Medical Staff Bios

Dr. Ann Reitz
Dr. Reitz joined the Navajo Area IHS in 1989. After two years in Chinle Service Unit, with wonderful patients and adventuresome colleagues, Dr Reitz came to Crownpoint-"Family Medicine at its best!" Her training in Minnesota, emphasized ER, high acuity inpatient pediatrics, internal medicine and preventive medicine, preparing her as well as any residency could for a career in the IHS. "Seeing ER, Inpatient, Outpatient, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Obstetrics, and complicated Internal Medicine patients all in a day's work never ceases to be rewarding. The Four-Corners region provides an endless source of outdoor adventures--backpacking, mountain biking, and skiing. The Crownpoint patients, support staff and professional staff over these 20 years, have been inspirational. Thanks to all of you."

Dr. Lex Vujan
Alexander Vujan graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School in 1974. After one year of an Internal Medicine Residency he entered the Indian Health Service as a general medical officer and spent 1975 to 1980 in Tuba City AZ. He was Board Certified in Family Practice in 1978 as a "grandfather". After 23 years in Private Practice in a small town in Western PA, he is happy to have returned in 2003 to the IHS in Crownpoint.

Dr. Donald Kulas
Dr. Kulas joined the Crownpoint medical staff in 2002 shortly after abandoning all hope of hiking the Appalachian Trail. He attended medical school at the University of Rochester in upstate New York, close to his home state of Connecticut, before completing his pediatric residency at Duke University in 2000. He continues to have little interest in wilderness medicine which complements his poor skills in fly fishing. While his sense of humor is an acquired taste, he has been known to cause folks to reluctantly chuckle on occasion.

Dr. Tania Hurlbutt
Dr. Hurlbutt joined the Crownpoint medical staff in 2001. She graduated from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 1998, and has been a proud member of the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service ever since. She completed her pediatric residency at Duke University. She remains interested in newborn screening, improving childhood vaccine programs, and combating obesity in children. Dr. Hurlbutt grew up in Florida, but is happy to call New Mexico home. Her hobbies include quilting and cross-country skiing.

Dr. Cathryn Russell
Dr. Russell enjoys being a part of a dedicated and collegial team doing full spectrum Family Medicine on the Navajo Reservation. She values our lively morning report where we discuss ED, OB, inpatient and clinic patients. She arrived at Crownpoint in 2008 after finishing an FP residency in Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philly and Medical School at George Washington University. She grew up in western Nebraska and brought up her five children in New York City where she was involved in community organizing around housing and homeless issues. She loves the desert and has hiked on all the trails around the Crownpoint mesa.

Khanh Tran, MD
Dr. Tran was born and raised in Saigon Vietnam. He immigrated to the United States at the age of fourteen, and enjoyed growing up in Southern California. Dr. Tran later attended the University of California Irvine, majoring in biology. He graduated with high honors and was admitted to Medical College of Wisconsin. After medical school, he decided to enter Family Medicine and received his residency training from the University of Washington. Due to his interest in rural medicine, he joined Crownpoint IHS November of 2008. He enjoys hiking, kayaking, and playing soccer. He and his wife have a brand new baby boy.

Dr. John Johnson
Dr. John J. Johnson came to Crownpoint IHS healthcare facility in 2006 after completing his residency in family medicine in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He is drawn to underserved areas for medical practice, and enjoys both the Navajo people and the open spaces of the West.

Laura Veal, FNP
Laura Veal joined the medical staff in 2009 after receiving her MSN from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She also has a Master of Public Health degree from Emory University. She originally hails from southern Georgia, but has lived in Romania, Ireland, and Zambia. When not trying to win over her new colleagues with exciting casserole recipes at the frequent potlucks held in Crownpoint, she can be found familiarizing herself with all the thrift stores in a 2 hour radius. She is still working on the outdoorsy thing.

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