IHS Blog

Serving the Navajo Nation with Passion and Dedication as a Speech Language Pathologist

May 30, 2024
by Cmdr. Erik M. Cala, Speech Language Pathologist, Crownpoint Service Unit, IHS Navajo Area

May highlights the pivotal role of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in fostering communication health and proficient swallowing skills. National Speech-Language-Hearing Month extends beyond celebration; it underscores equitable access to quality care, particularly within communities like ... Continue reading

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Celebrating 50 Years of Emergency Medical Services Week with Tribal EMS

May 24, 2024
by Dion Reid, MHA, Public Health Advisor, Division of Clinical and Community Services, Indian Health Service

With an MHA from Colorado State University and a ten-year tenure in the U.S. Air Force transitioning from EMT to EMS program manager, Reid applies his extensive public health expertise to enhance service access, improve care quality, and advocate for health equity and comprehensive health policy research and implementation. ... Continue reading

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Modernization Program Kickoff Lays Foundation for Collaboration and Preparing for Change

May 15, 2024
by Mitchell Thornbrugh, Chief Information Officer and Director of the Office of Information Technology, Indian Health Service

The Indian Health Service’s Health Information Technology Modernization Program continues to keep collaboration at the forefront of building and implementing the new enterprise electronic health record (EHR) solution with our partners, not for them. In February, IHS hosted a Program Kickoff to collaborate and plan, as we move towards building the system. ... Continue reading

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IHS National E3 Vaccine Strategy Launches Pilot Community Development Project

May 8, 2024
by Dr. Loretta Christensen, MBA, MSJ, FACS, IHS Chief Medical Officer

In November 2022, I announced the IHS National E3 Vaccine Strategy to ensure that we offer every patient at every encounter every recommended vaccine, when appropriate. Vaccination is our agency’s clinical and public health prevention priority, as we work to mitigate the risks of vaccine-preventable ... Continue reading

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Take Action. Save a Life: Fentanyl Awareness Day

May 6, 2024
by Cassandra Allen, Public Health Advisor, Indian Health Service

May 7 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day, a day for individuals to stand united against overdose and overdose deaths as a result of fentanyl.

Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Due to its potency, very small amounts can damage the brain and lead to overdose or overdose death. ... Continue reading