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May 31, 2025: IHS Updates for Tribes and Tribal ad 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.

Acting Director Visits Seattle Indian Health Board

Acting IHS Director Benjamin Smith met with the Seattle Indian Health Board and toured their impressive facility. He was inspired by their innovative approaches to Indigenous Knowledge Informed Systems of Care, including their traditional health services and workforce development programs. The presentations highlighted the impactful and meaningful work happening every day to improve health outcomes in Indigenous communities. Traveling throughout Indian Country and witnessing these examples of tribal excellence continues to give us great hope for the future.

Tribal Delegation Meeting: United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians

Tribal representatives from the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma visited Washington, D.C., to discuss the tribe’s funding and other partnerships. We appreciate the opportunity to meet with tribal delegations, such as the UKB, to learn about their achievements and understand their challenges in our shared objective to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.

Navajo Nation Delegates Meet with IHS

Acting IHS Director Benjamin Smith, along with members of the IHS leadership team, had the pleasure of meeting with Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, Navajo Nation Washington Office Executive Director Vince P. Redhouse, and tribal representatives at their satellite office in Washington, D.C. The meeting was an opportunity to provide an update on the replacement facility for the Gallup Indian Medical Center in Gallup, New Mexico. They also discussed updates on the water infrastructure, sanitation, and facilities projects affecting the Navajo Nation and surrounding areas. We extend our sincere thanks to the Navajo Nation for their warm hospitality and continued partnership in advancing the health and well-being of their communities.

2025 Indian Health Service IHS National Clinical and Community Workforce Summit

Taking place in Seattle was the 2025 Indian Health Service National Clinical and Community Workforce Summit, held from May 12–16. This summit serves as the nation’s premier forum for bringing together nationally recognized speakers, health care providers, tribal leaders, and public health officials to address emerging clinical and community health priorities in Indian Country. Participants from across the country gathered to share research, highlight promising practices, and engage in professional development and networking. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the organizers, presenters, and staff whose dedication made this gathering a powerful and inspirational event.

IHS Observes Public Service and National Nurses Week

In celebration of Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), Acting IHS Director Benjamin Smith extended his deepest appreciation to all who serve our nation as federal, state, county, local, and tribal government employees. He extended a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you, as well as those serving in tribal and urban Indian organizations throughout our health system. PSRW is a special week, dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifices of public workers like yourselves—those who are the backbone of not only our agency, but also our nation. Your unwavering commitment to our communities fills us with immense gratitude.

We also marked National Nurses Week—a time to recognize the vital role nurses play in delivering compassionate, high-quality care. We are deeply grateful for their tireless dedication. Thank you for your passion, resilience, and unwavering service. The long hours, personal sacrifices, and extraordinary commitment you bring to your work do not go unnoticed.

2025 National IHS Pharmacy Awards

IHS supports advanced pharmacy practice environments and innovative practice models, where pharmacists and pharmacy technicians positively impact patient outcomes. We are excited to announce the 2025 National IHS Pharmacy Award Recipients for staff members and programs that continue to go above and beyond. Congratulations!

Senior Pharmacist of the Year: Cmdr. Dinesh Sukhlall
Assistant Chief Pharmacist-Inpatient, Phoenix Indian Medical Center
For steadfast leadership, wealth of subject matter expertise, and national impacts.

Junior Pharmacist of the Year: Lt. Cmdr. Fiona Chao
Post Graduate Year 2 Corporate Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (PGY2 CPAL) Resident, Phoenix Indian Medical Center
For outstanding leadership and exemplary dedication to supporting and advancing the IHS and U.S. Public Health Service mission.

Pharmacy Technician of the Year: Tiffany Allery
Area Pharmacy Point of Sale Program Analyst, Phoenix Area
In recognition of the extensive, novel, and tireless efforts to improve pharmacy point-of-sale billing efforts across IHS.

Pharmacy Preceptor of the Year: Lt. Cmdr. Kristen Young
Assistant Chief of Pharmacy Services, Inpatient (A), USPHS Claremore Indian Hospital

For outstanding leadership and organizational support to the IHS and the Claremore Indian Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program.

