June 8, 2026: IHS Updates for Tribes and Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations

The bi-weekly update provides up-to-date information on recent events, meetings, conferences, upcoming deadlines, and recognition of the work being done across the Indian Health Service, other federal agencies, and Indian Country. For more information or questions, please email IHSPublicAffairsStaff@ihs.gov.

White House Nominates Klamath Tribes Citizen Mark Cruz to be IHS Director

On June 1, President Donald Trump nominated Mark Cruz to serve as director of the Indian Health Service for a four-year term. Cruz currently serves as senior advisor for Native Affairs to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a role he has held as the first-ever dedicated liaison between Tribal nations and the HHS Secretary.

A citizen of the Klamath Tribes, Cruz has extensive experience in Tribal and federal policy. During the first Trump Administration, he served as deputy assistant secretary for Indian Affairs for policy and economic development at the Department of the Interior. Cruz has also held senior roles on Capitol Hill and began his career as a teacher at St. Francis Indian School on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, grounding his public service in the communities that IHS serves.

The nomination for Cruz is now with the U.S. Senate for its confirmation process. View the official White House nomination announcement.

Mark Cruz providing remarks at an event with the San Domingo Pueblo in May 2026

Former IHS Director Michael Weahkee Retires from Federal Service

In May, the IHS recognized former Director Michael Weahkee, who is retiring after 28 years of federal service. An enrolled member of the Zuni Tribe and retired Rear Admiral with the U.S. Public Health Service, Weahkee led the agency as principal deputy director from 2017-2020 before being confirmed by the Senate as the 10th IHS director. He recently served as the deputy director for the IHS Phoenix Area and is the former CEO of the Phoenix Indian Medical Center. 

Weahkee’s leadership has been defined by compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of Native people. His lifelong connection to the IHS, as both a patient and a leader, brought a unique perspective and heartfelt dedication to every role he has served.

As director, Weahkee helped lead important efforts that strengthened the IHS mission and advanced meaningful progress across the agency. He oversaw the development and implementation of a new five-year strategic plan, the first in more than a decade, and pushed the IHS to address longstanding oversight recommendations from the Government Accountability Office and HHS Office of Inspector General. He also established a new Office of Quality at IHS headquarters to bolster accountability and oversight across Area offices and service units. Under Weahkee’s leadership in 2018, IHS launched the Health Information Technology Modernization Program, a long-term initiative designed to modernize the agency’s enterprise health IT system and provide clinicians with tools to deliver high-quality health care through a modern platform. 

Weahkee also led the agency through the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, earning him the honor of being named Health Leader of the Year by the Commissioned Officers Association in 2021. 

Throughout his distinguished career, Weahkee earned the respect of colleagues, Tribal communities, and partners nationwide through his visionary leadership, humility, and service-driven approach. His many accomplishments and honors reflect the lasting impact he has made on public health and Indian Country. We thank Weahkee for his decades of service and leadership and wish him all the best in a well-earned retirement.

National Pharmacy Council Congratulates Second Quarter Monthly Spotlights

This year, the IHS National Pharmacy Council is changing its monthly spotlights to quarterly recognition, with the following pharmacy programs receiving recognition for the second quarter of FY 2026:

• Phoenix Area - Phoenix Indian Medical Center Pharmacy Immunization Clinic
  The Immunization Clinic started using Bar Code Medication Administration to make giving vaccines safer and easier. The team integrated barcode scanning into immunization procedures. This helped make sure the right vaccine was given and that important information, like lot numbers and expiration dates, was recorded correctly. Using barcodes reduced mistakes, helped clinic staff work more efficiently, and improved patient safety during busy clinic days. The team also trained staff and improved clinic procedures to provide better care for patients.


• Portland Area - Robin John and the Yakama Indian Health Center Pharmacy Team 
  On February 25, the Yakama Indian Health Center Pharmacy Team held a Diabetes Day event to help people learn about diabetes and get important health services. Patients could come with an appointment or walk in. The team gave medicine counseling, checked feet and eyes for diabetes problems, handed out home colon cancer test kits, and helped schedule mammograms. All 28 patients who attended were connected back to ongoing health care. The event showed the team’s commitment to helping patients stay healthy and get the care they need.


• Tucson Area - Tohono O'odham Nation Health Care Pharmacy Department
  The Tohono O'odham Nation Health Care Pharmacy Team made it easier for people to get flu shots. Patients could walk into the pharmacy for a vaccine, and pharmacists worked closely with doctors and nurses. More than 500 people received flu shots through the program, generating more than $44,000 in third-party billing revenue. This helped keep the community healthier and protected against the flu.

