Verlinda Montoya BSN’82 MS’90 is an elder, medicine woman, and spiritual leader in her Native American tribes, Northern Tiwa and Hopi. Verlinda has devoted her life to serving others, providing health care and wellness resources for more than 40 years to patients who have been historically underserved. She is CEO of Heart of Humanity Home Care, which provides culturally inclusive and spiritually competent health care services in Novato, California. In recognition of her service and leadership in the health care community, Montoya was appointed commissioner of the Novato District in 1997. She served on the Marin Women's Commission for six appointed terms. She was elected chair of the Seven Circles Foundation, the Grassroots Leadership Network, and Heart of Humanity Foundation and served as president of the Utah Association of Home Health Agencies. Adopted by the Lakota-Sioux tribe, Montoya has been facilitating Native American ceremony-Lakota and Hopi-for more than 20 years, conducting traditional Lakota ceremony under the guidance of Lakota medicine people.

The Office of Alumni Relations and the entire U community is saddened by the passing of Verlinda after a year-long fight with cancer. Her award will be accepted posthumously on her behalf by her family.