Pharmacy Student Program of the Year: Blackfeet Hospital
For outstanding support of pharmacy students and for providing a learning environment for more than 30 pharmacy students per year.

Close-Up Native Youth Summit Welcomes DDFO Dr. Beverly Cotton as Speaker

Deputy Director for Field Operations Dr. Beverly Cotton attended the Close-Up for our Native Issues Panel at the Navy Memorial Theatre in Washington, D.C. This panel is an integral part of Close-Up’s long-standing Native Youth Summit, which brings together Native students from tribal lands across the country. They heard from speakers who shared their career stories and discussed the challenges Native communities face today. These conversations helped students develop sovereignty statements and tribal initiatives for presenting to policymakers later this week.

Dr. Beverly Cotton (second from left) with youth from the Chickasaw Nation

Bemidji Area Pre-Negotiation Meeting and Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board Visit

Acting IHS Director Benjamin Smith had the privilege of participating in the Bemidji Area Pre-Negotiation Meeting in Bloomington, Minnesota, alongside representatives from tribes in the Area. This important forum provides a valuable opportunity to address both the challenges and opportunities facing the Bemidji Area, while fostering dialogue on strategies to strengthen collaboration between IHS and tribal partners.

During the meeting, IHS leadership shared updates on Area programs, services, activities, and budget priorities. These discussions support tribal sovereignty by equipping tribes with the information and authority needed to manage and tailor health care programs that best serve the unique needs of their communities.

We extend our sincere thanks to the Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board for their ongoing dedication to promoting the health and well-being of their communities. Their tireless commitment to advocacy, health, and service continues to inspire and guide our shared mission toward a stronger, healthier future.

IHS Acting Director Benjamin Smith (middle) and Bemidji Area Director Chris Poole (right) with Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board representatives Robert Hoyle, Will Funmaker, and Phyllis Davis

IHS Recognizes Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Day

Every day, the crisis of our missing or murdered Indigenous relatives is at the forefront of our hearts and minds. Staff across the IHS gathered to honor and celebrate the strength, resilience, and beauty of Indigenous lives. We came together to pay tribute to our communities, remembering those who have been taken from us too soon. Their spirits live on in our hearts and our actions, and though they are no longer with us, they are forever etched in our memories. Gone, but never forgotten.

Alzheimer’s Program Seeks to Flip the Script on Aging During Older Americans Month 2025

The IHS Alzheimer’s Program honored the contributions of older adults who “Flip the Script on Aging.” This 2025 Older Americans Month theme focuses on changing how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages us to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions. The program’s social media campaign highlights American Indian and Alaska Native people who devote their time and long-standing, continuing careers to improving health services for Native communities across the country.

Among others, the campaign features D. Richard Wright, an elder of the Bear Clan and Pillager Band from the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. A U.S. Army veteran, licensed therapist, and spiritual advisor, he has dedicated his life to community healing. Wright supports Native families through his work at the Indian Health Board Clinic, especially in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and serves as a chaplain for those in Hennepin County Jail.

IHS.gov Launches New CMO’s Corner with the Importance of Understanding Liver Disease

The Indian Health Serviced introduced a valuable new source of online information with the addition of the CMO’s Corner on the IHS website. Designed to be presented in a blog format, IHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Loretta Christensen offered the first post to the page—Protecting Our Health: Understanding Liver Disease.

The liver is one of the most essential organs in our bodies, working hard to remove toxins, support digestion, and store essential nutrients. Yet, liver disease is a growing health concern for American Indian and Alaska Native communities, affecting individuals and families across generations. Understanding the risks, symptoms, and ways to prevent liver disease can help protect our health and the well-being of our communities. Visit the CMO’s Corner to learn more.

