September 05, 2024: IHS Updates for Tribes and Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations

The 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, please email IHSPublicAffairsStaff@ihs.gov.

IHS Celebrates World Water Week with Events Across Indian Country

Last week, the Indian Health Service celebrated World Water Week and the 65th anniversary of the Sanitation Facilities Construction Program by hosting five events across Indian Country. Held in the Bemidji, Great Plains, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, and Portland Areas, these events highlighted the program's success in improving water and sanitation infrastructure in tribal communities, bolstered by funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

While clean water and reliable sanitation are often taken for granted, many Native communities still lack these essential services. Despite federal efforts over the last century to modernize infrastructure, approximately 41,000 American Indian and Alaska Native homes still lack adequate sanitation facilities, and over 5,000 homes remain without safe water supplies or waste disposal systems. To address these gaps, the BIL allocates $700 million annually from fiscal year 2022 to FY 2026 to support critical sanitation projects across Indian Country. With more than 800 projects currently underway, the IHS is partnering with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency to improve access to clean water and sanitation services.

Through these initiatives, the IHS continues to enhance public health and wellbeing for Native communities. Visit the IHS Facebook page to learn more about last week’s events.

(Clockwise) Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Mission Wastewater System Upgrades – Mission, Oregon; Creek/Wagoner Country RWD #5 Water Treatment Plant Expansion – Coweta, Oklahoma; Omaha Tribe of Nebraska Water Treatment Plant – Macy, Nebraska; Lac Courte Oreilles Water Tower Improvements – New Post, Wisconsin; Cherokee New Water Treatment Plant & Raw Water Intake – Stilwell, Oklahoma; San Carlos Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion – San Carlos, Arizona

Phoenix Area Site Visits

As part of IHS Director Tso’s visit to the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation for World Water Week, she had the pleasure of touring their impressive hospital that opened in 2015. Over the past nine years, the tribe has greatly enhanced the services they offer patients at their facility, growing to 46 departments and more than 800 employees. This includes greater dental services, expanded specialty care, a planned skilled nursing/long term care facility, and more. While in the San Carlos community, she had the pleasure of sitting down to visit with staff from the tribe’s new sober living facility location. She then toured the new Clarence Wesley Healthcare Center, a satellite facility of the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation that is under construction. Located 23 miles from the main hospital – among stunning views of the tribe’s breathtaking Arizona landscape – this 30,000 square-foot facility will serve the community of Bylas and is a much-appreciated update of the current smaller facility with the same name. The new center is slated to open in early 2025.

On August 26, Director Tso continued he pledge to keep her feet on the ground in Indian Country with a terrific visit to the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Throughout the day she had the privilege of visiting with the Tribal Council and other leaders, listened to an important community town hall with a focus on Purchased/Referred Care, and toured the Whiteriver Service Unit and construction site, as well as the Cibecue Clinic and construction site. Director Tso extends her appreciation to the tribe for their generous hospitality, and to the staff for the remarkable work they do every day.

Director Tso wrapped up her visit in the Phoenix Area with a visit to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation on August 27. Among other things, she had the pleasure of meeting with Tribal Council and touring the Wassaja Memorial Health Center. She was also able to able to make an impromptu stop at the new Fort McDowell Water Treatment Plant — another example of the work that IHS is doing across Indian Country during World Water Week. The facility will serve more than 300 homes and 20 non-residential facilities and includes upgrades to wells and pumps, waterlines, and a booster station. She applauds the work the tribe and staff are doing to deliver first-rate care and services to our people.

Director Tso Joins in Celebrating Sage Memorial Hospital Grand Opening

Last month, Director Tso had the privilege of celebrating the grand opening of the Sage Memorial Hospital, which will deliver quality healthcare to the surrounding communities of Ganado, Kinlichee, Klagetoh, Wide Ruins, Lower Greasewood Springs, Cornfields, Nazlini, and Steamboat chapters of the Navajo Nation. The new hospital is more than just a building; it is a testament to their staff’s commitment to the health and well-being of their patients. Equipped with advanced technology and staffed by a skilled team that understands the importance of cultural competency, traditional wisdom, and respect in healthcare, this facility will be a place of compassionate care, ensuring that every patient is seen and supported on their path to wellness. It wouldn’t have been possible without the determination of leaders and visionaries who championed this cause, and to the community members whose support was instrumental in shaping this facility. She extends her thanks to the Navajo Health Foundation and the staff at the IHS Navajo Area Office for their ongoing dedication to the tribes in the region.

