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October 12, 2026: IHS Updates for Tribes and Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations

The bi-weekly update provides up-to-date information on recent events, meetings, conferences, upcoming deadlines, and recognition of the work being done across the Indian Health Service, other federal agencies, and Indian Country. For more information or questions, please email IHSPublicAffairsStaff@ihs.gov.

New IHS Electronic Health Record System Goes Live at Lawton Service Unit

The IHS Health Information Technology Modernization Program is proud to share that the Lawton Service Unit in Oklahoma successfully went live with PATH EHR on September 26, making it the first IHS site to implement the new electronic health record (EHR) solution. PATH EHR will operate under a 24-hour command center model through October 7, with on-site support extending through November 21. The Lawton and Enterprise command centers will review incident status, address emerging needs, and coordinate support. At-the-elbow personnel are also fully engaged on the floor, providing hands-on assistance so staff are supported every step of the way and never have to navigate the transition alone.

For more than a year, service unit staff have been working on-site for implementation, participating in assessments of service lines and processes, design workshops, and finally training to prepare for the launch of PATH EHR. Now, they are in the process of stabilization and are working hard to ensure a seamless transition for our patients. As week one concludes, program leadership expresses deep appreciation for the collaboration, responsiveness, and dedication shown by the Lawton Service Unit and PATH teams.

For more information about the Modernization Program, please email modernization@ihs.gov. Learn more about how PATH EHR enables our providers to keep “Patients at the Heart” of their work: ihs.gov/hit/

Oklahoma City Area Acting Director Travis Scott and IHS Chief Information Officer Mitchell Thornbrugh at the Lawton Command Center during PATH EHR go-live.

Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation Celebrates Grand Opening of Echo Cliffs Health Center

On October 2, IHS Chief of Staff Clayton Fulton joined the Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation for the grand opening of the Echo Cliffs Health Center in Bodaway Gap, Ariz. The new 123,000-square-foot outpatient facility is an important investment in the health and well-being of the Navajo, Hopi, and San Juan Paiute people and reflects what is possible when Tribal health organizations and the federal government work together toward a common purpose. By bringing health care closer to where people live, work, raise their families, and care for their elders, the health center can help reduce barriers to care and strengthen the health care system serving the region.

IHS congratulates everyone who has supported this effort, including the entire Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation team, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, San Juan Paiute community, Tribal leaders, staff, and community members. We hope this facility will be a place of healing, a place of hope, and a place where generations of families receive the care they need and deserve.

Fulton also met with corporation leaders as part of a Tribal delegation meeting held in conjunction with the opening. They discussed the corporation’s partnership with the IHS and the Navajo Nation, as well as priorities that include a replacement hospital, campus modernization, expanded specialty and long-term care, and housing.

IHS Awards $166.65 Million to Strengthen Tribal Epidemiology Centers

IHS has awarded $166.65 million in grants over five years to eight Tribes and Tribal organizations and one urban Indian organization through the Tribal Epidemiology Centers program. The funding will support TEC efforts to strengthen disease surveillance, public health research, disease and injury prevention and control, and evaluation of health care delivery and public health programs across Indian Country. Congress authorized the TEC program in 1996 to enhance public health capacity in Tribal and urban Indian communities. Working in partnership with IHS, TECs help provide a more accurate national picture of the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives and strengthen the collection, management, and analysis of public health data. Their work also helps identify connections between health outcomes and factors such as behavior, socioeconomic conditions, geography, and other risks.

Annual funding is being distributed as follows:

  • Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, Alaska — $3.1 million
  • California Rural Indian Health Board Inc., Roseville, Calif. — $3.5 million
  • Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council Inc., Lac du Flambeau, Wis. — $4.15 million
  • Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board, Rapid City, S.D. — $3.85 million
  • Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Phoenix — $3.5 million
  • Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, Portland, Ore. — $3.5 million
  • Seattle Indian Health Board, Seattle — $3.95 million
  • Southern Plains Tribal Health Board Foundation, Oklahoma City — $3.93 million
  • United South and Eastern Tribes, Nashville, Tenn. — $3.85 million

IHS Awards $1.7 Million to Advance Tribal Self-Governance

Recently, the IHS also announced it has awarded $1.7 million to support Tribal self-governance and self-determination across Indian Country. More than $1.1 million in Tribal Management Grant Program funding will go to nine Tribes and Tribal organizations to develop and improve Tribal capacity to manage health programs under the authority of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. The program is designed to prepare Tribes and Tribal organizations for assuming all or part of existing IHS programs, functions, services, and activities, and to further develop and improve their health management capabilities.

