I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYBODY.
THE SCRIPT IS STILL BEING
WORKED ON AT THE VERY LAST
MOMENT. WE HAD A FEW CHANGES.
MY SCRIPT IS COMING. I AM
WINGING THE INTRODUCTION THIS
MORNING. MY GRANDFATHER TOLD ME
ONE TIME, HE WAS A PENTECOSTAL
PREACHER, AND EVERY MONDAY I
USED TO GO UP THE HILL-- HE WAS
MY GRANDFATHER ON THE HILL--
AND I USED TO SIT IN HIS ROOM
WITH HIM AS HE PREPARED HIS
LECTURES FOR SUNDAY MORNING,
SUNDAY EVENING AND WEDNESDAY
EVENING. AND HE WOULD NEVER,
EVER CREATE A LECTURE.
HE WAS JUST HAVE BOOKMARKINGS
IN THE BOOK THAT HE USED THEM I
ASKED, GRANDFATHER HOW CAN YOU
REMEMBER ALL THIS? HE SAID TO
ME VERY CLEARLY, WORDS NEVER
COME FROM THE PAPER. WORKS COME
FROM THE HEART. I HAVE ALWAYS
FOLLOWED THAT CONVERSATION, NO
MATTER WHAT ROOM I AM IN FRONT
OF OR WHERE I AM AT.
SO WHILE THE SCRIPT HELPS ME
WITH PRONUNCIATIONS AND NAMES
THIS MORNING, I WANT TO OPEN ON
BEHALF OF DIRECTOR TSO AND OUR
HONORED GUESTS, SENIOR STAFF,
OFFICE DIRECTORS AND AWARDEES,
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME
YOU TO THE 2022 INDIAN HEALTH
SERVICE DIRECTOR'S AWARDS
CEREMONY.
BUT I WANT TO SAY A FEW THINGS
THAT ARE DIRECT TO THE AWARDEES
AND TO THE FAMILIES OUT THERE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU
UNDERSTAND THE VALUE IN WHICH
WE HAVE AT THE INDIAN HEALTH
SERVICES OUR EMPLOYEES. YOU ARE
THE CORNERSTONE OF THIS AGENCY.
WE KNOW THAT EVERY DAY YOU DO
THINGS THAT WE WILL NEVER, EVER
UNDERSTAND OR WILL NEVER AWARD.
TODAY WE HAVE A FEW LUCKY FOLKS
THAT WE ARE GOING TO RECOGNIZE.
EACH AND EVERY DAY WE HAVE
THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES THAT
PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE, AND
DIRECT PATIENT CARE IN A CARING
MANNER. THAT IS WHAT SEPARATES
OUR HEALTH SYSTEM APART FROM
OTHER HEALTH SYSTEMS.
OUR HEALTH SYSTEM PROVIDES
CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE CARE. AND
THAT TERM IS A VERY UNIQUE
TERM. RIGHT? IT TERM THAT IS
VERY DIFFICULT TO DEFINE. MY
CULTURAL CONVERSATION WITH
DIRECTOR TSO'S CULTURAL
CONVERSATIONS PROBABLY LITTLE
BIT DIFFERENT. BUT THE ONE
THING WE SHARE IS THAT WE HAVE
A PASSIONATE CARE FOR THE
PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE, BEFORE
OUR PATIENTS. AND HONOR YOU
GUYS DO THAT EACH AND EVERY
DAY. AND FOR THAT WILL BE
FOREVER GRATEFUL. WE KNOW THAT
YOU GIVE MUCH OF YOUR TIME AWAY
FROM YOUR FAMILIES. WE KNOW
YOU SERVE AND GIVE GREAT
SACRIFICE EACH AND EVERY DAY.
YOU OVERCOME FACILITIES FLAWS
AND PROCEDURE FLAWS. YOU MAKE
A DIFFERENCE WITH OUR PATIENTS.
YOU ARE THE REASON WE ARE
SUCCESSFUL. YOU ARE THE REASON
WE HAVE ALL THINGS WE HAVE
TODAY FOR THE AWARDEES. AGAIN I
WANT TO SAY THANK YOU
PERSONALLY. THANK YOU FOR
LEADERSHIP. WE APPRECIATE ALL
OF YOUR SERVICE, AND EVERY
THING THAT YOU DO.
I'VE GOT AN HONOR GUARD TO MY
LEFT HERE, WE ARE GOING TO GET
THEM GOING.
I WILL BE YOUR MASTER OF
CEREMONIES TODAY. EVERY YEAR
WE RECOGNIZE SPECIAL EMPLOYEES
AND TEAMS THAT HAVE GONE ABOVE
AND BEYOND THE DUTY, AND THIS
HAS RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT
IMPROVEMENTS OF THE IHS'S
PROGRAMS. AND WE HAVE SEEN
DRAMATIC CHANGES THAT HAVE
ADVANCED APPROPRIATIONS FOR US
TO BE ABLE TO OPERATIONALIZE
AND DO THAT. IT WAS A GAME
CHANGER IN THE FIELD.
IT PROTECTED US FROM THE
DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE
CONTINUOUS RESOLUTIONS
WE KNOW THEY ARE NECESSARY FOR
THE GOVERNMENT TO DO THE WORK
THAT THEY DO. BUT WHEN IT COMES
TO PATIENT CARE IS HARMFUL. WE
WANT TO CONTINUALLY CARE.
I WANT TO EMBRACE
MODERNIZATION EFFORTS THIS
YEAR. WE ANNOUNCED TO THE
PARTIES THAT WILL MOVE TO A NEW
EHR. AND DIRECTOR TSO HAS
CONTINUED TO PROTECT THE
RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE WITH OUR
TRAVEL PARTNERS. CONTINUES WORK
YOU GUYS HAVE DONE AND I WANT
TO THANK YOU ALL THAT WORKING
TODAY WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE
2022 INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
DIRECTOR'S AWARDS CEREMONY.
THE CEREMONY WILL BE A HYBRID
EVENT AND AWARDS WILL BE
ANNOUNCED BY CATEGORY. WE HAVE
INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM AWARDS.
IN PERSON ATTENDEES WILL BE
ANNOUNCED FIRST. AS THEY ACCEPT
AN AWARD CRYSTAL FROM DIRECTOR
TSO. VIRTUAL ATTENDEES IN
EVERY CATEGORY WILL BE
RECOGNIZED IN A SLIDESHOW AFTER
THE IN PERSON PRESENTATIONS.
AGAIN MAKE SURE PLEASE MUTE
YOUR CELL PHONES AS WE CONTINUE
THE CEREMONY.
TO BEGIN THE CEREMONY I AM
PLEASED TO WELCOME THE SURGEON
GENERAL'S HONOR GUARD FOR THE
POSTING OF THE COLORS. LADIES
AND GENTLEMEN IF YOU ARE ABLE,
PLEASE RISE AND REMAIN STANDING
FOR THE POSTING OF THE COLORS,
AT THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. HONOR
GUARD, POST THE COLORS.
>> [POSTING OF THE COLORS]
>> PLEASE PLAY THE NATIONAL
ANTHEM.
>> [NATIONAL ANTHEM]]
>>
>> HONOR GUARD -- THE COLORS.
>>
>> WE'D LIKE TO THANK THE
SURGEON GENERAL'S HONOR GUARD.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE
TAKE YOUR SEATS.
TODAY THE TRADITIONAL OPENING
WILL BE PROVIDED BY DR. LORENDA
-- DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF
CLINICAL AND PREVENTIVE
SERVICES. WE WELCOME HER TO THE
STAGE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> [SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
I APOLOGIZE FOR MY VOICE I HAVE
ALLERGIES. I WANT TO INTRODUCE
MYSELF MY TRADITIONAL LANGUAGE.
[SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE]]]
AT THIS TIME I ASKED YOU TO BOW
YOUR HEAD AND REFERENCES I GIVE
YOUR BLESSING IN MY TRADITIONAL
LANGUAGE.
[SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
>>
[SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
>>
[SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]
>>
AMEN, THANK YOU.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> THANK YOU DR. SEGAY. THE IHS
RECEIVES UNWAVERING SUPPORT AND
LEADERSHIP FROM THE DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
TODAY WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL
GUEST WITH US. ALIKE TO INVITE
THE HHS SECRETARY TO THE
PODIUM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
(CORRECTION) DEPUTY SECRETARY.
>>
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I HAVE THE
PLEASURE OF DOING THESE AROUND
THE DEPARTMENT. BUT I WILL SAY
THIS IS BY FAR THE MOST
BEAUTIFUL STAGE THAT I HAVE HAD
THE PRIVILEGE TO STAND. THESE
ARE BEAUTIFUL. AS I UNDERSTAND
I THINK THEY ARE GIFTS THAT
REALLY I THINK ACKNOWLEDGE THE
WORK THAT IS HAPPENING HERE ON
BEHALF OF OF OUR TRIBAL
PARTNERS. IT SEEMS VERY
FITTING TO HAVE THEM DECORATE
OUR STAGE.
AGAIN I AM ANDREA PALM, DEPUTY
SECRETARY OF THE THE PROBLEM
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. NO
BETTER TIME TO HONOR THE
TREMENDOUS WORK THAT HAS
HAPPENED OVER THE YEAR. I AM
HAPPY TO CELEBRATE WITH ALL OF
YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A
SINCERE SHOUT OUT TO THE FAMILY
MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE. THE WORK
THAT WE DO AT HHS IS HARD. IT
IS LONG HOURS. IT IS
HIGH-STAKES AND CONSEQUENTIAL.
AND I KNOW THAT ROLLS INTO WHAT
IT MEANS TO BE A FAMILY MEMBER
OF AN HHS EMPLOYEE. I WANT TO
OFFER MY SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR
LOANING THE PEOPLE THAT YOU
LOVE TO US TO BE PART OF THIS
FAMILY AND DO WORK THAT REALLY
DOES MATTER TO THE PEOPLE THAT
DESERVE.
ALSO WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR
TSO FOR HER INVITATION AND HER
LEADERSHIP. I HAVE NOW SERVED
IN TOTAL AT HHS FOR ABOUT 10
AND A HALF YEARS. I AM SO
GRATEFUL THAT SHE ACCEPTED THE
OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THIS JOB.
AND REALLY, I JUST REALLY ENJOY
SO MUCH THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE
HAVE. HERE AT HHS. TO DO THE
WORK THAT WE NEED TO DO
TOGETHER FOR TRIBAL COUNTRY.
ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT YOU ALL DO
IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
IT IS PERSONALLY IMPORTANT TO
ME; I THINK WE GET INTO THE
DAY-TO-DAY AND WE GET SO
FOCUSED THAT WE SOMETIMES
FORGET TO STOP AND LIFT UP. AND
REMEMBER HOW MUCH PROGRESS WE
HAVE MADE AND THE WAYS IN WHICH
THE WORK WE HAVE DONE REALLY
HAS MATTERED TO THE PEOPLE THAT
WE SERVE. THAT IS REALLY I
THINK WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO
TODAY. THE STOP. AND CELEBRATE
EACH OTHER. AND OUR RECIPIENTS
AND THE FAMILY WHO SUPPORT
THEM. TO MAKE SURE WE ARE
STOPPING TO REFLECT, THINK
ABOUT HOW THAT WORK COULD
INFLUENCE THE WORK WE NEED TO
DO MOVING FORWARD. AND WHAT ARE
THE WAYS THAT GREAT WORK AND
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT HOW THE
REST OF US CAN DO OUR WORK
BETTER, EVEN BETTER MOVING
FORWARD.
AND I WOULD HIGHLIGHT A FEW
THINGS. BECAUSE I DID HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO READ AHEAD OF
TIME THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT
WERE NOMINATED. THE WAYS IN
WHICH YOU ALL HAVE BEEN DOING
THIS WORK. I WANT TO LIFT UP A
COUPLE OF THEM IF I MIGHT.
YOUR CVOID-19 AND MPOX WORK IN
ENSURING VACCINATIONS IS A
TREMENDOUS WORK THAT YOU HAVE
BEEN DOING AND I READ ABOUT HOW
YOU ESTABLISHED A NATIONAL
PROGRAM TO END HIV AND --
REALLY WORK TO ADDRESS THOSE
ISSUES IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES
ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
I READ ABOUT HOW YOU'VE BEEN
WORKING TO REALLY DRIVE EQUITY
IN THE WORK THAT YOU DO. AND
REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES IN
TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. IT IS SUCH
IMPRESSIVE WORK. THOSE ARE JUST
A FEW EXAMPLES.
I WOULD SAY FOR ME, TAKING THE
OPPORTUNITY, HAVING THE
OPPORTUNITY TO READ THOSE IS
NOT JUST A REMINDER THAT THE
TREMENDOUS WORK. BUT IT IS
INSPIRING TO ME. IT GIVES ME
ENERGY. AND, RENEWED FOCUS.
TO LIFT UP AND DO BETTER FOR
MYSELF, MOVING FORWARD.
BECAUSE AGAIN, AT THE HEART OF
WHAT WE DO, WE ARE ALL HERE
BECAUSE WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE
PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE AND TAKING
A MOMENT TO BE INSPIRED, TO BE
MOTIVATED BY OUR COLLEAGUES CAN
GIVE US ALL RENEWED ENERGY AND
AN OPPORTUNITY TO DOUBLE DOWN
MOVING FORWARD.
