August 7, 2023: IHS Updates for Tribes and Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations

This bi-weekly update provides up to date information on Indian Health Service and other federally-hosted meetings, conferences, deadlines and recognition from across the Indian health system. For more information or questions, email IHSPublicAffairsStaff@ihs.gov.

Health Care Center Grand Openings and Groundbreaking

On July 15, IHS Director Roselyn Tso attended the grand opening of the Ysleta del Sur Health Center, a tribal health care facility located in El Paso, Texas, where a new state-of-the-art ambulatory care center was established. The Isleta del Sur Pueblo are the only Pueblo tribe in the state of Texas, just 13 miles from downtown El Paso, and have been home to the Tigua Indigenous people for more than 300 years.

(Photo 1) Ribbon cutting event with Ysleta del Sur Pueblo officials
(Photo 2) Albuquerque Area Director Dr. Leonard Thomas; YDSP Governor E. Michael Silvas; IHS Director Roselyn Tso; Chief Operations Officer Linda Austin; Health and Human Services Director Martin Lopez, Jr.; Tribal Partner (Ret.) Capt. Russ Pederson

Last week, Director Tso also attended the groundbreaking for the Pawnee Nation Behavioral Health Center in Oklahoma. When completed, this new 21,000 square-foot facility will stand as a beacon of hope and healing, offering culturally competent and tailored mental health support that respects and acknowledges the unique cultural backgrounds and traditions of the community. She then traveled to Arizona for the grand opening of the Dilkon Medical Center, a 154,000 square-foot facility that will offer a wide range of medical services, preventive care, health promotion programs, and more to Navajo people and nearby communities in the southwest part of the Navajo Nation.

Pawnee Nation Behavioral Health Center groundbreaking ceremony

Director Tso speaking at the Dilkon Medical Center grand opening event

IHS Leadership Site Visits

IHS Director Roselyn Tso and members of the leadership team recently visited the California Area to meet with tribal councils and health care facility leadership teams. During the visit, Director Tso toured several health care facilities spoke about the shared commitment to ensure all facilities are actively meeting the needs of the tribal communities they serve. The leadership team in attendance also toured several health care facilities across southern California to see the great work being done, including the Southern Indian Health Council, Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Indians, San Diego American Indian Health Center, Indian Health Council, Inc., Riverside San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc., Soboba Indian Health Clinic, and the IHS Desert Sage Youth Regional Treatment Center.

IHS Director Roselyn Tso meeting with Indian Health Council Inc. board members and staff

(Photo 1) Tour of the San Diego American Indian Health Center
(Photo 2) Tour of Indian Health Council, Inc.

Tour of Indian Health Council, Inc.

Meeting with Sycuan Executive Director Maurice Smith, board members and staff

IHS Awards $850,000 Cooperative Agreement for Zero Suicide Initiative Coordinating Center

The IHS Division of Behavioral Health recently announced the award of $425,000 each through a cooperative agreement to the Research Triangle Institute and the Northwest Portland Indian Health Board to support the Zero Suicide Initiative Coordinating Center. The purpose of the ZSICC cooperative agreement is to build capacity among the 15 health care facilities currently funded to implement the Zero Suicide model within their local health system of care. This cooperative agreement will work with DBH to provide technical assistance in the areas of data collection, reporting, training, resources, and implementation of the Zero Suicide approach in Indian Country. Because suicide affects everyone, from those who have lost a loved one to suicide, to those at risk for suicide, suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. It is important for our people to talk to their health care providers to learn more about suicide prevention and available treatment.

HHS Awards $2.5 Million to Help Decrease Food Insecurity in Native Communities

Last week, the IHS announced the award of $2.5 million in funding to support the development of produce prescription programs in tribal communities. The purpose of the IHS Produce Prescription Pilot Program is to help reduce food insecurity and improve health care outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native people by increasing access to produce and other traditional foods. The goal of this program is to demonstrate and evaluate the impact of produce prescription programs on American Indian and Alaska Native people and their families, specifically by reducing food insecurity, improving overall dietary health by increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, and traditional food consumption, and improving health care outcomes. The following tribes and tribal organizations received $500,000 each in 2023 grant funding to implement a produce prescription program in their communities:

Grant Recipient	City	State
Laguna Healthcare Corporation	Paraje	New Mexico
Muscogee (Creek) Nation	Okmulgee	Oklahoma
Navajo Health Foundation - Sage Memorial Hospital	Ganado	Oklahoma
Pascua Yaqui Tribe	Tucson	Arizona
Rocky Boy Health Center	Box Elder	Montana

Inscription House Health Center 40th Anniversary

On July 19, the Inscription House Health Center celebrated its 40th anniversary of providing health care services. At the event, they honored and recognized past and present health care personnel, community members, and everyone who has brought compassionate care to the center. IHS Director Tso joined former Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, IHS Kayenta Service Unit CEO Mariva Plummer, Acting Inscription House Health System Administrator Bill Elliott, and others in attendance to share personal stories and experiences about the growth of the center.