  • California Rural Indian Health Board (Roseville, Calif.) – $150,000
  • Indian Health Council, Inc (Valley Center, Calif.) – $130,274
  • Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma (McCloud, Okla.) – $100,000
  • MACT Health Board, Inc (Angels Camp, Calif.) – $150,000
  • Ponca Tribe of Nebraska (Niobrara, Neb.) – $97,560
  • Ramah Navajo School Board, Inc (Pine Hill, N.M.) – $150,000

Through the Tribal Self-Governance Program, more than $600,000 will also be awarded to five Tribes and Tribal organizations to support Planning and Negotiation Cooperative Agreements needed to assume responsibility for providing health care to their Tribal members. The Planning Cooperative Agreement funding assists Tribes with legal and budgetary research, internal Tribal government planning, and preparation needed for the administration of health care programs. The Negotiation Cooperative Agreement assists Tribes to defray the costs related to preparing for and conducting self-governance program negotiations. The Tribal Self-Governance Program exemplifies the nation-to-nation relationship that exists between the U.S. Government and Tribes and the strong federal-Tribal partnership that is critical to the program’s overall success.

Planning Cooperative Agreement Awards:

  • Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana (Elton, La.) – $142,170
  • Guidiville Indian Rancheria (Talmage, Calif.) – $164,487
  • Klamath Tribes (Klamath Falls, Ore.) – $180,000

Negotiation Cooperative Agreement Awards:

  • Seminole Nation of Oklahoma (Wewoka, Okla.) – $84,000
  • Taos Pueblo (Taos, N.M.) – $77,962

IHS, Lummi Nation Discuss Fentanyl Response

On September 30, Director Mark Cruz and other IHS leaders met with Lummi Nation leaders to discuss efforts to address the fentanyl crisis and strengthen coordination between Tribal and federal partners. During the meeting, IHS recognized the Lummi Nation’s efforts to address substance use and the opening of a new detoxification facility. The facility represents an important step in expanding access to treatment services and reflects ongoing collaboration between IHS and the Lummi Nation.

Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes Fall Meeting

On October 8, IHS Director Mark Cruz participated in a Health Care in the Midwest panel at the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes (MAST) Fall Meeting, alongside Health Resources and Services Administrator Thomas Engels, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Chief of Staff Timothy Westlake, and Intergovernmental and External Affairs Region 7 Director Jeff Karhs. The discussion provided an opportunity to engage with Tribal leaders on health care issues affecting Tribal communities across the Midwest. Founded in 1996, MAST represents 35 sovereign Tribal nations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan and works to advance shared interests, treaty rights, sovereignty, and cultural ways of life through collective advocacy and collaboration with federal partners.

Right: IHS Director Mark Cruz with MAST Executive Director Scott Vele

Listening Session on Health Care Facilities Construction for Tribal and UIO Leaders

Tribal and urban Indian organization leaders are invited to join IHS for an informational listening session on October 20 from 4:30–6:00 p.m. PDT during the National Congress of American Indians 83rd Annual Convention and Marketplace in Palm Springs, Calif. The session will be held in the Smoketree F Room at the Palm Springs Convention Center. IHS will provide an overview of the Health Care Facilities Construction Priority System, review the remaining projects on the IHS Facilities Construction Priority List and their status, and explain how Congress funds the construction of health care facilities. The session will provide an opportunity for Tribal and urban Indian organization leaders to share perspectives and discuss strategies for advancing and completing the remaining projects. Learn more in the September 24 letters to Tribal leaders and urban Indian organization leaders.

IHS Seeks Area Directors to Lead Across Indian Country

IHS is seeking experienced leaders to serve as Area directors in six locations across the Indian health system. Area directors serve as senior leaders and are responsible for guiding operations, advancing national priorities, addressing critical issues, and strengthening partnerships with Tribes, urban Indian organizations, and other key stakeholders. One GS-15 position is available in each of the following locations:

  • Anchorage, Alaska
  • Phoenix, Ariz.
  • Sacramento, Calif.
  • Billings, Mont.
  • Oklahoma City, Okla.
  • Nashville, Tenn.

