October 26, 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.
National Congress of American Indian’s Annual Convention & Marketplace
On October 20, IHS Director Mark Cruz shared remarks at the National Congress of American Indian’s (NCAI) 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace in Palm Springs, California. He spoke before the second convening of the General Assembly and provided an update on health initiatives affecting Indian Country. Director Cruz also participated in a Federal Listening Session on the Health Care Facilities Construction Priority System with Tribal and urban Indian organization leaders. The session provided an opportunity to hear Tribal perspectives and to discuss strategies for advancing and completing the remaining projects.
While at NCAI, Director Cruz held several Tribal Delegation Meetings. He met with representatives from the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians, NATIVE HEALTH, the National Council of Urban Indian Health, and Riverside–San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc. These conversations provided an opportunity to hear directly from Tribal and urban Indian health leaders and strengthen relationships across the Indian health system.
IHS Represented at White House Signing of Women’s Health Executive Order
On October 19, IHS Director of Strategic Initiatives Dr. Kim Hartwig represented the agency at the White House as President Trump signed the executive order, “Advancing Women’s Health to Improve Outcomes in All Phases of Life.” Led by First Lady Melania Trump, the initiative directs the establishment of a Women’s Health Division within the National Institutes of Health. It also establishes a White House Women’s Health Task Force co-chaired by HHS Secretary Kennedy and includes Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
The order calls for consultation with Tribal nations to help translate research into better prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. This focus supports the work of the Indian Health Service to advance the physical and mental well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls at every stage of life. Explore IHS women’s health resources.
IHS Director of Strategic Initiatives Dr. Kim Hartwig attended the October 19 signing of the women’s health executive order at the White House on behalf of the agency.
Director Cruz Shares IHS Priorities and Progress with CMS Tribal Technical Advisory Group
On October 14, IHS Director Mark Cruz joined the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Tribal Technical Advisory Group in Washington, D.C. Participating as senior advisor for Tribal programs to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cruz discussed IHS priorities and recent progress in improving care for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Director Cruz outlined his fiscal year 2027 priorities, including expanding access to culturally appropriate care, strengthening the workforce, modernizing facilities and technology, and supporting stable funding. He emphasized the importance of Tribal consultation and following through on commitments. He also highlighted the September 26 launch of the PATH electronic health record at the Lawton Service Unit.
Cruz shared updates on $3.5 million recently awarded for 14 new Produce Prescription Pilot Program projects to help Tribal and urban Indian communities access produce and traditional foods. He also discussed efforts to improve substance use disorder screening and recovery support, along with funding for facility operations and sanitation infrastructure.
Director Cruz Meets with Tribal Partners to Discuss Health Priorities and Traditional Care
On October 8, IHS Director Mark Cruz met with the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians and the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. to hear directly about Tribal health priorities, including efforts to expand access to traditional health care practices. The IHS values these opportunities to engage directly with Tribal partners and strengthen partnerships as we work together to fulfill the IHS mission.
Mark Cruz with members from the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohican Indians and Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc.
Expanded Services Highlighted During Visit to Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center
On October 9, IHS Director Mark Cruz toured the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center, Inc. in Milwaukee, Wis., with Acting Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer Kaye Marty. The visit highlighted how the center combines health care and culturally responsive services to meet the needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives in the Milwaukee area. Along with its medical clinic, the center offers pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, and fitness services. It recently added occupational therapy and retinopathy screening, expanding access to care. Cruz saw firsthand how these services work together to support patients’ health and well-being.
National Grantee Meeting Highlights Behavioral Health Program Successes and Strategies
On October 6–7, the IHS Division of Behavioral Health’s Behavioral Health Initiatives Branch hosted the 2026 Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention and Domestic Violence Prevention National Grantee Meeting at IHS Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. The hybrid meeting brought together 18 IHS staff and more than 150 participants representing 113 grant recipients to share experiences and strengthen program implementation.
Dr. Kim Hartwig, IHS director of strategic initiatives, delivered virtual welcome remarks in support of the work grantees are doing across Indian Country. Participants represented programs focused on domestic violence prevention, forensic health care, suicide prevention, and substance abuse prevention and treatment. Grantee presentations highlighted achievements, best practices, lessons learned, and strategies for sustaining services.
Additional sessions covered grants management, evaluation and data collection, the Community Health Aide Program, the Community Opioid Intervention Prevention Program, and multidisciplinary approaches to forensic health care. Learn more about the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention and Domestic Violence Prevention programs.
