Our Providers

Josette French, MD is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan. Her tribal roots are tied to Sugar Island on her grandmother’s side and Saint Ignace on her grandfather’s side.

She is a board-certified family physician and earned her ten-year recertification in 2015. Dr. French received her Bachelor of Science degree from Yale University in New Haven, CT in 1991 and her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Florida, College of Medicine in Gainesville, FL in 1995. Dr. French completed her family medicine residency at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, MI in 1998. She has worked at AIHFS since 1998 and is dedicated to trying to lessen the health disparities seen in the Native community.
In her leisure time, she enjoys spending lots of time with her family, getting outside to walk and bike as much as possible, relaxing on Michigan’s beautiful beaches, and staying centered with daily meditation and yoga.

Doctor Alicia Steele, born and raised in Michigan, is grateful for the opportunity to serve at American Indian Health and Family Services in Detroit. Alicia has been deeply inspired by her family, a Zapatista indigenous community, an indigenous community in Pembroke, NC and the community of Detroit, Michigan. Her passion for community health justice led her to study medicine in a universal healthcare model in Cuba, at the Latin American School of Medicine. In Havana, Cuba, Alicia honed an ability to weave biological, emotional, cultural, and social needs into medical care. Following medical school in Cuba, Alicia returned home to complete her 3 year medical residency in Detroit. Alicia deeply believes in loving kindness, joy, justice, wellness and that clean water, cultural respect and understanding and healthcare are human rights. She can be found in her Southwest Detroit community enjoying delicious local food, art, music, dancing, playing sports, laughing, and smiling with her family, friends, and mother nature. Alicia is also a mother to two kittens, Vaquito (little cow) and Koalito (little koala) and many plants.

Jessie Lucero is an enrolled member of Taos Pueblo. She is an urban Native and has spent her life living in Detroit. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2015 with a Bachelors of Social Work, with specializations in geriatrics and cultural studies. Throughout her college career, she participated in MSU’s North American Indigenous Student Organization, and served as a cultural programmer and co-chair. 
Jessie is a licensed social worker and has over 10 years of working in the healthcare industry. She has a deep passion for social work, and is honored to work for the agency which has enriched her life in many ways. 
Jessie is walking on the Red Road. In her free time, she enjoys attending community social and spiritual events, powwows, and round dances. She is a women’s traditional dancer, and enjoys making beadwork. 

Iris is a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Peshawbestown, Michigan. She graduated with her Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan with a specialization in the welfare of children and families. Iris is passionate about serving the Native American population and others in the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) community. She is honored to have the opportunity to assist those who seek support from AIHFS.

In her leisure time, Iris enjoys visiting her hometown of Traverse City, going to powwows, practicing yoga, hiking, trying new food, and hanging out with friends and family.

Danielle McIntyre, is a tribal member of Little River Band of Ottawa Indians in Manistee Michigan, originally from Toledo, Ohio.   Danielle has been working in community mental health for almost a decade, the last 7 years as a mental health therapist.  Her Master’s Degree is in social work, and two prior Bachelor degrees, were all done at Eastern Michigan University.  Danielle is passionate about working in mental health and substance abuse, with underserved populations.

Danielle spends her free time with her young children up at the reservation, in lakes, on trails, with friends and family, always searching for something new to learn.  Danielle also enjoys reading, music festivals, photography, philosophizing with like-minded people, and participating in ceremonies.

Malaika Ward is a behavioral health therapist here at American Indian Health and Family Services. She attended Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, where she obtained a BA in Sociology. She joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and was an elected representative in the Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU). It was at this beautiful campus where she went to her first statewide Pow-Wow and enjoyed fried bread for the very first time. After working for a year as a community organizer, she was admitted to graduate school at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. While at UM she worked on research projects about black males and suicide. She graduated in 2007 with Honors. As a well-rounded social worker with experiences in the school systems, community mental health and nonprofits, she developed an anti-bullying program, and a substance abuse program. She is currently focused on assisting adults stay clean and sober with the use of Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. When she is not at work she enjoys visiting yard sales, turning items into art, going to art museums, and attending music concerts.