Around Town: Laura Rae Savala

“Not everyone is cut out to be a nurse or CNA, they don’t have the right bedside manner. You have to take care of people, treat them as if they were your grandparents.” Photo by Laurali Noteman.

After interviewing the two Savala sisters, Laura and Angie, it is quite apparent they are proud of their heritage and the work ethic their dad, Da­vid, instilled in them. Laura, who has had some health issues, continues to show up and do her job, with a deep and warm caring for her people.

Born in L.A., the fam­ily moved to northern AZ in 1970, when she was one. In 1986 they moved to Phoenix for a bit then back to the Reservation in 1991. Where she matured and raised her family.

Laura began her nursing career in 1998 as a CNA, a title she carries to this day as well as director of Community Health Representative (CHR), for the Kaibab Band of The Southern Pai­utes. She worked for Kane County Hospital, switching to weekend shifts so she could ac­cept a position with the CHR from 1999-2006, handling the tribe’s medical billing.

In 2008 Laura was in an auto accident in which her shoulder took some damage. Unable to lift residents any longer she found a position in Fredonia school district for a year then worked as a medical assistant for Hernan Garreau PA and Mark Overas PA at the Fredonia clinic. She had taken a break from her billing position, but when it reopened, she applied and was awarded the job.

In 2016 she became the director of CHR. I had to ask exactly what the duties are, “Well, it’s a program my mom Gevene got started in 1971. CHR is contracted with the federal government, it is part of the Trust’s re­sponsibility. They have to provide health care, to members of recog­nized tribes.” She went on to explain, “Our job is not to take care of them, it’s to educate. Providing education for chronic illnesses, like diabetes, organiz­ing exercise options in their gym. They are also learning to cook healthy, right now we are working on plant-based cooking. CHR is a comprehensive approach to making sure residents under­stand what’s available to them and assist­ing them through the process.” Laura takes a holistic approach to families, “My biggest thing is to get families involved with their own family, to under­stand what is going on in their lives. I believe it is working.”

Speaking of fam­ily Laura shared, “My children were my world but now my grandchildren are my world.” Her daughter Elyse Rae Ashcraft has a daughter 14 and a son 10. Laura’s son Spencer Quinn Savala Perez has her grand-dog, Bailey. Next is Samuel Tre Savala Perez giving her a 12-year-old grandson. While Xavier Hunter Savala Perez and Vic­toria Escobar have a five-year-old son and a four-year-old daughter. “My kids and grandkids are ev­erything to me. I would fly to the moon and back numerous times for them. We are going to Montana for Christ­mas to see all of the kids and grandkids.”