Tribal Health Department...

Mission Statement:
"The Tribal Health and Human Services Department will positively effect the health of our Tribal Community and the eligible population by providing consistent, quality health care, and facilitating access to a complete continuum of care, employing respectful, culturally and professionally competent staff, being a fiscally responsible organization."

Vision Statement:
"The Tribal Health Care system with highly competent, qualified staff, embodying the traditional principles and values of the Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille Peoples, will be the preferred provider which is committed to the physical, mental and spiritual health of the beneficiaries."

NOTICES:

THHS Announces a New Health Care Coverage Assistance Program for College Bound Students       
By Stacey Kiehn, Public Information Officer

Tribal Health is please to announce a newly implemented health care coverage opportunity for Contract Health Service (CHS) eligible beneficiaries, who are or will be full time college students. This program is made available to those students who are deemed to be CHS eligible and attending school outside the CSKT Contract Health Service Area (CHSDA). Students attending a school in any of the four counties (Missoula, Lake, Sanders or Flathead) formerly known as the CHSDA, are not eligible for this program. The Indian Health Service and CHS have contracts in place with local providers to meet the needs of those eligible students within the four counties. To inquire about CHS availability or the location of local providers, you may call Spina Grant, CHS Coordinator for the Indian Health Service at (406) 745-3525 ext. 5053.

Tribal Health has put into place a program designed to simplify college student health care needs. At present, most colleges within the United States offer some form of health coverage for a fee. Typically students choose to go without coverage. Tribal Health is now in a position to assist with this expenditure for students who choose to purchase the health care coverage from their higher educational institution.

Each CHS eligible student interested in participating must complete the formal application and review process. An important requirement of this application process, aside from CHS eligibility, is that all students must be attending an accredited institution of higher learning and provide verification demonstrating full-time student status prior to leaving. This verification can be in the form of a letter of acceptance or transcripts from a previous term. Additionally they must have current information on file with Tribal Health Patient Registration.

The end of summer is nearing and time is of the essence. Should you or someone you know have any questions regarding a college bound student’s qualification to apply for the Health Care Coverage Assistance program, act immediately and contact Diane Matt, Beneficiary Alternate Resource Coordinator at (406) 745-3525 ext. 5027 or dmatt@thhs.cskt.org ; or contact Ellen Bigsam, Beneficiary Alternate Resource Specialist at (406) 745-3525 ext. 5121 or ebigsam@thhs.cskt.org.

Tribal Health would like to congratulate the upcoming college bound students and wish them the best of luck in this coming school year!

Dr. Jera Stewart is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She is active in her community and has served in many volunteer positions including a community ambulance driver and EMT, food pantry board member, and caring for elders. She also participates in cultural activities and mentoring youth.

Dr. Stewart’s therapeutic orientation includes incorporating the individual’s personal, historical, and cultural aspects to achieve balance among the social, emotional, physical, and spiritual environment of the individual.

Dr. Stewart earned her undergraduate degree in the field of psychology from The University of Hawaii at Hilo. She holds a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Montana. In addition to her doctorate, Dr. Stewart has received advanced training in Neuropsychology through a one year internship at the University of Florida and a two year post doctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Stewart’s accomplished career includes experience in hospital inpatient and outpatient psycho diagnosis with dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease and Frontal Temporal Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and pre/post-surgical evaluations for deep brain stimulation, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, organ transplant evaluations, vascular disorders, bariatric (weight loss) surgery evaluations, lupus and other autoimmune disorders such as HIV, toxic substance exposure, depression, chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, and additional medical disorders. Dr. Stewart also has training in pediatric neuropsychology in the areas of diagnosing ADHD, Asperger, autism, eating disorders, and learning disorders.

The Tribal Health Department is pleased to welcome Dr. Stewart to its clinical team. Her long-standing commitment to professional collaboration with other providers, affords her patients optimal care. Dr. Stewart’s skilled experience working with physicians, neurologists, community resources, patients and their families, is a distinguished addition to the Behavioral Health program.