AT HHS MORE BROADLY, WE HAVE
DONE WORK SIMILAR TO YOUR WORK.
COVID IMPACTED EVERYONE. THE
WORK YOU WERE DOING IN
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, CHRONIC
DISEASES, EQUITY, THOSE ARE
THINGS THAT THREAD THROUGHOUT
THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT. IT IS SO
SATISFYING FOR ME TO BE PART OF
THIS TEAM. AND CELEBRATING THE
WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN
DOING.
WHEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO
TRAVEL TO BOTH ALASKA AND THE
LAKOTA COUNTRY THIS YEAR, I
HEARD AND I SAW AND I
EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND THE WAYS
IN WHICH THE WORK THAT THE IHS
DOES AND HOW IT IMPACTS OUR
TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, AND THE
CHALLENGES THEY STILL FACE. THE
HARD WORK WE HAVE LEFT TO DO.
I AM VERY PROUD TO BE PART OF
A TEAM THAT IS TACKLING THOSE
VERY HARD CHALLENGES TO
CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS FOR
TRIBAL NATIONS ALL ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
SO, I WILL NOT-- I WON'T
REPEAT WHAT YOU'VE HEARD FROM
EARL WATTS, BUT AGAIN ECHO MY
APPRECIATION FOR ALL THAT YOU
DO EVERY DAY. I INVITE YOU TO
PARTICIPATE IN THIS CELEBRATION.
AND LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING
THE RECIPIENTS-- HOPEFULLY WILL
GET TO DO SOME PHOTOS AS WELL.
BUT REALLY I WANT TO MAKE SURE
WE GET TO THE PROGRAM HERE AS
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
MY SINCERE THANKS FOR HAVING
ME. AND I WILL TURN IT BACK
OVER TO OUR EMCEE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> NEXT, SOMEONE THAT NEEDS NO
INTRODUCTION. I'D LIKE TO
INVITE OUR DIRECTOR, THE IHS
MS. ROSELYN TSO TO THE STAGE
TO PROVIDE HER OPENING REMARKS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> DIRECTOR TSO: GOOD AFTERNOON
EVERYONE. YOU KNOW MY THING.
THAT'S TRIED ONE MORE TIME.
GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON!
>> DIRECTOR TSO: THAT'S WHAT I
WANT. IS IMPORTANT. THAT IS
WHAT OUR PATIENTS FIRST SEE AND
HEAR FROM US, HOW WE RESPOND TO
THEM AND HOW WE TREAT THEM.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. ALL
OF THE TRIBAL LEADERS THAT ARE
HERE MY TRIBAL FRIENDS AND ALL
OF OUR AWARD RECIPIENTS AND
YOUR FAMILIES BECAUSE I KNOW
THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT
YOUR FAMILIES.
DEPUTY PALM TALK ABOUT THESE
BLANKET THAT UP HERE. AS I
TRAVEL THROUGH INDIAN COUNTRY,
THESE ARE SOME OF THE GIFTS-- I
TRIED TO TELL, PUT THEM ALL OUT
THERE. IT IS SUCH A KIND
DEMONSTRATION FROM THE KINDNESS
OF OUR TRIBAL LEADERS AS I
TRAVEL TO INDIAN COUNTRY.
WHEN I WAS IN MONTANA-- I
CANNOT REMEMBER WHICH ONE WAS
WHICH-- I GOT WRAPPED WITH THIS
GENTLEMAN, THIS MAN. AND
SOMEBODY SAID HE IS NOT YOUR
HUSBAND.
(LAUGHTER)
SHE SAID WHEN THAT HAPPENS, IT
IS YOUR HUSBAND. IN CASE YOU
HEAR ANY RUMORS ABOUT WHAT IS
GOING ON OUT THERE AS I TRAVEL,
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT.
AND AGAIN THIS IS A VERY, VERY
SPECIAL DAY. AS I LOOK BACK ON
THE PAST YEAR. AND I LOOK BACK
ON MY ENTIRE CAREER AT THE
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES. HOW
TREMENDOUSLY BLESSED WE ARE.
IN MY PARTICULAR POSITION
RIGHT NOW, I DON'T TAKE THIS
LIGHTLY. IS A STREAM BE
HUMBLING TO BE THE DIRECTOR OF
THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE. BUT
AS I SAID MANY MANY TIMES NOW,
THE WORK THAT WE DO IMPACTS A
PATIENT EVERY SINGLE DAY. A
PERSON. A FACE. I DON'T LIKE
TO TALK ABOUT NUMBERS.
I DON'T LIKE TO TALK ABOUT
THINGS. I WANT TO PUT A FACE ON
WHAT IT IS THE PRAYER TRYING TO
DO. THAT IS WHAT WILL DRIVE US
TO CONTINUE TO AFFECT CHANGE.
WE TRIED REALLY HARD TO
COMMUNICATE AS BROADLY AND AS
WIDELY AS WE CAN ACROSS THE
AGENCY. AND WE ARE SHARING
WITH YOU, WE WANTED TO SEE WHAT
WE ARE DOING. WE WANT TO BE
ABLE TO LIFT UP SOME OF THE
WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING AS WELL.
SO I'M HOPING THAT -- I'VE
HEARD MANY POSITIVE COMMENTS
ABOUT THAT.
EVERY MORNING I WAKE UP AND
LOOK FOR THINGS THAT POP UP ON
MY PHONE. SOMETIMES IT MIGHT
BE A VERSE, A BIBLE VERSE.
SOMETIMES IT IS SOMETHING ELSE.
THIS MORNING'S -- WHAT POPPED
UP ON MY PHONE THIS MORNING
WAS, "THE JOY OF LEADERSHIP
COMES FROM SEEING OTHERS
ACHIEVE MORE THAN THEY THOUGHT
THEY WERE CAPABLE."
THAT IS WHAT WE DID THIS PAST
YEAR AT INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE.
AND WHILE WE ARE RECOGNIZING
2022, IS STILL THE SAME. IN
2022 AND 2021, WHILE GOING
THROUGH THE MIDST OF THE
PANDEMIC, I SAW THE INCREDIBLE
WORK OUT THERE IN INDIAN
COUNTRY. AND WHAT WE WERE ABLE
TO DO TO AFFECT CHANGE. TO SAVE
THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE
WERE SERVING. AND I OFTEN SAY
THAT.
I DON'T KNOW THAT -- IT MAY BE
A FEW YEARS -- THAT THE WORK OF
THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, AND
THAT INCLUDES TRIBAL AND URBAN
PROGRAMS THAT IS WHAT WILL BE
REPORTED WHEN THE AS WE CAME
TOGETHER AS ONE HEALTH SYSTEM
TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE
PEOPLE OUT IN INDIAN COUNTRY.
SO I WANT TO DO A COUPLE OF
THINGS. ONE I'VE BEEN IN SUCH A
HIGH THIS WEEK-- IT'S BEEN A
CRAZY WEEK-- I WANT TO TAKE YOU
QUICKLY THROUGH A WEEK OF THE
IHS DIRECTOR.
I STARTED OUT IN LOUISIANA AND
IS IT WITH FIVE TRIBES ON
MONDAY AND TUESDAY. I HAD NOT
BEEN THERE IN THAT AREA BEFORE.
SO TO BE THERE, TO UNDERSTAND
AND LEARN, AND TO SIT
SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH TRIBAL
LEADERS WAS A TREMENDOUS
EXPERIENCE FOR ME. AS IT HAS
BEEN. AND THAT HAS BEEN ONE OF
MY COMMITMENTS THE DIRECTOR OF
THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE.
PROBABLY MORE THAN 60% OF MY
TIME HAS BEEN OUT IN INDIAN
COUNTRY. AND I HAVE LOVED
EVERY MINUTE OF IT, TO BE ABLE
TO SIT WITH TRIBAL LEADERS. TO
BE ABLE TO COME AND GET
RESOLUTION. OR BETTER
UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR NEEDS
ARE. BUT MOREOVER, TO BETTER
UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THOSE
THINGS THAT THEY ARE PUBLISHING
THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM.
THAT WE CAN THEN TAKE THAT
AWAY. SO, THEN I CAME BACK. I
HAD TO GET READY FOR A HEARING
ON FENTANYL. WHICH AGAIN, THOSE
ARE VERY REAL THINGS THAT WE
ARE EXPRESSING IN INDIAN
COUNTRY. AND REALLY LOOKING AT
HOW DO WE GET IN FRONT OF THESE
THINGS.
AND AS WE DID WITH COVID WE
MOBILIZED. WE CAME TOGETHER.
THAT IS WHAT DROVE SUCCESS FOR
THE INDIAN COUNTRY, COMING
TOGETHER. AND WE KNOW THAT OUR
FAMILIES, OUR RELATIVES, OUR
CHILDREN ARE IMPACTED BY ALL
THESE THINGS THAT COME ABOUT
WITHIN INDIAN COUNTRY.
YESTERDAY I WAS ABLE TO
ANNOUNCE. WE'VE BEEN GOING BACK
AND FORTH WITH THE VA ABOUT
UPDATING OUR REIMBURSEMENT
AGREEMENT THAT THE VA AND THE
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE HAVE.
THIS IS VERY PERSONAL FOR ME.
I AM THE DAUGHTER OF A KOREAN
WAR VETERAN. AND I KNOW AND
HAVE TALKED WITH MANY VETERANS
OUT THERE IN INDIAN COUNTRY AND
WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT.
EARLIER THIS WEEK, I SENT MY
TEAM OVER THERE. THEY SAID
DON'T COME BACK UNTIL YOU HAVE
EVERYTHING THAT I WANT IN THIS
AGREEMENT. WILL NOT ACCEPT ONE
PENNILESS THAN WHAT WE ARE
ENTITLED TO AT INDIAN HEALTH
SERVICE. BECAUSE WE HAVE TO
CONTINUE TO SERVE ALL OF THE
VETERANS. AND IN PARTICULAR FOR
US AS AMERICAN INDIANS AND
ALASKA NATIVE VETERANS.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF
THE VETERANS HERE TODAY. I AM
ON AN ABSOLUTE HIGH WITH THAT
AGREEMENT. AND ONE OF THE
SIGNIFICANT THINGS ABOUT THAT
IS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO
NEGOTIATE, AND GET REIMBURSED
FOR ALL THE PARTICIPATE-
REFERRED CARE FOR ALL OF THE
PARTICIPATE. WHAT DOES THAT
MEAN FOR US?
WE CAN EXTEND OTHER SERVICES
AND UTILIZE THOSE PRECIOUS PRC
DOLLARS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO
OTHER PEOPLE THAT MAY HAVE NOT
GOTTEN IT, BECAUSE WE WERE NOT
GETTING REIMBURSED FOR OUR
VETERANS. SO IT IS SIGNIFICANT.
EVERYTHING THAT WE DO, WE ARE
ALWAYS WORKING TO EXPAND THE
RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE TO
ADDRESS THE NEEDS THAT WE HAVE
OUT THERE IN INDIAN COUNTRY.
AND, AS WAS ALREADY TALKED
ABOUT, WE HAVE TWO PRIORITIES
AT THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF PRIORITIES,
BUT MY PRIORITIES ARE VERY
SIMPLE.
IT IS THAT WE ENSURE THAT WE
PROVIDE SAFE AND QUALITY CARE,
AND THAT IS EVERYBODY WHETHER
YOU ARE EDS, BUSINESS OFFICE
PERSON, THE PROVIDER OR A
LEADER, THE ADMINISTRATORS OF
THE HEALTHCARE FACILITY. IT IS
THAT IMPORTANT THE WORK THAT WE
DO.
THE OTHER ONE IS EQUALLY
IMPORTANT. THAT WE PROTECT THE
RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE HAVE WITH
OUR TRIBES AND OUR URBAN
PARTNERS. BECAUSE I TELL YOU,
WE CANNOT GET THIS WORK DONE
WITHOUT ENSURING THAT THAT
PARTNERSHIP IS STRONG, AND THAT
IT IS IN PLACE ALL THE TIME.
WHETHER WE ARE NEGOTIATING
CONTRACTS. OR WHETHER WE ARE
PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
OR WE ARE TRANSFERRING A
PROGRAM TO A TRIBE THAT ELECTS
TO TAKE ON THEIR OWN PROGRAM.
IN THAT PARTICULAR SPACE, I
JUST WANT TO SAY THAT-- FOR ALL
THE TRIBAL LEADERS THAT ARE
HERE, FOR ALL THE TRIBAL
REPRESENTATIVES THAT ARE HERE--
I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE
TRIBAL HEALTH PROGRAMS. YOUR
PROGRAMS ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN
THAT WE CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE
AND BE PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE WE
ARE ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR
PEOPLE OUT THERE IN INDIAN
COUNTRY.
AND THEN I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE
THIS VERY QUICKLY. MY SENIOR
STAFF. FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME
AT THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE,
EVERY LEADERSHIP POSITION AT
HEADQUARTERS AND EVERY AREA
DIRECTOR POSITION, EVERY OFFICE
DIRECTOR POSITION IN
HEADQUARTERS HAS BEEN OCCUPIED
BY (INDISCERNIBLE). THAT MEANS
WE HAVE STABILIZED THE
ORGANIZATION. WE CAN DRIVE
CHANGE WHEN WE HAVE PERMANENT
PEOPLE TAKEN OVER THE PROGRAMS
THAT THEY NEED TO LEAD. I AM
VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
I'M GOING TO ASK MY SENIOR
STAFF FROM HEADQUARTERS. WOULD
YOU PLEASE STAND? I KNOW I HAVE
A NUMBER OF SENIOR STAFF
MEMBERS THAT ARE HERE. THESE
ARE MEMBERS OF MY SENIOR STAFF.
