OUR HEART | Lauren Reyes

"‘Nihijéí’ and ‘Nuestro corazón’ are the Navajo and Spanish phrases for "our heart," conveying the collective feelings and emotional connections we share as we navigate healing even across different backgrounds and cultures. This piece blends my love for my cultures and medicine, particularly cardiology. It represents the intersection of culture, art and collective healing.”

Lauren Rose Reyes is a researcher, poet and bead worker, who comes from a long line of healers. At Stanford University, she studied human biology and science communication while integrating cultural knowledge into health advocacy work and cardiology research. Reyes carries her Mexican, Diné (Navajo), and Nde (Mescalero Apache) heritage with her throughout her work. Beyond pursuing a career as a physician, the creative and cultural arts are key components of her life. Culture intertwined with science is a common theme throughout her creative practice and writings. Reyes is a storyteller, cultivating awareness and understanding towards her people and others who are underserved.