CHAP Team Staff
Dr. Loretta Christensen, M.D., MBA, MSJ, FACS
Chief Medical Officer, IHS
Dr. Loretta Christensen, an enrolled member of the Navajo Tribe, serves as the chief medical officer of the Indian Health Service. The IHS, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the principal federal healthcare provider for American Indians and Alaska Natives. As the chief medical officer, Dr. Christensen is IHS's lead expert on medical and public health topics, providing technical consultation and guidance to the IHS Office of the Director and IHS staff throughout the country on American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) health care policies and issues. She provides national leadership for the agency's clinical and community-based health programs and is the primary liaison and advocate for IHS health professionals.
Dr. Christensen is a graduate of Gallup High School. She received her undergraduate degree in biological anthropology from Harvard University and her medical degree from Hahnemann University Medical School, now the Drexel University College of Medicine. She completed her general surgery residency at Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey and a trauma and critical care fellowship at Cooper University Hospital. Dr. Christensen also holds a master of business administration from Georgian Court University and a master of jurisprudence with a specialty in healthcare law from Seton Hall Law School. Dr. Christensen is board-certified in general surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Christensen is the first female Navajo to be board-certified as a General Surgeon.
Dr. Marcy Ronyak, Ph.D.
Director, DCCS
Dr. Marcy Ronyak, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, is the Division of Clinical and Community Services Director at IHS. In this role, Dr. Ronyak is responsible for providing leadership and direction to community health programs and activities designed to improve the health services to approximately 2.6 million AI/AN people through a system of IHS, tribal, and urban (I/T/U) operated facilities and programs.
Dr. Ronyak joined the IHS in 2013, first as the IHS Alcohol and Substance Abuse Lead, and later, as Deputy Director for the Division of Behavioral Health. Then, at the Substance Abuse at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), she was Director of the Office of Indian Alcohol. In 2018 she rejoined IHS as the Director of DCCS when the division was relaunched. Under her leadership, DCCS received three Team IHS Director Awards in 2022 for excellent work and making a positive impact to improve clinical services and access to care for tribal communities.
Prior to federal service, she worked for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation as the Tribal Psychologist and an independent contractor providing clinical services to children and families within the community.
Dr. Ronyak received her doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology in 2025 from Liberty University, a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Counseling Psychology in 2004 from Washington State University, and a Master of Social Work from Walla Walla University in 1998.
Dion Reid, MHA
National Community Health Aide (CHA) Specialist, DCCS
Dion Reid serves as the Acting National CHAP Lead and National Community Health Aide Specialist at the Indian Health Service, where he drives nationwide efforts to strengthen and expand the Community Health Aide Program (CHAP). His leadership is key to advancing community-based healthcare, empowering health aides, and expanding access to essential EMT and clinical services in underserved and rural areas. With over a decade of leadership experience, including distinguished service in the United States Air Force, Mr. Reid brings extensive expertise in public health, healthcare operations, and strategic planning. He is committed to improving access to care, enhancing service quality, and driving patient-centered initiatives, with a strong focus on health equity and preventive care.
Dr. Wyatt Whitegoat, MAT, ATC, MPH, Ph.D.
Public Health Advisor, OCPS
Dr. Wyatt Whitegoat is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. As a Public Health Advisor of the National Community Health Aide Program, Dr. Whitegoat assists the program with administrative, analytical, and evaluative work. This includes, but is not limited to, support with policy, grant technical assistance, budget operation, and engagement with stakeholders to develop, manage, and review programmatic procedures and processes.
Bobbi Jo Peltier, MS
National Behavioral Health Aide (BHA) Specialist, DBH
Bobbi Jo Peltier, an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, is the Public Health Advisor-Behavioral Health Aide Program of the Indian Health Service.
As the Behavioral Health Specialist for CHAP, Ms. Peltier serves as the principal liaison between the DBH and the OCPS regarding the coordination of the BHA Program. She directs and advises on the development, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of the mid-level behavioral professionals working alongside licensed providers to offer patients increased access to quality care within the BHA Program.
Ms. Peltier joined the OCPS DBH team in January 2023 and has been working with the IHS for 25 years, 20 of those years working in some capacity for Behavioral health. Prior to her current position, she served as the Great Plains Area Deputy Director for Behavioral Health for 7 years. She earned her undergraduate degree in Human Services and Gerontology from Northern State University and completed her master's degree in public policy at the University of South Dakota. Her specialization is Healthcare Management.
Joel Knutson, DDS, MAGD
National Dental Health Aide (DHA) Liaison, DOH
Dr. Joel Knutson serves as the Division of Oral Health (DOH) Dental Informatics Electronic Dental Record (EDR) Program Project Officer for the Indian Health Service. In this role he oversees the IHS Dentrix EDR system and is responsible for the administration, maintenance, and future development of the EDR program supporting more than 340 Federal, Tribal, and Urban dental clinics throughout the United States.
Dr. Knutson joined the IHS in 2014 following a 26-year active-duty career in the US Army and Air Force, as well as more than 11 years of private dental practice experience. He began his IHS career at the Red Lake Service Unit in Minnesota, where he served as both a full-time direct care provider and Dental Clinic Director.
Dr. Knutson earned his dental degree from the University of Iowa and completed a two-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at Ft Knox, KY, in 1991. He is board certified by both the American Board of General Dentistry and the Certifying Board of General Dentistry. Since joining the Division of Oral Health, Dr. Knutson has played a key role in supporting the modernization and expansion of dental information across IHS.