I MEET WITH THEM ...
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> DIRECTOR TSO: I MEET WITH
THEM DAILY. AND WE HUDDLE. WE
ARE ALWAYS LOOKING AT HOW DO WE
MOVE THE ORGANIZATION FORWARD?
WHERE DO WE NEED TO FOCUS ON?
AND EQUALLY IMPORTANT ARE MY
AREA DIRECTORS. IF I COULD ASK
MY AREA DIRECTORS TO PLEASE
STAND.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> DIRECTOR TSO: THESE ARE MY
LEADERS, OUR BOOTS ON THE
GROUND. THEY ARE ALWAYS
WORKING TO MOVE. AGAIN AT THE
GROUND LEVEL. THESE ARE THE
PEOPLE THAT I FOCUS ON.
AND SO AGAIN, I DON'T WANT
TO-- I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN UP
WAY TOO MUCH TIME-- BUT I DO
WANT TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
EVERYTHING THAT WE DO AT THE
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE IS
BECAUSE WE HAVE THE
RESPONSIBILITY. AND WE HAVE
THE PRIVILEGE OF PROVIDING
SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE THAT WE
SERVE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GO TO
ANOTHER HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION.
WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE. THE
REASON WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE IS
BECAUSE TRIBES HAVE DETERMINED
THAT THE IHS WILL CONTINUE TO
PROVIDE SERVICES ON MY BEHALF.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT IT IS A
PRIVILEGE. AND BECAUSE OF THAT
WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT
WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
CONTINUE TO LIFT UP INDIAN
HEALTH SERVICE. AND THIS IS
ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF BEING
ABLE TO DO THAT. THIS IS WHEN
IT ALL COMES TOGETHER FOR ME.
THIS IS WHEN IT ALL MAKES SENSE
FOR ME.
AND ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I WILL
SAY THAT -- MY PARENTS, MY
FAMILY RELIES ON THE INDIAN
HEALTH SERVICE WORK HERE. MY
GRANDCHILDREN RELY ON THE
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE FOR CARE.
AND BECAUSE OF THAT ALSO,
THAT IS WHY I WANT THE BEST OF
THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE. AND
THAT IS WHY I WANT EVERYONE OF
US TO EMBRACE THAT. TO REALLY
LOOK AT 2024, AND MAKE SURE
THAT EVERYTHING THAT WE DO
BRINGS ABOUT CHANGE AT THE
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE. THAT
EQUATES TO BETTER SERVICES FOR
THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR TSO.
APPRECIATE THE REMARKS. NEXT ON
THE AGENDA IS OUR KEYNOTE
SPEAKER FOR THE DAY. I'D LIKE
TO INTRODUCE DELEGATE CARL
SLATER TO THE PODIUM TO GIVE
HIS KEYNOTE REMARKS PLEASE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> DR. CALLAWAY WAS GETTING
READY FOR THE NFR SEASON. THE
NAVAJOS ARE LAUGHING. OKAY.
VERY FANCY STAGE.
[SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE].
>>
>> CARL SLATER AND I AM KEANI,
POWERHOUSE PEOPLE AND I
REPRESENT FIVE COMMUNITIES. WE
HAVE THE SALY CLINIC THERE AND
THE CLINIC AT ROCK CREEK AS
WELL. THOSE ARE ALL WITHIN MY
DISTRICT AND I WANT TO THANK
YOU DIRECTOR TSO AND ADMIRAL
WATTS FOR EMCEEING. AND TO
DIRECTOR TSO FOR THE INVITATION
TO SPEAK. CONGRATULATIONS
AWARDEES. YOUR REWARD OF HARD
WORK IS THE 15 MINUTES FROM A
POLITICIAN THAT IS PROBABLY
ANYWHERE NEAR FROM WHERE YOU'RE
FROM.
I AM HERE TO RECOGNIZE AND
SUPPORT OUR AWARDEES. WE LIVE
IN THE DOMINANT SOCIETY THAT
DOES NOT VALUE AND EXPRESS
GRATITUDE THE WAY NATIVE PEOPLE
DO. WE KNOW MANY OF YOU SPEND
COUNTLESS SLEEPLESS NIGHTS
SERVING IHS'S CLIENTS, IN OUR
HOSPITALS AND CLINICS. YOU
RECEIVE THE BLAME WHEN
SOMETHING DOES NOT GO RIGHT.
AND RARELY RECEIVE THE
RECOGNITION WHEN THINGS GO WELL.
OR WHEN YOU HELP AVOID THE
WORST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES.
YOUR WORK WITH OUR PEOPLE
CONTAINS THE MULTITUDES OF
HUMAN EMOTION AND EXPERIENCES,
IN WAYS THAT FEW OUTSIDE THE
MEDICAL PROFESSIONS CAN
POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND.
MANY OF YOU SEE THE FULL
SPECTRUM OF HUMAN LIFE ON OUR
MOTHER EARTH. IT IS A WEIGHTY
AND TRYING JOB, ENSURING THE
NATIVE PEOPLE RECEIVE
HIGH-QUALITY HEALTHCARE WITH
DIGNITY AND RESPECT IN OUR
CULTURAL TRADITIONS. I APPLAUD
YOU AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT
YOUR WORK IS APPRECIATED AND
VALUED BY TRIBAL LEADERSHIP.
I WAS BORN IN WASHINGTON, DC,
AT HOSPITAL DOES NOT EXIST
ANYMORE. TO A NAVAJO MOTHER AND
A JEWISH FATHER. MOST OF MY
HEALTHCARE GROWING UP WAS NOT
IN THE IHS SYSTEM. AS MY
PARENTS RAISED IS NOT TOO FAR
FROM HERE. RUSHING BACK HOME TO
MY MOM'S PARENTS IN ROUND ROCK
OR EVERY LONG WEEKEND OR BREAK
FROM SCHOOL THAT WE COULD
AFFORD. WITHOUT THE TIME AND
ENERGY INVESTED INTO MY
BROTHERS AND I FROM A MOTHER
FACE RUSSELL WHO IS SITTING
THERE, I WOULD NOT BE HERE
TODAY AS MEMBER OF THE NAVAJO
NATION COUNCIL, LIVING IN THE
SAME HOME I MOTHER GREW UP IN
ROUND ROCK. I KNOW MANY OF YOU
CONFRONT SIMILAR STRUGGLES IN
RAISING YOUR CHILDREN, OFF THE
RESERVATION OR AWAY FROM YOUR
TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.
AND MANY OF YOU ARE BLESSED TO
RAISE YOUR FAMILIES ON OR NEAR
YOUR TRAVEL COMMUNITIES. BUT
PERHAPS A BIT FARTHER THAN
YOU'D LIKE SOME OF THE MORE
MODERN AMENITIES THAT EXIST OFF
THE RES. LIKE MOVIE THEATERS,
A GAS STATION THAT IS NOT 30
MINUTES AWAY, AND GROCERIES
THAT AREN'T A FEW DAYS OLD WHEN
THEY COME TO YOU. MAYBE THAT
IS JUST MY CURIOUS. IN ANY
EVENT I LOOK AT THIS AUDIENCE
AND I SEE THE BEAUTIFUL
DIVERSITY THAT WE HAVE HERE IN
NATIVE AMERICA IN 2023. SO MANY
DIFFERENT, BEAUTIFUL LIVED
EXPERIENCES.
FOR A FEW SUMMERS DURING
COLLEGE I LED OUTDOOR SPIRITUAL
TEAMS TAKING THEM BACKPACKING,
RAFTING, PERFORMING SERVICE
PROJECT AND THE LIKE. THESE
WERE GENERALLY NON-NATIVE KIDS
IN COLORADO. BUT WE WOULD
TRAVEL AS FAR AS YELLOWSTONE
AND IDAHO IN THESE TRIPS IN ONE
SUMMER, BACKPACKING IN IDAHO A
GIRL FELT AND HIT HER HEAD. IT
WAS DETERMINED WE NEEDED TO
EVACUATE HER FROM THE
BACKCOUNTRY.
AFTER HER AIRLIFT, AND IN THE
PROCESS I AGGRAVATED AN OLD
LACROSSE INJURY THAT I
SUSTAINED A FEW YEARS EARLIER.
DETERMINED I COULD NOT RUB SOME
DIRT AND WALK IT OFF, A FEW
DAYS LATER WE WERE DOING SOME
SERVICE ACTUALLY ON THE WIND
RIVER RESERVATION THAT I
COORDINATED THREE CONNECTIONS
MY MOM HAD WITH IDAM POSEY
(PHONETIC). I DON'T KNOW IF
ANYBODY HERE KNOWS HIM.
I CHECKED AT THE LOCAL CLINIC
AND I THOUGHT IF I DID NOT GO
OVER THERE I WOULD BE DEAD
WEIGHT THE REST OF THE TRIP.
THESE ARE A LOT OF ROWDY
TEENAGERS THAT NEED SOME
GUIDANCE.
I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT
HAPPENED. BUT I WENT FROM A
NEED THAT WAS ALMOST LOCKED AND
COMPLETELY INFLAMED, AND A
GREAT DEAL OF PAIN, TO A COUPLE
OF DAYS LATER BEING ALMOST 100%.
I'M PRETTY SURE I LEFT THE
CLINIC WITH JUST IBUPROFEN AND
SOME CRUTCHES. WHICH I KNOW IS
A COMMON COMPLAINT FOR OUR
PEOPLE. (LAUGHTER). BUT IT
WORKED THIS TIME.
WHILE THIS MIGHT SEEM
RIDICULOUS, I TRULY THINK THAT
IT WAS JUST BEING SURROUNDED BY
MY NEEDY PEOPLE THAT CURED ME.
THAT MY CARE CAME FROM A PART
OF THE IHS SYSTEM THAT MY MOM
COULD FAX MY CID TO WIND RIVER;
THAT THE EASTERN SHOSHONE AND
NORTHERN ARAPAHOE THE NOT BOOT
THIS NAVAJO OUT OF THE CLINIC
WERE ALL THINGS THAT I
DEVELOPED A GREAT AMOUNT YOUR
APPRECIATION FOR. THE GROUND OF
MIRACLES THAT MANY OF OUR
GRANDPARENTS AND PARENTS NEVER
HAVE IMAGINED.
YOU CREATED THE SYSTEM OF
HEALTHCARE FROM ACROSS COUNTRY,
WERE ROGUES FROM THE RES
RECEIVE CARE. EVEN THOUGH I
KNOW LONGER PARTICIPATE IN THE
BUDGET FROM ELATION PROCESS--
OR SHOULD SAY IS INTENSELY--
EASTERN SHOSHONE AND NORTHERN
ARAPAHOE BILLINGS AREA, IOU
ONE. WE ALL REPRESENT THE
DREAMS OF HER FAMILIES AND
TRIBES FOR GENERATIONS BEFORE
US.
MANY OF US HERE ARE THE
HARD-FOUGHT SACRIFICES THAT ARE
ELDERS IMAGINE. WE WILL GO TO
WORK WHETHER CLEANING FLOORS,
MAINTAINING BUILDINGS,
DELIVERING BABIES, DOING ALL
THE FUN STUFF THAT IS NEEDED TO
MAKE THAT HAPPEN, DOING ALL THE
HUMAN RESOURCE OF THAT IS
NEEDED TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN,
GETTING INTO THE COMMUNITY TO
DO PREVENTION WORK OR ANY OF
THE OTHER INNUMERABLE THINGS
THAT IHS DOES, YOU ARE
PROTECTING AND ADVANCING THE
SOVEREIGN TO SOVEREIGN
POLITICAL RELATIONSHIP OF OUR
NATIONS; WE CANNOT HAVE THE
HEALTHY PROSPEROUS NATIONS THAT
EXIST TODAY WITHOUT YOU.
IN MY LAST TERM ON THE
COUNCIL, ASSERTED WITH
PRESIDENT JONATHAN NEZ
(PHONETIC) ON THE NATIONAL
BUDGET FOR MALAYSIAN WORKGROUP
AND SERVED AS VICE CHAIR ON THE
COMMITTEE NAVAJO THAT REGULATE
THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM. AND WE
ADVANCED THE RESOURCES YOU HAVE
AT YOUR DISPOSAL AND TO AFFECT
POLICY CHANGES THAT BETTER
ENABLE YOU TO DO YOUR JOB.
WE NOW HAVE MORE FUNDING IN
THE SYSTEM THAN EVER BEFORE. I
REMEMBER CRYING FOR JOY WHEN
ADVANCED APPROPRIATIONS PAST
KNOWING THAT MY HOME HEALTHCARE
SYSTEM -- -- THE COUNTLESS
FRIENDS, RELATIVES,
CONSTITUENTS IS FAMILY DEPEND
UNDEREMPLOYMENT THERE WOULD
ENTER WORK EACH DAY WITH MORE
PEACE OF MIND. AND KNOW THAT
THE IDIOCY OF BRINKMANSHIP THAT
TAKES PLACE ABOUT 30 MEN FROM
HERE WOULD NO LONGER HAVE THE
SAME ADVERSE IMPACTS WHEN THEIR
JOBS AND THEIR LIVELIHOODS, AND
ON THE HEALTHCARE QUALITY THAT
WE RECEIVED THERE.