Visit to Fort Yuma Health Care Center

On August 22, Director Tso had the pleasure of visiting the Fort Yuma Health Care Center located in Winterhaven, California. First opened in April 2018, the health facility proudly serves two distinct tribal communities: the Cocopah Indian Tribe and the Fort Yuma Quechan Indian Tribe. She extends her appreciation for the opportunity to speak with tribal leadership and staff to learn about their outpatient services and efforts to build healthy communities. She offered her encouragement to keep up the great work and thanks for helping raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of patients to the highest level.

Director Tso Shares Nutrition is Medicine at International Conference

Also in August, Director Tso had the privilege of sharing Indian Health Service’s commitment and innovative strategies in advancing health through nutrition at the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine. At IHS, we believe food is more than sustenance; it’s a cornerstone of health and well-being, deeply rooted in traditional ecological knowledge. Food is sacred, a source of healing, and a connector of all living beings. She thanks Dr. Neal Barnard, Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC and President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, for the invitation to speak and for hosting a memorable conference.

Director Tso Visits IHS Alaska Area

Earlier in August, Director Tso visited several sites in Alaska to meet with community members and local leaders, as well as to discuss some of the unique challenges and successes when it comes to health care service delivery in remote areas throughout the state.

She toured the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation and the Regional Hospital to hear about the services they provide, water and sanitation efforts in their communities, and the impact of climate change. She also met with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and toured the Alaska Native Medical Center — a 182-bed hospital with a full range of medical specialties, primary care services, and labs. The visits continued with a meeting at the Southcentral Foundation and a tour of their Anchorage Native Primary Care Center. She also toured the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital and met with Napakiak Village leadership and upcoming youth leaders, which included a visit to their clinic and tour of the water sanitation facility. 

As part of her trip, she had the honor to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Alaska Native Medical Center’s Emergency Services expansion project. This marked a pivotal moment of our partnership with the Alaska Native Medical Center and Southcentral Foundation and is a powerful testament to what we can achieve together through unity, compassion, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of those we serve. ANMC is the largest and most complex medical center in the IHS system, providing primary, secondary, and tertiary services to more than 170,000 American Indian and Alaska Native beneficiaries.

Due to continued population growth and associated increased demand in services, several facility masterplans have indicated a dire need to expand the facility. The groundbreaking celebrates an approximately 91,000 square foot expansion — adding 63,000 square feet to the existing facility and renovating 28,000 square feet. The expansion aims to create 30 emergency treatment areas, 26 Fast Track exam rooms, and 12 Clinical Decision Unit beds, with a surgical expansion that will add 12 peri-operative patient spaces and storage.

Director Tso also participated in the Alaska Native Health Board Mega Meeting in Anchorage. The meeting, which brought together tribal leaders from across the state, covered a range of critical topics including water and sanitation, budget updates, and other pressing health concerns. The ANHB, a statewide organization advocating for the health needs of Alaska Native people for over 40 years, provided a vital platform for these discussions. The director appreciates the opportunity to meet with leadership from across Indian Country and to be able to see and hear about the great work being done across the Indian health system.

2023 IHS Director Awards

Director Tso had the honor to recognize the outstanding achievements of our IHS team and partners today during the 2023 Director’s Awards on August 30. She said our workforce demonstrates amazing dedication to the provision of high-quality health care services for American Indians and Alaska Natives every day. In recognition of exceptional work during calendar year 2023, more than 200 individuals and teams were selected to receive IHS Director’s Awards. These recipients exemplify unwavering commitment and extraordinary contributions to the IHS, tribes, and urban Indian organizations, embodying the spirit of service and innovation that drives us all forward. Through these awards, she was pleased to recognize individuals or groups of employees whose special efforts and contributions beyond regular duty requirements, have resulted in significant benefits to the IHS strategic goals, objectives, programs, customers, and fulfillment of the IHS mission. Congratulations to all of the recipients.

