Dr. Mark Siemon is originally from Idaho, and received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1993 from Boise State University, and Master of Public Health, Master of Community Nursing, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing degrees from the University of New Mexico. He joined the faculty of the School of Nursing at Boise State University in 2013. He has worked as a public health nurse for 20 years in a variety of positions, including 12 years working with Native American communities in northeastern Arizona and central New Mexico Pueblos. He has a strong interest in primary prevention of chronic disease, especially obesity and diabetes, and how nurses can help communities change policies and local environments to increase healthy lifestyles. Dr. Siemon's primary research interests are in tribal self-governance of health care programs and the impact this has on the health of Native Americans.