IHS Announces 60-Day Comment Period on Purchased/Referred Care Proof of Residency
On October 14, the Indian Health Service issued a Federal Register Notice initiating a 60-day public comment period on the information collection titled, “Purchased/Referred Care (POC) Proof of Residency.” The purpose of this notice is to announce the agency’s intent to seek reinstatement of the previously approved information collection by the Office of Management and Budget. The IHS PRC Program needs the information to verify that individuals seeking medical services through PRC meet the residency requirements specific to the program under 42 CFR 136.23. The Federal Register notice can be located here.
Lawton Leads the Way with PATH EHR Launch
Last month, the Lawton Service Unit in Oklahoma became the first IHS site to launch PATH EHR, the new electronic health record designed to keep “patients at the heart” of health care. The launch marks a major step toward modernizing how health information is managed and shared across the agency.
Years of planning, testing, and training by staff at Lawton, Anadarko, and Carnegie made this milestone possible. Their work, supported by the Oklahoma City Area Office and PATH team, will help guide implementation at future sites and strengthen care across Indian Country. Read more in the IHS Blog.
Tribal and IHS Medical Services Professionals Connect at National Conference
Tribal and federal IHS medical services professionals attended the National Association Medical Staff Services’ 50th Annual Conference on October 18–21 in New Orleans. Attendees represented teams responsible for credentialing, privileging, and medical staff support. The conference provided opportunities to strengthen professional knowledge, exchange best practices, and connect with colleagues from across the country. These efforts support the medical staff services that help ensure quality care for the communities we serve.
IHS Strengthens Property and Fleet Management Through Collaboration
The IHS Headquarters Division of Asset Management hosted the third annual Property Management Officer and Fleet Management Officer Meeting at the Albuquerque Area Office on October 20–22. Property and fleet staff from IHS Headquarters and Area Offices across the agency joined representatives from the General Services Administration and HHS Program Support Center to share best practices and strengthen coordination. Albuquerque Area Director Leonard Thomas welcomed participants to the meeting.
Training focused on equipment disposal and lifecycle management, property reconciliation, receiving and inspection, vehicle telematics and maintenance, and fleet card management. Participants also visited the Albuquerque Indian Health Center on October 21 for a facility and fleet yard tour, followed by additional training provided by the GSA Fleet Team. The three-day meeting supported consistent property and fleet management practices across IHS.
IHS Celebrates Pharmacy Teams During National Pharmacy Week
During National Pharmacy Week, IHS recognizes the pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, residents, students, and pharmacy teams who strengthen patient care across the Indian health system. As integral members of health care teams, pharmacy professionals provide direct patient care, improve medication safety, expand access to treatment, and support prevention and public health initiatives. Their expertise and collaboration also advance innovative pharmacy practices that help meet the needs of the communities we serve. Please join us in thanking IHS pharmacy professionals for their dedication to our patients, communities, colleagues, and the IHS mission.
Rosebud Service Unit Pharmacy Staff
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.
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.
IHS Highlights Health Careers at National Conferences
Staff from the IHS Headquarters Division of Recruitment and Retention promoted careers, clinical rotations, and the IHS Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs at four national conferences recently. The outreach connected health professionals, educators, residents, and students with opportunities to serve American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
The team attended the Emergency Nurses Association Annual Conference, September 27–30 in Phoenix, engaging emergency nurses, educators, and students. At the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference & Exhibition, October 3–5 in San Diego, staff connected with pediatricians, residents, and medical students interested in pediatric medicine.
Joined by a U.S. Public Health Service officer, staff met with emergency physicians, educators, and students at the American College of Emergency Physicians Scientific Assembly, October 4–7 in Chicago. The team also conducted outreach and recruitment at the American Dental Association Scientific Session, October 8–10 in Indianapolis, connecting with general dentists, dental hygienists, residents, and students.
IHS Recruitment Team Connects with Students and Educators at AISES Conference
On October 16, staff from the IHS Division of Recruitment and Retention participated in a recruiting and outreach event at the American Indian Science and Engineering Society National Conference in Portland, Oregon. The team connected with high school and college students and educators from across the country to discuss career opportunities with IHS. Attendees expressed strong interest in the IHS Scholarship Program, IHS Loan Repayment Program, and what to expect when working in rural and Tribal communities.
Recruitment and Outreach Program Coordinators Meredith Hunt and Justin McHorse at the 2026 AISES Conference in Portland, Oregon.
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:
- “Emergencies” on November 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register here
- Program Sustainability Webinar Series: “Third Party Billing, Part 1” on November 16 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register here
- Program Sustainability Webinar Series: “Third Party Billing, Part 2” on November 30 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register here
- Behavioral Health Integration Webinar Series: “Addressing Opioid Use Disorder and Mental Health under the Integrated Care Model” on December 10 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register here
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