July 24, 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.
IHS Leadership Site Visits
IHS Director Roselyn Tso recently visited the Great Plains Area to meet with tribal councils and health care facility leadership teams. During the visit, leadership spoke on their shared commitment to ensure that all facilities are actively meeting the needs of the tribal communities they serve. Director Tso toured several health care facilities across South Dakota to see the great work being done to advance Native health.
On Wednesday, she met with the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Pine Ridge Service Unit leadership to discuss successes and challenges in providing quality health care services to tribal communities. On Thursday, Director Tso met with Yankton Service Unit leadership and tribal leaders from the Yankton Sioux, Lower Brule Sioux, and Crow Creek Sioux Tribes.
Visit to the Pine Ridge Service Unit and the Oglala Sioux Tribe
Visit to the Yankton Service Unit and health care facility
Visit to the Fort Thompson Service Unit and the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
Visit to the Lower Brule Service Unit and the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe
Health Care Center Grand Openings
Last week marked the grand opening of two new health care centers, a testament to the power of collaboration, compassion, and shared vision of the IHS and our tribal and urban Indian organization partners. Director Tso attended the open house and grand opening for South Dakota Urban Indian Health’s new health care facility, and then traveled to El Paso, Texas, for the grand opening of the Ysleta del Sur Health Center.
IHS Provides an Update on Advance Appropriations Implementation
In Fiscal Year 2023, the IHS received the first-ever advance appropriation for the agency, protecting our patients from the harmful impacts of potential continuing resolutions or lapses in appropriations in FY 2024. Advance appropriations provide long overdue funding stability and predictability for the Indian health system. The IHS is already reaping the benefits of the advance appropriations, as hospitals and health clinics have reported this change has improved planning for health care services and increased job security for health care providers.
The FY 2024 advance appropriation includes a total of $5.1 billion for the IHS, with nearly all programs receiving the same amount of funding that was appropriated in FY 2023 enacted. The full prior-year funding level will be available for these programs on Oct. 1, 2023, regardless of congressional action on appropriations legislation for FY 2024. To learn more about the implementation of advance appropriations and our strategic goals, read the latest IHS blog.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Annual Regional Tribal Consultations
The IHS has actively been participating in HHS regional tribal consultation sessions with tribal leaders from across Indian Country. Last week, Deputy Director for Intergovernmental Affairs Stacey Ecoffey joined HHS colleagues for the HHS Region III Tribal Consultation to consult with federally recognized tribes in the region, which covers Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Bemidji Area IHS Director Daniel Frye also recently attended the HHS Region V Tribal Consultation in New Buffalo, Michigan, to consult with federally recognized tribes in the surrounding area. The sessions are designed to provide tribal leaders with the opportunity to guide the department on improving tribal outreach and coordination and discuss programmatic and policy issues. The IHS provides updates on work we are doing across the Indian health system and outlines how we can provide high-quality health and resource needs in tribal communities. We appreciate the input and guidance from tribal leaders as we work together to improve the health and well-being of our patients, communities and people.
(Left to right) Michael Cabonargi, HHS regional director, Region V; Phyllis Davis, councilmember, Gun Lake Tribe and Chair Great Lakes Area Tribal Health Board; Rebecca Richards, chair, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi; and Daniel Frye, Bemidji Area IHS director
Recapping the May Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer on Modernization Program
The IHS continues to share with and listen to tribal partners and urban Indian leaders about Health IT Modernization. The May tribal consultation and urban confer focused on the Modernization Program’s financial resources and management. During the session, Office of Finance and Accounting Director Jillian Curtis, Office of Tribal Self-Governance Director Jennifer Cooper, and Division of Program Management and Budget Director Phil Wise joined Chief Information Officer Mitchell Thornbrugh to discuss the various ways we can work together to inform, fund, and manage the new enterprise Electronic Health Record solution. Read more in the CIO’s recent blog or review the leadership slides.