WE WE RECEIVED THE THREE AND
HALF BILLION DOLLARS TO THE
SANITATION FACILITY
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM, I ALSO
TEARED UP. MANY OF US ARE
BLESSED WITH AND WATER BUT MANY
OF US ARE NAVAJO. AND WE DON'T
ADVOCATE PERSISTENT THAT WE
DON'T BELIEVE IN. THAT WE
DON'T BELIEVE WILL DELIVER THE
RESULTS IN HIGH QUALITY FASHION
THAT OUR PEOPLE DESERVE. WE
ADVOCATE FOR AS PROVIDERS,
PREVENTION SPECIALIST,
ENGINEERS AMONG ALL THE OTHER
PROFESSIONS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE
AND IN KIT ABILITIES AND OUR
COMMITMENT TO DO THE BEST WE
CAN WITH WHAT WE CAN FOR OUR
PEOPLE IN OUR NATIONS.
IN OUR CULTURE WE HAVE A
TRADITION OF DEVELOPING STRONG
SUPPORT SYSTEMS. IHS IS QUITE
LITERALLY ASSISTED BUT WE ALL
HAVE SYSTEMS OF SUPPORT AT HOME
THAT HELP US WHETHER THOSE
HIGHS ARE THOSE LOWS, THOSE
EBBS AND FLOWS THAT I MENTIONED
EARLIER. BE IT YOUR FAMILY
CHOSEN OR BLOOD, CLAN
RELATIVES, FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES,
THEY ALL REMIND US THAT WE ARE
STRONGER TOGETHER. AND, YOU
ARE MY SUPPORT SYSTEM. WHETHER
YOU KNOW IT OR NOT. BUT
FUNDAMENTALLY YOU ARE OUR
NATION'S SUPPORT SYSTEM. YOU
ARE THE PERPETUAL BALANCING AND
REBALANCING OF LIFE COMING INTO
AND LEAVING THIS WORLD,
SUPPORTING ALL THE MYSTERY OF
WONDER THAT LITTLE ONES ON UP
TO OUR ELDERS HELP US UNCOVER
FROM OUR TEACHINGS. WE CAN'T
THANK YOU ENOUGH.
NAVAJO WAY WE HAVE CERTAIN
SERMONS IN WINTER. A LOT OF US
HAVE SPENT TIME LISTENING TO
ANCIENT SACRED SONGS, WATCHING
DANCES IN THE LATE NIGHTS AND
EARLY MORNINGS IN THE FRIGID
COLD SOMETIMES. SEEING THE
MEDICINE PEOPLE TYPICALLY
HEALING UNIVERSE IN OUR SAND
PAINTINGS. DOING THINGS THE OLD
WAYS, WILD INDIAN WAYS.
WE ARE A SPIRITUAL PEOPLE.
WHETHER WE PRACTICE TRADITIONAL
RELIGIONS OR NOT, WE WILL
ALWAYS RECOGNIZE THAT PRAYER
AND MEDITATION IS OUR FIRST
FORM OF MEDICINE. KNOWING THAT
I WOULD GIVE THIS SPEECH, I
THOUGHT ABOUT HOW SPECIAL IT IS
THAT WE CAN CONTINUE OUR
TRADITIONS AND COMPLEMENT THEM
WITH MODERN MEDICINE. I THOUGHT
ABOUT [SPEAKING IN NATIVE
LANGUAGE], MY AUNT MARY
RUSSELL, PSYCHIATRIST AND THE
SANTA FE SERVICE UNIT. CHANDRA
ROGERS, HEALTH TECHNICIAN IN
THE PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM AT
CHINDLEY (PHONETIC) SERVICE
UNIT AND -- -- FOR KEEPING THE
SONGS AND TRADITIONS OF THE
KIANI FAMILY ALIVE. AND THE
THREE MEDICINE MEN. EACH ONE
OF THEM HAVE A PLACE HERE IN
2023.
I WANT TO CHALLENGE YOU TO
ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT IHS
RECOGNIZES THAT OUR TRADITIONAL
MEDICINE IS ON PAR-- IF NOT
BEYOND-- WESTERN MODERN
MEDICINE. FORGET BILLING AND
OBJECT CODES AND ELIGIBLE
SERVICES FOR A MOMENT. REMEMBER
THEIR NATIONS AND NATIVE
PEOPLES ARE NOT JUST A CLIENT
BUT A RELATIVE. A RELATIVE
FILLED WITH ALL THE HOPE, AND
PROMISE OF THOSE SONGS OF
HEALING THAT RESTORE US AND SET
US ON THE RIGHT PATH.
YOU HAVE A RELATIVE RIGHT
HERE, WHO WILL PRAY FOR YOU TO
DO YOUR JOB AS YOU SUPPORT AND
PROVIDE CARE WITHIN YOUR SYSTEM.
IN OUR SYSTEM.
YOU ALL DON'T CEASE RELATIVES
WHEN YOU PUT ON THE 638 OR THE
FEDERAL BADGE AND I KNOW MY
COLLEAGUES AND FELLOW TRIBAL
LEADERS DON'T FORGET YOU AND
YOUR PATIENTS WHEN WE SIT IN
OUR CEREMONIES; THOSE LADIES AT
THE FRONT DESK AND WHEN RIVER,
AS I WALKED INTO THE CLINIC SO
HIS MOM COULD FAX HIS CID,
MAKING SURE HE GOT THE CARE HE
NEEDED. WE ARE ONE BIG SUPPORT
SYSTEM WHETHER YOU REMEMBER IT
OR NOT.
I TOOK OFFICE IN OCTOBER 2019.
A FEW MONTHS LATER AND 12 DAYS
AFTER I CELEBRATE MY CHILDREN
AT BIRTHDAY, THE NAVAJO NATION
SHUT DOWN. THE COUNCIL SAT IN
THE COUNCIL CHAMBER REMOVING
OURSELVES SO THAT WE COULD TRY
TO SOCIAL DISTANCE AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE. BASICALLY I HAD NO
IDEA WHAT THAT WAS. AND A LOT
OF PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA HAD A
HEYDAY AS WE AGED OUR NOSES,
BLEW KLEENEX, AND DO EVERYTHING
WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO ON THE
LIFESTREAM. BUT THAT WOMAN
EXPLAINED TO THE STAFF WHAT
THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS DISEASE.
UNFORTUNATELY NAVAJO ALREADY
HAD SOME VERY EXPERIENCED
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STAFF BECAUSE
OF OUR APPEARANCES. WITH OTHER
DISEASES AND SEXUAL DOES MANY
DISEASES. THEY WALKED THROUGH
EVERYTHING THE NEW AT THE TIME,
EXPLAIN THE RESOURCES THAT THEY
HAD AND WHAT THE ANTICIPATED
OUTCOME WAS. AND START
COORDINATING A UNIFIED RESPONSE
WITH THE NATION.
PRESIDENT NEZ, SPEAKER, DOCTOR
CHRISTIANSEN, CAPTAIN JOHNSON,
DOCTOR JILL JIN, CHAIR OF MY
COMMITTEE DANIEL TSO, ALL THE
NUMBERS OF MY COMMITTEE, AND
ALL THE TRAVEL DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH. ALL OF THE OTHER AREAS.
WE OWE YOU A DEBT OF GRATITUDE
THAT I DON'T THINK WE CAN NEVER
(CORRECTION) EVER REPAIR.
WHETHER IT IS COURT MEETING
OUR MESSAGING AND DEVELOPING
GUIDELINES ON VACCINE DIVISION
SO ELDERS AND SICK PEOPLE COULD
GAIN ACCESS. INVESTIGATING
WATER ACCESS PROJECT TO MAKE
SURE OUR PEOPLE CAN WASH THEIR
HANDS AND SANITIZER HOUSEHOLDS.
BECAUSE WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF
HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT RUNNING
WATER. WE ARE JUST HAVING THE
FRANK CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT
THE AREA WAS CONFRONTING,
BURNOUT, FATIGUE, RISING CASES.
AND EVEN THE DREADED THOUGHT OF
RUSHING CARE.
I THINK WE ALL LIVED 1000
LIVES IN THOSE YEARS. THROUGH
IT ALL, DIRECTOR TSO HAD A
FIRMNESS IN HER VOICE AND IT
UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO HER
PEOPLE. SHE INSPIRED UP BUT
ALWAYS, ALWAYS CREDITED HER
TEAM AND SOMETIME PEOPLE THINK
OH, THE BOSSES JUST SAYING THAT
TO SOME GOOD ON THE PUBLIC
RECORD. BUT DIRECTOR TSO SAID
THAT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS TO
TRIBAL LEADERSHIP, AND TO
ANYONE WHO WOULD LISTEN
REPEATEDLY BECAUSE I KNOW SHE
IS INSPIRED BY YOUR WORK THAT
YOU PUT IN THEY IN AND DAY OUT.
AND CARES DEEPLY FOR EACH OF
YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES, AND THE
TEAMS THAT YOU WORK ON.
DURING THE PANDEMIC OR NOT YOU
ARE ALL INSPIRING. WE KNOW
WHERE YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR
MINDS LIE. I FIRMLY BELIEVE
THAT EACH IS OF US WHO HAD TO
MAKE WEIGHTY RESCISSIONS DURING
THE HEIGHT OF THE EPIDEMIC WERE
PUT INTO THOSE POSITIONS FOR A
REASON. I HOPE TO WEAN MY
HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, COVID
DISCUSSIONS IN THE PUBLIC
SPEAKING IS TIME MARCHES ON.
THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW THAT SONG
AGAIN, GETTING READY FOR IRF.
THE NAVAJO WAY, WE DON'T
DWELL ON THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS
OF LIFE AND DISCUSSIONS AROUND
THAT ARE GENERALLY TABOO. WE
MUST FOCUS ON [SPEAKING IN
NATIVE LANGUAGE], MANIFESTING
THE BEAUTY AND BALANCE OF THIS
WORLD AND IN OUR ENVIRONMENT.
BUT HERE TODAY AS YOU RETURN TO
WHAT I BELIEVE IS YOUR FIRST
IN-PERSON AWARD CEREMONY IN
THIS VENUE SINCE THE PANDEMIC
BEGAN, I NEEDED TO KNOW THAT
WHILE MY IMMEDIATE STANDING OF
THE IHS, THE PANDEMIC AND THE
RESPONSE WAS A NAVAJO AREA, I
KNOW THAT THE TYPES OF PEOPLE
THAT I OBSERVED THERE AND
WORKED WITH THERE WERE
REPLICATED AND DOING THE SAME
SORT OF THING IN EVERY SINGLE
SERVICE UNIT AND SERVICE AREA
ACROSS THE IHS SYSTEM.
THERE IS STILL SOME OF HEALING
THAT NEED TO TAKE PLACE BY OUR
PROVIDERS AND BY OUR STAFF. I
KNOW STILL HAVE MUCH HEALING TO
DO. THE IMMENSE LOSSES IN OUR
COMMUNITIES, THE
FRACTIONALIZATION OF COMMUNAL
GATHERINGS, IN OUR MEDICINE
PEOPLE. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT
EACH OF YOU EXPERIENCED AS
GARDENS OF THE HEALTHCARE
SYSTEM.
MY BEST FRIEND WHILE FIGHTING
FOR HIS LIFE IN THE RESPIRATORY
CARE UNIT LOST HIS MOTHER TO
THE VIRUS. EVER SINCE I MOVED
HOME SHE WAS LIKE A MOTHER TO
ME. AND EVEN MORE SO WHILE A
PARENT WAS STUCK IN MARYLAND,
WAITING ALL THOSE MONTHS TO SEE
THEIR SON OUT WEST. THE CASES
WERE TOO HIGH AND MY BROTHERS
RELOCATED TO THE RES.
MY MOTHER IS HERE AND I
BELIEVE SHE IS A G.I. NURSE FOR
THE VA SYSTEM IN PHOENIX. YOU
FOUGHT, SURVIVED AND ENJOYS AN
APPOINTMENT AS THE FIRST EVER
OCCUPANT OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY
POSITION IN DC, DOING
GROUNDBREAKING THINGS FOR
INDIAN COUNTRY. SHE SURVIVED
BECAUSE OF YOU.
BECAUSE OF THE INDIAN HEALTH
SERVICE. FINALLY ENOUGH, HE
ALSO SURVIVED BECAUSE HE WAS
UNDER THE CARE OF THE OLDER
BROTHER OF A FRIEND, WHAT ONE
OF MY CHILDHOOD FRIENDS FROM
BETHESDA, A YOUNG JEWISH DOCTOR
OVERSEEING THE CHINLE
RESPIRATORY UNIT AT THAT TIME.
AND HE HAS LEFT THE RESPIRATORY
AND COME BACK TO CHINLE A
TESTAMENT TO THE LEADERSHIP AND
THAT SERVICE UNIT IN THE NAVAJO
AREA, AND THE OPPORTUNITIES
THAT THE HEALTHCARE OR IHS
MAKES AVAILABLE TO THE
PROVIDERS TO ANSWER KNOWLEDGE
THROUGH FELLOWSHIPS TO RETURN
HOME.
IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER WHICH WE
ARE ALL CONNECTED AND RELATED.
WE ARE EACH MEANT TO BE HERE
FOR A REASON. YOU ARE WHERE YOU
ARE SUPPOSED TO BE.
DURING THE PANDEMIC, MANY OF
US RETURNED TO -- WE
RECONNECTED WITH OUR TRADITIONS
OUT OF OUR DESIRE TO BE MORE
SELF-SUFFICIENT AND AVOID
CONTAGION IN GROCERY STORES, OR
BECAUSE WE KNOW HOW INTERESTING
IT IS TO OUR TRADITIONAL
TEACHINGS. FINALLY HAD THE
DANGED TIME. OR SOME
COMMENDATION OF THE TWO.
MY BROTHER PLANTED A SMALL
FIELD. I SAW MANY OF MY FAMILY
AND MANY IN OUR COMMUNITIES
REIGNITE OUR TRADITIONAL
AGRICULTURE. IT WAS DONE FOR
SUBSISTENCE AND EXISTENCE AND
TO RECONNECT WITH THE HEALING
AND SUSTAINED NATURE OF OUR
MOTHER EARTH.
ARE PEOPLE REINVESTED
THEMSELVES IN OUR LANDS IN IN
ORDER TO REINVIGORATE OUR
TRADITIONS OF THE FUTURE AND I
SEE IHS SIMILARLY. PURPOSEFULLY
UNDERFUNDED BY CONGRESS.
THROUGH THE USE OF THE PANDEMIC
WE ACHIEVED INCREDIBLE
INVESTMENTS IN THE SYSTEM. AND
I BELIEVE WE ARE IN A
REINVIGORATED ERA. STRONGER
AND MORE CONNECTED THAN EVER.
ESPECIALLY HIGHLIGHTED BY
HAVING ALL OF OUR DIRECTORS AND
SENIOR STAFF IN PLACE.
THE SEEDS PLANTED OVER THE LAST
FEW YEARS WILL GROW MIGHTILY,
AND WE AS TRIBAL LEADERSHIP
SUPPORT YOU ALL. SO KEEP YOUR
PRAYERS UP. REMEMBER YOUR OTHER
RELATIVES ARE PRAYING FOR YOU.
AND KEEP STRIVING FOR
EXCELLENCE. OUR PEOPLE, AND OUR
NATIONS DESERVE NOTHING LESS.
CONGRATULATIONS AWARDEES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> THERE ARE MANY PLACES - THAT
DEPUTY SECRETARY PALM COULD BE
TODAY, AND THEY CHOSE TO BE
HERE TODAY. I WOULD LIKE TO
GIVE HER ONE MORE ROBUST ROUND
OF APPLAUSE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MR.
SLATER, THE IBUPROFEN AND
CRUTCHES COMMENT WAS NICELY
DONE. THE REMINDERS OF WHAT WE
NEED TO DO BETTER. AND I
THOUGHT IT WAS NICELY DONE. I
ALSO APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS
AND TRADITIONAL HEALING. THANK
YOU FOR THAT AND THE
INCORPORATION OF TRADITIONAL
HEALING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN
EVER IN THE INDIAN SYSTEM AS WE
UNDERSTAND THE SHORTFALLS OF
MODERN WESTERN MEDICINE. WE ARE
EXCITED ABOUT THOSE COMMENTS
AND THANK YOU FOR THAT AND
LASTLY, THE EMOTIONS THAT YOU
SHOWED. THANK YOU. THERE WERE
TIMES WHEN WE WERE ASKED NOT TO
SHOW EMOTIONS AND HEALTH
SYSTEM. WE WILL NEVER
UNDERSTAND THE TOLL THAT THE
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY TOOK ON
THE INDIAN HEALTH SYSTEMS. AND
THE FACT THAT OUR COMMUNITIES
WERE AFFECTED, AND OUR FAMILY
MEMBERS AND AT THE SAME TIME WE
WERE CHARGED TO GO BACK OUT TO
THE STIMULUS AND LIVE WITH THAT
CARE. AND THE FACT THAT THE
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AFFECTED OUR
COMMUNITIES, AND THAT EMOTION
RIDES WITH US TODAY. I
APPRECIATE YOU HAVING THE
COURAGE TO STAND UP HERE AND
HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH US
ABOUT COVID, JOB WELL DONE. THE
NEXT PART OF THE PRESENTATION
IS THE PRESENTATION OF AWARDS.
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK DIRECTOR
TSO AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR PALM TO
COME BACK UP ON STAGE, AND WILL
CONTINUE WITH THE PRESENTATION
OF AWARDS FOR THE 2022 INDIAN
HEALTH SERVICE DIRECTOR'S
AWARDS CEREMONY.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> WE ARE GOING TO BEGIN WITH
THE IHS DIRECTOR'S AWARD. THESE
AWARDS WERE SELECTED BY
DIRECTOR TSO TO BE RECOGNIZED
FOR DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE MISSION.
WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE SPECIAL
EDUCATION AWARDS AND RECOGNIZE
OUR URBAN PARTNERS AND TRIBAL
PARTNERS FOR THESE AWARDS.
WE WILL START OFF WITH A
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD. OUR
FIRST AWARDING OF THE DAY IS
MR. KEVIN SANDOVAL.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MR. SANDOVAL, FOR IMPLEMENT
THING THE RPMS AND -- AT THE
INDIAN FALLS CLINIC AND
WELLNESS CENTER.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> OUR NEXT AWARD HE IS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER CODY WOLF,
FOR HIS DEDICATION WORK AS A
LEAD ENGINEER ON THE SANITATION
FACILITIES' CONSTRUCTION
PROGRAMS, PROJECT THAT WILL
BENEFIT OVER 5000 TRIBAL HOMES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> OUR NEXT AWARDS ARE THE
SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR THE
URBAN LEADERSHIP PARTNERS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR PARTNERING WITH LOCAL
HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE
THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF
NATIVE AMERICANS AND THE
BROADER COMMUNITY THROUGH
PATIENT CARE AND OUTREACH
INITIATIVE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
OUR NEXT AWARDS ARE THE SPECIAL
RECOGNITION AWARDS FOR TRIBAL
LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP. OUR
FIRST ACCEPTANCE IS ACCEPTED ON
BEHALF OF CHIEF -- KEN --
DELEGATE TO THE CONGRESS FROM
THE CHEROKEE NATION. FOR
CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATING A
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN
PROVIDING QUALITY HEALTH CARE
SERVICES INCLUDING THIS
TEMPERAMENT OF THE FIRST TRIBAL
AFFILIATED COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
IN THE UNITED STATES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THE NEXT AWARD HE IS
ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF THE SALT
RIVER MARICOPA COMMUNITY. THE
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA
COMMUNITY IS BEING RECOGNIZED
FOR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE RIVER
PEOPLE HEALTH CENTER IN
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THERE'S MORE. THIS PROJECT
COMPLETION HAS GREATLY EXPANDED
ACCESS TO CARE. THE SUCCESS OF
THIS ENDEAVOR SERVES AS AN
EXEMPLARY DEMONSTRATION OF THE
POWER OF SELF-DETERMINATION,
WHEN THE TRIBE TAKES
RESPONSIBLY FOR OPERATING
HEALTHCARE PROGRAM TO SERVE
THEIR COMMUNITY.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THIS BRINGS US TO OUR
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS. AT
THE END OF EACH --
UNFORTUNATELY WE CANNOT HAVE
ALL OF THE ATTENDEES COME
TODAY. AS YOU KNOW MANY OF THEM
ARE BACK HOME SERVING THE
COMMUNITIES THAT THEY SERVE. SO
AT THE END OF EACH AWARD
CATEGORY, WE ARE GOING TO
SCROLL THE NAMES OF ALL THE
AWARDEES THE ONES WHO WALK
ACROSS THE STAGE AND THE ONES
WHO ARE NOT WITH US TODAY TO
CONTINUE TO SERVE. WE WANT TO
RECOGNIZE WILL BE AWARDED IN
THE SPECIAL RECOGNITION
CATEGORY AND GIVE THEM A ROBUST
ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> OUR NEXT GROUP IS OUR IHS
DIRECTOR'S INDIVIDUAL AWARDS.
WILL NOT PRESENT THESE AWARDS
AND THEY RECOGNIZE THE SERVICE
OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGNIFICANT
LEAD ADVANCED THE IHS'S MISSION
AND VISION, THE WORK FOCUSED ON
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AND THE
IHS STRATEGIC PLAN. ACCESS TO
QUALITY IN MANAGEMENT
OPERATIONS AND PARTICULAR
EMPHASIS ON THE QUALITY
IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES IN 2022.
WE ARE GOING TO GIVE THESE
AWARDS OUT BY AREA.
OUR FIRST AREA, THE ALASKA
AREA. >> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR ADVANCING THE IHS
MISSION BY BUILDING COALITIONS
WITH FEDERAL PARTNERS,
ENHANCING PROJECT DEVELOPMENT,
AND INCREASING STAFF TO
IMPLEMENT PRIORITY FSC PROJECTS
IN ALASKA.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> OUR NEXT AWARD HE IS ELLA
GONZALEZ. MS. GONZALES, FOR
SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE MANY
COMMUNITY YEARS OF SERVICE IN
THE ALASKA CERTIFICATION BOARD
PROGRAM MANAGER.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT AREA IS THE ALBUQUERQUE
AREA. RACHEL TRIPPIT (PHONETIC)
FOR DEMONSTRATING EXTRAORDINARY
DRIVE, LEADERSHIP AND
COMMITMENT TO PATIENT SAFETY,
BY WORKING WITH HOSPITAL STAFF
TO MAINTAIN READINESS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE -- AREA.
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ALLEN --
FOR EXEMPLARY, PROFESSIONAL
ACCOMPLISHING DEDICATION TO
EXPANDING CLINICAL PHARMACY
PRACTICE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> NEXT FROM THE-- AREA IS
CAPTAIN JOANNA FERRERO, FOR
CONSISTENT AND OFFENDING
LEADERSHIP AND CONTRIBUTION TO
SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND IMPROVE
COMMUNITY HEALTH EFFORTS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> NEXT FROM THE BILLINGS AREA,
WE HAVE MS. MARCY MILES. AND
THE TEAM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR BEING INSTRUMENTAL IN
ACHIEVING OUR ONGOING GOAL OF
PROVIDING ESSENTIAL DIRECT
HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO THE
LITTLE SHELL TRIBE, FOR HARD
WORK AND DEDICATION IN THE LAB
DEPARTMENT AND PROVIDE
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS OF
THE OPERATIONS OF LITTLE SHELL
HEALTH CENTER.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS TARA SALLY, FOR HER
STUNNING PERFORMANCE AS THE
ACTING CLINICAL DIRECTOR FOR
THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE SERVICE
UNIT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> NEXT FROM THE BILLINGS AREA,
IS CHEYENNE TALBOT (PHONETIC),
FOR EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE OF
THE ROTATING QUALITY ASSURANCE
NURSE FOR THE BURNS AREA, AND
ACTING COFFEE SUPERVISOR FOR
THE -- SERVICE AREA.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT TO THE GREAT LAKES
AREA. FOR SELFLESS IT MADE INTO
THE AGENCY ACCEPTING THE ROLE
OF ACTING CEO OF THE --
SERVICE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE INDIVIDUAL
AWARD, HEADQUARTERS GROUP. MR.
SANTIAGO ALVEREZ. MR. ALVAREZ,
FOR PROVIDING STEADFAST
LEADERSHIP TO CHAMPION IHS'S
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BI-INDIAN
ACT WHICH RESULTED IN THE IHS
AWARDING $24 MILLION TO NATIVE
BUSINESSES IN 2022.
NEXT AWARDEE IS -- . FOR HER
DEDICATION AND EXPERTISE IN
WORKING AS THE IHS SENIOR
PLANNER, IN ADDITION TO HER
ROLE AS PROGRAM EVALUATOR.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
OUR NEXT HEADQUARTERS AWARDEE
IS AKUSO PASI (PHONETIC), I
HOPE THAT IS KIND OF CLOSE. MY
APOLOGIES. COME ON OUT.
LEADING THE DIVISION OF
PLANNING EVALUATION AND
RESEARCH TEAM IN HER ROLE AS
ACTING DIRECTOR FROM JANUARY
2021 TO APRIL 2022.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> LASTLY FROM THE HEADQUARTERS
OFFICE IS MS. RACHEL TERRY.
SORRY. WE HAD A LATE ADDITION.
MS. CARMEN -- --.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR CONSISTENT AND OFTEN
LEADERSHIP DURING THE TIME OF
TRANSITION AND HISTORIC
CHALLENGES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS MS. RACHEL TERRY.
FOR HER WORK IN ASSISTING THE
PHOENIX AREA INSTITUTIONAL
REVIEW BOARD, REVIEWING FIVE
CLOSED AND OPEN STUDY PROTOCOLS
CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTES OF HEALTH IN THE
PHOENIX MEDICAL CENTER.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THE NEXT AREA IS THE
NATIONAL AREA.
THE FIRST ONE IS MS. JENNIFER
FORD.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR OVERCOMING SIGNIFICANT
CHALLENGES, SUCH AS CHANGING
PRIORITIES, AND ANTICIPATED
RESOURCE SHORTAGES, AND
EXTERNALLY DRIVEN PARAMETERS.
