April 16, 2024: IHS Updates for Tribes and Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations
This 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, email IHSPublicAffairsStaff@ihs.gov.
IHS Announces Update for Contraceptive Care
On April 8, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Loretta Christensen shared an important update for contraceptive care at IHS facilities. Opill (norgestrel 0.075mg) is now available through pharmaceutical distributors and as an over-the-counter product in retail markets. The product was FDA-approved in July 2023, but only recently became available commercially. Opill is the first and only daily oral contraceptive that is available without a prescription.
Opill was added to the IHS National Core Formulary in August 2023. IHS sites are required to have this medication on their formulary and are encouraged to offer Opill upon request with as few barriers as possible, similar to OTC emergency contraception dispensing practices. Additionally, Opill should be incorporated into IHS facilities’ current policies, practices, and workflows in a way that works best for patients and our sites. Opill should be offered as part of a comprehensive family planning portfolio with a wide variety of contraceptive options for family planning. Dispensing this OTC product may provide an opportunity to link individuals with health services, screening for sexually transmitted infections, and routine medical care.
For more detailed medication information, see the National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Formulary Brief.
HHS 26th Annual Tribal Budget and Policy Consultation
Last week, IHS leadership participated in the 26th annual HHS Tribal Budget and Policy Consultation in Washington, D.C. The two-day meeting included breakout sessions focusing on the IHS budget for fiscal year 2026, caring for Native children and families, traditional healing and elder care, and behavioral and mental health. We always appreciate the opportunity to engage with tribal leaders through this and other forums to discuss their priorities for the IHS each year.
As part of the HHS Tribal Budget and Policy Consultation event, IHS Director Roselyn Tso had the pleasure of participating in several one-on-one meetings with tribal representatives to discuss a variety of health care issues impacting their communities throughout Indian Country.
(Photo 1, Left to Right) Meeting with Pueblo of Picuris Lt. Gov. Anthony Knitter, Gov. Craig Quanchello, Tribal Secretary Gwen Simbolo, and Tribal Secretary Assistant Jolene Archuleta
(Photo 2) Meeting with Hopi Tribal Council Member Leroy Shingoitewa
(Photo 3) Meeting with Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Senior Executive Liaison Jim Roberts
Director Tso Meets with Tribal Partners in Rocky Mountain Region
Earlier this month, Director Tso had the pleasure of traveling to meet and talk with several tribal partners across Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Utah. Ms. Tso extends her thanks to everyone from the Northern Arapaho and Tribes who hosted IHS visitors. The delegation not only toured local health centers, but were also able to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding in action. It’s always a highlight of her travels to meet and listen to those working in communities to help improve the health and wellbeing of our people.
During the same trip, the Director had the honor to visit with tribal leaders and those working in the community at both the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. Ms. Tso said it is a privilege to listen to their many accomplishments and challenges, and to better understand specific ways IHS can help tribal communities provide the best possible care to our people. She extends a special thank you to all the cooks who contributed to the potluck lunch in Fort Hall. The group appreciated the wonderful hospitality.
The trip concluded with Ms. Tso and Phoenix Area Director Ty Reidhead visiting Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake to meet with board, staff, and other community members. The center is celebrating their 50th anniversary of providing much needed services to the community. Congratulations on this milestone. The Director noted that was wonderful to hear about the growth and expansion underway. She takes to heart all the feedback and questions that she received during these visits and looks forward to continued partnership.
United South and Eastern Tribes Meet with Director Tso
On March 28, Nashville Area Director Dr. Beverly Cotton and Director Tso met with the United South and Eastern Tribe’s Board of Directors during their meeting in Arlington, Virginia. Ms. Tso’s updates to the board covered the fiscal year 2025 President’s Budget, Behavioral Health Initiative Funding, Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12, providing safe and quality care, transition to a unified Human Resources system titled “One HR” which is a new initiative to improve retention and recruitment across the IHS, and an update on the IHS Health IT Modernization Program. The IHS is grateful for the work and coordination that the USET does with our Nashville Area tribal partners.
Director Tso Meets with Pueblo of Acoma
Meeting with Pueblo of Acoma Governor Randall Vincente
IHS 2024 Agency Work Plan First Quarter Update Provided
In January 2024, IHS leadership implemented the new 2024 Agency Work Plan, which includes 15 priorities. In addition to the 15 Work Plan priorities, IHS leadership transitioned 14 of last year’s 2023 Work Plan priorities to operational action items that the agency will continue to monitor throughout this calendar year. The 2024 Agency Work Plan outlines critical actions the IHS has taken and will take over the current year to address risk priorities. I encourage you to read the first quarter update on the work plan in our latest fact sheet.
