February 28, 2025: IHS Updates for Tribes and Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations
February 28, 2025: 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.
Secretary Kennedy Meets with IHS Leadership at HHS Headquarters
On February 18, members of the leadership team and others at IHS attended a ceremony at HHS Headquarters building in Washington, D.C., to hear remarks from the new Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. His leadership comes at a critical time, as the IHS endeavors to strengthen health care services, expand access, and improve health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Secretary Kennedy’s testimony during the confirmation process reconfirmed his support for tribal nations and IHS. “Throughout my career, I have always supported American Indians and Alaska Natives and the federal trust responsibility for health care,” he said. “I will work tirelessly to improve health services to tribal nations, honor tribal sovereignty and fulfill our obligations to Native Americans across our department. This means striving to improve services at IHS. This includes working to staff IHS and accepting only the highest quality of care. We will also work to make sure that all of HHS is responsive to the unique needs of tribal nations.”
As the 18th largest health care system in the U.S., the IHS looks forward to working with Secretary Kennedy and the Department to advance our shared mission of providing high-quality, culturally competent health care to tribal nations. Together, we will continue addressing the unique health challenges facing Native communities, ensuring federal commitments to tribal health are met with action and sustained investment.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. provides remarks at a reception event February 18
As you are aware, we continue to see decisions and announcements from the Administration on a rolling basis. We ask for your patience as we continue to work with HHS to receive further guidance on how agencies under their umbrella are to implement executive orders and announcements. Thank you.
Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee Meeting
The week of February 23, the Secretary's Tribal Advisory Committee met in Washington, D.C., for the first time under Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. STAC provides an opportunity for the U.S. and tribal governments to seek consensus, exchange views, and share information on Native health programs.
On Wednesday, IHS Acting Director Benjamin Smith had the opportunity to speak at the meeting, emphasizing that through strong partnerships, informed policy, and culturally responsive care, we can build healthier tribal communities and a more resilient health system — one that truly honors and serves the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
The IHS is committed to working collaboratively with Secretary Kennedy and our partners across HHS to ensure that tribal health remains a top priority.
IHS Small Ambulatory Program Awards $25 Million to Eight Tribes and Tribal Organizations
On February 25, IHS announced $25 million in fiscal year 2024 funding to eight tribes and tribal organizations as part of the competitive Small Ambulatory Program to invest in the construction, expansion, or modernization of small ambulatory health care facilities. The SAP is expanding access to various outpatient services for patients, including offering new services, building on existing services, and upgrading outdated facilities. Ninety five percent of tribally operated health care facilities provide primarily ambulatory services. These services include preventative services for chronic diseases such as diabetes. Ambulatory care settings operated by tribes and tribal organizations also provide increased access to culturally appropriate, quality health care. Since the program began in 2001, more than 91 projects have been funded, totaling more than $203 million. The IHS is committed to strengthening tribal health infrastructure through strategic investments like the SAP.
IHS Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction Recognizes Engineers of the Year
Providing essential water supply, wastewater disposal, and solid waste disposal facilities to tribal homes and communities is critical to the mission of the Indian Health Service to raise the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. The Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction recently recognized six outstanding employees for going above and beyond to serve tribal communities. These individuals have demonstrated through their actions that they are among the best of the IHS engineer workforce who are responsible for improving the health of Native people by improving the environment in which they live. Read more about their efforts in the IHS Blog.
- Cmdr. John Kathol, P.E. – Leadership Engineer of the Year
- Lt. Cmdr. Cody Wolff, P.E. – Senior Engineer of the Year
- Lt. j.g. Connor Martin - Junior Engineer of the Year
- Kaileigh Scott, P.E. – GIS Leader of the Year
- Terra Holliday – Engineering Technician of the Year
- Danielle Duran – Administrative Assistant of the Year
IHS 2024 Environmental Health Specialist of the Year
Congratulations to Lt. Cmdr. Kathryn McNamara, environmental health officer assigned to the Albuquerque Service Unit, for being selected as the IHS 2024 Environmental Health Specialist of the Year. McNamara’s dedication and commitment are essential to the Albuquerque Area's success, as she has built close partnerships with tribal administrations and program leads. She is a model professional who excels in planning, communication, and technical work, going above and beyond to achieve independent and team goals and consistently exceeding performance expectations.