DR. FORD'S LEADERSHIP IS A
MODEL OF EXCELLENCE FOR
STABBING A MUSTY COMPREHENSIVE
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR
THE SEVEN NEWLY RECOGNIZED
MIDATLANTIC TRIBES IN SUPPORT
OF THE IHS MISSION.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT WITH THE NATIONAL AREA
IS CANDY --
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR EXEMPLARY REPRESENTATION
OF LEADERSHIP AS HEALTH
DIRECTOR, SERVING OUR PUBLIC
HEALTH OFFICIAL LIAISON FOR THE
ADMINISTRATION, COUNCIL AND OUR
TRIBAL COMMUNITY AND OPERATIONS
DIRECTOR AND GOING ABOVE AND
BEYOND AND BEYOND FOR SERVING
COUNTLESS EXTRA HOURS ALL WHILE
HOLDING A STEADY AND CARING
HAND FOR HER EMPLOYEES AND
COLLEAGUES ALIKE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXUS OUR COLLEAGUES FROM
THE NAVAJO AREA. ERNESTINE
CLEVELAND.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
IN PROVIDING HEALTH PREVENTION
AND DISEASE PREVENTION
EDUCATION TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL
DISTRICT AND CHAPTERS OF THE
CALIENTE SERVICE UNIT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MR. DESMOND JONES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MR. JONES IS AWARDED TODAY
FOR THE EMBODIMENT OF A
SUPPORTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT
WHICH ONLY TASKS AND EMPHASIZES
SERENITY IN DAILY CITY
OPERATIONS TO ACHIEVE AND
MAINTAIN, AND PROTECTING THE
WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS CANDACE. SHE IS
GOING TO CHALLENGE ME WITH A
NAME AGAIN. MY APOLOGIES
(INDISCERNIBLE). SAY IT AGAIN?
SENOGIN (PHONETIC). CANDACE
SENOGIN.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR PROVIDING INVALUABLE
ASSISTANCE TO NAVAJO NATION
HEALTHCARE FACILITIES, AND
IMPROVE THEIR SERVICES BY
PROVIDING NEW HOUSING THROUGH
HER TIRELESS EFFORTS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> SO LAST NIGHT, I COULD NOT
GET A HOLD OF-- I USED A COUPLE
OF ONLINE TOOLS. I CAN TELL
THEY HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO WHEN
IT COMES TO NAVAJO. I DID USE
OTHER FOLKS AROUND ME. MY
APOLOGIES.
NEXT IS FROM THE OKLAHOMA CITY
AREA. INDIVIDUAL AWARDS. MR.
TODD HALLMARK.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MR. HALL MARKET FOR HIS
LEADERSHIP INNOVATIONS AND
IMPLEMENT AN NEW SERVICES TO
IMPROVE THE OVERALL HEALTH OF
AMERICAN INDIANS AND PANDEMIC
PANDEMIC ALASKA INDIANS
RESIDING IN OKLAHOMA. NEXT IS
MICHAEL -- FOUR WORKING ON THE
NOMINEES PERFORMANCE IMPROVING
PROJECT AND BRING THE CONNIE
HEALTH CENTERS EMPLOYMENT
VACCINATION RATE TO FROM 75% TO
99%.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. NEXT IS
THE PHOENIX AREA COLLEAGUES FOR
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS. THE FIRST IS
TIFFANY ALLERING (PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR REFINING, COORDINATING
AND EXPANDING, AND CONTINUALLY
ENHANCING THE-- OPERATIONS AT
PIMC -- AS AND SME -- IN
PHARMACY AND BILLING.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NOTICE I USED THE WORD POS
IS AN ACRONYM. I THOUGHT I
WOULD EXPLAIN THAT TO YOU. IS
THE SECOND TIME I USE THAT. MY
APOLOGIES. I KNOW WE ARE BAD ON
ACRONYMS. WILL WORK ON THAT.
NEXT AWARDEE FROM THE PHOENIX
AREA IS -- --. FOR CHAMPIONING
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND ACCESS
TO ADDICTION SERVICES AT THE
PHOENIX INDIAN MEDICAL CENTER.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT AREA IS OUR PORTLAND
AREA. OUR FIRST COLLEAGUE IS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER RICK
ANDERTON.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR ENSURING THE HEALTH AND
SAFETY OF PATIENTS AND STAFF
WHILE SERVING AS A SAFETY
OFFICER FOR THE FORT HALLS
SERVICE AREA.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THAT BRINGS US I BELIEVE TO
THE END OF OUR IHS DIRECTOR'S
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS. I WOULD
LIKE EVERYBODY TO GIVE THEM
ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> WE APPRECIATE ALL OF OUR
AWARDEES TODAY. THOSE WITH US,
AND THOSE WITH US IN SPIRIT.
NEXT IS THE IHS'S DIRECTOR'S
TEAM AWARDS, RECOMMENDING
GROUPS WHO SERVE THE
SIGNIFICANTLY ADVANCE THE IHS
MISSION AND THE GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES IN THE IHS STRATEGIC
PLAN, ACCESS, QUALITY, AND
MAJOR OPERATIONS WITH
PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON QUALITY
IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES IN 2022.
THE FIRST AWARDEES COMES FROM
THE ALBUQUERQUE AREA. YOLANDA
ADAMS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
MS. ADAMS IS REPRESENTING THE
MESCALERO CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE
MONITORING TEAM FOR EXCEPTIONAL
INITIATIVE AND LEADERSHIP FOR
IMPROVING QUALITY OF CARE AND
SERVICE DELIVERY AND IMPROVING
THE MESCALERO PATIENT
EXPERIENCE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> ALSO FROM THE ALBUQUERQUE
AREA IS THE MESCALERO SERVICE
UNIT LABORATORY TEAM. ACCEPTED
BY BARBARA SALAZAR.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THIS AWARD IS FOR PROVIDING
OUTSTANDING LABORATORY SERVICES
TO THE PATIENTS OF THE
MESCALERO SERVICE UNIT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> (INDISCERNIBLE) CARE TEAM.
WHAT IS THE NAME? THIS IS
SARAH, FROM THE PURCHASE AND
REFER CARE TEAM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE AREA.
GOOD JOB SARAH.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> ALASKA AREA. SARAH FROM THE
ALASKA AREA. WE WANT TO GIVE
HER ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THAT WAS MY BAD. SARAH WAS
(INDISCERNIBLE). MY FAULT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BARBARA
SALAZAR FROM THE MESCALERO
SERVICE UNIT LABORATORY. SHE
ALSO PROVIDES OUTSTANDING
LABORATORY SERVICES TO THE
PATIENTS OF THE MESCALERO
SERVICES. AND I'M SURE THE
ALASKA PRC TEAM AS WELL IF THEY
WERE NEEDED.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THE NEXT IS THE SAN FELIPE
HEALTH CLINIC REPRESENTED BY
FRANCISCO TORIBIO. FOR
EXCELLENT IN PROVIDING UTMOST
CARE TO A TRIBE OF OVER 2000
PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS OUR ZUNI BUSINESS
OFFICE. KARINA -- POST ANY
CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXCELLENT
EFFORTS IN THE THIRD-PARTY
COLLECTIONS FOR FY 2022 ON
BEHALF OF THE ZUNI INDIAN
HEALTH SERVICE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT UP IS OUR BILLINGS
AREA. OUR FIRST THEME IS THE
PRO AGENCY SERVICE UNIT
OPTOMETRY AND OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY PROGRAM. MS. KELLY
PRETTYWEASLE (PHONETIC), FOR
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS IN
MEETING LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND
NATIONAL GOALS FOR THE IHS AND
HHS, THROUGH THEIR DEDICATION
TO DELIVERING HIGH-QUALITY
HEALTHCARE TO ALL PATIENTS, AND
FINDING INNOVATIVE WAYS TO
STREAMLINE THEIR OPERATIONS AND
MAXIMIZE THE RESOURCES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE LITTLE SHELL
SERVICE AREA DENTAL DEPARTMENT
REPRESENTED BY ERIKA --
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR BEING INSTRUMENTAL IN
ACHIEVING OUR ONGOING GOAL TO
PROVIDE ESSENTIAL DIRECT
HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO THE
LITTLE SHELL TRIBE. HER HARD
WORK AND EDUCATION HAS PROVIDED
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTORS TO THE
OPERATIONS OF THE LITTLE SHELL
HEALTHCARE CENTER.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IN OUR TEAM AWARDS FROM
THE BINS AREA. NORTHERN
CHEYENNE SERVICE UNIT PURCHASE
AND REFER CARE TEAM. FOR THEIR
INCREDIBLE DEDICATION TO
ENSURING EFFICIENT AND TIMELY
SERVICE FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE
TRANSITIONS FOR SPECIALTY CARE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT FROM THE BILLINGS AREA
IS OUR WIND RIVERS SERVICE UNIT
PERMITS THE TEAM. MS. SARAH
JOHNSON HAGUE. (PHONETIC)
(PHONETIC)
>> FATHER CONTINUES WORK AND
COMPREHENSIVE DIABETIC
MANAGEMENT AND MEDICATION
MANAGEMENT FOR OUR PATIENTS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
NEXT UP FROM OUR HEADQUARTERS
TEAM, GROUP AWARDS, DIVISION OF
ADMINISTRATIVE AND EMERGENCY
SERVICES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> FOR OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER
SERVICE AND TEAMWORK AT THE
NATIONAL HSPD 12.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MR. -- -- EVERYBODY. THANK
YOU SIR.
THE SECOND AWARD THAT MR. IS
GOING TO GET IS THE -- ENDING
THE HIV EPIDEMIC TEAM.
ACCEPTING ON BEHALF OF THE TEAM
FOR THE NATIONAL ENDING FOR THE
HIV AND HEPATITIS C EPIDEMICS
TO ADDRESS PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES
IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> LET'S SET THE RECORD
STRAIGHT HERE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> YOU WANT TO STAY UP THERE
FOR JUST A SECOND? RICK IS ALSO
ACCEPTING AN AWARD FOR THE
ALZHEIMER'S GRANT PROGRAM TEAM.
AND HOW FITTING THIS MIGHT BE,
BECAUSE APPARENTLY I'M HAVING
THE SORT OF ALZHEIMER'S AS WE
SPEAK HERE. FOR ESTABLISHING
THE NATIONAL ALZHEIMER'S
PROGRAM TO ADDRESS HEALTH
ISSUES IN IN TRIBAL
COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU SIR.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT STAR DIVISION OF
ADMINISTRATIVE AND EMERGENCY
SERVICE, MS. ASHLEY MARTIN.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER
SERVICE AND TEAMWORK IN THE
NATIONAL HSPD 12 PROGRAM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MR. WILL DARWIN FOR THE --
SUPER USERS GROUP. CAPTAIN
DARWIN IS ACCEPTING ON BEHALF
OF ESTEEM FOR EXEMPLARY
LEADERSHIP AND MISSION IMPACT
IN CREATING AND IMPLEMENT THING
THE IHS OPIOID SURVEILLANCE
UNIT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE IHS TELEHEALTH
GUIDANCE FOR HEALTHCARE
PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS TEAM.
MS. SUSAN POSTAL, FOR PROVIDING
EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE TO
IMPLEMENT A SECOND TELEHEALTH
SYSTEM FOR ALL IHS HEALTHCARE
PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE PATIENT
CARE DURING CVOID-19.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXUS AWARD TO THE I STAR
PATIENT SAFETY ACCEPTANCE GROUP
FOR THEIR EFFORTS TO CREATE THE
I-STAR DASHBOARD, A
FOUNDATIONAL TOOL.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT FROM THE NASHVILLE AREA
THE AWARD IS TO THE -- SERVICE
UNIT CONTINUED GLUCOSE
MONITORING TEAM. MS. CRYSTAL
FRANK TO ACCEPT, FOR TAKING THE
INITIATIVE TO IMPLEMENT A CGM
APOLLO PROGRAM TO IMPROVE
HEALTH GOALS FOR PATIENTS WITH
DIABETES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT FROM THE NATIONAL AREA
IS THE MINUTE LANDING SERVICE
UNIT MOBILE UNIT MARCH TEAM.
DOCTOR JOSHUA ULEBERRY
(PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THE LAUNCH TEAM CHAMPIONING
AN INNOVATIVE IT TEAM TO CREATE
AN ENVIRONMENT FOR THE
MID-ATLANTIC MOBILE SERVICE
UNIT TO ACHIEVE DIRECT
CONNECTIVITY WITH THE IHS
NETWORK GENERATING THE
HIGH-SPEED AND MOST RELIABLE
POSITIVE ACTIONS TO DRIVE THE
VITAL SOFTWARE IN PATIENT CARE
IN RURAL VIRGINIA.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT FROM THE NASHVILLE AREA
IS THE NASHVILLE AREA OFFICE
PARTICIPANT REFERRAL KEY.
FOR OUTSTANDING MULTIFUNCTIONAL
TEAMWORK AND EDUCATION TO 12
AREA OFFICES ASSOCIATED WITH
PURCHASING AND REFERRAL CARE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT FROM THE NASHVILLE AREA
IS THE UCET NAVY PSYCHOLOGICAL
BRILLIANCE TEAM, MS. BERNICE
JORDAN. (PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR OUTSTANDING INNOVATION
IN CULTURALLY IMMERSED
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ECHO SERVICE
PROVIDING NAVY PSYCHOLOGICAL
BRILLIANCE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> WHETHER THAT IS PRISCILLA OR
BERNICE I WILL KNOW BECAUSE
MOST ECOLOGICAL BRILLIANCE IS
NOT WHAT HE NEEDS TO BE TODAY.