Inscription House Health Center’s 40th year celebration held on July 19

Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

The Indian Health Service published the Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on July 18, 2023. The CHEF was established to meet the extraordinary medical costs associated with the treatment of victims of disasters or catastrophic illnesses who are within the responsibility of the Service and to reimburse federal and tribal Purchased/Referred Care programs for costs that exceed the cost threshold. The NPRM proposes regulations governing CHEF and includes a 60-day comment period that closes on September 18, 2023. Key changes incorporated in the proposed rule are: a reduction in the threshold from $25,000 to $19,000, with an annual adjustment matching the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers update; the implementation of an appeal process for CHEF cases that are denied reimbursement; and the removal of Tribal Self Insurance as an alternate resource for the purposes of the CHEF program. IHS encourages all comments and will take them into consideration when the CHEF Final Rule is published.

2023 IHS Partnership Conference

The 2023 IHS Partnership Conference will be held in Atlanta on August 22–24. This annual event is sponsored by the IHS Office of Information Technology and the Office of Resource Access and Partnerships. The conference will provide valuable information for federal, tribal and urban health care administrators, managers and front-line staff who work in the areas of IT, health IT, business office, financial management, Purchased/Referred Care programs and health information management departments. There is no registration fee to attend and limited continuing education units will be available through the AAPC for coding professionals.

Following the conference on August 25, the IHS will host a Modernization Summit. Both events allow tribal leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue, exchange viewpoints, and address important modernization issues that impact tribal and urban communities. Please share event information with your network and consider attending. Learn more and register online.

IHS Announces Additional Senior Executive Service-Level CEO Positions

On August 2, the IHS announced the appointments of five additional Senior Executive Service-level chief executive officer positions at IHS facilities across Indian Country. In 2022, the IHS received 12 additional SES allocations from the Department of Health and Human Services to elevate existing CEO positions at various service units, bringing the total number of SES positions across the agency to 38. Our goal is to empower leadership at every level across the Indian health system. Guided by their commitment to serving our American Indian and Alaska Native patients, these exceptional leaders embody the vision of a healthier, more equitable future and ensure that our tribal communities receive the quality health care they deserve. The first five were announced on June 22, and the next five include:

• Capt. Brian Wren, a member of the Cherokee Nation – CEO, Lawton Indian Hospital, IHS Oklahoma City Area
• Marlene Wakefield, a member of the Seneca Nation – CEO, Rosebud Service Unit, IHS Great Plains Area
• Michelle Martinez, a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe – CEO, Whiteriver Indian Hospital, IHS Phoenix Area
• Lisa Racine-Wells, a member of the Blackfeet Nation – CEO, Blackfeet Community Hospital, IHS Billings Area
• Dr. Sara Jumping Eagle, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe – CEO, Pine Ridge Hospital, IHS Great Plains Area

Division of Nursing Services Welcomes New Director

Johanna Gorman Bahe, DNP, RN, an enrolled member of the Navajo Tribe, is the new director of the Division of Nursing Services within the IHS Office of Clinical and Preventive Services. Dr. Bahe began her career with IHS in 1996 as a clinical nurse in obstetrics. She was involved with the SANE program at the Chinle Service Unit, and served in a number of progressive roles there including acting Navajo Area nurse consultant and acting chief executive officer. During the COVID-19 response and recovery, Dr. Bahe served as the operations section chief and was responsible for collaborating with local, tribal, state, and national stakeholders to ensure smooth and safe clinical and public health service operations. Dr. Bahe received a Doctor of Nursing Practice–Nurse Executive Organizational Leadership, as well as a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of New Mexico. She also has a master’s degree in nursing with an emphasis in clinical systems leadership from the University of Arizona.

National Immunization Awareness Month and the IHS National E3 Vaccine Strategy

August is National Immunization Awareness Month! As kids prepare to go back to school and people of all ages prepare for the respiratory viral season, it is an important time to amplify immunization efforts as part of our IHS E3 Vaccine Strategy. This is a call to action. Across the IHS, we want to make sure that every patient at every encounter is offered every recommended vaccine, when appropriate. Our IHS E3 Vaccine Strategy webpage includes a Resource Bank with easy one-touch access to valuable vaccine resources.