The positions offer an annual salary range of $147,945–$192,331 based on the rest of U.S. locality pay scale. Actual salary may vary by location. The announcement is open to several hiring paths that include eligible current federal employees, veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, Native Americans and Alaska Natives with Tribal affiliation, and other applicants identified in the announcement. In accordance with federal law and IHS policy, qualified applicants who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s definition of “Indian” receive preference for IHS vacancies. Applications are open through October 30. Review eligibility requirements, view the full announcement, and apply.

Veteran Stand Down Event Held in Arizona

On October 2, IHS joined the Department of Veterans Affairs for another successful Veteran Stand Down event at the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in Arizona, with over 90 veterans attending. Stand Downs are community events that connect veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness with essential resources, support, and health care services. IHS attendance and support are part of the broader community effort to gain more attention and recognition of the challenges faced by Native veterans. Events like this provide an important opportunity to meet veterans where they are, strengthen connections across organizations, and help increase awareness of available services and support.

This was the 4th annual event held in memory of George B. Willie Sr. Born in a hogan near Sawmill, Arizona, Willie joined the Marines at the age of 17 after being inspired by the attack on Pearl Harbor. While at recruit training, he volunteered to become a Code Talker, a Native American soldier who used their traditional language to send secret, coded messages that enemies could never break. Faithful to the oath of secrecy he took during the war, he did not tell any of his family members about his role as a Navajo Code Talker until the 1990s.

Bryant Named Deputy Director for Field Operations, Northern Tier

Capt. Joe Bryant, Pharm. D., BCPS, has been named IHS deputy director for field operations, Northern Tier. In this role, he will provide executive leadership and oversight for field operations across the Bemidji, Billings, and Great Plains Areas. Bryant most recently served as Northern Tier director, providing leadership for IHS hospitals across the three Areas.

Bryant previously served as chief executive officer of the Clinton Service Unit, where he led efforts to expand access to care, strengthen organizational performance, develop the workforce, and improve the patient experience. He has also served as a national High Impact Service Provider co-lead, focusing on improving Purchased/Referred Care operations and advancing efforts to address Government Accountability Office high-risk priorities.

A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Bryant brings more than 20 years of IHS experience across clinical, administrative, program, and executive leadership roles. He holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, is a Board-Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist, and received the 2023 IHS Luana Reyes Leadership Award for exceptional initiative and performance.

Texas Native Health Physician Joins U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

On September 17, Dr. Goldie Stands-Over-Bull, lead family medicine physician at Texas Native Health, was appointed as one of eight new members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, with a four-year term that began in September. The task force makes evidence-based recommendations on preventive care, including screenings, counseling, and medications. A member of the Crow Nation, Stands-Over-Bull brings experience applying research in primary care, women’s health, adolescent medicine, and chronic disease management. Texas Native Health CEO Omer Tamir extended congratulations and said her expertise will support the task force’s work and their efforts to improve health across the country. Read more in the press release at HHS.gov.

New Report Highlights Elder Care Strategies in Indian Country

The number of American Indian and Alaska Native elders is projected to triple over the next decade, increasing the need for accessible, culturally relevant caregiving services. A recent report highlights proven caregiving programs that Tribal communities can adapt to address local needs and strengthen support for elders, families, and caregivers. The report also examines common challenges communities face in providing care, including shortages of dementia care specialists and the need for culturally relevant training and resources for health care providers and caregivers. Read the full report.

Advancing Culturally Responsive Crisis Care

A new Toolkit for Crisis Centers Serving American Indian and Alaska Native Communities provides resources to help crisis centers develop effective, sustainable, and culturally responsive programs. The toolkit was developed with input from frontline specialists, Tribal liaisons, and community leaders. The toolkit includes three modules covering foundational knowledge, partnerships with Tribes, and culturally responsive approaches for crisis center counselors. The resources are designed to help crisis centers better understand the communities they serve and strengthen their ability to provide appropriate support to American Indian and Alaska Native people experiencing a crisis. Learn more in the IHS Blog.