Rena Macy, Office of Direct Service and Contracting Tribes, received the 2023 Luana Reyes Leadership Award

Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund Final Rule Published

IHS has published a final rule implementing regulations governing the Catastrophic Health Emergency Fund (CHEF). IHS Purchased/Referred Care funds are used to complement other health care resources available to eligible Indian people. The CHEF exclusively reimburses PRC programs and is intended to support and supplement PRC programs that experience extraordinary medical costs associated with the catastrophic illnesses or disaster. CHEF reimbursement cannot be made until all alternate resources the patient may be eligible for have been exhausted. The CHEF therefore shields the IHS and tribal PRC operations from financial disruption caused by high?cost illnesses or events. The CHEF revisions will mean:

• More cases will now be eligible for reimbursement due to the lowered threshold of $19,000, which will expand access to health care in Indian Country;
• Promulgation of CHEF regulations that is statutorily required;
• Establishment of clear rules on reconsideration and appeals of CHEF claims; and
• Clarification of relevant terms and the IHS’s coordination with tribal self-insurance plans.

IHS received comments from eight tribal entities on the proposed notice. The comments are grouped by topic and summarized, together with responses in the Final Regulation. A Dear Tribal Leader Letter will be sent this week.

Indian Health Service 2024 Public Health Nursing Meeting

Last week, the IHS Division of Nursing Services Public Health Nursing Program hosted the 2024 Public Health Nursing meeting in Rockville, Maryland, to share PHN best practices and activities to increase access to quality health care services. An update on agency goals and initiatives was also provided by the IHS Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Matthew Clark. This opportunity is a priority for the 50 PHN managers in attendance as the information shared is to be integrated into individual PHN program plans, annual strategic plans, and will supplement PHN staff orientation at the local level to ensure access to services is provided in tribal communities.

International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practice

Also last week, nearly 50 IHS, tribal, and urban Indian organizations forensic healthcare providers and Nicole Stahlmann, forensic nurse consultant with the Division of Nursing Services, attended the International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practice in Denver, Colorado. The conference brought each of them renewed energy, inspiration, and excitement to enhancing best practices for patient care following violent crimes within Indian country. Kudos to each of those who attended the conference. Your hard work and dedication to forensic healthcare professional growth and development is remarkable.

Forensic health care providers at the International Conference on Forensic Nursing Science and Practice

IHS Cancer Team Hosts Inaugural Cancer Navigation Pilot Project

From August 13 – 15, the headquarters cancer prevention team hosted and implemented the first Cancer Navigation Pilot Project in Tuba City, Arizona. The team was comprised of members from Northern Arizona University, Tuba City Regional Health Care, Agnes Attakai, and the IHS. There were 35 attendees who traveled from the Alaska, Albuquerque, Bemidji, California, Navajo, Oklahoma City, and Phoenix Areas. The future plan is to partner and share the curriculum in a variety of pilot sites across IHS and tribal health care centers. The outcome of the training was to address barriers and challenges for our patients and their caregivers when they may receive a cancer diagnosis.

Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention Hosts Grantee Conference

The IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention hosted the Special Diabetes Program for Indians Grantee Conference on August 14 – 16 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This was the first in-person conference since 2019 and it was a huge success, with more than 600 attendees, both in-person and virtually.  The event was designed to provide education, resources, and best practices for SDPI grantees and IHS Area diabetes consultants. The SDPI grantees networked with their peers and showcased their programs during the SDPI Poster Presentation/Evening Reception sponsored by the Chickasaw Nation. Representatives from the Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee provided welcoming remarks and an opening prayer, as well as traditional dances and songs by the Navajo & Mescalero Apache dance group. 

Nearly 2,000 Attend IHS Partnership and Direct Service Tribes Conference

In August, Director Tso had the pleasure of participating in the 2024 IHS Partnership and Direct Service Tribes Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Drawing nearly 2,000 attendees, the event was sponsored by the Office of Direct Service and Contracting Tribes, Office of Information Technology and Office of Resource Access and Partnerships. Over the years, the conference has grown from a training event for business office and health information management staff into a major forum for sharing best practices, training, and collaboration across various fields, including IT, health IT, and the Purchased/Referred Care program.