We are excited to announce that over two dozen sites in eight IHS Areas have been formally designated as E3 Champions Pilot Program locations. We are currently accepting E3 Champions Pilot applications from I/T/U teams across the IHS system of care. The application for designation as an E3 Champions Pilot is simple and easy to complete. Sites in every Area are encouraged to participate as we seek to reduce morbidity and mortality in tribal communities from vaccine preventable illness. As our public health prevention priority, no vaccination effort is too small.

Applications for FY2022 and FY2023 Small Ambulatory Programs Open August 7

The IHS Division of Facilities Planning and Construction, Office of Environmental Health and Engineering will be accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023 Small Ambulatory Program starting on August 7. The FY 2022 and FY 2023 budgets both includes $25 million for a total budget of $50 million available for SAP. FY 2022 and 2023 SAP projects will be awarded up to $3.5 million and all 12 IHS Areas that submit an application will have an opportunity to receive an award. Under the SAP, American Indian and Alaska Native tribes or tribal organizations that are operating an Indian health care facility pursuant to a health care services contract or compact entered into under ISDEAA may competitively apply for funding for the construction, expansion, or modernization of small ambulatory health care facilities. The deadline for submitting FY 2022 and FY 2023 SAP applications is November 10, 2023.

Applications Open for 2023 IHS Loan Repayment Programs

The IHS Loan Repayment Program is still accepting applications for the FY 2023 award year. The deadline for the last award cycle is August 15. If you are working in a full-time clinical position in an Indian Health program, please visit our site to apply. If approved, you could be awarded as much as $50,000 towards the repayment of your health professional student loans. Apply today!

Region VIII Tribal Consultation

On August 1, IHS area directors from the Albuquerque, Billings, Great Plains, Phoenix and Portland Area Offices and Deputy Director of Fields Operations James Driving Hawk attended the HHS Region VIII Tribal Consultation in Denver, hosted by Regional Director Lily Griego. IHS leadership highlighted the collaborative partnerships with Indian tribes in their respective regions and reported on Area-specific federal-tribal initiatives.

National Council of Urban Indian Health Board of Directors

Last week Director Tso provided IHS updates at the National Council of Urban Indian Health Board of Directors’ virtual meeting. NCUIH’s Board of Directors shared their urban Indian health priorities. Established in 1998, NCUIH is a national 501(c)(3) organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally competent health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban settings. NCUIH is a national organization that advocates for the health of urban Indians and provides critically needed technical assistance, training, policy support, and other services.

Other News

Ground Blessing for New Adolescent Recovery and Wellness Center

Last week, the Great Lakes Intertribal Councils held a ground blessing for their new Adolescent Recovery and Wellness Center, a 36-bed residential facility centrally located in Wisconsin to best serve 12 tribes and urban Indians. When completed, it will provide culturally relevant services and responsive residential substance abuse treatment for Native American youth, ages 13-17, who are suffering from substance use disorder and any co-occurring mental health conditions.

Collaboration Boosts Nursing Services at Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition Clinic

On August 7, the Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition – Health and Wellness clinic will open to the public. A large portion of these efforts will be a joint collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, who will provide necessary advanced practice clinical services at the clinic. NUIHC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Donna Polk has noted the long history of working with the UNMC College of Nursing, particularly the patient-centered and respectful care the college provides to the people they serve. Representatives from UNMC College of Nursing plan to implement an intensive primary care nursing model at the new clinic, which has shown to improve patients’ trust in providers, their satisfaction with their care and, most importantly, their ability to care for themselves. Thank you to Dr. Polk and her staff for not only recognizing and incorporating respectful care into their clinic, but also for building valuable relationships to serve our urban Indian communities.

Cheryl Darby-Carlberg, DNP, UNMC College of Nursing; Donna Polk, PhD, chief executive officer for NUIHC; and Kate Fiandt, PhD, UNMC College of Nursing

NPTC – Summer 2023 Quarterly Meeting

The IHS National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee held its summer 2023 quarterly meeting at the IHS Nashville Area Office on Aug. 1-2. The NPTC is a standing committee of the IHS that works to promote quality, access, value, and equity in formulary management through maintenance of the IHS National Core Formulary and the provision of clinical expertise related to pharmacotherapy and pharmacovigilance. NPTC membership includes physicians and pharmacists and consists of two officers, 12 voting members representing each of the IHS Areas, and adjunct members from the IHS National Supply Service Center. During the meeting, the NPTC reviewed a range of infectious disease and gynecology topics, including the IHS National E3 Vaccine Strategy, OTC oral contraception, prevention of respiratory syncytial virus, COVID-19 prevention and treatment, influenza prevention and treatment, and subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate. The NPTC also hosted the most recent installment in its Best Practices in Formulary Management series on the topic of antimicrobial stewardship.

