November 13, 2023: 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.
Director Tso Visits Tribal Delegates
Last week, Director Roselyn Tso met with several tribal councils in the IHS Billings Area. During her meeting with the Fort Peck Tribes, they identified ways the IHS can advance health services for the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribe. Elsewhere, the director met with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Tribe and was able to tour their facility which opened in 2022. The facility is roughly 200,000 square feet and has state-of-the-art health services. She also met with President Harvier and the CEO of the health center and discussed many areas where IHS may advance health services. Lastly, the director met with the vice-chair of the Omaha Tribal Youth Council Esperanza Del Angel, who was attending the White House Tribal Youth Forum on behalf of her tribe. They discussed several issues identified by the youth council, including the importance of food sovereignty and growing Native foods as medicine.
Meeting with Fort Peck Tribes
Meeting with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
Meeting with the vice-chair of the Omaha Tribal Youth Council Esperanza Del Angel and other representatives at the White House Tribal Youth Forum
IHS Announces Selection of EHR Solution Provider
Last week, the IHS announced a major milestone in its work to improve the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives. While quick action and outcomes are important, so is taking the time to share, listen, and collaborate. For the past several years, the IHS has taken time to research the electronic health record environment, understand the needs and concerns of our partners, and learn about industry options. The time spent gathering knowledge and engaging with our current and future system users helped the IHS create a thoughtful approach to modernizing the technology that supports our health care services. A key milestone in that plan occurred with the selection of General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. to deploy an enterprise electronic health record solution across Indian Country that uses Oracle Health technology. We chose GDIT because it had the strongest overall technical approach, demonstrated experience deploying complex IT systems for the federal government, has a record of strong past performance, and is offering a widely accepted EHR product that was well-received by users participating in scenario-based demonstration sessions. This is part of the ongoing IHS Health IT Modernization Program. Read more about the selection in our press release.
Supai Health Station Grand Opening
In partnership with the Havasupai Tribe, the Indian Health Service held a grand opening ceremony on November 8 for the new and upgraded replacement facility of the federally managed Supai Health Station in Havasupai, Arizona. Accessible only by helicopter, mule or horse, or on foot, the health station is located in the remote Havasupai Canyon within the Grand Canyon. The 12,700-square-foot facility replaces a 2,200-square-foot clinic constructed in 1972 and provides space for primary care, dental, pharmacy and medication dispensing, lab, and radiology services. This opening is a momentous accomplishment that has been in the works for two decades. In one of the world’s most remote locations, we are improving access to care and delivering a state-of-the-art health care facility at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The IHS is raising the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives, even in the most challenging and remote locations. Read more in the IHS Newsroom.
IHS Celebrates Native Heritage Month
The Indian Health Service is excited to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Tribal Sovereignty and Identity,” presents an opportunity to educate the public about the proud history of Indigenous people in America, and to honor the rich and diverse tribal cultures that continue to thrive throughout Indian Country. As we celebrate our past, it is also important to recognize the present and future. American Indians and Alaska Natives are a proud and resilient people, and we will continue to honor our history and highlight rich traditions that have been passed down through generations.
IHS Recognizes Veterans Day
On Veterans Day, the IHS honored all veterans from across Indian Country. American Indian and Alaska Native veterans have served in the U.S. Armed Forces in every major military conflict since the Revolutionary War and in greater numbers per capita than any other ethnic group. Many dedicated veterans continue their public service in various roles throughout the Indian health system, and the IHS is proud to deliver care to Native veterans in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Thank you for your service.
Director Tso Visits with Congressional Members
Recently, IHS Director Roselyn Tso had the opportunity to visit with several members of the U.S. Senate in their offices to discuss the important work and services that the Indian Health Service provides throughout the country.
On October 30, she had a productive meeting with Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden and his staff. The director highlighted IHS achievements and its dedication to tackling opioid challenges in Indian Country, along with support for mental health programs, where 80 percent are administered by the tribes. She also emphasized the significance of expanding the Community Health Aide Program in the Northwest within the IHS Portland Area, and the work of the IHS on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law projects to address unmet needs.
Director Tso also met with Montana Sen. Jon Tester and his staff to discuss several important topics that included fentanyl overdoses in Indian Country and efficient processing of background checks. She highlighted many of the accomplishments made across the agency since being sworn in as director more than one year ago, expressing the commitment of the IHS to engage with and prioritize its partnerships with tribes and urban Indian organizations.
Additionally, she had an engaging meeting with staffers for Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, focusing on the IHS budget and related activities. There was interest in CHAP and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law projects, and the director had a frank discussion on the IHS budget overall and how the senator’s office can support IHS in the future.
Lastly, Director Tso met with Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley. The senator had specific comments regarding workforce shortages across IHS and tribal programs and provided his thoughts on the challenges of infrastructure development within tribal communities.