Former Alaska Area Director Evangelyn “Angel” Castagna Departs IHS

Please join us in recognizing Evangelyn “Angel” Castagna, who is departing IHS after 14 years of service and commitment to improving the health and well-being of American Indians and Alaska Natives. We wish her success as she pursues a new opportunity in continued service to Tribal communities in Alaska.

Throughout her IHS career, Castagna held increasingly significant leadership roles, serving as director for the Office of Tribal Programs, agency lead negotiator, and ultimately the Alaska Area director. In each position, she brought strategic vision, integrity, and a commitment to advancing government-to-government relationships between IHS and Tribal nations. As Alaska Area director, she led one of the nation’s most distinctive and expansive health care delivery systems, supporting 228 federally recognized Tribes through a comprehensive health care network. Reflecting on her transition, Angel shared, “I strongly believe in the mission and vision and know that the work to bring needed health care to all Alaska Native and American Indian people will continue. I am excited for this new adventure with the Alaska Native Health Board and to continue to advocate for the highest quality health care.”

Her dedication has made a lasting impact on the agency, her colleagues, and the communities we serve. While we will miss her daily presence and leadership, we are grateful that her work on behalf of American Indian and Alaska Native communities will continue.

IHS and AHRQ Discuss Opportunities for Collaboration

On May 28, IHS Chief of Staff Clayton Fulton met with Dr. Roger Klein and senior staff from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) at IHS Headquarters to explore opportunities for collaboration in advancing health care research and quality improvement initiatives. During the meeting, participants discussed potential partnerships that could strengthen evidence-based practices, support innovative research, and improve health care quality across IHS, Tribal, and urban Indian health facilities. The discussion also highlighted shared interests in addressing health care challenges and advancing quality care in rural communities throughout the U.S.

DNS Public Health Nursing Program Holds Annual Grant Technical Assistance Meeting

The Division of Nursing – Public Health Nursing (PHN) Program hosted the Annual PHN Grant meeting in Rapid City, S.D, on June 2–3. Acting Director for Office of Clinical and Preventive Services, Dr. Vijay Kannan, provided opening remarks. The meeting was attended by six grant recipients: Central Oklahoma American Indian Health Council, Inc.; Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board; Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation; American Indian Health Service of Chicago, Inc.; United American Indian Involvement, Inc.; and Sokaogon Chippewa Community.

The PHN Grant serves to mitigate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) within Indian Country through a case management model that utilizes the PHN as a case manager. At the event, the PHN program recognized Infectious Diseases Consultant, Dr. Jonathan Iralu, for his dedicated work to support a team-based approach to patient care. As part of this acknowledgement and Iralu’s upcoming retirement, the PHN program presented him with a farewell gift of a blanket.

IHS Pharmacists Share Success of Patient-Centered Pilot Program at National Event

On May 18–21, clinical pharmacists from several IHS Areas attended the 2026 Commissioned Officer Foundation Clinical and Scientific Symposium in Cleveland, Ohio. At the event, Capt. Christina Andrade, Capt. Rowdy Atkinson, Lt. Cmdr. Alena Korbut, Lt. Jacob Kocher, and Lt. Anna Skarphol shared their experiences on integrating lifestyle medicine (LM) into clinical pharmacy programs.

Designed to reduce chronic disease by preventing or delaying progression, the pilot project uses a step-by-step training program with 12 online lessons. These lessons include teaching and real-life case examples about the six main areas of lifestyle medicine and how to use them in patient care. IHS facilities participating in the program also receive policy and educational resources to support LM implementation, with evaluations planned to assess acceptance, knowledge, and counseling confidence.

Applications Open for Tribal Epidemiology Center Funding Opportunity – Deadline July 13

The IHS Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention is pleased to announce the opening of the Tribal Epidemiology Center Notice of Funding Opportunity. The funding opportunity is designed to support Tribal epidemiology centers in expanding and strengthening public health services, epidemiologic capacity, and data-driven approaches to improving the health of American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Applications are available on Grants.govand proposals must be submitted by July 13. Please share this announcement with interested organizations and partners. 

Safety Moments: Creating a Culture Where It's Safe to Speak Up

Total System Safety is promoting the use of Safety Moments—brief discussions that help keep safety at the forefront of our work. They support a culture of safety by encouraging staff at all levels to identify risks, share lessons learned, and discuss opportunities for improvement. Safety Moments also foster psychological safety by creating an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up about concerns, near misses, and potential hazards without fear of blame.

