Tribe Announces Doctor Deb Meness to Join Health Services
Dec 1, 2020
AKWESASNE - Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is pleased to welcome Deb Meness, D.O., to the Health Services medical team. Dr. Meness brings many years of international medical and leadership experience to Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Health Services. Board certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Meness is also very experienced in Integrative Medicine - a field that incorporates traditional Indigenous medicines with western medicine.
Dr. Deb Meness is both a member of the Mohawk Turtle Clan, through her mother, of Six Nations, Ontario, and the Anishnaabe Eagle Clan, through her father, of Maniwaki, Quebec.
Dr. Meness graduated from Niagara University in Niagara Falls, NY with a Bachelor of Science, later receiving her Doctor of Osteopathy Degree from University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Meness then interned in Family Medicine with Mercy General Health Partners in Muskegon, Michigan before completing her Residency at University of New England in Biddeford, Maine.
From 1990 to 1992, Dr. Meness served as National Facilitator for the National Association of Friendship Centres in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She then performed as Executive Director of Native Women’s Association of Canada.
Dr. Meness passion for Native healthcare took her to communities across both Canada and the United States, providing clinic, emergency room, and in-patient services at various hospitals in Arizona: Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado, AZ; San Carlos Indian Hospital in San Carlos, AZ and Sells Indian Hospital in Sells, AZ.
From 2008 to 2010, Dr. Meness served as Medical Director/ Family Practice Physician at Cass Lake Indian Health Services Hospital, Cass Lake, Michigan. She then began practicing Family Medicine in Western New York for Seneca Nation Health Department in the Seneca Nation Territories of Salamanca and Cattaraugus, and later, Orchard Park, NY.
From 2013 to 2018, Dr. Meness’ practice brought her to Governour, NY before returning to the Southern Tier Region. “I’m very excited to return to the frontline care of community members,” shares Dr. Meness, who most recently served as Senior Policy Analyst for Thunderbird Partnership Foundation National Addictions and Mental Health for First Nations-Canada in Maniwaki, Quebec.
“I am so intrigued by Dr. Meness experience and background,” stated Tribal Chief Beverly Cook, who has served Akwesasne for many years as Family Nurse Practitioner. “Dr. Meness has been the answer to our many prayers, to be able to come into our community and join the team here, incorporating emotional and spiritual wellness into our health services.”
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