(Photo 1) Meeting at Sen. Ron Wyden’s office
(Photo 2) Meeting with Sen. Jon Tester
(Photo 3) Meeting at Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s office
(Photo 4) Meeting with Sen. Jeff Merkley
Road to Healing Event in Bozeman, Montana
In June 2021, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, a comprehensive effort to recognize the troubled legacy of federal Indian boarding school policies with the goal of addressing their intergenerational impact and to shed light on the traumas of the past. As part of the initiative and in response to recommendations from the report, Secretary Haaland launched “The Road to Healing.” This year-long commitment to travel across the country allowed American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian survivors of the federal Indian boarding school system the opportunity to share their stories, help connect communities with trauma-informed support, and facilitate collection of a permanent oral history.
Director Roselyn Tso and IHS leadership have participated in the Road to Healing listening sessions held throughout Indian Country. Last week, she joined IHS Billings Area Director Bryce Redgrave, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steve Williamson, and Behavioral Health Consultant Dr. Alan Ostby at the 12th and final stop in Bozeman, Montana. Director Tso said the stories from tribal citizens describing their experiences have been heart-wrenching and reflect the challenges that still continue today for tribal communities. The IHS is supportive of the initiative and looks forward to the final guidance for continued mental and behavioral healing from boarding school, historical, and generational traumas for all Indigenous people.
(Photo 1) Director Tso at the Road to Healing event
(Photo 2) Secretary Deb Haaland and IHS Billings Area Behavioral Health Consultant Dr. Alan Ostby
(Photo 3) Haaland and IHS Billings Area Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steve Williamson
White House Tribal Youth Forum
Last week, IHS Director Roselyn Tso attended the 3rd annual White House Tribal Youth Forum along with HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, in partnership with the Center for Native American Youth. She joined Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Bryan Newland and Administration for Native Americans - ANA Commissioner Patrice Kinesh to engage in a critical discussion about two significant initiatives: the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative and continued efforts to safeguard the Indian Child Welfare Act. This event was a significant gathering that speaks volumes about the unwavering commitment of the IHS to empower and amplify the voices of our Indigenous youth – a commitment that Tso said resonates deeply with her as the director of the Indian Health Service. The IHS looks forward to continuing to work together to create a healthier, stronger generation of tribal leaders across Indian Country.
White House Tribal Youth Forum
CHAP System of Records Notice Published in Federal Register
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, HHS is establishing a new system of records maintained by the IHS Office of Clinical and Preventive Services, “Community Health Aide Program Records.” The purpose of the new system of records is to preserve and process records related to federal certification of health providers under the CHAP. The notice was posted in the Federal Register on October 31, and comments are due by November 30.
IHS and AISES Sign Agreement to Promote STEM Opportunities in Indian Country
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society and Indian Health Service have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote American Indian and Alaska Native STEM opportunities across Indian Country. Among other things, the MOU includes career opportunities, internships, and mentoring programs within IHS; helps coordinate outreach to American Indian and Alaska Native communities; increases awareness of sciences, technology, engineering, and math-related healthcare facilities and environmental health career occupations; affirms commitments to share resources, job vacancy information, and expertise; and enhances the recruitment and retention of American Indian and Alaska Native STEM students in health care facilities and environmental health jobs. This MOU will be a vital resource for the IHS as the agency continues to hire engineers, technicians, and support staff to support implementation of the $3.5 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for the Sanitation Facilities Construction Program.
(Left to Right) Sarah EchoHawk, AISES president; Helen Laughing-Hoskie, OHR/DSFC hiring team; Cmdr. Tanya Davis, DSFC senior staff engineer; Joshuah Marshall, senior advisor to the IHS director; and Alicia Mitchell, AISES associate director of tribal and government relations
Division of Nursing Services November Nurse of the Month
Mikisha Longie, BSN, RN, a public health nurse and colorectal cancer coordinator from the Turtle Mountain Service Unit in North Dakota, has been selected as the IHS Division of Nursing Services’ Nurse of the Month for November. Mikisha is an invaluable member of the public health nursing team and has demonstrated versatility and expertise across various nursing departments. Read more about her work and past recipients on the DNS webpage.
IHS Celebrates National Nurse Practitioner Week
National Nurse Practitioner Week is November 12–18. Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who hold advanced nursing degrees (masters or doctorate) and national board certification in their clinical specialty area of their NP education. NPs work in a variety of settings and roles throughout the IHS, tribal, and urban Indian organizations, including primary care, family practice, behavioral health, women’s health, acute care, emergency room, urgent care, and pediatrics. Please take time to thank an NP this week for their commitment to advancing health care access for tribal communities.
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:
- “Talking with Patients and Families about Kidney Disease” on November 15 at 3 p.m. ET.
Click here to attend.
Special Diabetes Program for Indians-2
The IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention is implementing another Special Diabetes Program for Indians grant opportunity, SDPI-2. The purpose is to offer SDPI funding to federal, tribal, and urban Indian organizations that don’t currently have an SDPI grant. Applications are due by November 29.
Save the Date
- November 16: DSTAC Monthly Meeting
- November 28: Portland Area Budget Formulation Meeting
- November 30: IHS NTAC Quarterly Meeting
- December 5-6: Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee Meeting
IHS Blogs
- Honoring American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans
- IHS Celebrates and Recognizes Forensic Nurses Week
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