IHS Blog

Community Health Representatives: True Health Care Partners in Public Health

April 17, 2025
by Michelle Archuleta, MA, MS, IHS Community Health Representative Consultant/Program Lead

The Indian Health Service Community Health Representative (CHR) Program supports a nationwide workforce of CHRs serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. These frontline public health workers provide guidance and improve access to health care, ensuring culturally appropriate support for ... Continue reading

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Governance Drives IHS Modernization Program

April 14, 2025
by Mitchell Thornbrugh, Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology, Indian Health Service

One of the central principles of the Indian Health Service Health Information Technology (IT) Modernization Program is to build and operate the new enterprise electronic health record (EHR) solution, PATH EHR, with our partners, not for them. We are committed to partnership in the journey to ... Continue reading

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Cultural Connection is Key to Prevention! IHS Recognizes April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April 7, 2025
by Nicole Stahlmann, MN, RN, SANE-A, AFN-BC, SANE-P, FNE-A/P, Forensic Nurse Consultant, Division of Nursing Services

The Indian Health Service is mandated to provide culturally competent health care to raise the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives eligible to receive health care services from the IHS (25 U.S.C. §§ 1602 and 1603(11)(E) and (F)). IHS recognizes that cultural competency is ... Continue reading

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IHS is Uniting for Change during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April 2, 2025
by Lenora Burbank, MSN, RN, Forensic Nurse Coordinator, Division of Nursing Services

Indian Health Service, tribal, and urban Indian organization sites have long been involved in promoting Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April by hosting walking events, community education forums, and overall public service announcements emphasizing the strength in unity theme. Recognizing ... Continue reading

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IHS Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction Recognizes Engineers of the Year

February 21, 2025
by Rear Adm. Mark Calkins, P.E., Director, Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction

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 ... Continue reading