Spotlighting the Career of LCDR Cherilynn Benally
April 2021
LCDR Cherilynn Benally
LCDR Cherilynn “Cher” Benally has always wanted to make a difference in people’s health care journey. She received an Associate in Nursing from San Juan College in Farmington, NM in 2007, Bachelor of Nursing from Eastern New Mexico University in 2010, and Master of Nursing in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from University of Texas in 2018. She began her nursing career at the Northern Navajo Medical Center (NNMC) in Shiprock, NM -where she has served for the 12 years. During her time at NNMC, LCDR has gained a broad knowledge of nursing skills and experience in medical/surgical, outpatient maternal child health, inpatient pediatrics, public health nursing, and most recently as pediatric nurse case manager.
As a member of the Navajo Nation and having been born and raised in Shiprock, LCDR Benally admired the nurses and doctors working at the Indian Health Service (IHS). Encouraged by Commissioned Officers and reflecting on the USPHS mission is what motivated her to pursue her BSN. LCDR Benally joined the Corps in 2013.
LCDR Benally’s combined interest of seeking opportunities for growth and providing passionate care to her Native people has been invaluable to IHS. At the onset of the pandemic she was detailed to provide direct patient care to COVID-19 positive patients at NNMC. During this time the Navajo reservation was in the spotlight as a “hotspot” and NNMC needed to adapt quickly. The facility was transformed to create a designated COVID unit to adapt to influx of COVID-19 + patients. Many challenges arose including a rapid increase in positive patients – the majority high risk requiring intubations and transfer to the nearest Level I trauma center (over 3 hours away). The patients that remained in-house were placed on oxygen, bi-pap/c-pap machines, or palliative care. Fortunately, “During this surge, our facility was blessed with having numerous volunteers coming to help us from all over the country…” - the Navajo Area processed nearly 500 volunteers to support the health care system.
During the first surge, a local school gymnasium was transformed into an alternative care site (ACS) -staffed with the National Guard, USPHS, and volunteers. LCDR Benally served with several senior officers and found their experiences paramount to address the crisis. The second surge has presented many challenges, “Our facility has had to improvise with staffing, ensuring adequate supply of PPE being available, and now the focus is on vaccinating as many elders, high risk patients, and staff.” As of January 24, 2021, NNMC has vaccinated 69% of their elders.
LCDR Benally has also been a part of RDF-5 and participated in humanitarian missions and deployments. In 2017, her first deployment was for Hurricane Harvey in Houston, TX and Hurricane Irma in Orlando, FL. She served as a clinical nurse in a downtown convention center in Houston, “We assisted with a Federal Medical Station (FMS) and were responsible for providing 24-hour direct patient care.” During this deployment, RDF-5 collaborated with DMAT teams from different states to ensure Houston residents could receive health care services until they could be connected to local resources. Her team then relocated to Orlando on a military conveyance to staff temporary shelters. The mission was to assist the state public health department in preparations prior to the arrival of Hurricane Irma. LCDR Benally recalls, “That was my first experience in a hurricane.” Our duties and collaborative efforts with other government entities were like those during Hurricane Harvey.
LCDR Benally ’s most memorable experience serving as a USPHS officer has been meeting, learning and serving alongside other officers. She also has a passion for mentoring - “Having the opportunity to educate and promote USPHS to other healthcare providers has been profoundly rewarding. I encourage newly Commissioned Officers to become familiar with the N-PAC and find Senior Officers to serve as role models for your nursing career.” LCDR Benally adds - “We as USPHS officers need to convey transparency and consistency to the public, especially during this time of the COVID pandemic, it’s what the USPHS is all about.”
