Madison Deese is healing through heritage
A member of the Lumbee Tribe, she plans to use her pharmacy degree to work in a pediatric hospital.
Madison Deese is a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe who is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in pharmacy at UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.
Home for Deese is Pembroke, North Carolina — the heart of Lumbee Land.
“My family is there, my roots are there, what made me is there, and it shaped me into who I am today,” said Deese, whose ties with her family run deep. She helps her sister run a business called BeeJack that sells clothing, accessories, cookbooks and stickers celebrating Lumbee culture.
Deese’s grandfather was a former tribal chairman. Growing up, she used to dance in powwows, opening her arms wide and dancing freely in her favorite style, the Fancy Dance. Known for its fast-paced movements and footwork, fancy dancing is also known as “the butterfly dance” because its swift movements make it appear the dancer is floating.
Growing up in a Native American family with hearts devoted to service, Deese quickly learned the importance of helping others. She was inspired by her grandparents, who humbly and consistently reached out to those in need. Deese participated in mission work through her church, Union Chapel Holiness Methodist Church, further shaping her passion for serving her community.
Her passion for pharmacy was rooted in place during the time she took health sciences courses in high school. Deese knew she wanted to pursue higher education. Everyone in her path, including her family and teachers, instilled in her that education was important. Witnessing her relatives thrive inspired her further to be on the path that she’s taking now.
“There is a greater purpose at the end of the road,” said Deese, who strives to be a role model. “I want Native students to know that they can also go off to college and accomplish what the world thinks isn’t possible for us.”
Deese graduated from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, a fourth-generation Brave. UNCP paved the way for her acceptance into the PharmD Early Assurance Program at UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, ranked No. 1 in the nation.
Through the collaboration of the two universities, she is proud to now call herself a Tar Heel.
Deese said she believed in UNCP Chancellor Robin Cummings’ vision: “You can get there from here.”
“I never thought I would be able to get into pharmacy school, so that by far has been my biggest accomplishment,” Deese said. Once she obtains her PharmD degree, she hopes to go back to her community to work in a pediatric hospital.
As a former college golf player at UNCP, Deese continues to play with family and friends to unwind after exams. One of her favorite traditions is going to church on Sundays, then heading to her grandma’s house for Sunday dinner. She cherishes gathering around a table full of Lumbee food, surrounded by the love and laughter of her family.
“I love where I’m at, and I cannot wait to see what this journey holds,” Deese said. “There was a time [when] I thought none of this was possible, and I hope the younger generation can see what I’m doing and know they can do this as well.”
