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February 2020 Blogs

Cass Lake IHS Partners with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to Improve Access to Care

Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Ireland, Facility Manager, Cass Lake IHS

February 28, 2020
by Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Ireland, Facility Manager, Cass Lake IHS

The Cass Lake Service Unit in the Indian Health Service Bemidji Area recently launched a revitalization and expansion project.

The facility, located in Minnesota, was originally constructed in the 1930s. It has undergone several remodels and additions over the years, but now lacks adequate space to accommodate the needs of the growing community. The current $8.3 million dollar expansion project began in May 2019, with an estimated completion of fall 2020. 

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The Red Lake Wellness Team Focuses on a Comprehensive Approach to Employee Wellness

Jill Andersen, MPT, NBC-HWC, physical therapist for IHS Red Lake Hospital

February 21, 2020
by Jill Andersen, MPT, NBC-HWC, physical therapist for IHS Red Lake Hospital

The Indian Health Service recognizes that a healthier workforce leads to an improved quality of care for the patients and communities we serve. Employee wellness programs have been shown to increase productivity, reduce absences, improve employee engagement, and improve the health of employees - all at a lower overall cost to the employer.  Recently, a group of tribal and federal employees from across multiple disciplines in the Red Lake Service Unit of Minnesota have collaborated to form the Red Lake Wellness Team. The team focuses on a “total person” approach to address wellness for employees at Red Lake Hospital.

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Clinton Service Unit's Interdisciplinary Pain Management Program

Lt. Cmdr. Lori Lee, DPT, Lead Physical Therapist, Clinton Service Unit, Oklahoma City Area IHS

February 20, 2020
by Lt. Cmdr. Lori Lee, DPT, Lead Physical Therapist, Clinton Service Unit, Oklahoma City Area IHS

About 50 million US adults have chronic pain, which is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care. For many people, living with chronic pain is a way of life.

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#IAmIHS: Amber Tincher, MD

Amber Tincher, MD, Acting Clinical Director, Standing Rock Service Unit, Fort Yates Hospital

February 11, 2020
by Amber Tincher, MD, Acting Clinical Director, Standing Rock Service Unit, Fort Yates Hospital

I was born in Montana on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and I'm a member of the Assiniboine tribe.

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