Further information from the NPTC, including clinical guidance documents and the IHS National Core Formulary can be accessed on their website. To receive NPTC correspondence and clinical updates, you can also self-enroll to the NPTC Listserv.

The IHS National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee summer 2023 meeting at the IHS Nashville Area Office

NATIVE Project Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Fentanyl Crisis

On July 31, the NATIVE Project, an urban Indian organization in Spokane, Washington, hosted a roundtable discussion on the fentanyl crisis in Spokane and the state of Washington. The discussion included Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), first responders, treatment providers, and those with lived experiences of addiction. American Indian and Alaska Native people have been disproportionately affected by fentanyl deaths and addiction. Thank you to the Native Project for hosting such an important topic in fighting this epidemic.

Dr. Francisco Valasquez, Spokane Regional Health District; Sen. Maria Cantwell; and Toni Lodge, CEO, The NATIVE Project

Native American Heritage Night Celebrated

On July 17, the Native American Health Center of Oakland attended the Oakland Athletics baseball game on Native American Heritage Night. NAHC was honored as the Nonprofit Partner of the Game and Interim Chief Executive Officer Natalie Aguilera had the privilege of throwing the game’s first pitch, bringing a proud moment to life for the health center. NAHC youth and families even got to meet with players during batting practice. Adding to the day, NAHC’s commitment to serving the local community in the Bay Area through their work was highlighted in a 30-second reel that played on the screens before the national anthem. Thank you NAHC for your dedication to serving our urban Indians, your work has not gone unnoticed. Congratulations!

IHS Participated in Events Sponsored by Home Base

Last week, the IHS participated in several events sponsored by Home Base, which is a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program. Home Base is in the process of expanding their services by opening a regional care location in Phoenix, with the goal of expanding services for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans living in the southwest. In addition to participating in this special recognition event, IHS representatives delivered a presentation during their Grand Rounds titled “The State of Native Health: Developing Public and Private Partnerships with the IHS,” and participated in a roundtable discussion about a new Pilot Concept 5-Day Rural Intensive Clinical Program for Native Veterans, Service Members and Families, that is currently under development. Home Base projects that their operations in Phoenix will open sometime in late calendar year 2024.

Phoenix Area Deputy Director Rear Adm. Michael Weahkee and Office of Urban Indian Health Programs Director Dr. Rose Weahkee escorting Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald

Winnebago Comprehensive Health System 5-Year Anniversary

On July 26, IHS Deputy Director Ben Smith, Deputy Director for Field Operations Jim Driving Hawk, and Great Plains Area Director Joe Amiotte attended the Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System five-year anniversary celebration and the recent achievement of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Certification at the Twelve Clans Unity Hospital in Winnebago, Nebraska. On July 1, 2018, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska assumed management of the hospital from the IHS through an Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act self-governance compact and funding agreement, and it was renamed Twelve Clans Unity Hospital in honor of the twelve traditional clans of the Winnebago Tribe.

Site Visit to Native American Lifelines

On July 25, Office of Urban Indian Health Programs Director Dr. Rose Weahkee visited Native American Lifelines in Boston and discussed the unique urban Indian health care needs with local leadership and partners. NAL is an IHS-funded urban Indian organization founded in 2000 as Lifelines Foundation, Inc., in Baltimore. NAL expanded services to Boston in 2011 and currently serves urban Indians in both the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.

Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition Inc. & Buffet Cancer Center

Also on July 25, IHS Deputy Director Ben Smith met with Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition Inc. Chief Executive Officer Dr. Donna Polk and toured the facility. As part of this visit, they also met with Director and Physician-in-Chief Dr. Kenneth H. Cowan at the Nebraska Medical Center’s Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, a comprehensive team of more than 200 cancer experts covering all specialties across the cancer spectrum. Cancer ranks high among the leading causes of death in Nebraska.

IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Webinar Series

IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention: Advancements in Diabetes Webinar Series is hosting the following webinar for healthcare providers:

• New Insights on Physical Activity and Weight Loss
  August 9, 3:00 p.m. ET | Click here to attend.

Save the Date

• August 16: FY 2025-2026 Tribal Budget Formulation Planning and Evaluation Meeting (Hybrid)
• August 22-24: 2023 IHS Partnership Conference
• August 24: CHAP Tribal Advisory Group (TAG) Meeting
• September 6-7: IHS ISAC Fall 2023 Semi-Annual Meeting