CIO Mitchell Thornbrugh Shares Modernization Program Update in Spring TribalHub Magazine Article
IHS Chief Information Officer Mitchell Thornbrugh provided an update on the Health Information Technology Modernization Program in a feature article for TribalHub magazine. In their spring issue, Thornbrugh shares program progress and how the IHS will continue to engage with partners throughout development, implementation, and evolution of the new enterprise electronic health record solution. Check out pages 32-33 of the Spring TribalHub Magazine to read the full article. Email IHS at modernization@ihs.gov with questions about the program or how to get involved.
Advancing Opioid Stewardship: Strategies to Save Lives
Opioid stewardship is a multifaceted approach to pain management and opioid use that encompasses the whole patient. The Indian Health Manual, Special General Memorandum 24-04, “Opioid Stewardship Management Plans” requires sites to establish a local Opioid Stewardship Management Plan within six months.
The HOPE Committee has developed resources to assist sites with implementation, including: an overview video on opioid stewardship; an automation tool to help teams identify relevant key performance indicators; the Opioid Surveillance Dashboard, which creates on-demand visualizations to help review data; and tools to support safe and effective opioid management.
Physicians and physician assistants can receive American Board of Medical Specialties Quality Improvement credit for engagement in local/regional interdisciplinary opioid stewardship activities at no cost. For more information visit ihs.gov/opioids or email IHSHOPECommitteeLeadership@ihs.gov.
Division of Nursing Services Names Welcomes New Deputy Director
Shavonna R. White, DNP, RN, an enrolled member of the Navajo Tribe, is the new deputy director for the IHS Division of Nursing Services within the Office of Clinical and Preventative Services. As the deputy director, Dr. White will work closely with the director of DNS to provide leadership and technical expertise in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating clinical, preventative, and public health nursing programs throughout IHS. White has worked for the IHS for 17 years. She started her IHS career as a clinical nurse in the pediatric care inpatient unit at Chinle Service Unit and has held various leadership positions prior to joining the IHS nursing executive team at headquarters. We look forward to her continued leadership in this new position.
IHS Recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Indian Health Service is dedicated to raising sexual assault awareness not only this month, but throughout the year. This year’s SAAM theme is “Building Connected Communities,” an important theme to help reduce violent crimes in Indian Country. What can you do to help promote and build safe communities? How will you support, unite, and contribute to raising sexual assault awareness to ensure ongoing safety and protection for every person in your communities? I encourage you to check out some of the resources for patients and providers in our latest IHS blog.
2023 IHS Director’s Awards Call for Nominations — Deadline May 15
Nominations for the 2023 Indian Health Service Director’s Awards are now open! Our employees and partners have shown great dedication and excellence in advancing the IHS mission and vision. Let's celebrate and recognize these outstanding individuals and teams. This year, we are thrilled to introduce two new award categories:
- IHS Director’s Award for Patient Safety: This award acknowledges individuals or teams whose dedication has significantly enhanced patient safety through various avenues, such as risk recognition, reporting and mitigation, implementation and/or sustainment of Total System Safety, and innovation contributing to high-reliability principles.
- IHS Director’s Award for DEIA Excellence: At the heart of our mission lies the strength of our workforce. This award celebrates individuals or teams who have demonstrated a commitment to fostering a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive work environment for all through leadership, innovation, or collaboration in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
The 2023 IHS Director’s Awards ceremony will be held on August 30 at IHS headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. Visit the IHS Director's Awards website for detailed information on each award category and to access the nomination form. For questions, please email the IHS National Director's Awards Committee.
El Reno Indian Health Center Pharmacist Receives National Recognition
Dr. Sara Carter, PharmD, BCACP, chief pharmacist at the El Reno Indian Health Center in Oklahoma, was recognized as the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 2023 Pharmacy Preceptor of the Year. She was also recognized as the Southwestern Oklahoma State University College of Pharmacy 2023 Selective Preceptor of the Year. She is passionate about teaching and mentoring future pharmacists. Congratulations, Dr. Carter!