CMO Issues Information About Ongoing Risk of Parasitic Disease

IHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Loretta Christensen sent an all-IHS email to share important information about New World Screwworm Myiasis (NWS), a serious parasitic disease that can affect livestock, wildlife, pets, and humans. Although the U.S. eradicated NWS in 2006, recent cases in parts of Central America and occasional outbreaks in U.S. territories remind us of the ongoing risk.

What You Need to Know:
NWS is caused by the larvae (maggots) of the New World screwworm fly, which lay eggs in open wounds or mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals, including people. Even small wounds, like insect bites, can attract female flies. If untreated, the infestation can cause serious medical complications.

For Health Care Providers:

Conduct thorough exams, especially in patients with slow-healing wounds or who have traveled to regions reporting cases. Suspected human cases should be reported to your local health authority or the CDC at dpdx@cdc.gov for identification and guidance.

As part of our commitment to quality care and patient safety, we encourage you to remain alert, especially in areas where NWS could re-emerge. Your vigilance helps protect the health of our communities. Thank you for your continued dedication to the people we serve.

Asthma Control in Tribal Communities Initiative Marks Two Years of Best Practices

May is designated as Asthma Awareness Month in the United States. In April 2023, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Loretta Christensen announced the IHS National Asthma Control in Tribal communities (ACT) Initiative. As a part of our IHS contemporary strategic initiatives program, ACT continues to be an essential component of the agency’s efforts to reduce the adverse impacts of chronic disease across the age spectrum, especially in children and adolescents. Read more about how about the IHS is marking two years of best practices in the most recent post on the CMO’s Corner.

Pawnee Indian Health Center, White River Service Unit Become Designated IHS Native Hearts Advocates Pilot Team

We are pleased to recognize the Pawnee Indian Health Center as our fourth and the White River Service Unit as our fifth designated IHS Native Hearts Advocates pilot team. American Indian and Alaska Native people have higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD-related premature death than any other racial or ethnic group, with mortality rates 20% higher than the general population. Evidence-based CVD care has been shown to improve diagnosis, treatment, and health outcomes as part of a strategy of quality clinical performance.

Through our contemporary clinical strategic initiatives program, IHS seeks to support our federal, tribal, and urban Indian organization partners as we work together to mitigate health disparities in Indian Country. As announced by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Loretta Christensen in December 2024, the IHS National Native Hearts Initiative is a “get-with-the-guidelines approach” to support evidence-based clinical care for CVD, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. Since the roll-out of the initiative, we now have pilot teams serving nine tribal communities in Indian Country! As we seek to mitigate the impacts of heart-disease among our people, we encourage each of our programs to join in becoming a Native Hearts Advocates pilot site.

Whiteriver Indian Hospital in Whiteriver, Arizona

2025 Northern Tier Pharmacy Continuing Education Program Highlights

On May 2–3, the University of Minnesota’s College of Pharmacy hosted the 2025 Northern Tier Pharmacy Continuing Education Program that welcomed 55 participants from eight IHS Areas (Alaska, Albuquerque, Bemidji, Billings, California, Great Plains, Nashville, and Oklahoma). This in-person event promoted learning and cross-regional collaboration, highlighted by international engagement with Indigenous pharmacists from Australia and New Zealand—offering global insights into Indigenous health and pharmacy practice. Topics included IHS leadership updates, lifestyle medicine, project management, medication safety, remote services, point of sale integration, wellness, diabetes care, post-acute withdrawal syndrome, innovative residency projects, and syndemic response.

Northern Tier Award Recipients

Senior Pharmacist of the Year: Dr. Cody Leff (White Earth Service Unit)
Junior Pharmacist of the Year: Lt. Victoria Fenton (Red Lake Service Unit)
Clinical Pharmacist of the Year: Lt. Cmdr. Rachel Washburn (Cass Lake Service Unit)
Pharmacy Technician of the Year: Savannah Gregg, CPhT (Pine Ridge Service Unit)
Preceptor of the Year: Cmdr. Dena Smith (White Earth Service Unit)
Ambulatory Care Program of the Year: White Earth Service Unit Pharmacy Department
Hospital Pharmacy Program of the Year: Red Lake Hospital Recovery Care Program
Poster of the Year: Cmdr. Catherine Arnatt – Integration of Pharmacist-Led Hepatitis C Management into Primary Care within the Nuka System of Care
2025 Fitness Team Challenge Winners: Woodrow Wilson Keeble Memorial Health Center

Thank you to all who made this impactful event a success!

