Chapter Four, Life Out of Balance Summary and Analysis

The fact that Alvord was a doctor often meant that her fellow tribespeople did not recognize her as Navajo. Her appearance, due to her training as a surgeon, often made her look like she was not Native American at all. Coming back to the reservation was difficult. Gallup, where Alvord lived, was a reservation border town that spilled into West New Mexico. Alvord found a home in a beautiful part of town. She found two dogs quickly. Her grandmother Grace moved in with her. Alvord's home was conveniently close to the hospital. She felt at home, richer than she left. Her job was in the Gallup Indian Medical Center.

Many of the doctors at the center (GIMC) found Navajo patients difficult to treat and hard to understand. Further, many of Alvord's...