This year marked the 20^th anniversary of the Direct Service Tribes National Meetings, celebrated by ODSCT. The conference opened with plenary sessions featuring fireside chats with health care and technology leaders, including Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Health Dr. Charles Grim, Microsoft Chief Medical Officer Dr. Thomas Osborne, and Center for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Services Deputy Administrator and Director Dan Tsai. HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm delivered the keynote address. Attendees participated in nearly 200 sessions covering more than 170 topics. The event concluded with an inspiring address by Seattle Indian Health Board Executive Vice President Abigail Echo-Hawk and closing remarks by IHS Deputy Director Benjamin Smith.

Director Tso thanks the planning committee and attendees for making this year’s conference a success!

Indian Health Service Hosts 2024 Health IT Modernization Tribal Summit

In August, the 2024 Health IT Modernization Tribal Summit followed the IHS Partnership Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, offering a vital platform for tribal and urban Indian organization representatives to receive updates, engage in a caucus, and participate in an open dialogue with Program leadership. The summit began with a prayer, opening in a good way, by Adrian Haven, an enrolled member of the Navajo Tribe and descendant of the Cherokee Nation, who set a tone of gratitude, connectedness, and openness. Nashville Area Director Dr. Beverly Cotton delivered a keynote address emphasizing the importance of health equity for American Indians and Alaska Natives, highlighting how the new EHR solution will enhance the delivery of high-quality care. IHS Chief Information Officer Mitchell Thornbrugh provided program updates and premiered the first video in the Modernization Program Video Series, showcasing leadership's vision for leveraging modern technology to better serve Indian Country. The event concluded with a collaborative caucus and open dialogue, addressing questions, concerns, and suggestions. We extend our gratitude to all attendees and the Partnership Conference planning committee for making the summit a success!

IHS Names the New Electronic Health Record Solution: PATH EHR

The IHS is happy to announce the name of our new enterprise electronic health record solution: PATH EHR. PATH stands for “Patients at the Heart,” which demonstrates our continued dedication to assisting individuals on their journey to healing, while promoting empowerment and advancement of health and wellness that is in line with nature and community values. PATH EHR reflects our vision, which aims to provide the best possible EHR to drive high-quality health care through sustainable, modern, and easy to use tools. For more information on how PATH EHR embodies our vision statement, check out this month’s blog.

IHC and CDC Release Groundbreaking Study on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in Native Populations

A new collaborative study from the IHS, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Alzheimer’s Association has been released that provides dementia estimates among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. This is the first study of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) among Native populations who receive medical care at IHS, tribal, and urban Indian organization programs or through Purchased/Referred Care.

The research finds that 14 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native IHS patients had early-onset dementia (between the ages of 45 and 64) during the study period from 2016 through 2020. This emphasizes the importance of discussing the signs and symptoms of dementia with patients starting in middle age, especially for clinicians who work with IHS or American Indian and Alaska Native patients. It’s important for patients to know memory loss or trouble with thinking that disrupts their daily lives is not a normal part of aging. The data provides a baseline to assess future progress for IHS efforts addressing ADRD in Native communities.

Discover more findings from this newly released research here.

FY 2024 Small Ambulatory Program Applications Now Available

The IHS is now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2024 Small Ambulatory Program. A total of $25 million is available for American Indian and Alaska Native tribes or tribal organizations that are operating an Indian health care facility for the construction, expansion, or modernization of small ambulatory health care facilities. The application deadline is November 8, 2024. If a tribe or tribal organization is interested in applying, they can download and complete the application available on the Division of Facilities Planning and Construction website. Detailed proposal instructions are provided in the application package that outline the requirements for project planning and tribal administrative and financial capabilities.

IHS Announces Grant Awards for Tribal Self-Governance Planning and Negotiation Activities

Last week, the IHS announced recipients of the second round of fiscal year 2024 Tribal Self-Governance Planning and Negotiation Cooperative Agreements. These annual IHS cooperative agreement awards support tribes and tribal organizations with the planning and preparation necessary to assume responsibility for providing health care to their tribal members through the Tribal Self-Governance Program. The following tribes received awards for FY 2024:

• Coyote Valley Band of Pomo Indians (Redwood Valley, California) – $180,000
• Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma (Perkins, Oklahoma) – $84,000

The IHS emphasize the commitment to tribal self-governance and will continue to work with self-governance tribes and those interested in entering self-governance compacts. Read more here.