GPRA Conference Highlights Performance and Best Practices

The IHS National Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Support Team recently hosted the 2026 Virtual GPRA Coordinators Conference, bringing together participants from across the Indian health system for two days of presentations, updates, and discussion focused on GPRA reporting and performance improvement. More than 300 participants joined the broader session on September 23, which covered national GPRA results, 2027 targets and reporting dates, documentation improvement, and updates from GPRA measure leads.

The conference recognized Clinton Service Unit, Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, and Butte Native Wellness Center as high-performing sites and highlighted best practices contributing to their performance. The recognition included IHS, Tribal, and urban Indian health programs and provided an opportunity for participants to learn from their approaches.

IHS Highlights PATH EHR at TribalNet Conference

The IHS Health Information Technology (IT) Modernization Program participated in the 27th Annual TribalNet Conference & Tradeshow in Dallas, Texas, from September 20–24. The conference provided an opportunity to engage with Tribal leaders, health IT professionals, and partners and share progress on PATH EHR. Chief Information Officer Mitchell Thornbrugh spoke at the conference, presenting “PATH EHR in Action – Bringing Modern Healthcare Tools to Indian Country” and sharing PATH EHR progress and next steps. The IHS team also hosted a booth during the tradeshow to share information about PATH EHR and answer questions.

Thank you to everyone who attended the session and stopped by the PATH EHR booth. For more information about PATH EHR, visit the Health IT Modernization website or email modernization@ihs.gov.

Public Affairs Liaisons Gather for Two-Day Retreat

IHS public affairs liaisons from across the Areas and Headquarters gathered October 6–7 in Washington, D.C., for a meeting focused on their roles and the communications support they provide for the agency. The meeting featured a visit and discussion with IHS Director Mark Cruz, Chief of Staff Clayton Fulton, Public Affairs Acting Director Brittainy Cortilet, and HHS Senior Press Secretary Emily Hilliard, while Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz made a brief visit during the group’s gathering at the HHS Building. Sessions covered public affairs field support, agency branding and graphic design, social media guidance, photography, and tips reviewing external communications materials. Liaisons also spent time discussing upcoming projects and shared questions and ideas with the public affairs team.

Human Resources Holds First Special Purpose IPA Session

On October 1, the Office of Human Resources’ Division of HR Tribal Transitions and Operations held its first session on special purpose Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignments, following the successful transition of responsibilities at the White Earth Service Unit. Special purpose IPA assignments allow eligible IHS employees to serve with Tribes or Tribal organizations when programs transfer under self-determination agreements. The session reviewed procedures and clarified responsibilities to assist staff in administering their assignments consistently and to ensure continuity of operations.

OHR staff members Alora Wood and Lana McIntosh with White Earth Reservation Business Committee Human Resources Director Melinda Iverson

IHS Pharmacy Leadership Training Program Convenes 18th Session

We are pleased to share that the 18th session of the IHS Pharmacy Leadership Training (PLT) Program was successfully completed in September, held in Oklahoma City, Okla. This session welcomed 20 pharmacists from federal and Tribal Indian health programs. For nine years, the PLT Program has provided comprehensive training in pharmacy management and operations to pharmacists serving in or preparing for leadership roles, strengthening the skills needed to effectively lead pharmacy programs across the Indian health system.

Investing in leadership development is critical to sustaining strong pharmacy services and preparing for the future. Participants return to their pharmacies ready to apply new leadership and management skills, strengthening team communication, addressing operational challenges, improving workflows, developing staff, and sharing best practices with colleagues. This immediate application extends the training's impact beyond each participant, helping build stronger pharmacy teams and future leaders. With 401 pharmacists trained across all 12 IHS Areas, the PLT Program strengthens the leadership pipeline, supports succession planning, preserves institutional knowledge, and promotes continuity of high-quality pharmacy services for American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

The next session will be virtual in January/February 2027. Join the IHS pharmacy listserv so you don't miss out on this opportunity.

Strengthening Leadership in IHS Dental Programs

Nine dental assistant leads and supervisors representing six IHS Areas recently participated in the Concepts I of Management for Dental Assistant Supervisors course at the Oklahoma City Area Office. The course focused on strengthening essential dental management skills, including clinical efficiency, professional conduct, and performance measures. Participants gained practical knowledge and tools to support their roles as supervisors and leaders within IHS dental programs. The training also emphasized effective dental assistant management, collaboration with dental directors, support for clinical teams, and the role of supervisors in advancing the goals of their dental programs.