CONGRATULATIONS ON BOTH.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
NASHVILLE AREA.
NEXT IS THE NAVAJO GROUP
AWARDS. FOR SENDING WORK
PERFORMANCE IN ADDRESSING
MIDDLE HEALTH CONCERNS AND
STAFF AND PATIENT POPULATION.
NEXT IS THE CHINLEY SECURITY
DEPARTMENT, FOR OUTSTANDING
WORK PERFORMANCE, AND THE
DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT LEVEL
1.
>> >> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> I'M GOING TO TRY. I WAS
TOLD THAT I COULD USE THE TERM
VZ PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM. I'M
GOING TO TRY ANYWAY.
(INDISCERNIBLE), PUBLIC HEALTH
TEAM. MS. FRANCES MARIANO.
FOR RECOGNITION AND OUTSTANDING
DEDICATION, PROFESSIONAL
TEAMWORK, AND EXCEPTIONAL
PERFORMANCE TO IMPLEMENT,
PERFORM AND SUPPORT THE HEALTH
CENTER --.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> AND THERE IS ... A SECOND
ONE. YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE ME
DO IT TWICE. FROM THE
(INDISCERNIBLE) PUBLIC HEALTH
TEAM, MS. SHAYLAN LUCERO
(PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE] >> FOR
SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING
DELIVERY OF PATIENT EDUCATION,
VACCINE FOOD AND SUPPLIES TO
REMOTE POPULATIONS AMIDST THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE SCRHC COMMUNITY
HEALTH TEAM REPRESENTED BY MR.
DARLENE --. FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
COLLABORATIVE MULTIDISCIPLINARY
APPROACH TO IMPROVE HEALTH
OUTCOMES THROUGH AN INNOVATIVE,
COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM, ENTITLED JOURNEY TO
WELLNESS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THE NEXT GROUP FOR THE
NAVAJO AREA, IS THE NAVAJO
CULTURE AND LANGUAGE FOR
HEALTHCARE. MS. LUCILLE --.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR STUDY PERFORMANCE AND
DEDICATION TO CONVEYING
ACCURATE HEALTHCARE INFORMATION
BY PLANTING NAVAJO CULTURE AND
LANGUAGE CLASSES FOR EMPLOYEES
AT THE FOUR CORNERS REGIONAL
HEALTH CENTER.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE PIÑON HEALTH
CENTER PATIENT ACCOUNT
DEPARTMENT. MS. -- -- YAZI.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
WITH COURAGE AND DEDICATION
DURING THIS VERY CHALLENGING
TIME OF COVID-19.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> NEXT IS OUR PUBLIC HEALTH
NURSING DIVISION. REBA GROTEN
(PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FROM THE NAVAJO AREA FOR
PROVIDING EXCELLENT PATIENT
CARE DURING THE SEARCH IN CASE
OF SYPHILIS AMONG PREGNANT
PERSONS, AND PERSONS
EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THAT BRINGS US TO THE END OF
OUR TEAM AWARDS FOR THE NAVAJO
AREA. NEXT IS THE OKLAHOMA CITY
AREA GROUP OR TEAM AWARDS.
CLINTON SERVICE UNIT,
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THE PERMIT
DOCTOR MICHAEL SHIELDS, FOR
EXPANDING THE CLINICAL
TREATMENT STRATEGIES AND
INCREASING ACCESS TO CARE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FROM THE CLINTON SERVICE
UNIT FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
PROGRAM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR CONSISTENTLY PROMOTING
EXCELLENCE IN QUALITY TO ENSURE
AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA
NATIVE PEOPLE HAVE A STAFFED
AND SAFE FACILITY.
LASTLY FROM THE CLINTON
SERVICE UNIT PRC DEPARTMENT,
MS. TRACY GEORGE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR THEIR INNOVATIVE
STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE THE
MISSION BY ADDRESSING
CHALLENGES IN THE PRC PATIENT
REFERRAL PROCESS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT ARE THE TEAM AWARDS
WITH PHOENIX AREA. FIRST GO TO
THE IHS JOCELYN VISION NETWORK
TELE-OPHTHALMOLOGY PROGRAM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> ACCEPTED BY MS. DARA SHAYHON
(PHONETIC), FOR SIGNIFICANT
IMPACTING THE QUALITY OF CARE
AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO EYE
SCREENING THROUGHOUT THE IHS.
NEXT FROM THE PHOENIX AREA IS
NURSING EDUCATION. MR. JASON
WHITE TO ACCEPT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND
DEDICATION TO THE NURSING
EDUCATION AND NEW NURSE
RESIDENCY PROGRAM AND NURSING
STUDENTS IN THE PHOENIX AREA.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE PHOENIX INDIAN
CENTER AUDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY
DEDICATION TO THE EFFICIENT
EXECUTION OF EXPANDING THE
AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
OF AUDIOLOGY, AND RELATED
SERVICES TO THE AMERICAN INDIAN
AND ALASKA NATIVE INDIAN
PEOPLES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT THEME IS THE PIMC CALL
CENTER WORK GROUP. LASHAWN RUIZ
TO ACCEPT (PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT
IN ADVANCING THE MISSION OF THE
IHS TO SUSTAINED IMPROVING WORK
WITH THE CENTRALIZED COLLINS
CENTER AT THE IMC.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT FROM THE PHOENIX AREA
IS A PRIMARY CARE MEDICINE
CLINIC AN PANAMA TEAM
(PHONETIC), DOCTOR AMY BECK TO
ACCEPT.
FOR REVAMPING THE ENTIRE AGENCY
WORKFLOW -- ELIMINATING THE
WAITLIST. PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER
REAL-TIME -- TO PATIENTS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> LAST FROM THE PHOENIX AREA
TEAM IS THE SOUTHWEST DIETETIC
INTERNSHIP. MS. CHARISSE
HOLIDAY TO ACCEPT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR PROVIDING OUTSTANDING
TRAINING AND AGENCY RECRUITMENT
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROSPECTIVE
NATIVE AMERICAN AND ALASKAN
NATIVE DIETITIANS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> ANNEX OUR GROUP FROM THE
PORTLAND AREA. FIRST UP IS THE
COLVILLE TRIBE PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MR. RON TULU (PHONETIC) TO
ACCEPT FOR STANDING
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
SIGNIFICANTLY ADVANCING
ADVANCING THE IHS MISSION.
NEXT ROOM THE AREA IN THE
SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
INITIATIVE. MS. KARINE SMITH TO
ACCEPT, PORTLAND AREA.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND
EFFORTS TO INITIATE THE
INCORPORATION OF SOCIAL
DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH AS PART
OF THE PEDIATRIC AND ADULT
FUNDING BUSINESS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> AND OUR LAST GROUP AWARD
TEAM IS THE WOSU CLINICAL TEAM
FROM THE PORTLAND AREA,
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER RACHEL
TAYLOR TO ACCEPT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR EXAMPLE FIND THE IHS
MISSION TO THE CLINICAL CARE
THEY PROVIDE TO THE CHIMAHUA
INDIAN SCHOOL SYSTEMS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO
ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF THE AWARDEES
IN THE DIRECTOR'S AWARD
CATEGORY. AND THE NAMES ARE ON
THE SCREEN. WE WOULD LIKE TO
GIVE THEM ALL THE BIG ROUND OF
APPLAUSE.
I THINK IT IS TELLING OF OUR
AGENCY, WHEN YOU SEE THE NUMBER
OF GROUP OR TEAM AWARDS THAT WE
HAVE, VERSUS INDIVIDUAL AWARDS.
WE KNOW IT TAKES A TEAM TO
MOVE THE WORK THAT WE NEED TO
DO. CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT
TEAMWORK AND THE WORK THAT YOU
HAVE DONE. JOB WELL, WELL
DONE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> I THINK WERE GOING TO HAVE A
LITTLE CHANGE IN THE FORMAT
HERE. WE HAVE OUR SPECIAL
RECOGNITION URBAN LEADERSHIP
AWARD? FROM THE NATIONAL
COUNCIL OF URBAN INDIAN HEALTH?
I DIDN'T SEE YOU OVER THERE.
-- CEO OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL
URBAN INDIAN HEALTH CARE TEAM
TO ACCEPT THE SPECIAL
RECOGNITION URBAN LEADERSHIP
AWARD.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR DEDICATION TO SERVING
INDIAN COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN 10
YEARS OF VARIOUS ROLES
INCLUDING CLERKING FOR THE
TRIBAL SUPREME COURTS, SERVING
AS A STAFF MEMBER FOR THE
UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL --FOR
THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
REPRESENTING NUMEROUS TRIBES OF
BOTH COUNSEL AND PROSECUTOR,
AND A PASSIONATE ADVOCATE TO
IMPROVING HEALTHCARE IN INDIAN
COUNTRY.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
NEXT ARE THE DIRECTOR'S AWARDS
FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. THIS
AWARD RECOGNIZES THE SERVICE OF
INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE
SIGNIFICANTLY ADVANCED THE IHS
MISSION AND VISION OF STRATEGIC
GOALS, DESIGNED TO RECOGNIZE
INNOVATION AND EXCEPTIONAL
PERFORMANCE AND/OR EXEMPLARY
ACTIONS RESULTING IN QUALITY OF
SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS,
STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS OF
THE IHS.
I'LL START WITH THE
ALBUQUERQUE AREA INDIVIDUAL
AWARDS. MS. YOLANDA ADAMS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR EXCEPTIONAL INNOVATIVE,
AND STRONG LEADERSHIP WHILE
PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY NURSING
CARE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE TO
PATIENTS DURING THE NURSE
SHORTAGE CRISIS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT FROM THE ALBUQUERQUE
AREA, IS MS. KIMBERLY STANFIELD.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER
SERVICE WHILE PROVIDING THE
DEPENDABLE SERVICES ACROSS
MULTIPLE DEPARTMENT AND HAS
PROVIDED INVALUABLE CARE FOR
THE ZUNI COMMUNITY.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> NEXT IS OUR GREAT PLAINS
AREA. MS. ROBIN PARKS.
FOR OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER
SERVICE AND SHINES THE MOST IN
A ROLE AS THE LEAD AREA TRIBAL
COORDINATOR FOR THE GREAT
PLAINS AREA, RECEIVING NUMEROUS
PRAISES FROM EMPLOYEES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS OUR HEADQUARTERS
AWARDS, INDIVIDUAL AWARDS FOR
CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE FIRST ONE
IS CHRISTOPHER --.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR CO-LEADING THE IHS
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVOICE
PROCESSING PLATFORM AND
AWARDING AND MANAGING
MISSION-CRITICAL CONTROL
RESULTING IN THE IHS COMPLIANCE
WITH FEDERAL FINANCIAL
MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS OUR NAVAJO AREA
AWARDEES. FIRST IS MS. ELLA GAY
(PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR BEING A VALUABLE LEADER
WITHIN GSU'S -- DEPARTMENT --
GAY PROVIDES CLINICAL
EXCELLENCE FOR PATIENTS WHILE
TREATING EVERYONE WHO SURROUNDS
HER WITH KINDNESS AND
COMPASSION.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT FROM THE NAVAJO AREA IS
MR. JOSHUA LAUGHING.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR DEMONSTRATING EXCELLENT
CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH INTERNAL
DEPARTMENTS AT THE --
HEALTHCARE CENTER WHILE
DELIVERING ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES
FOR PATIENT NEEDS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS OUR AWARD FROM THE
OKLAHOMA CITY AREA. MS. LAUREN
TAYLOR.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR DILIGENCE AND EXEMPLARY
CUSTOMER SERVICE AND
CORRELATING SPECIAL ORDER
PRODUCT FOR IHS FACILITIES,
AMIDST SUPPLY CHAIN
DISRUPTIONS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT ARE AWARDEES FROM THE
PHOENIX AREA. JC ARIANNO. FOR
PROVIDING EXCELLENT SERVICE,
EVERY PATIENT AND EVERY TIME
ALWAYS GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND
FOR MAKING PATIENTS COMFORTABLE
AFTER SURGERY.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT OF THE PHOENIX AREA IS
ZANE WHITE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MR. WHITE IS BEING AWARDED
TODAY FOR BEING A TEAM PLAYER
TO PROVIDE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE,
AND RESOURCES TO HIS TEAM
MEMBERS AND LEADS BY EXAMPLE BY
MAINTAINING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
AND EMPATHY FOR OUR PATIENTS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT ARE AWARDS FROM THE
PORTLAND AREA. FIRST OFF IS
SARAH --.
>> FOR OUTSTANDING SUPPORT AND
DEDICATION TO THE OEHS STAFF
AND THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE NEEDS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS COMMANDER RYAN PET.
FOR EXCEPTIONAL ...
