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December 2023 Blogs

2023 Health IT Modernization Program Recap

Mitchell Thornbrugh, Chief Information Officer, Indian Health Service Office of Information Technology

December 20, 2023
by Mitchell Thornbrugh, Chief Information Officer, Indian Health Service Office of Information Technology

In 2023, we have made significant progress in the Health Information Technology Modernization Program. Throughout the year, our dedicated IHS team and partners have worked diligently to prepare for the acquisition of a new enterprise Electronic Health Record solution. IHS recently announced General ... Continue reading


IHS and National Cancer Institute Launch New Smoking Cessation Text Message Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives

Alberta Becenti, MPH, Public Health Advisor, Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Program, Division of Clinical and Community Services, Office of Clinical and Preventive Services

December 14, 2023
by Alberta Becenti, MPH, Public Health Advisor, Health Promotion/Disease Prevention Program, Division of Clinical and Community Services, Office of Clinical and Preventive Services

As part of a long-standing collaboration with the National Cancer Institute’s Smokefree.gov Initiative, the IHS is announcing the availability of SmokefreeNATIVE -- a new, free text messaging program to help American Indians and Alaska Natives to quit smoking commercial tobacco.

While ... Continue reading


November Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer: A Path Forward Recap from the IHS Health IT Modernization Program

Mitchell Thornbrugh, Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Indian Health Service

December 8, 2023
by Mitchell Thornbrugh, Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Indian Health Service

The Health Information Technology Modernization Program team hosted a virtual tribal consultation and urban confer on November 8. The event topic was “The Path Forward” and provided updates regarding the program. To open in a good way, Dave "Nahwahquaw" Grignon, Menominee Indian ... Continue reading


IHS Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction Recognizes 2023 Award Winners

Rear Adm. Mark Calkins, P.E., Director, Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction, Indian Health Service

December 6, 2023
by Rear Adm. Mark Calkins, P.E., Director, Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction, Indian Health Service

Providing essential water supply, waste water disposal, and solid waste disposal facilities to tribal homes and communities, is critical to the Indian Health Service’s efforts to raise the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. The Division of Sanitation Facilities ... Continue reading