The Division of Environmental Health Services has recognized this award since 1993, given to the specialist representing the division with distinction and positively impacting health outcomes for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Read more about her work here.
December 2024 National Pharmacy Council Spotlight – Wewoka Pharmacy Team
The Wewoka Pharmacy Team from the IHS Oklahoma City Area was recognized in December for the establishment of an intensive diabetes management clinic in 2024. Within the first six months of services being provided, 32 patients were empaneled with 157 visits, and more than half the patients were started on continuous glucose monitors. The clinic is averaging a 3.03 percent reduction in A1C tests for patients, which is used to monitor blood sugar levels. The pharmacy team also established a multidisciplinary diabetes care team with nurse educators and the dietitian within the Community Health department. Additionally, the Wewoka pharmacists actively participate in the Wellness Warrior courses that are offered monthly for diabetes patients. Congratulations Wewoka Pharmacy on your successful Intensive Diabetes Program!
Wewoka Pharmacy Team
January 2025 National Pharmacy Council Wellness Spotlight – Lt. Tyler Maanum
In January, the IHS National Pharmacy Council recognized Lt. Tyler Maanum as their spotlight staff member. He is the lead coordinator for the White Mountain Wellness Group, the employee wellness program at Whiteriver Service Unit in the IHS Phoenix Area. This group challenges employees and family members from WRSU and nearby communities to participate in activities, hikes, and 5Ks in Arizona and across the U.S. Since 2023, there have been 38 planned events, with 13 being approved as PHS athletic events. Additionally, Lt. Maanum works with the local gym to offer employees a discounted membership, obtains yearly labs and InBody scans for employees, and works with tribal leadership to access reservation land and waive permit fees for participants. Congratulations, Lt. Maanum on leading this wellness initiative!
NPC Spotlight Recipient Lt. Tyler Maanum (right)
IHS Scholarship Program Accepting Applications – Deadline February 28
The IHS Scholarship Program is currently accepting applications for scholarship support for the 2025–2026 academic year. Please view the IHS Scholarship Comparison Chart for a list of eligible degree programs. Eligible students are encouraged to apply by February 28. For questions and more information related to the IHS Scholarship Program, contact Branch Chief Cmdr. Theodore Garnett at mailto:Theodore.Garnett@ihs.gov.
National Action Alliance Webinar “Teamwork and Patient Safety Norms”
On March 18, the National Action Alliance will present a webinar, “Teamwork and Patient Safety Norms.” This webinar is the second of a three-part series on Safety Culture in Healthcare. Existing challenges like workforce burnout, communication breakdowns, and trust gaps make the conversations about creating, maintaining, measuring, and responding to a strong safety culture in health care critically important.
Join the webinar on March 18 at 12:00 p.m. ET to gain strategies for transforming organizational culture and addressing critical workforce challenges. Register here. Mark your calendars for the next webinar series hosted by the National Action Alliance centered around the theme of safety culture:
- March 18? at 12:00 p.m. ET ? Teamwork and Patient Safety Norms
- April 15? at 12:00 p.m. ET ? Measuring and Responding
Don’t forget to visit the National Action Alliance website for more information about previous and future webinars, access tools and resources for advancing patient and workforce safety, and sign up for the National Action Alliance newsletter.
Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Webinar Series
The Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Tele-Education Program is hosting the following trainings for health care providers:
- TBHCE Webinar Series: “Helping People Engage in Self-Care and Self-Compassion” on February 25 at 12:00 p.m. ET ? Register here
- "Program Sustainability: Tribal/University Partnerships: Using a Community Based Participatory Approaches to Build Sustainable Programs” on March 10 at 12:00 p.m. ET ? Register here
- TBHCE Webinar Series: "Helping People Plan Then Act to Improve their Quality of Life” on March 11 at 12:00 p.m. ET ? Register here
- TBHCE Webinar Series: "Helping People Focus on Solutions (Solution-Focused) and Tell a Story of Surviving and Thriving (Narrative Therapy)” on March 25 at 12:00 p.m. ET ? Register here
Alaska Area Welcomes New Tribal Programs Director
LeeAnn Garrick has joined the Alaska Area Office as the Office of Tribal Programs director. Garrick has more than 22 years of leadership experience serving in tribal organizations, most recently as the chief operating officer for the Cook Inlet Tribal Council, providing social services programs for Alaska Natives and American Indians. Prior to that, Garrick served at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium in a variety of leadership and management roles at the Alaska Native Medical Center, Office of the President/CEO, and in the Division of Environmental Health & Engineering.