Indian Health GeriScholars Pilot Program: Enhancing Geriatric Care in the IHS
On June 27-29, the first cohort of Indian Health Geriatric Scholars, representing IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health programs in five IHS Areas, met to share the results of projects to improve care for older patients they serve. Each GeriScholar completed a week-long intensive training in geriatrics and then used that knowledge to implement a project to improve the care of older adults in their facilities. They shared projects addressing dementia detection and recognition, medication safety, and fall prevention. The commitment of these primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists to excellence and dedication to this vulnerable population's well-being is an inspiring example for health care professionals across the system.
With the close of the recruitment phase for the 2023-2024 cohort, we are thrilled to welcome 16 distinguished Indian Health GeriScholars from 15 IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health programs representing seven IHS Areas. The newly welcomed GeriScholars will play a vital role in supporting their communities while promoting healthy aging.
Informational Webinar for Tribal Communities
On July 31 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET, join the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline’s Informational Webinar for Tribal Communities to hear how tribal communities can benefit from the 24/7, free, confidential service. American Indian/Alaska native leaders will provide perspective on the maternal health landscape and what tribal community members can expect when calling the Hotline.
Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Training
The IHS Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Tele-Education Program is hosting the following trainings for health care providers over the next two weeks:
- Pain and Opioid Use Disorder Webinar Series: A Review of Cannabis
and Cannabinoids - Part 2
July 25 at 2:00 p.m. ET | Register now - Behavioral Health Integration Webinar Series: Optimizing Integrated Care
Teams to Meet the Needs of Patients
July 27 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register now
IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Announcement
The IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention: Advancements in Diabetes Webinar Series is hosting the following webinar for health care providers:
CVD Risk Reduction for People with Diabetes - a Patient Centered Approach
July 26 at 3:00 p.m. ET | Attend the webinar
Save the Date
- July 27: CHAP Tribal Advisory Group (TAG) Meeting
- August 2: Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer: Health Information Technology Modernization Leaders Engaging in Governance
- August 3: SAVE-THE-DATE: August Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations Call
- August 16: FY 2025-2026 Tribal Budget Formulation Planning and Evaluation Meeting (Hybrid)
- August 22-24: 2023 IHS Partnership Conference
Latest IHS Blogs
- IHS Provides an Update on Advance Appropriations Implementation
- Recap of May Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer on Modernization Program
Other News
July Nurse of the Month
Congratulations to Capt. Vickie Caldwell, RN, MSN, chief nurse executive at the Wewoka Indian Health Center in the IHS Oklahoma City Area, for being selected as the IHS Division of Nursing Services’ Nurse of the Month for July. Capt. Caldwell was a driving force in the health center’s COVID-19 response efforts and has steadily made improvements that have resulted in increased access to care, preventative screenings, and immunizations. Read more about Capt. Caldwell and previous Nurse of the Month recipients on the DNS webpage.
Capt. Vickie Caldwell, IHS Division of Nursing Services’ Nurse of the Month for July
National Pharmacy Council July Monthly Spotlight — Crow Service Unit Pharmacy, Billings Area
The National Pharmacy Council July pharmacy spotlight is the Crow Service Unit in the Billings Area IHS. Crow Service Unit was selected for their commitment to continuously expanded access to care, the service unit has developed and initiated public health pharmacy services through the implementation of a pharmacy-driven sexually transmitted infection standing order, resulting in expanded access to STI care and significantly reducing treatment wait times for patients diagnosed with gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis C. Additionally, they have expanded access to care through their chronic disease state management through the Patient Centered Medical Home model with clinical pharmacy practitioners, initiated pharmacy services in the emergency department, and launched a behavioral health pharmacy service, which is integrated into the outpatient clinic and is available through consults. Thank you to the Crow Service Unit pharmacy team for your commitment to expanding clinical pharmacy services and increasing access to care for your patients.
Crow Service Unit Pharmacy with the IHS Principal Pharmacy Consultant and Billings Area Pharmacy
