Tessa Stamile

Tessa Stamile is a woman who is proud of her Chickasaw heritage and who has firsthand knowledge of how the Chickasaw Nation can be a driving force in pursuing one's dreams.

A member of the 2015 class at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Tessa is originally from Inola, Oklahoma. She graduated from Chouteau High School and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

After she graduates from medical school and completes her residency, Tessa hopes to return to Oklahoma to further assist the Native American population. She especially aims to erode the stereotype that all Native Americans must face diabetes.

The scholarships and grants made available to her by the Chickasaw Nation have allowed her to follow her dream of becoming a doctor. This fact, she said, made her realize how important it is to give back to the community and how thankful she is to be a Chickasaw.