Indian Health Service The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives

Sustaining Quality Health Care Delivery at Indian Health Service

January 19, 2017
by Mary L. Smith, Principal Deputy Director, IHS

It’s been quite a year at the Indian Health Service. During my tenure leading here, I met with patients and tribal and community leaders to hear ideas on how the patient experience could be improved, specifically how the agency could work with tribes to raise the quality of care and expand access ... Continue reading

IHS and VA Renew, Expand Partnership

January 19, 2017
by Mary L. Smith, Principal Deputy Director, IHS

I am pleased to share with you two new developments regarding IHS’ ongoing collaboration with the Veterans Affairs (VA). This partnership aims to provide eligible American Indian and Alaska Native veterans with access to care closer to their homes; promote cultural competence and quality health ... Continue reading

Improving Tribal Solid Waste Program Capacity and Closing Solid Waste Open Dumps

January 17, 2017
by Mary L. Smith, Principal Deputy Director, IHS

The Indian Health Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are committed to reducing the number of solid waste open dump sites because they threaten the health and safety of residents of Indian and Alaska Native lands. We are working together with tribal leaders to strengthen tribal ... Continue reading

IHS Celebrates World AIDS Day

December 9, 2016
by RADM Sarah Linde, M.D., Acting Chief Medical Officer, IHS

On the first day of December, and along with the rest of the world, the Indian Health Service (IHS) commemorated World AIDS Day . The IHS is committed to working in partnership with tribes to deliver high quality health care to the people we serve and we are strongly ... Continue reading

American College of Emergency Physicians Shares Emergency Room Expertise with IHS Staff

December 8, 2016
by Dr. Lawrence Lee, Chief Medical Officer, Great Plains Area IHS

The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and Indian Health Services’ Work Session was held at the IHS Omaha-Winnebago Hospital in Winnebago, Nebraska on November 17, 2016, the day before our first snowfall in Nebraska. The meeting was attended onsite in person by over 30 IHS and ... Continue reading