Longtime Utah medical worker retires
By Shondiin Silversmith
Navajo Times
WINDOW ROCK, July 14, 2011
Fred Riggs
Having a long, successful career takes you on different paths in life but it also takes dedication and hard work.
Fred Riggs, 68, has been working in the medical field for the past 42 years and he said it's been a "gratifying experience," as it came to an end with his retirement on July 7.
Riggs grew up in Leupp, Ariz., one of nine kids who tended livestock.
"My family was dirt poor and we slept on sheep skin," he said. "Having two skins under the body was like sleeping on a water bed."
He is Naakai dine'é (Mexican Clan), born for Tl''z' lán' (Many Goats Clan).
According to Riggs, his mother Helen Riggs and father Fred Riggs Sr. were undereducated and started him on his educational path later than usual at Tolani Lake, Ariz.
"I never forgot Miss Moody," he said, "very handy swinging her metal edge ruler at us as part of our discipline."
After his elementary years at Tolani Lake, Riggs attended Winslow High School where he lived in a dorm much like an army barracks. He graduated in 1964 at the age of 19.
While he was in school his mother grew ill with tuberculosis and after she passed he knew he wanted to advance in the medical field.
"I wanted to know more about the different kinds of diseases," he said. "My inspiration came from my mother."
After he graduated he went to Oakland City College in Oakland, Calif., and took a two-year program as an X-ray technician. He graduated with his degree in 1968.
Riggs took his degree to Berkeley, Calif., and worked at Harriett Hospital until 1969 when he was drafted into the U.S military.
While he was working in Berkeley, he met his wife Sharon Riggs.
During his two-year service as an X-ray technician he was stationed in Puerto Rico and Atlanta, Ga.
After his discharge in 1971, he continued his path in medicine with the Indian Health Service in Shiprock.
Three and a half years later, he made "one of the best decisions he ever made" and entered a physician's assistant program at Gallup Indian Medical Center.
He completed the program through the University of New Mexico in 1976 and continued his career with the IHS in Shiprock. He served a total of 26 years.
"The Navajo Nation needs all the helping hands to improve their health," Riggs said. "It's disheartening to hear Native Americans are four times higher than national average to get cardiovascular and diabetes disease."
He said treating the elderly was a highlight because they were so wonderful to chat with and they would tell him stories of their lives.
After his service in Shiprock he moved to Montezuma Creek, Utah, in 1995 to work at the Utah Native Health Services.
"I have tried to restore some sanity and health to sick patients," he said. "At least I have helped somebody."
"Fred has been a faithful friend through some tough times and I appreciate that most of all," said Utah Native Health Services CEO Donna Singer in a press release. "His quality of patient care has been outstanding and his support for the fledgling UNHS is a definite reason for the success of the organizations."
"He touched so many patients' and staff's lives with humor, happiness and understanding of the true Navajo way," Singer said. "I try not to think about him not being there every day."
Riggs total medical experience is 42 years, 16 of which he served with the Utah Native Health Services.
Riggs and his wife, Bessie, have four children, two boys and two girls, and five grandchildren.
"It's amazing that I have achieved all this in my life," Riggs said. "It has been more than a dream come true."