National CHAP Board

Loretta Christensen, MD, MBA, MSJ, FACS, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, serves as the Chief Medical Officer of the Indian Health Service, the principal federal health care provider for American Indians and Alaska Natives. In this role, she is the agency’s lead medical and public health expert, providing national leadership for clinical and community-based health programs and advising IHS leadership and staff on health policy and care delivery. Dr. Christensen began her career with IHS as a general surgeon and has served as Chief Medical Officer for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service and the Gallup Service Unit, as well as Acting IHS Chief Medical Officer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as a co-lead for the COVID-19 Response Branch and as Medical Branch lead for the Navajo Nation’s Unified Coordination Group. She holds degrees from Harvard University, Drexel University College of Medicine, Georgian Court University, and Seton Hall Law School, and completed surgical and trauma training in New Jersey. Dr. Christensen is board certified in general surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and has extensive expertise in quality, patient safety, and integrative care.

Robert Houle is a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and serves as the Clinic Administrator and Director of the Bad River Health and Wellness Center in Odanah, Wisconsin. He has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare administration across Tribal and for-profit health systems, with leadership spanning rural and primary care settings and integrated service lines. Mr. Houle has served as a HIPAA Privacy and Security Officer in multiple states, supporting regulatory compliance and data protection. His expertise includes executive human resources, workforce development, and quality improvement. He previously served as Secretary of the Bad River Tribal Council and has worked as an adjunct professor in Native American studies.

Crystal Stordahl, PA, MMSc, serves as the Director of the Tanana Chiefs Conference Community Health Aide and Community Health Center Programs. She grew up in rural Alaska and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Alaska and a Master of Medical Science with physician assistant certification from Emory University. Ms. Stordahl has worked with Tanana Chiefs Conference for more than 24 years in supporting the expansion of Community Health Aide services across the Interior region. She oversees the administration of 21 rural clinics and more than 70 staff to ensure the delivery of high-quality care. Under her leadership, program funding has grown from approximately $2 million to more than $20 million through Section 330 funding, grants, and increased revenue. She represents Alaska and the Community Health Aide Program on multiple regional, state, and national boards and committees.

Robert Houle is a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and serves as the Clinic Administrator and Director of the Bad River Health and Wellness Center in Odanah, Wisconsin. He has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare administration across Tribal and for-profit health systems, with leadership spanning rural and primary care settings and integrated service lines. Mr. Houle has served as a HIPAA Privacy and Security Officer in multiple states, supporting regulatory compliance and data protection. His expertise includes executive human resources, workforce development, and quality improvement. He previously served as Secretary of the Bad River Tribal Council and has worked as an adjunct professor in Native American studies.

Dennis Four Bear serves as the Tribal Service Unit Director for the Fort Peck Tribes and manages the Fort Peck Community Health Aide Program Tribal Assessment and Planning initiative. He brings more than 30 years of service to the Fort Peck Tribes, including a decade serving as Tribal Health Director and Chief Executive Officer for the Fort Peck IHS Service Unit. Mr. Four Bear has extensive experience overseeing multi-year Federal grants and navigating both federal and Tribal processes. His work reflects deep knowledge of community resources, cultural practices, and program implementation in Tribal health systems. He currently serves on the National CHAP Board as the Billings Area tribal representative.

Angelina Renteria, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Indian Health Council, Inc., a nine-Tribe healthcare consortium in northern San Diego County. In this role, she provides executive oversight for organizational operations and more than 25 grant-funded programs, including the Community Health Aide Program Tribal Assessment and Planning Grant. Ms. Renteria brings over 20 years of clinical experience in diabetes prevention and whole-person wellness through exercise and nutrition, along with 18 years of experience in Tribal grant development, implementation, and evaluation. She holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Kinesiology and Physical Education. Her professional background includes roles in public health leadership and clinical exercise

Lisa Schrader, MSW, is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and serves as the Tribal Health Administrator. She brings more than a decade of experience in social work, health program development, and grant leadership focused on strengthening Tribal healthcare systems. Lisa has led initiatives to secure critical funding, expand health services, and improve wellness outcomes across all ages. She spearheaded the creation of the Oglala Sioux Tribe Research Review Board to reinforce Tribal sovereignty and leadership in setting community health priorities. Grounded in a strong commitment to family and future generations, she emphasizes culturally grounded, community-based approaches to care. Lisa continues to advocate for education, innovation, and the development of future Tribal leaders to advance public health while honoring Lakota values.

Tasha R. Mousseau, Pejuta Cangleska Win (Sacred Medicine Circle Woman), is an enrolled member of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and is also Kiowa and Caddo. She holds degrees from the University of Oklahoma and Webster University, as well as a Juris Doctor with a certificate in American Indian Law from Oklahoma City University School of Law. Ms. Mousseau weaves traditional knowledge and Western education throughout her work in Tribal leadership and policy. In 2024, she was elected Vice President of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, reflecting her commitment to the holistic health and wellbeing of her Nation. She serves on the National CHAP Board and holds leadership roles on the Administration for Children and Families Tribal Advisory Committee and the IHS Budget Formulation Committee. Ms. Mousseau is also the owner of Buffalo Circle Consulting, supporting Tribes through policy development, code drafting, and advocacy, and has received multiple honors recognizing her leadership in Indian Country.

Brook W. Bender serves as the Director of Hualapai Senior Services and brings eight years of program management experience, including four years in director-level leadership. He specializes in strengthening underperforming programs and building sustainable service models across Tribal health and elder services. His expertise includes leadership of the Community Health Representative and Worker programs, Community Health Aide Program, WIC, Title VI aging services, and multiple Tribal and Federal grant-funded initiatives. Brook has a strong record in policy development, grant management, and leading multi-program teams to meet complex operational and contractual requirements. He previously served on the IHS CHAP Tribal Advisory Group from 2018 to 2024, contributing to statewide and national workforce initiatives. His leadership has been recognized through awards including the AzCHOW Outstanding Supervisor of the Year Award and the CHR Summit VII Preeo Johnson Leadership Award.

Brenda Meade has served as Chairperson of the Coquille Indian Tribe since 2012, leading the seven-member Tribal Council that oversees the Tribe’s governmental and business operations. She is only the third person to hold this role since the Tribe’s 1989 Restoration and previously served as Vice Chair and Elders Coordinator. Chairwoman Meade is actively engaged in state, regional, and national organizations addressing Native American issues, including legislative, intertribal, and advocacy bodies. In addition to her leadership roles, she is deeply committed to revitalizing Coquille cultural traditions. Along with her husband, she helped establish the Tribe’s drum circle and dance group and hosts twice-yearly solstice celebrations at the Tribe’s Plankhouse. Her traditional regalia, beadwork, and sewing reflect a strong dedication to cultural preservation and community identity.

vacant