Division of Environmental Health Services Conducts Area Director’s Meeting

The IHS Division of Environmental Health Services conducted their annual Area DEHS Director’s Meeting in Portland, Oregon, and virtually, where they discussed program updates and pertinent program topics like data quality and program evaluation. DEHS is one of five divisions of the IHS Office of Environmental Health and Engineering and are leaders in the environmental health profession, providing a broad scope of services regarding water quality, waste disposal, hazardous materials management, food safety, community injury prevention, vector control, occupational safety and health, and other environmental health issues.

IHS Representatives Hit the Recruiting Trail at Healthcare Professionals Annual Events

This month, staff members from the Division of Health Professions Support traveled across the country to attend major annual events for health care professionals. The focus of their participation is to represent the IHS for mission critical recruiting and outreach opportunities.

On May 16–18, staff members participated in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Annual Clinical and Scientific Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The event brought together a wide range of attendees, including practicing OB/GYN professionals, residents, medical students, residency directors, and other health care professionals across the country.

With assistance from a health system recruitment specialist for the Navajo Area, staff attended the American Academy of Physician Associates Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado on May 17–19. The event gathered physician associates (assistants), health care professors, and physician associate students from across the country.

On May 17–20, IHS staff recruited at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California. The event attracted a large presence of psychiatrists, residents, medical students, and other health care providers from the U.S. and around the world.

In addition to career opportunities with the IHS, attendees at these events often express an interest in learning about clinical elective rotations and the agency’s Loan Repayment Program. Moreover, an IHS booth garnered interest and questions on how to provide culturally respectful patient care to American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Recruitment Outreach Program Coordinator Carl Harris III, Loan Repayment Analyst Catherine Flynn, and Recruitment and Outreach Program Coordinator Keith Bohanan at the ACOG conference

(Left to right) Loan Repayment Analyst Ben Nakai, Navajo Area Health System Recruitment Specialist Margaret Begay, and Recruitment and Outreach Program Coordinator Meredith Hunt at the AAPA conference

IHS Recognizes Emergency Medical Services Teams During National EMS Week

National EMS Week provides an opportunity to honor the dedicated emergency medical services professionals who serve on the front lines of health care, responding to emergencies, providing critical pre-hospital care, and supporting our communities in times of need.

EMS teams across IHS deliver high-quality care under pressure, often in rural and remote areas with limited access. Whether navigating challenging terrain, managing complex medical emergencies, or leading community outreach and education, these professionals are essential to the health and safety of the people we serve. Their work is fast-paced, unpredictable, and often physically and emotionally demanding, yet they show up each day with professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment to service.

Please join in thanking our EMS staff for their incredible work. Your efforts save lives, build trust, and strengthen the foundation of emergency care across the Indian Health Service. Thank you for the work you do each day. Read more about how EMS teams are serving Indian Country in the IHS Blog.

IHS Celebrates National Women’s Health Week

At the Indian Health Service, we recognize the unique health needs of American Indian and Alaska Native women. National Women’s Health Week, led by HHS’s Office on Women’s Health, is observed May 11–17 to highlight key health issues and encourage women to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The 2025 theme promotes whole health at every stage of life, with a focus on menopause, mental health, and cancer. By staying informed and speaking with a health care provider, women can take meaningful steps toward lifelong wellness.

IHS Recognizes National Prevention Week

This month we recognized National Prevention Week, a public education platform showcasing the work of communities and organizations that are preventing substance use and misuse — and promoting positive mental health. One way to help is by preventing prescription drug and opioid misuse by keeping medications safe. Store them securely, monitor usage, and dispose of unused or expired medications properly. Protect youth by limiting access and promoting a safer environment for everyone.

