The Macy Foundation recently honored the United States' first Native American dentist with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
George Blue Spruce Jr., DDS, received the award for his dentistry service in the U.S.
Dr. Spruce, 90, is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe. He attended Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Neb., and was the first American Indian to graduate from a dental school. He went on to found the American Indian Dental Association and work with the World Health Organization in South America. He was also an assistant surgeon general and director of the Indian Health Service for Phoenix.
He is currently the assistant dean at A.T. Still University School of Dentistry & Oral Health in Mesa, Ariz.
The Macy Foundation is based in New York City and is dedicated to improving education for health professionals.