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"

Article 7: "Dr. Haller's Death"

Article 8: "Shaken Baby Syndrome"

Article 9: "Arne's Health Article"

Article 10: "GERD"

Article 11: "I Don't Have Diabetes"

Article 12: "Suicide, the effect on those left behind"

Article 13: "Thanks to those who helped me swim"

Article 14: "The words came back to haunt me but today I'm grateful"

Article 15: "Caring for Alvina"

Article 16: "Shoulder!! The importance of prenatal care"

Article 17: "The white coat symbolizes a lifelong commitment"

Article 18: "Being open and honest about the fear of seizures"

Article 19: "Walking into the unknown"

Article 20: "There is no place on Earth I would rather be"

Article 21: "He cooked her meals and patiently fed her with a spoon"

Article 22: "Red on the outside, white by whose standard?"

Article 23: "Today is the day he's leaving for camp"

Article 24: "I just knew something wasn't right"


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