Learn more about Safety Moments, their role in high reliability, and Just Culture, and view additional resources on the Safety Moment SharePoint site. Watch Annie's Story: How a Systems Approach Can Change Safety Culture.

Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee Convenes for Second Quarter Meeting

On June 2, the IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention convened a virtual meeting of the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee (TLDC) to discuss the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) funding for fiscal year 2026 and beyond. IHS Chief of Staff Clayton Fulton and Deputy Director Benjamin Smith provided remarks and engaged in meaningful dialogue with Tribal leaders regarding opportunities to strengthen diabetes prevention and treatment efforts across American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Discussion included plans for an upcoming Tribal consultation and urban confer process to gather input from Tribes and urban Indian organizations on the use of available SDPI funding. IHS appreciates the continued partnership and leadership of the TLDC in helping guide these important efforts. The next TLDC hybrid meeting will be held on September 15-16 in Sioux Falls, SD.

Videos from Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program Offers Provider and Family Perspectives

A new video series presented by the IHS Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program is designed to support providers, care teams, and families working to improve dementia care in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The series highlights three important parts of dementia care:

• Timely detection, and how an earlier diagnosis can help families plan and seek care sooner.
• Accurate diagnosis, and how IHS programs, pilots, and local efforts are strengthening recognition and care.
• Advance care planning, and how providers can support patients and families in honoring wishes, values, and traditions.

The videos offer practical guidance, personal stories, and local perspectives to help health care teams start important conversations and strengthen support for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Watch the full video series featuring stories from Nimiipuu Health, Southcentral Foundation, and the IHS Alzheimer’s team here.

2026 Indian Health GeriScholars Program Applications Open – Deadline July 7

The IHS Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Program is now accepting applications for the 2026 Indian Health Geriatric Scholars (GeriScholars) program. The program gives clinicians a focused learning experience that includes:

• Specialized training in geriatrics through a Geriatrics Board Review course.
• A mentored project to improve elder care at their local clinic or facility.
• Ongoing education and peer support as part of the GeriScholars community.
• Opportunities for sponsored travel to IHS meetings or other geriatrics focused-trainings.

In 2026, the Indian Health GeriScholars program will accept up to 20 physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, or pharmacists sponsored by their IHS, Tribal, or urban Indian health programs.

The application period closes on July 7. For more information on the program or on how to apply, visit the IHS Alzheimer’s Program website.

Nominations Now Open for the 2025 IHS Director’s Awards – Deadline July 13

Each year, the IHS Director’s Awards recognize the individuals and teams whose commitment, innovation, and leadership have helped transform IHS. These awards celebrate exceptional efforts across the IHS system that advance the mission and vision of the agency and improve the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

We encourage you to nominate not only your direct reports but also peers, partners, and colleagues whose work you’ve witnessed make a significant impact during the calendar year 2025. Nominations can be submitted in the following categories:

• IHS Director’s Award – Individual or Team
• IHS Director’s Award for Patient Safety – Individual or Team
• IHS Director’s Award for Customer Service – Individual or Team
• IHS Buford Rolin National Achievement Award – Individual or Team

Please visit the National Director's Awards webpage for detailed descriptions of the award categories and the award nominations form for 2025. All final nominations must be submitted to the IHS Awards Management and Processing Team by July 13. The awards ceremony is scheduled for November 6 at IHS Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. Stay tuned for additional information as the event draws near. For questions, please email the Awards Management and Processing Team at IHSAwardManagement@ihs.gov.

Applications Open for Tribal Epidemiology Center Funding Opportunity

The IHS Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention is pleased to announce the opening of the Tribal Epidemiology Center Notice of Funding Opportunity. The funding opportunity is designed to support Tribal epidemiology centers in expanding and strengthening public health services, epidemiologic capacity, and data-driven approaches to improving the health of American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Applications are available on Grants.govand proposals must be submitted by July 13. Please share this announcement with interested organizations and partners. 

Modernization Program Validates the PATH EHR Infrastructure at the Pilot Site

The PATH EHR Team completed Biomedical Device Integration and Laboratory Medical Device Integration (BMDI/LMDI) Connectivity Testing 1 at the Lawton Service Unit on April 20–24 and Connectivity Testing 2 on May 5–7. This testing validates the infrastructure that supports the PATH EHR rollout, confirming that biomedical and laboratory devices communicate accurately with PATH EHR and deliver reliable data into clinical workflows.