ISDEAA Negotiations Held in Alaska Area

The Alaska Area Native Health Service senior leadership team met with representatives of the Alaska Tribal Health Compact during annual Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act final negotiations. Headquarters participants included IHS Deputy Director of Field Operations James Driving Hawk, Division of Commissioned Personnel Support Director Rear Adm. Kelly Battese, and staff from the IHS Office of Indian Self-Determination and Self-Governance, as well as the HHS Office of General Counsel with support from IHS subject matter experts.

Held on May 12–16 on the campus of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium in Anchorage, Alaska, the event supports the ongoing provision of comprehensive health services to more than 174,000 Alaska Natives and American Indians and all 229 federally-recognized tribes in Alaska. In addition to IHS-funded, tribally managed hospitals located in Anchorage, Barrow, Bethel, Dillingham, Kotzebue, Nome, Sitka, and Wrangell, there are 58 tribal health centers, 160 tribal community health aide clinics, and five residential substance abuse treatment centers. The Alaska Area maintains 10 Title I contracts with Alaska tribes and tribal organizations and negotiates one Title V compact with 26 separate tribal funding agreements each year.

Albuquerque Area Nurse Executives Council Monthly Meeting

On May 2, the Area Nurse Executives Council held their monthly meeting at the Albuquerque Area office. Nurse Executives from Zuni, Towaoc, Santa Fe, Mescalero, Taos, and the New Sunrise Regional Treatment Center were in attendance. In addition to Area updates, the meeting covered topics like quality management overview, adult learning across health care disciplines, and Area office updates.

Bemidji Partnership Provides Mental Health Lunch-and-Learn

Partnership in action! Red Lake Hospital staff members participated in a lunch-and-learn activity with their partners within the Bemidji Area. One of our tribal programs, Mino'ayaan Mental Health Crisis Support, shared information on the services they provide to the community and how they support the work of our hospital. Information that was shared included historical trauma and its effects on the health of Red Lake Nation. The Sanford health education team also completed simulation training with IHS emergency department staff on management of obstetrical emergencies. Thank you to the Families First grant in making this a quarterly teaching event for our team. Lastly, Red Lake Hospital hosted a tabletop exercise for incident command and mass casualty preparation for the hospital and Red Lake's first response teams. Future plans include more simulation training courses coordinated with the Red Lake Nation Tribal College.

Health Information Professionals Week Observed in Bemidji Area

We celebrate our health information management team members of the Bemidji Area and recognize Cass Lake, Red Lake, and the White Earth Service Unit for their invaluable contributions during Health Information Professionals Week. Their work helps to ensure our health care teams have access to patient information, monitor information for accuracy, protect confidential medical records, improve data to make decisions, inform workflows to make processes more efficient to improve patient care and safety, and make the medical record more secure.

(Photo 1) Red Lake HIM Staff

(Photo 2) Cass Lake HIM Staff

(Photo 3) White Earth HIM Staff

Blackfeet Service Unit Receive Hospital Accreditation

The Blackfeet Service Unit received notice from The Joint Commission that they achieved continued Hospital Accreditation with Primary Care Medical Home Certification. Thank you to all the staff who devoted their time and energy to this effort. It is wonderful to see the service unit’s continued dedication to patient safety and clinical quality!

Blackfeet Service Unit leadership, Quality Department staff, and supervisors

California Area Hosts Annual Dental Education Conference

The California Area Office, along with its partner California Rural Indian Health Board, Inc., hosted their Annual California Area Dental Education Conference from May 6–8. The conference offered more than 20 presentations with up to 38 hours in dental continuing education hours and included courses on the California mandated Dental Practice Act, infection control, and opioids (a course required for California licensure). The event was attended by more than 150 California dental staff.