IHS Announces New Office of Human Resources Director

The IHS is excited to announce Daniel Frye, MHA, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, as the new director of the Office of Human Resources. Frye has served as the acting director since February 2024 and has been instrumental in standardizing human resource processes and aligning agency priorities under “One HR”, which saw the IHS move to a centralized HR model after decades of utilizing a decentralized model. As director, Frye is responsible for providing strategic guidance and leadership for all aspects of the human resources function and establishing a vision and direction for the full complement of core human capital programs, policies, and services. This includes providing leadership and direction in the development of HR policies that promote maximum effectiveness in the IHS workforce while supporting the IHS mission. Please join me in welcoming him to this permanent position!

National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee Holds Quarterly Meeting

The IHS National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committtee held its summer 2024 quarterly meeting at the IHS Oklahoma City Area Office on August 6 – 7. 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. During the meeting, the NPTC reviewed a range of topics including non-invasive fungal infections, aspirin use in primary and secondary prevention, clinical review of psychedelics, Vaxelis in American Indian and Alaska Native infants, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and continuous glucose monitoring.

Further information from the NPTC, including clinical guidance documents and the IHS National Core Formulary, can be accessed here. To receive NPTC correspondence and clinical updates, federal, tribal and urban Indian organization staff can self-enroll to the NPTC Listserv.

The IHS National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee held their Summer 2024 meeting at the IHS Oklahoma City Area Office

Division of Oral Health Conducts National Dental Challenges Course

In August, the IHS Division of Oral Health held an orientation course for new dentists – those with less than three years of experience in an IHS, tribal, or urban Indian organization dental program – in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The three-day course, taught by the IHS national dental specialty consultants and DOH staff, relays standards of care for IHS dental programs. Topics included an overview of the IHS, oral health promotion/disease prevention, alternative dental workforce models, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, endodontics (e.g., root canals), prosthodontics (e.g., dentures), orthodontics (e.g., braces), risk management, and infection control and prevention. The IHS Dental Challenges Course, as well as the Dental Updates Conference, is intended for all Indian health system dental staff and is held biennially on alternating years.   

Pharmacy Leadership Training

The 15th session of the IHS Pharmacy Leadership Training Program was held from July 29 – August 2 at the Oklahoma City Area Office, with an attendance of 23 pharmacists who serve at federal, tribal, and urban Indian organization sites. The program’s focus was to provide in-depth pharmacy management and operations training to pharmacists serving in or considering a transition into pharmacy leadership roles by developing a networked workforce of well-equipped pharmacy leaders to ensure the continuity of future operations, both in and outside the pharmacy setting. The PLT program was developed in 2017 and has trained 319 pharmacy leaders from all 12 IHS Areas through two courses per year. The PLT training coordinators thank Oklahoma City Area Director Rear Adm. Travis Watts and the IHS National Supply Center for their continued support of this valuable program.

Rear Adm. Travis Watts, PLT coordinators, and attendees at the August 2024 PLT course

National Pharmacy Program Visits Phoenix Area Sites

On August 14, Headquarters Principal Pharmacy Consultant Capt. Kailee Fretland had the opportunity to visit two Phoenix Area pharmacies — Fort Yuma Service Unit and Phoenix Indian Medical Center — to learn more about their pharmacy services, tour their facilities, and to meet staff.

(Photo 1) Fort Yuma Pharmacy Staff with Capt. Fretland
(Photo 2) Phoenix Indian Medical Center Pharmacy Staff with Capt. Fretland

STI/Syphilis End-the-Syndemic Informatics Response

On August 14 – 15, the IHS Division of Nursing Services – Public Health Nursing Program participated in the 2024 Indian Health Service Partnership and Direct Service Tribes Conference in Phoenix, Arizona to share efforts to mitigate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections within Indian Country. Capt. Wil Darwin highlighted the sexually transmitted infection landscape in Indian Country by presenting data, IHS Senior Nurse Consultant Tina Tah provided an overview of the community efforts and the PHN Program, Dr. Melissa Wyaco shared information on community strategies for STI treatment in the field, Eugenia Johnson provided content on the critical elements of community approaches to reducing STIs, and Public Health Advisor Capt. (Ret) Theresa Tsosie-Robledo provided information of engaging and strengthening partnerships with the PHN STI case management grant program.

