Indian Health Service

Suicide prevention begins with recognizing both the challenges people may face and the strengths that can help them navigate through hard times. A new Toolkit for Crisis Centers Serving American Indian and Alaska Native Communities was recently developed with input from frontline specialists, Tribal liaisons, and community leaders to help build effective and sustainable programs. It includes three modules covering foundation knowledge, partnership with Tribes, and culturally responsive approaches for crisis center counselors. Learn more in the IHS Blog: https://lnkd.in/esXH98pZ

Tribal and urban Indian organization leaders are invited to join IHS for an informational listening session on October 20 during the National Congress of American Indians 83rd Annual Convention and Marketplace in Palm Springs, California. IHS will provide an overview of the Health Care Facilities Construction Priority System, review the remaining projects on the IHS Facilities Construction Priority List and their status, and explain how Congress funds health care facilities construction. The session will also provide an opportunity for Tribal and urban Indian organization leaders to share perspectives and discuss strategies for advancing and completing the remaining projects. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eVpuMVk7

While in California for this week’s Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee and Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee meetings, Mark Cruz was ceremonially sworn in by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy as the 12th director of the Indian Health Service. Family, friends, and Tribal leaders joined the ceremony to mark this important moment in his service to American Indian and Alaska Native communities. “Together, we have an opportunity to measurably improve health outcomes, reduce health disparities, and build a stronger future for American Indian and Alaska Native communities,” said Cruz following his Senate confirmation in August. “I am committed to leading with integrity, transparency, and collaboration. My door will be open, my focus will remain on serving our patients and communities, and I will work every day to improve IHS. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to the work ahead and to all that we will accomplish together.”

Preparing for PATH EHR has been a team effort. The IHS Division of Health Information Technology Modernization and Operations and the Lawton Service Unit have spent the last year learning the new EHR solution and getting ready for the transition. Together, PATH EHR will Go-Live to serve patients better at Lawton Indian Hospital, Anadarko Indian Health Clinic, and Carnegie Indian Health Clinic in Oklahoma. Read more about how the team prepared: https://lnkd.in/eTy-4Dgq

IHS Director Mark Cruz recently joined Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and leaders from Indian Health Council, Inc. to recognize their Community Health Aide Program Tribal Planning and Implementation Grant awards. Cherokee Nation received $500,000 and Indian Health Council, Inc. received $624,267 to support CHAP planning and implementation, helping expand access to primary, behavioral and oral health care while strengthening the Tribal health workforce. The awards are part of $2.3 million in funding to four Tribes and Tribal organizations to support CHAP expansion in the contiguous 48 states. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3TPBC9d

IHS is in Jamul, California, this week for meetings with the Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) and Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee (DSTAC). Both committees play an important role in bringing Tribal perspectives, priorities, and expertise directly to IHS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).    DSTAC has been advising the IHS for over 20 years, serving as a vital forum for direct service Tribes to identify priorities and advocate for improvements in health service delivery. Those voices and perspectives matter, and we appreciate members of both committees for their leadership, service, and continued partnership. We also thank Secretary Kennedy and our colleagues throughout HHS for their commitment to elevating Tribal health priorities across the Department.

IHS has awarded $3.5 million to 14 Tribal and urban Indian communities through the Produce Prescription Pilot Program (P4) to help establish and implement community-driven produce prescription programs across Indian Country. This advances P4 into Phase 2, expanding access to healthy foods and strengthening connections among health care, nutrition, and local food systems. This investment advances the Trump Administration’s Make America Healthy Again Strategy by addressing nutrition as a foundation of health, strengthening preventive care, and supporting community-driven approaches to reducing chronic disease. Phase 2 builds on the foundational work completed during the original P4, which was established in 2023 to help reduce food insecurity and improve health care outcomes among American Indians and Alaska Natives by increasing access to produce and other traditional foods. Read more: https://lnkd.in/epiaPqhc

On September 18, IHS joined the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Southcentral Foundation Family Wellness Warriors for a Veterans Stand Down event at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska. Stand Downs are community events that connect veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness with essential resources, support, and health care services. More than 130 veterans attended, with the IHS Office for Indian Veterans Support on hand to help connect Native veterans with health care benefits and resources. Events like this provide an important opportunity to meet veterans where they are, strengthen connections across organizations, and help increase awareness of available services and support. We look forward to continuing to support Native veterans at future events.

The IHS Health Information Technology Modernization Program is committed to building and deploying modern systems alongside our clinical and operational partners. As the Lawton Service Unit in Oklahoma prepares to launch the PATH EHR solution, local leadership and staff are actively engaged to deliver operational readiness and dependable patient care on day one. Read more in the IHS blog: https://lnkd.in/eTy-4Dgq #ModernizeHealth #HealthITModernization

Recognizing the early signs of dementia can help patients and families get support sooner. The recorded webinar "Dementia Care Pathway for Primary Care" is now available online. It walks through a care pathway tool developed by Indian Health Service, Tribal, and urban Indian health organizations. It reflects clinical evidence updated in June 2025 and includes a panel discussion on ways to put the pathway into practice in primary care settings. Providers supporting American Indian and Alaska Native patients are invited to use this resource to support screening conversations and care planning: https://lnkd.in/ebFrJTvg