Kaufman, MD, vice chancellor for community health and outreach.
"A beloved friend to many of us, and definitely a HUGE supporter of many of us personally and to Native Health Initiative (NHI)as an organization, Pat was our UNM Health Sciences librarian who would always work to set up a session on literature searches to support the HOT (Healers Of Tomorrow) projects and was a fixture over the last decade at our NHI events and lunches." - Carla Sakiestewa,Native American Alliance for Community Health.
"Patricia was part of the Core Group as a Native American faculty member of NAACHW since 2011. As an HSC librarian and a Native American woman, she contributed her knowledge to better Native American community health initiatives, partnerships with Southwest Native American and UNM communities." - Helen Tso, Health Extension Regional Officer, Office for Community Health. "I am shocked and saddened to hear the news of Pat's passing. She will be sorely missed all across New Mexico. She was very passionate about seeing to it health information was accessible to all." - Kathleen Knoth, UNM-Taos Library Director.
"On behalf of the UNM College Nursing and myself, we offer our deepest condolences to Patricia's family. Pat was such a giving and generous person and we are so grateful that each year she spent time with our nursing students who were preparing for their clinical rotation in Chinle, Ariz. She was so gracious and patient, sharing her story with us and offering anything that she could so that we could learn about Navajo history and culture. Her kindness will be very missed." - Loren Kelly,UNM College of Nursing.
"Patricia was great to work with and always so kind, friendly, knowledgeable, willing to help. I have a copy of a digital story she created back in July 2010 called "Choices," if anyone would like a copy. You may email me at theresa.clay@ihs.gov. The last time I saw Patricia was when I accompanied her as she celebrated her promotion celebration from UNM on Oct 5, 2016. I am deeply saddened by her passing and pray for all her loved ones. May our creator give you all peace and harmony." - Theresa Clay, Indian Health Service.
"The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region, would like to extend our deepest condolences to Pat's family. Pat has been a tireless champion working to improve the health literacy of communities within New Mexico and beyond. Her extensive skills were acknowledged by the National Library of Medicine bestowing her with the DeBakey Award, the highest honor received for offering outstanding outreach programming.
"Pat not only extended the reach of the National Library of Medicine, but also partnered with many agencies to increase the health of our communities. Pat also was always willing to share her knowledge with others and provided many educational opportunities for her colleagues. We are fortunate to have been Pat's colleagues and will miss her warmth and friendship." - Lisa Smith, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region Program Office.