IHS Recognizes National Recovery Month in September

The IHS recognizes September as National Recovery Month. Under the Division of Behavioral Health, the goal of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Branch is to reduce the prevalence of alcohol and substance misuse among American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Branch strives to meet this goal through the implementation of alcohol and substance abuse programs within tribal communities, including emergency treatment, inpatient and outpatient treatment, and rehabilitation services in both rural and urban settings. For more information, please visit their website.

DAISY Award Recognizes Nurses from Hopi Health Care Center and Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

The DAISY Award for Nurses Advancing Health Equity was created to honor nurses whose work advances health equity and mitigates health disparities that are caused by social determinants of health. This award recognizes public health service nurses who drive innovative policies or programs to address social determinants of health and decrease health disparities at the local, state, regional, national, or international levels. The DAISY Nurse Leader Award was created to recognize PHS nurse leaders who create an environment that fosters fortitude, empowerment, and support for the workforce to thrive. Congratulations to both award winners.

National Pharmacy Council Monthly Spotlight for August — Chapa-De Indian Health Clinical Pharmacy Team

The clinical pharmacy team at Chapa-De Indian Health has developed an Asthma/COPD Workshop to help educate patients on proper inhaler techniques, improve self-management, and optimize asthma therapy. Patients are invited to participate based on direct provider referrals or by frequency of rescue inhaler refill requests. The Clinical Pharmacists use a tool called an In-Check Dial to help determine if the inhalation technique is correct. This tool has shown that more than 90 percent of Chapa-De’s participating patients had the incorrect inhalation technique. Patients then meet with a clinical pharmacist one-on-one to review inhaler techniques and receive asthma or COPD education. The clinical pharmacists not only educate; they also provide basic asthma/COPD assessments, order labs, recommend additions and adjustments to medications, develop asthma/COPD action plans, and follow up with patients to assess the effectiveness of interventions. Congratulations to the IHS California Area’s Chapa-De Indian Health clinical pharmacy team.

IHS Alzheimer’s Program Collaboration with the Great Plains Area

The IHS Alzheimer’s Program recently collaborated with the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s Oglala Sioux Lakota Nursing Home for a photoshoot in South Dakota and Nebraska. The group worked with a production team to photograph local elders, caregivers, and community members as they attended the Oglala Nation Pow Wow and Rodeo. These photos will be incorporated into the IHS Elder Health and Alzheimer’s Program website, graphics, and social media campaigns.

Division of Health Professions Support Branch Recruits at National Conferences

In August, IHS staff members of the Headquarters Division of Health Professions Support Branch, Great Plains Area, Oklahoma City Area, and Phoenix Area recruited at the American Academy of Family Physicians National Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The event attracted a large presence of family medicine residents and medical student from across the country. The family medicine physicians-to-be expressed an interest in employment and clinical rotations with the IHS, along with the Loan Repayment Program.

Last month, staff members of the Division of Health Professions Support Branch also attended the American Psychological Association Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington. The event generated a presence of clinical psychologists, behavioral health counselors, licensed clinical social workers, psychologists, and retirees from across the United States. Individuals expressed an interest in employment with the IHS, loan repayment options, internships, and were seeking opportunities in how to provide direct patient care to American Indians and Alaska Natives.

(Left to Right) HQ Recruitment and Outreach Program Coordinators Keith Bohanan, Meredith Hunt, and Justin McHorse

Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Webinar Series

The Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Tele-Education Program is hosting the following trainings for health care providers:  

• Behavioral Health Integration Webinar Series: “Partnerships for Children and Adolescents in Integrated Care Settings” on September 5 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register here
• TBHCE Webinar Series: “Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss” on September 10 at 2:00 p.m. ET | Register here
• TBHCE Webinar Series: “Addressing Provider Burnout in Tribal Communities” on September 19 at 2:00 p.m. ET | Register here
• “TBHCE Webinar Series: Understanding the Impact of Substance Misuse on Behavioral Dysregulation” on September 24 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register here
• “TBHCE Webinar Series: Documenting Behavioral Health Notes in Electronic Health Records” on October 8 at 12:00 p.m. ET ? Register here

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• IHS Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day
• The Indian Health Service has named the Electronic Health Record Solution PATH EHR

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