Applications Open for Bloomberg Fellows Program – Deadline December 1

The IHS is a collaborating organization in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg American Health Initiative, and staff from the agency and partner health organizations have participated as fellows. The program provides full tuition for a Master of Public Health or Doctor of Public Health degree at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Applicants must apply to either the MPH or DrPH degree program and submit separate fellowship and collaborating organization forms. All materials are due by December 1. Review the application steps and apply here.

Celebrate Excellence at the 2025 IHS Director’s Awards – November 6

Join colleagues from across IHS on November 6 for the 2025 IHS Director’s Awards Ceremony that recognizes employees and teams whose accomplishments and contributions have made a difference across the agency and the communities IHS serves. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. ET at IHS Headquarters, 5600 Fishers Lane in Rockville, Md. Employees will also be able to attend virtually, with a link to be provided closer to the event. Save the date and plan to join us in recognizing this year’s award recipients. Additional ceremony details will be shared as they become available.

Help Shape the Future of Care at IHS

IHS is seeking participants to join the Practice Transformation Stakeholder Advisory Board and provide perspectives on the future of team-based primary care. Participants will help inform efforts to strengthen continuity of care, improve clinical workflows, and develop patient education resources that are culturally grounded, clinically effective, and sustainable. Participants will attend one 60-minute meeting each month for one year and contribute to efforts to improve care across IHS. Interested staff can join the Practice Transformation Stakeholder Advisory Board.

2026 Surveys on Patient Safety Culture: Your Voice Matters

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Surveys on Patient Safety Culture is asking staff to share their perspectives on communication, leadership, response to error, and other important dimensions of patient safety. Responses are anonymous, with IHS providing a standardized survey platform and dashboard that will help facilities use results to identify opportunities for improvement. All IHS service units must complete the survey by October 31. Hospitals and residential treatment facilities are encouraged to use the Hospital Survey, while ambulatory facilities may use either the Hospital Survey or Medical Office Survey. Facilities have historically used the Hospital Survey for analyzing and maintaining consistency in trends. Please contact your service unit patient safety professional to complete the survey.

Patient Safety Program and VHA Offer Training Opportunities for IHS Staff

The IHS Patient Safety Program has partnered with the Veterans Health Administration National Center for Patient Safety to enhance training opportunities for agency staff. Through this collaboration, IHS personnel have access to a range of VHA-administered training modules designed to strengthen patient safety practices across the system. Upcoming virtual training opportunities include:

  • “Root Cause Analysis” on November 17 | 6.5 hours | Register by November 10
  • “Proactive Risk Assessment” on December 8| 6.5 hours | Register by December 1
  • “Foundations for Patient Safety Officers” on February 2-25 | 32 hours | Register by January 26

These training courses are an excellent opportunity for professional development and to promote a culture of safety across IHS. For more information and to register, click here.

2026 American College of Surgeons Conference – Clinical Congress Conference

From September 26–29, staff from the HQ Division of Recruitment and Retention participated in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) – Clinical Congress Conference held in Washington, D.C. The IHS team connected with general surgeons, physicians, residents, and medical students nationwide to share information about IHS career opportunities, clinical rotations at our IHS facilities, and the IHS Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs.

Carl Harris, headquarters, and Heidi Arnholm, Navajo Area

Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Webinar Series

The Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Tele-Education Program is hosting the following webinars for health care providers:

  • Program Sustainability Webinar Series: "Identifying Potential Sources of Funding” on October 19 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register here
  • Telehealth Webinar Series: "Crises in Caregiving: Helping Families Cope Part 3” on October 20 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register here
  • Telehealth Webinar Series: "Pediatric Behavioral Health Emergencies in the Field” on October 21 at 2:00 p.m. ET | Register here
  • Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Webinar Series: "Youth Substance Use and Overdose Response” on October 27 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register here
  • Telehealth Webinar Series: "EMS Workforce Resilience and Peer Support” on October 28 at 2:00 p.m. ET | Register here
  • Behavioral Health Integration Webinar Series: "Managing Chronic Pain through the Integrated Care Model" on October 29 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register here

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