Recognizing National Nurses Week at White Earth

National Nurses Week 2025 was celebrated from May 6—May 12. During this week-long celebration, the White Earth Service Unit (Waabinkowe Health Facility) proudly spotlighted their small, but mighty Warrior Nursing Team in honor of both National Nurses Day and National Nurses Week. When asked about their favorite aspects of being a nurse, team members shared heartfelt responses: seeing patients achieve health milestones, the reward of watching a patient’s health improve, helping others, and being part of a dedicated care team that supports patients on their wellness journey. The nurses also offered valuable advice for those just beginning their nursing careers:

Always be helpful—never say, “That’s not my patient,” as there’s always something that needs doing.
Stay open to learning, and if one area of nursing isn’t the right fit, explore others until you find your passion.
Remember that every patient has a story—listen without judgment and meet them where they are.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions—your fellow nurses are more willing to help than they may appear.

A special Miigwech (thank you) to all our incredible nurses for your dedication, compassion, and unwavering service!

(Left to right) Melinda Thompson, Katie Finseth, Sarah Snetsinger, and Christy Kaiser. Individual recognition was accompanied by an all-employee potluck.

Blackfeet Service Unit Receives IHS Pharmacy Award

The Blackfeet Service Unit Pharmacy Department was recognized for their Pharmacy Student Program and was awarded the IHS Pharmacy Award. There were 33 pharmacy students that participated in the Blackfeet Service Unit Pharmacy Student Program in 2024, the program provides student pharmacists with the opportunity to gain clinical experience at our IHS facilities and opportunity for recruitment of future health care professionals.

Wagner Service Unit Completes Pharmacy Renovations

The Wagner Service Unit recently completed a major renovation of their pharmacy. The renovations enhance compliance and improve both patient and staff safety. The updated layout and environmental improvements support more efficient workflows, better infection control, and a safer, more welcoming space for care.

Cheyenne River Health Center Honors Retirees

Cheyenne River Health Center celebrated several staff members who retired from government service recently. Tracey Ouellette, emergency medical technician–paramedic, retired from government service after more than 20 years. Margaret Gunville, patient benefits/patient registration supervisor retired from government service after 32 years.

IHS retirees Tracey Oellette and Margarate Gunville

Fort Peck Hosts CHAP Symposium

On May 21–22, the Community Health Aide Program of Fort Peck Tribal Health hosted a CHAP Symposium. The focus of the symposium was to discuss CHAP developments and learn about the goals of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Reservation to implement CHAP in their communities. As part of the symposium, leaders from the IHS visited the Fort Peck Tribal Health CHAP clinical facility. They also learned about the tribe’s certification pathways and heard about plans to expand access to care. The symposium served as a critical milestone in strengthening partnerships and laying the foundation for sustainable, locally delivered health services.

Montana State Senator Jonathan Windy Boy (left) with representatives from the Fort Peck Tribes and Northwest College at the CHAP Symposium

Nashville Area Hosts Supervisory Training

The Nashville Area recently welcomed supervisors from across the area for a two-day training session in Nashville, Tennessee. The team gathered to improve their supervisory and leadership skills, with informative sessions led by Robyn Mabry. The supervisors learned about a variety of workplace practices and systems at the IHS including leave administration, merit systems principles/prohibited personnel practices, Fair Labor Standards Act, Performance Management Appraisal Program, Individual Development Plan, and the Learning Management System.

Health Fair Brings Health Resources to Mid-Atlantic Clients

On May 3, the Mid-Atlantic Service Unit hosted a health fair to bring health care resources to the community, introduce new staff and providers, provide education on important health topics, develop collaborative relationships with external agencies, and offer tours of the new facility. We had a tremendous turnout from the community, and the tours garnered a lot of excitement for the opening of the clinic.

Opioid Training Held in Navajo Area

The Navajo Area Opioid Workgroup hosted a training with the Navajo Nation Police Department—Window Rock District. The training highlighted the signs and symptoms of an Opioid overdose, how to administer Naloxone, and regional resources. The training was a great opportunity to strengthen partnership with local law enforcement and have discussions regarding data collection.

