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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI)

Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee (TLDC)

The IHS Director established the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee (TLDC) in 1998. The TLDC makes recommendations to the IHS Director on broad-based policy and advocacy priorities for diabetes and related chronic conditions as well as recommends a process for the distribution of Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) funds.

The TLDC consists of the following members:

  • One elected or duly-appointed Tribal Leader from each of the 12 IHS Areas serves as the primary representative.
    • Each Area also designates an alternate member to serve when the primary member is unavailable to do so.
    • TLDC elects one of its members to serve as the Tribal Co-Chair
  • One federal representative, who serves as the Federal Co-Chair

What Are You Looking For?

One technical advisor from each of the following organizations serves in an advisory (non-voting) capacity to the TLDC:

  • National Congress of American Indians
  • National Indian Health Board
  • Tribal Self-Governance Advisory Committee
  • Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee
  • National Council of Urban Indian Health
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • American Diabetes Association
  • Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists

TLDC Meeting

The TLDC meets quarterly. Meetings are open to the public and information on upcoming meetings will be posted here.

Upcoming Meeting

Quarterly Meeting (In-person with virtual option to attend)
September 15 – 16, 2026

In-person Attendance Details

Location: TBD
Venue: TBD

Virtual Attendance Details

Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee (TLDC) meeting

September 15th (full day) 10:30am – 5pm MT

8:30am-3pm AKT | 9:30am-4pm PT | 11:30pm-6pm CT | 12:30pm-7pm ET


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September 16th (half day) 9am – 12pm MT

7am-10am AKT | 8am-11pm PT | 10am-1pm CT | 11am-2pm ET


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TLDC Members

Leadership

  • Tribal Co-Chair
    Connie Barker
    Oklahoma City Area Representative

  • Federal Co-Chair
    Carmen Licavoli
    Director, IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention

Tribal Leader Representatives

One primary member and one alternate from each IHS Area are selected by the respective IHS Area Director in consultation with Area Tribes.

  • Alaska Area
    Evelyn Beeter, Primary
    Alicia Andrew, Alternate
  • Bemidji Area
    Primary Vacant
    Debra Danforth, Alternate
  • California Area
    Primary Vacant
    Dominica Valencia, Alternate
  • Nashville Area
    Clarissa Sabattis, Primary
    Cameron Chase, Alternate
  • Oklahoma City Area
    Connie Barker, Primary and Tribal Co-Chair
    Nancy Elliott, Alternate
  • Portland Area
    Sharon Stanphill, Primary
    Kelle Little, Alternate
  • Albuquerque Area
    Primary Vacant
    Carleton Albert, Sr., Alternate
  • Billings Area
    Joseph Rosette, Jr., Primary
    Ethan Broncho, Alternate
  • Great Plains Area
    Ryman LeBeau, Primary
    Peter Lengkeek, Alternate
  • Navajo Area
    Buu Nygren, Primary
    Richelle Montoya, Alternate
  • Phoenix Area
    Darlene Felix, Primary
    Edna Steele, Alternate
  • Tucson Area
    Vivian Saunders, Primary
    Adalberto Renteria, Alternate

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