The Articles of Arne Vainio, M.D.

My name is Arne Vainio, M.D.. I’m an enrolled member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota. My Ojibwe name is Ogimaabines and I’m of the Eagle Clan. I’m a physician practicing on the Fond du Lac Reservation in Northern Minnesota.

As a doctor, I feel my primary role is that of a teacher and hopefully I can do this in a series of articles. My goal is to address complicated medical issues in a way that makes sense, and to empower people to take part in their own health care. This will include what I see as a physician and how that relates to and touches me. Even though I am a physician, my story is not all that different from stories I see every day. My family history is the family history of Native families everywhere.


Article 1: An exemplary teacher, Sylvester LaDuke stares down death with courage and poise

Article 2: A little background information

Article 3: "Is it worth it?", accepting amputations as the eventual outcome of diabetes

Article 4: Late Breaking Gratitude: Thoughts on a mentor, father-figure, and remarkable gentleman

Article 5: The ABC's of Diabetes (and why you want to avoid this nasty disease at all costs)

Article 6: "Cutting short his rides with Albert"


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