Medical and Terminology Certification Held at Gallp Service Unit

The Gallup Service Unit recently hosted the Navajo Medical and Terminology Certification training for 15 employees from the Gallup Indian Medical Center and Tohatchi Health Clinic. The intensive three-day training covered topics in the Navajo Diné language on Navajo culture, role of the interpreter, anatomy of the body, degrees of pain and pain description, common illness and disease, advance directive and power of attorney for health care, grief and motivation, and more.

Participants were able to role-play and provide a presentation in the Navajo Diné language on a specific illness and disease. All participants passed certification and have been added to the GSU Navajo Language Interpreter’s Listing. The certification allows them to continue to be a valuable tool to assist and enhance the hospital-patient experience and build relationships based on empathy, confidence, trust, and improve the flow of communication for our Navajo Diné speaking patients. Congratulations to all of our certified interpreters!

Fort Hall Celebrates Medical Laboratory and Health Information Professionals

In celebration of Medical Laboratory Professionals Week and Health Information Professionals Week, the Fort Hall Service Unit honored their hard-working and amazing medical laboratory and health information professionals. These dedicated teams of professionals continuously provide a high level of patient care and demonstrate excellence on behalf of the Fort Hall community patients that they serve. We are honored to highlight and celebrate our IHS medical laboratory and health information professionals!

Phoenix Area Opens new Native Health Community Health Center

Native Health of Phoenix, an urban Indian health program, recently celebrated their new site, NHW Community Health Center, with a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony. Members of the Phoenix Area office attended and participated in the event. This new location spans over 37,000 square feet and provides primary medical, dental, behavioral health, WIC, and wellness programs. A pharmacy and chiropractic services will begin this summer and later in the year, optometry and podiatry services will be added.

PIMC Celebrates Hospital Week

The Phoenix Indian Medical Center proudly celebrated Hospital Week 2025—a week dedicated to recognition, appreciation, and moments of joy. Each day brought unique activities that reflected our spirit and honored our community and workforce by joining together in celebration. Highlights included: a warm Welcome to Work event, MMIP-Wear Red Day, 70s Day commemorating PIMC’s opening year, Military Appreciation Day, and wear your Favorite Sports Team Day. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible hospital staff for your tireless efforts in improving lives and for embodying our mission: to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.

Oklahoma City Indian Clinic CEO Receves Visionary Award

The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic congratulated CEO Robyn Sunday-Allen on receiving the Urban Indian Organization Visionary Award from the National Council of Urban Indian Health. This prestigious recognition was presented at the NCUIH annual conference in Washington, D.C., honoring Robyn’s outstanding leadership and lifelong commitment to advancing the health and well-being of urban Native communities. Please join in celebrating this well-deserved achievement.

Diabetes Advocacy Day Joined by Oklahoma State Leaders

The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic recently took part in Diabetes Advocacy Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol. State Senator Carri Hicks and State Representative Tammy Townley joined the event to help raise awareness about the impact of diabetes on the community. The clinic offers a comprehensive Diabetes Prevention and Education Program to support American Indian patients managing diabetes and pre-diabetes.

(Photo 1) Oklahoma Rep. Tammy Townley (3^rd from left) with OKCIC staff

(Photo 2) Oklahoma Sen. Carri Hicks (3^rd from left) with OKCIC staff

Native American Connections Opens Supportive Housing

Native American Connections, an urban Indian organization in the IHS Phoenix Area and a dedicated nonprofit organization providing integrated health care services and housing, is pleased to announce the grand opening of its newest supportive housing property, Osborn Pointe. This development will house veterans and individuals aged 55+ and will offer a safe, welcoming space for those in need of stable housing, and supportive services, including medical and behavioral health care. Osborn Pointe is transit-accessible in proximity of the VA, Phoenix Indian Medical Center, and other essential services, including NAC’s integrated health care services. The grand opening was celebrated with a special ceremony starting with a traditional Native American blessing, remarks from community stakeholders, and a tour of the facility. This event marks the successful completion of a development project made possible through the generosity and partnership of various organizations, both local and national.

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