IHS Announces New Navajo Area Director

The Indian Health Service announced the appointment of Roselyn Tso as the director of the Navajo Area of the Indian Health Service. Tso, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, has recently served as director for the IHS Office of Direct Service and Contracting Tribes, where she directed a national program and was responsible for a wide range of agency functions that are critical to the working partnership between the IHS and federally recognized tribes. As Navajo Area director, she will be responsible for providing leadership in the administration of a comprehensive federal, tribal, and urban Indian health care system.

“Roselyn’s wealth of experience and leadership skills will be a welcome addition to the IHS Navajo Area as we continue to improve and provide access to quality health care services for American Indians and Alaska Natives,” said Rear Adm. Michael D. Weahkee, IHS principal deputy director. “I want to congratulate Roselyn on her selection as area director and thank her for her years of dedicated service in fulfilling the IHS mission.”

With more than 35 years of service to IHS, Tso brings expertise in policy development and technical assistance concerning Title I Indian Self-Determination contracting to the IHS Navajo Area. “I’m proud to lead the IHS Navajo Area and I’m excited about the opportunity to continue working with our health care partners to provide quality, comprehensive health care for the patients we serve.” Tso said.

Tso holds a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies from Marylhurst University in Portland, Oregon, and a master’s degree in organizational management from the University of Phoenix, Portland, Oregon.

The IHS Navajo Area delivers health services to a user population of over 244,000 American Indians in five federal service units and six tribally operated health care facilities under authority of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act on and near the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation is one of the largest Indian reservations in the United States consisting of more than 25,000 contiguous square miles and three satellite communities, and extends into portions of the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The IHS Navajo Area serves members of the Navajo Nation, San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe, and other American Indian beneficiaries in the area.

The IHS, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  , provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. Follow IHS on Facebook Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  and Twitter Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov .