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May 2017 Blogs

Behavioral Health Internship: From Rockville to Anchorage

Eric J. Jepeal, Public Health Intern, Division of Behavioral Health, Indian Health Service

May 30, 2017
by Eric J. Jepeal, Public Health Intern, Division of Behavioral Health, Indian Health Service

Dartmouth College and the Indian Health Service (IHS) have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which aims to foster recruitment and inter-institutional collaboration.

I first learned of the MOU last fall when Dr. Beverly Cotton, Director of the Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), delivered ... Continue reading


Environmental health officer recognized with IHS Safety and Health Award

Gary J. Hartz, P.E., Director of the Office of Environmental Health and Engineering, Indian Health Service

May 25, 2017
by Gary J. Hartz, P.E., Director of the Office of Environmental Health and Engineering, Indian Health Service

Congratulations to Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Ellis, REHS, MPH, who received the 2016 Gary J. Gefroh Safety and Health Award for his significant contribution to healthcare safety and infection control.

Ellis leads the Portland Area IHS institutional environmental health program, providing services to 6 federal ... Continue reading


Hepatitis C Virus in Indian Country

Rick Haverkate and Brigg Reilley, National HIV/AIDS Program, Indian Health Service

May 19, 2017
by Rick Haverkate and Brigg Reilley, National HIV/AIDS Program, Indian Health Service

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a contagious viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Early on, most people with HCV infection have no symptoms or only mild fatigue and are unaware of their infection.  However, HCV infection is a leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplants. The most ... Continue reading


IHS Navajo Area Launches Prediabetes Awareness Campaign

Stuart Noble, Shiprock Health Promotion Program, Northern Navajo Medical Center, Indian Health Service

May 16, 2017
by Stuart Noble, Shiprock Health Promotion Program, Northern Navajo Medical Center, Indian Health Service

The Indian Health Service launched a new prevention campaign by the Shiprock Health Promotion Program, at the Northern Navajo Medical Center, that is aimed at IHS patients, local community members and organizations to increase the awareness and knowledge of prediabetes by educating people about the ... Continue reading


Coeur d'Alene Tribe recognized with IHS Portland Area Leadership Award for "qhest life"

Jonathan Merrell, RN, BSN, MBA, Portland Area Director of Office of Clinical Support

May 12, 2017
by Jonathan Merrell, RN, BSN, MBA, Portland Area Director of Office of Clinical Support

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Indians was recognized today with the Indian Health Service Portland Area Leadership Award for their extraordinary efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of American Indians and Alaska Natives through the hnqhesnet program Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov . ... Continue reading


Healthy Vision Month: IHS is a Leader in Using Technology to Prevent Vision Loss

Mark Horton, OD, MD, Director IHS Teleophthalmology Program

May 9, 2017
by Mark Horton, OD, MD, Director IHS Teleophthalmology Program

During Healthy Vision Month Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , I want to remind patients that annual eye exams are important to maintaining healthy vision. Many eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov , don’t show symptoms in their early stages.

Diabetic ... Continue reading