Go Red for Native Women Heart Health Summit
On February 7, the 12th Annual Go Red for Native Women Heart Health Summit “Drum to the Beat of a Healthy Heart” was held at the Isleta Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Hosted by the American Heart Association, IHS Albuquerque Area Health Promotion Disease Prevention, Native Health Initiative, Pueblo of Laguna, Native American Professional Parent Resources Inc., and other partners, the event attracted nearly 300 participants. Attendees enjoyed presentations on cardiovascular health, nutritional information, a physical activity session, and various educational booths. The Pueblo of Zuni eagle dancers provided entertainment during a healthy lunch. Heart disease, the leading cause of death for all women in the United States, takes a disproportionately heavy toll on American Indian and Alaska Native women. Living a heart-healthy lifestyle is the best way to manage heart disease and stroke risk factors. It is the small changes we make every day to take care of our hearts and loved ones.
Sunrise Regional Treatment Center to Reopen in 2025
The Sunrise Regional Treatment Center in Acoma, New Mexico, is pleased to announce its reopening in 2025 after being closed since the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility has undergone extensive renovations, program enhancements and recruitment of qualified staff to continue providing comprehensive inpatient substance abuse and dual-diagnosis care for Native American adolescents ages 13 to 17. We look forward to resuming operations with a renewed commitment to excellence. As we approach the reopening, we invite our partners and community to spread the word. For more information, please contact Melody Price-Yonts at 505-552-5502 or melody.price-yonts@ihs.gov.
(Photo 1) Staff members at the Sunrise Regional Treatment Center
(Photo 2) The facility features renovated resident rooms
Chinle Community Health Fair Strengthens Partnerships
On January 30, the Health Promotion Disease Prevention department from the Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility hosted a Community Health Fair for area residents. Braving cooler weather, more than 100 participants attended the informational event, strengthening regional partnerships.
Chinle and Sage Memorial Host Joint Training
On January 29, subject matter experts from the Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility met at the Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado, Arizona, to engage in a multidisciplinary sterile processing and environmental services training event. This session was the latest in a recent series of collaborative trainings that allow both facilities to optimize their protocols and technologies related to instrument sterilization, equipment maintenance, and safe housekeeping of sterile processing spaces. The Chinle Service Unit would like to thank the leadership team and sterile processing professionals at the Gallup Indian Medical Center for their support in supporting Chinle to this point.
Remembering Dr. Leland L. Fairbanks
Leland L. Fairbanks, MD, passed away on January 21 at the age of 94. He was a U.S. Public Health Service Capt. (Ret.) and IHS physician who fought for smoke-free health care facilities throughout his career and well into his retirement. In 1983, the Keams Canyon Hospital on the Hopi Reservation was the first hospital in the world to become smoke-free, thanks to Dr. Fairbanks. He remained an active advocate for tobacco cessation at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center during health fair events, a member of the PIMC Auxiliary, and was President of Arizonans Concerned About Smoking. For his 30 years of service to USPHS, IHS, and the community, we honor Dr. Fairbanks for his significant achievements.
Tulsa CEO Received Pinnacle Award
In January, the Tulsa Women's Commission and YWCA Tulsa honored Carmelita Skeeter, Indian Health Care Resource Center chief executive officer, with the Anna C. Roth Legacy Award. Presented by Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols, Carmelita was recognized among nine 2025 Pinnacle Award honorees. The event celebrated women who work to eliminate racism, empower women, and advance social justice. Carmelita’s honor follows 50 years of dedicated service to improving health care access for Tulsa’s American Indian population.
Chinle Hosts Gathering of K–12 Schools
On February 20, the Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility hosted a gathering of K–12 schools to discuss emergency plans in the event of a school bus accident occurring in the service unit. Forty-four representatives from seven local Unified School District, BIE, and BIA schools attended to learn how CCHCF is prepared to receive numerous students in the event of an accident. Ten Strike Team Leaders presented how their teams would be mobilized and ready to assist. Navajo Nation Emergency Medical Services also presented on their response procedures in the field.
IHS Blogs
- IHS Recognizes that Culture is the Best Prevention during National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
- IHS Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction Recognizes Engineers of the Year
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