BMDI/LMDI Parameter Testing took place May 26–28 and will continue June 2–4, with on-site testing to validate that all parameters sent from the medical devices are captured, accurate, and visible in the appropriate location in the patient chart. Each testing milestone brings the Lawton Service Unit one step closer to a successful PATH EHR launch.

New Modernization Video: Clinician Perspectives on PATH EHR!

The IHS Health Information Technology Modernization Program published a video highlighting Clinician Perspectives on PATH EHR. PATH EHR supports patient-centered care, efficiency, and usability in day-to-day workflows. Watch the video to hear directly from clinicians about the value PATH EHR will bring across Indian Country. For more information about the Health IT Modernization Program or how to get involved, email modernization@ihs.gov.

OCPS to Host National Combined Councils: September 9-10

The IHS Office of Clinical and Preventive Services will host the 2026 National Combined Councils meeting on September 9-10 from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. ET. Members of the National Combined Councils and IHS, Tribal, and urban personnel are invited to participate to engage in thought-provoking, innovative, cross-council discussions about current health issues across Indian Country.

Attendees to the event will also generate innovative strategies to improve patient outcomes and address health disparities, design quality and safety initiatives through collaborative recommendations with senior leadership, and support adequately trained, competent health care teams to ensure the safest quality care. For questions, contact HQOCPSNCCPlanning@ihs.gov or call (240) 504-1085.

Register here:

• September 9 — IHS National Combined Councils Meeting - Day One
• September 10 — IHS National Combined Councils Meeting - Day Two

Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Webinar Series

The Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Tele-Education Program is hosting the following webinars for health care providers:

• Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Webinar Series: "Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) for Parents/Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)” on Thursday, June 18 at 2:00 p.m. ET | Register here

All Nations Health Center Receives Best of 2026 Award

All Nations Health Center has been recognized with the “Best of 2026” Award for its outstanding commitment to culturally grounded, community-centered health care and wellness services in Missoula and surrounding communities.

This recognition highlights All Nations’ dedication to serving individuals and families with compassion, dignity, and respect while honoring Indigenous traditions and healing practices. Through its integrated care approach, the health center combines modern health care with culturally responsive services that address physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. 

The Best of 2026 Award reflects the lasting impact All Nations Health Center has made through decades of service, leadership, and advocacy for healthier communities. As the organization continues to expand its programs and outreach efforts, it remains committed to empowering future generations through culturally informed health care and community wellness initiatives.

Indian Healthcare Resource Center of Tulsa Host Basket Weaving Workshop

On May 22, the Indian Healthcare Resource Center of Tulsa hosted a Culture & Creativity Basket Weaving workshop, organized by Youth Support Services Coordinator Pauline Randall. Janie Oldham led the class, teaching participants ages 7 and older how to weave cup baskets. Because of their small size, cup baskets are an ideal beginner project for younger children learning traditional weaving techniques. In addition to connecting to culture, making baskets encourages mental well-being. The project requires concentration and focus, so as they weave each strand together, the weaver becomes immersed in the task at hand allowing them to let go of distractions and to be present in the moment. The state of being aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgement, a characteristic of mindfulness, is an essential aspect of mental well-being.

Oklahoma City Indian Cling Hosts 2026 Walk for Wellness and 5K Fun Run

Oklahoma City Indian Clinic staff from across the organization came together to support the 2026 Walk for Wellness and 5K Fun Run, helping make one of the clinic’s largest community wellness events possible. Staff spent months planning, coordinating, organizing vendors and community partners, managing event logistics, supporting participants, and working throughout the event to ensure everything ran smoothly. Their efforts helped create a welcoming space where community members could connect, access wellness resources, and focus on healthier lifestyles together. Events like Walk for Wellness reflect the commitment of OKCIC to support patients and families beyond clinical care while strengthening relationships and promoting long-term health throughout the community.

Milwaukee UIO Hosts Mental Health and Wellness Powwow

Recently, the Gerald Ignace Indian Health Center, an urban Indian organization in Milwaukee, Wisc., held their fifth annual “Honoring the Heartbeat: Mental Health and Wellness Powwow.” The event also included the 7 Generations of Matriarchy panel discussion where panel members shared their voices, experiences, teachings and wisdom with the community. Events like this support and uplift urban Indian communities!

Elders Tour New Facilities at Indian Health Board of Minneapolis

Community elders took a tour of the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis (IHB) upcoming Medical and Dental building recently. They had a first-hand look at what the new facilities will offer. Thank you IHB for providing such an exciting tour.

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