Community Health Aide Program Tribal Advisory Group Meets with Director Tso
In late March, Director Tso had the honor of engaging in meaningful discussions with tribal leaders, members, and participants dedicated to enhancing and broadening the scope of the Community Health Aide Program for American Indian and Alaska Native populations. During the CHAP Tribal Advisory Group meeting held in Rockville, the IHS recognized our united goal to strengthen quality and accessible health care services that is comprehensive and culturally centered. Representatives from the CHAP TAG, in partnership with IHS, identified pivotal strategies aimed not only at refining the program's implementation framework, but also at advancing technological infrastructure, integrating scope of practice, and developing robust training initiatives at the tribal, area, and headquarters levels. The IHS is immensely thankful for the ongoing efforts and collaboration by tribes, tribal organizations, and the National CHAP staff towards the continued growth and success of CHAP.
CHAP Tribal Advisory Group meeting participants at IHS Headquarters
Alaska Area CMO Visit Focuses on Community Health Aide Program and Care for Rural Tribal Communities
Alaska Area Native Health Service Chief Medical Officer Dr. Matthew Clark conducted site visits at the Tanana Chiefs Conference Community Health Aide Program Training Center in Fairbanks, Alaska, and to villages where health aides provide care to rural tribal communities. TCC is one of four CHAP training centers operated by the Alaska Tribal Health System, which supports the education of community health aides/practitioners who serve in Alaska tribal communities as part of the Alaska Community Health Aide Program. The IHS is pleased to learn from the outstanding work being performed by our tribal health partners in Alaska and their efforts to improve the health of Alaska Native and American Indian people.
Dr. Matthew Clark (right) visits the Tanana Chiefs Conference CHAP Training Center
Portland Area Announces First Certified Community Health Aide Program Providers in Lower 48 States
The Portland Area is honored to announce the first certified Community Health Aide Program providers in the lower 48 states. Portland Area collaborated with the Alaska CHAP Certification Board to certify eligible CHAP candidates. The two newly certified CHAP providers are Inga Weddle, a dental health aide therapist practicing at the Tulalip Health Clinic, and Jenece Howe, a behavioral health aide III practicing at the Yakama Nation Village of Hope. CHAP educates and trains local providers in order to increase access to quality health care and improve disease prevention and health promotion within their own communities. CHAP also provides an opportunity to expand tribal self-determination and self-governance by utilizing tribal community expertise and knowledge to expand health care services through cultural-based care.
Certified Community Health Aide Program providers Inga Weddle and Jenece Howe
Navajo Nation Water and Sewer Project Site Visit
On March 26, a delegation from the Indian Health Service Headquarters, along with a Navajo Area team, embarked on a significant site visit to view water and sewer projects within the Ramah-Navajo area of the Navajo Nation. These projects are a direct beneficiary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Public Law 117-58 – Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), allocating $3.5 billion to the IHS over a span from FY2022 to FY2026. The funding is aimed at enhancing the availability of clean drinking water and efficient wastewater disposal for American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
IHS Navajo Area and Headquarters representatives onsite during a milestone event, extending a waterline to a household in the Navajo Nation for the very first time.
2024 SASP/DVP National Grantee Meeting & Training
On March 12?13, IHS held the 2024 National Grantee Meeting & Training for the Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention and Domestic Violence Prevention grant program recipients in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2022, IHS awarded 113 grants totaling $35.8 million for a five-year funding cycle. As grantees enter Year 3, the in-person meeting provided critical technical and programmatic information to help grantees achieve continued success with their projects. Over 220 people were in attendance, representing tribal and urban Indian organizations across the country. IHS Nashville Area Director Dr. Beverly Cotton provided the opening and welcomed attendees to the area. Headquarters staff from the IHS Division of Behavioral Health and Division of Grants Management offered plenary and breakout sessions on various topics that included:
- Effective Grants Management
- National Evaluation and Data Collection
- Family Engagement and Native Youth
- 988 Mental Health Lifeline
- Community Opioid Intervention Prevention Program
- Trauma-Informed Care
Meeting and training plenary presentations will be posted on the meeting website in the coming weeks. The BHI Branch team thanks Dr. Cotton and the Nashville Area for hosting such an important meeting!
Top: Dr. Beverly Cotton, Nashville Area Director, welcoming attendees
Bottom: Behavioral Health Initiatives Branch and DBH staff with the IHS Division of Grants Management Director, Marsha Brookins and staff (left).
