DURANT, Oklahoma — The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is celebrating the graduation of five graduates from the Family Medicine Residency Program, in which three of the graduating residents are Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM) alumni.
Doctors Henry Gutierrez, Shanell Gray, and Daniel Stacy finished their three-year residency with Choctaw Nation and are remaining on as physicians with Choctaw Nation Health Services.
“The dedication, compassion, and resilience shown by these residents proves that they are ready to make a difference in the lives of countless patients,” says Dr. Eric Gillette, residency program director. “We are all immensely proud of their accomplishments and excited for the bright futures that lie ahead.”
Henry Gutierrez, D.O., comes from Cedarville, Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with his Bachelor of Biology, minoring in chemistry. He completed his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith, Ark. Having completed his residency requirements, he plans to stay with Choctaw Nation as a member of the core faculty with the residency program. He and his wife have been married for two years and have a new-born daughter, Ellie, who is the first child he’s ever picked up. Dr. Gutierrez is the first member of his family to pursue a career in medicine and was chosen as this year’s Chief Resident.
Shanell Gray, D.O., grew up in Inola, Okla. She graduated in 2012 from Rogers State University in Claremore, Okla. with a degree in medical molecular biology. She continued her education at Oklahoma State University and in 2016 graduated with a masters in biochemistry and molecular biology. With those degrees in hand, she continued with the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine where she graduated in 2021. Growing up in rural Oklahoma, she developed a love for the underprivileged and those in need. She’s active in both the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association and American Osteopathic Association. She plans to continue as the first Choctaw Nation fellow in Oklahoma State University’s Osteopathic Manipulative and Neuromuscular Medicine.
Daniel Stacy, D.O., grew up in Poteau, Okla. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith, Ark. and continued in Fort Smith to earn his doctorate in osteopathic medicine from Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Stacy plans to continue working for Choctaw Nation and looks forward to buying a house and growing his family.
The residents completed the program on June 30, 2024, and are eligible for board certification in family medicine. They gathered with family and friends for a graduation ceremony recently to celebrate. Gillette remarked, “They’ve not only acquired the medical knowledge and skills necessary for excellence but have also shown an unwavering dedication to patient care, community health, and continuous learning. Their passion for medicine and genuine care for their patients will undoubtedly lead to transformative impacts in the communities they serve.”
Click here to learn more about the other Choctaw Nation Family Medicine Residency graduates.