The Indian Health Service (IHS) is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age disability, or sexual orientation.  As the Director of the IHS, neither I nor any other member of the IHS leadership will condone or tolerate discrimination or reprisal in the IHS.

The IHS must position itself to attract, develop, and retain a top-quality workforce that can deliver results and ensure our Nation's continued growth and prosperity.  Equal opportunity in the workplace is key to accomplishing this goal.  This involves providing all employees with a work environment free of discrimination and with the opportunities, tools, training, and support systems they need to develop to their fullest potential.  This may be facilitated by assisting employees in balancing their work and family needs, and evidenced by providing appropriate accommodations and support systems for individuals with disabilities.

Each of us has an important responsibility in providing a discrimination-free work environment as well as one in which employees may feel free to come forward with their legitimate concerns without fear of reprisal.  Any employee who believes that he/she has been discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, color, age, disability, and/or sexual orientation, or is subject to reprisal for participating in the EEO complaint process, should contact his/her local EEO office within 45 calendar days of the aggrieved action.  See the EEO office list at the following Website:  http://www.ihs.gov/AdminMngrResources/eeo/index.cfm?module=contacts.

I am committed to making the IHS a model workplace where each employee is valued and has the opportunity to contribute fully to the accomplishment of our mission.  Through understanding and valuing the varied cultures and backgrounds of our co-workers (as well as our own) and partaking in mediation when the opportunity arises, we can achieve the creation of a diverse, yet cohesive, workforce.