Attendees in the plenary session room (right)
IHS Senior Advisor to the Director Visits Crownpoint and Voter Registration Training
On March 25, Senior Advisor to the IHS Director Joshuah Marshall visited Crownpoint Healthcare Facility, Pueblo Pintado Health Center, and the future site of the new PPHC campus. Mr. Marshall and other designated Crownpoint Healthcare Facility staff attended the New Mexico Third Party Voter’s Registration Agent training. As registration agents, CHF-trained staff will be able to assist persons to register to vote on behalf of the Secretary of State. After the training was completed, Mr. Marshall traveled to the future site of the Pueblo Pintado Health Center with Crownpoint Service Unit CEO Cmdr Daryl Dineyazhe-Toya, COO Orlando Johnson, Candice Tsinigine and Glen Tsinigine from Navajo Area Engineering Services, and Acting Facilities Manager Lathan Brown. Mr. Marshall saw firsthand the challenges of a rural health center and met with Pueblo Pintado Community Service Coordinator Janice Arthur.
Joshuah Marshall, Cmdr. Daryl Dineyazhe-Toya, Orlando Johnson, Candice Tsingine & Glenn Tsingine on site for the new Pueblo Pintado Health Center
IHS Pharmacists Hit Recruiting Trail at Annual Conference
The American Pharmacists Association Annual Convention took place March 22 – 25. The IHS Pharmacy Program, with contributions from the Phoenix Area Pharmacy Program, supported the IHS pharmacy recruitment booth at the event. During the three recruitment sessions, seven pharmacist recruiters interacted with 212 attendees that included 142 students and faculty members from pharmacy colleges. The goal was to improve the visibility of the IHS pharmacy program and attract potential future employees.
IHS Recruits Direct Care Physicians at Osteopathic Conference
Staff members from the Division of Health Professions Support, Health Professions Support Branch, Chinle Service Unit, and Billings Area attended the 2024 American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians Annual Convention to recruit family physicians for IHS to provide direct patient care.
(Left to Right) Justin McHorse, recruitment and outreach program coordinator; Heidi Arnholm, medical staff recruiter; and Susan Swanz, health professions recruiter
Health Professions Support Attends Leadership Conference
The Division of Health Professions Support, Health Professions Support Branch team attended the American College of Healthcare 2024 Congress Leadership Conference held in Chicago. The goal of attending the conference was to promote the work of the IHS at health care executive gatherings. The IHS representation provided invaluable recruiting, networking, collaboration, and outreach opportunities that support the mission of the agency.
Pictured from left to right: Ra’el Augare and Meredith Hunt
IHS Career Opportunities Highlighted at Southeast US Regional Medical Conference
On April 5 – 7, Nashville Area Recruitment Committee members Ona Charette Steele and Dr. Juantina Johnson spotlighted career opportunities within the IHS at the National Medical Association Region III conference held in Nashville, Tennessee. The event attracted professionals from across the Southeast and helped foster key collaborations for future recruitment opportunities. The committee's participation at the conference underscores its commitment to enhancing health care in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Navajo Area Recruits Nurses at National Ambulatory Care Conference
From April 3 – 4, Navajo Area representatives Byron BlueEyes, Dorothea Begay, and Dennis Randles attended the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing’s 49th Annual Conference. The annual gathering is the premier conference for ambulatory care and telehealth nurses. During their time at the event, they helped recruit nurses for IHS facilities located in the Navajo Area, as well as shared information about the agency’s overall efforts to provide quality health services to American Indian and Alaska Native communities across Indian Country.
Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Webinar Series
The IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention: Advancements in Diabetes Webinar Series is hosting the following webinar for health care providers over the next week:
- “Reclaiming Indigenous Health: Embracing traditional values, culture, and history to improve health and wellbeing” on April 17 at 3 p.m. ET. Click here to attend.
CDC’s National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health Hosts Impact Wellbeing Workshops
As part of the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health’s Impact Wellbeing campaign, the CDC is excited to share its new publication titled Impact Wellbeing Guide: Taking Action to Improve Healthcare Worker Wellbeing. The guide offers six concrete action steps that hospital leaders can implement to accelerate or supplement professional wellbeing efforts in their hospitals. The guide was developed in partnership with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation and utilized in six CommonSpirit hospitals across the country.
We would like to invite you to an upcoming virtual workshop series to support hospital leaders as they implement the guide. The three-part series will be held via Zoom on April 23, May 7, and May 21, and you can register to attend here. You can find more details about each session within the registration page.
IHS Blogs
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- Raising Sexual Assault Awareness to Strengthen Unity in Indian Country
- IHS Celebrates World Autism Acceptance Month
- IHS Holds National Grantee Meeting and Training for Behavioral Health Grand Programs
- Health IT Modernization Program Kicks off Focus Groups
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