AAIP Names Physician of the Year

(Photo courtesy of Evan Caravelli/
Arizona Daily Wildcat)

"I was surprised I won the award so early in my career," she said.

Roubideaux is also a physician, but is focused on research and education related to diabetes affecting American Indians.

Roubideaux said the work she does is very fulfilling because it's focused on trying to improve quality of care for people so that they can become healthier and live a good life.

"Diabetes is a serious problem for American Indians," she said. "They have the highest rate of diabetes in the world, and my research focuses at looking at the quality of diabetes within the American and Alaskan Indian population."

"I noticed the quality of health care wasn't as good as what other people were getting for health care," Roubideaux said. "So, it's always been a goal of mine to try to improve the quality of care for American Indians."

Roubideaux said that American Indians believe that getting diabetes is inevitable and they'll acquire the disease no matter what, because their parents or grandparents had it.

However, Roubideaux said, it's possible to prevent getting diabetes and suggests that people eat healthy foods with low fat and calories and exercise regularly.

"Just because your parents had it doesn't mean you'll get it," she said. "If you exercise and eat well, you have the opportunity to prevent diabetes."

Roubideaux helped establish the American Indian youth "Move it!" campaign at UA, which helps fund American Indian schools to educate students about diabetes and the importance of physical activity to help alleviate the chances of getting the disease.

"Last year we funded 10 schools; this year we're funding nine schools," Roubideaux said.

Roubideaux's peers around campus view her as a great asset to the UA for her tireless work and dedication.