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP
IN IMPROVING YOUR, PATIENTS'
HEALTH THROUGH THE INNOVATION
PROJECT IN IMPROVING QUALITY
EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE CLINIC.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS SIERRA CHATS
(PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FROM THE PORTLAND AREA FOR
OUTSTANDING SUPPORT AND
DEDICATION TO THE NORTHWEST
TRIBES OF WASHINGTON AND FOR
BEING A HIGHLY VALUABLE
ENGINEERING RESOURCE FOR THE
OLYMPIC SYSTEM FMC PROGRAM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THAT BRINGS US TO THE END OF
OUR DIRECTOR'S AWARDS FOR
CUSTOMER SERVICE INDIVIDUAL
CATEGORY. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING
YOUR ATTENTION TO THE SLIDE FOR
ALL THE NAMES. LET'S GIVE THEM
ALL A ROBUST ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> WE WILL WORK THROUGH THAT.
NEXT IS OUR DIRECTOR'S AWARD
FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE TEAM
AWARDS. THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES
THE SERVICE OF GROUPS THAT HAVE
SIGNIFICANT ADVANCE THE IHS
MISSION AND VISION AND
STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE
AWARD IS DESIGNED TO RECOGNIZE
INNOVATION AND EXCEPTIONAL
PERFORMANCE, AND EXEMPLARY
ACTIONS IN THE AREAS OF
INCREASING QUALITY OF SERVICE
TO CUSTOMERS, STAKEHOLDERS AND
PARTNERS OF THE IHS. AND TO
START OUR TEAM AWARDS OFTEN THE
-- AREA IS THE -- HUMAN
RESOURCES. MS. ARLENE BOLIN.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THIS TEAM WAS HONORED BY
PROVIDING EXCELLENT CUSTOMER
SERVICE TO THE --LAKE SERVICE
UNIT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> OUR NEXT TEAM FROM -- IS A
RED LAKE PHARMACY REDUCTION
TEAM. ACCEPTED BY --
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THE HARM REDUCTION TEAM
PROVIDED NOVEL HARM REDUCTION
SERVICES TO THE RED LAKE
COMMUNITY.
THIS MOVES US TO THE BILLINGS
AREA. THE FIRST TEAM IN THE
NORTHERN CHEYENNE SERVICE UNIT
FACILITIES TEAM. ACCEPTED BY
ROBERT MAGPIE, FOR OUTSTANDING
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FOR THE
NORTHERN CHEYENNE SERVICE UNIT.
APAP1
>> NEXT IS THE NORTHERN
CHEYENNE SERVICE UNIT PUBLIC
HEALTH NURSING TEAM, MS.
JENNIFER --.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER
SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO THE
NORTHERN CHEYENNE COMMUNITY.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT FOR THE BILLING AREA IS
THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE SERVICE
UNIT TRANSPORTATION DRIVERS'
TEAM. MS. TORI --.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR THE DEDICATION TO THE
MISSION OF THE IHS BY ENSURING
OUR PATIENTS CAN GET TO THEIR
LASTING APARTMENTS REGARDS OF
THE COLD, SNOW AND OTHER
BARRIERS ALONG THE WAY FOR
THEIR 204 MILE TRIPS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE WIND RIVER
SERVICE UNIT PURCHASE AND
REFERRAL CARE DEPARTMENT. MS.
-- TO ACCEPT.
>> FOR HAVING MAINTAINED THE
SERVICE UNIT AT A MEDICAL
PRIORITY 4, IN THE NONMEDICATED
(INDISCERNIBLE).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS OUR GREAT PLAINS
AREA AWARDING. THE TEAM IS THE
EAGLE BUTTE INFECTION AND
CONTROL PREVENTION TEAM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MS. ANN -- FOR PROACTIVELY
TAKING ON THE ROLES OF THE
CHESS TRAINERS TO ENSURE THE
FACILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES ARE CONCURRENT WITH
THE LATEST RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE HEADQUARTERS
GROUP. FIRST-TEAM IS A DIVISION
OF COMMISSION PERSONAL SUPPORT
ACCEPTED BY MS. DEANNA DICK.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER
SERVICE SUPPORT TO OVER 1500
COMMISSIONED CORPS OFFICERS AND
PROCESSING OF HAZARDOUS DUTY
PAY.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> ALSO FROM HEADQUARTERS IS
OUR HEADQUARTERS TRAVEL TEAM.
MARK-- TO ACCEPT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FROM THE NASHVILLE AREA,
NEXT TEAM IS THE SHANNACOCK
(PHONETIC) SERVICE UNIT
PURCHASE AND REFERRAL CARE
TEAM.
ACCEPTED BY KAREN SMITH FOR
THE OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER
SERVICE AND INDIVIDUAL
PROFESSIONALISM BY PROVIDING
UNINTERRUPTED CARE FOR THE
NATION THROUGH THE PURCHASE AND
REFERRAL CARE TEAM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> OUR NEXT NATIONAL TEAM IS
THE USET SPECIAL DIABETES
PROGRAM. DIETRICH TAYLOR.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MR. TAYLOR AND HIS TEAM, FOR
THE EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER
SERVICE AND SUPPORT TO 31
NASHVILLE AREA SPECIAL IBS
PROGRAM FOR INDIANS IS EXACTLY
APPLY AND BE AWARDED AS AN SDPI
PRIMARY GRANTEE FOR THE FIRST
TIME IN 25 YEARS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT ARE OUR TEAM FROM THE
NAVAJO AREA FOR CUSTOMER
SERVICE. THE FIRST ONE UP IS
THE GALLUP INDIAN MEDICAL
CENTER TEAM. MS. CLARISSA JOHN.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR MAINTAINING THE QUALITY
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO ENSURE
ALIGNMENT WITH THE IHS MISSION
AND VISION, AND ENHANCING
CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH MORE
EFFICIENT AND QUICKER ACCESS TO
SERVICES. REDUCING HEALP DESK
TICKET SIGNIFICANTLY.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> OUR NEXT TEAMS COME FROM
THE OKLAHOMA CITY SERVICE AREA.
FIRST-TEAM IS FROM THE CHOCTAW
NATION. MS. --.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL
CUSTOMER SERVICE ACHIEVED BY
FOCUSING ON PATIENT
SATISFACTION AND PROVIDING
COMPASSIONATE AND PROFESSIONAL
CARE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT AWARD FROM THE ABNORMAL
CITY AREA IS THE CLINTON INDIAN
HEALTH CENTER EDS DEPARTMENT.
MS. -- TO ACCEPT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR CONSISTENTLY GOING
ABOVE AND BEYOND THE DUTY TO
EXCEED THE NEED AND FACILITY
CLEANLINESS AND PATIENT
COMMUNITY ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> TO WRAP UP THE HOME CITY
AREA AWARD IS THE -- INDIAN
HEALTH CENTER PURCHASE AND
REFERRAL CARE PROGRAM. MS.
CONNIE --
FOR THE VOTING EFFORTS AND
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
PERFORMANCE THAT COALESCED WELL
WITH THE MISSION AND VISION OF
THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> OUR NEXT GROUP COMES FROM
THE PHOENIX AREA. FIRST GROUP
IS THE PHOENIX AREA IHS OHP
LABORATORY PROGRAM. MS. ARLINDA
LEAD (PHONETIC) TO ACCEPT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR EXEMPLARY LAB TEAM TO
IMPROVE THE ACCREDITATION
OUTCOMES AND EXCELLENT RPMS
INTERFACES SUBMITTED -- LAB
CHARTER AND ENGAGE WITH COVID
RESPONSES AND RECRUITMENT AND
90% REVISION.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS TIFFANY ELLERY
(PHONETIC) FROM THE PIMC
TECHNICIAN MEDICAL SUPPORT
TEAM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR EXCEPTIONAL INNOVATIVE
AND LEADERSHIP CARRYING OUT
TASKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF
CARE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT ARE TEAMS FROM THE
PORTLAND AREA. THE DES PORTAL
AREA OHE CONTRACTING TEAM MS.
MELISSA WOLRMACK (PHONETIC).
FOR OUTSTANDING SUPPORT AND
CONTRACTING SERVICES.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THAT BRINGS US TO THE END TO
ALL OF OUR AWARDEES FOR THE
DIRECTOR'S AWARD CUSTOMER
SERVICE TEAM CATEGORY. I WOULD
LIKE TO GIVE THEM ALL A BIG
ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> OUR NEXT AWARDS ARE OUR IHS
PANDEMIC HEROES AWARDS. THIS
AWARD RECOGNIZES EXCEPTIONAL
DEDICATED WORK AND SELF
RESPONSE IN THE FACE OF THE
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND THE
AWARD RECOGNIZES THE SERVICE OF
INDIVIDUALS THAT ADVANCE THE
IHS MISSION AND VISION THROUGH
WORK FOCUSED AIMS-OBJECTIVES
AND THE COVID-19 ACTION PLAN OF
THE FIRST AWARDEES COME FROM
HEADQUARTERS. MS. JULIA CORBIN.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THIS INDIVIDUAL AWARD IS FOR
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP,
INNOVATION AND DEDICATION TO
AWARDING MISSION-CRITICAL
CONTRACTS SUPPORTING THE IHS'S
RESPONSE DURING THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT UP IS MR. DARRYL SMITH.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MR. SMITH IS RECEIVING THE
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING
LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION AND
DEDICATION IN AWARDING
MANAGEMENT CRITICAL PROGRAMS
AND WERE SUPPORTING THE IHS
RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT PANDEMIC AWARD COMES
FROM THE NAVAJO AREA. MS.
MARINDA BEGAY (PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR DEMONSTRATING EXCELLENT
CUSTOMER SERVICE BY EXAMPLE
FIND TEAMWORK AND DEDICATION.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE AWARD FROM THE
HOME CITY AREA FOR PANDEMIC
RESPONSE. MR. TRENT -- FOR HERE
IS HIM AND SUPPORTIVE
OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO IHS
TRIBAL AND INDIAN ORGANIZATION
IN ADVANCING THE IHS MISSION.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT PANDEMIC AWARD, HEROES
AWARD, COMES FROM THE PHOENIX
AREA. LIEUTENANT ASHLEY --
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR ENHANCING THE PHOENIX
INDIAN CENTER MEDICAL CENTER
VACCINATION CLINICAL EFFORTS
AND DEMONSTRATING EXCEPTIONAL
LEADERSHIP AND COMPASSION FOR
COLLEAGUES AND PATIENTS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NOW WE WOULD LIKE TO ALSO
ACKNOWLEDGE ALL THE AWARDEES IN
THE PANDEMIC HEROISM AWARD, IN
THE INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY AND
GIVE THEM ALL A BIG ROUND OF
APPLAUSE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT ARE THE PANDEMIC
HEROISM TEAM AWARDS. THESE
AWARDS RECOGNIZE EXCEPTIONAL,
DEDICATED WORK, SELFLESS
RESPONSES IN THE FACE OF THE
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. THE
AWARD RECOGNIZES THE SERVICE OF
GROUPS THAT ADVANCE THE IHS
MISSION/ PATIENT AND THE WORK-
FOCUSED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES AND
THE COVID-19 ACTION PLAN.
BURSTEIN IS FROM THE
ALBUQUERQUE AREA, THE ZUNI
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE
CENTER, URGENT CARE AND
EMERGENCY ROOM TEAM. MS. RACHEL
TRIBBETT TO ACCEPT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR OUTSTANDING TEAMWORK
THROUGHOUT THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC FUELED BY PASSION,
COMMITMENT, AND DESIRE TO
PROVIDE ALL PATIENTS WITH THE
HIGHEST QUALITY OF CARE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT GROUP AWARD IS FROM THE
BILLINGS AREA. THE CROW AGENCY
SERVICE PHARMACY DEPARTMENT,
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER DANIEL
HAMEL. FOR EXCEPTIONAL
HIGH-LEVEL AND SUSTAINED
PERFORMANCE DURING THE
COMPLICATED AND COMPLEX RESPOND
OPERATIONS DURING THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> OUR NEXT TEAM AWARDED COME
FROM THE CROW AGENCY SERVICE
UNIT PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING. MS.
KELLY PRETTYWEASEL (PHONETIC).
>> FOR HANDLING MULTIPLE
CHALLENGES DURING THE PANDEMIC
WHILE COMPLETING CONTACT
RAISING. THEY ALSO WORKED
EXTENSIVE HOURS TO QUELL THE
TRANSMISSION OF SYPHILIS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS OUR HEADQUARTERS
TEAM. THE IHS NATIONAL COVID-19
CRITICAL CARE MANAGEMENT TEAM
ACCEPTED BY DOCTOR TINA
JOHNSON.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR PROVIDING INNOVATIVE
CRITICAL CARE PATIENT CARE AND
CLINICAL EDUCATION THAT ENSURES
IHS TO PROVIDE THE HIGHEST
QUALITY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES
GEARED TO ALASKA NATIVE
PATIENTS FOR COVID-19.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> I WOULD REMIND THE AUDIENCE
THAT WAS THE HEADQUARTERS
AWARD. NOW FROM THE NASHVILLE
AREA. THE TEAM IS THE CHEROKEE
INDIAN HOSPITAL PHARMACIST
TEAM. MS. ASHLEY CHANNELS TO
ACCEPT.
FOR DEVELOPING AN EQUAL
MEDICAL SERVICES AND PATIENT
CARE PROTOCOLS TO MEET THE NEED
CREATED BY COVID-19 DELTA
VARIANT SURGE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT FROM THE NATURAL AREA
IS THE USET TRIBAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
TEAM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THE EPIDEMIOLOGY TEAM IS
BEING AWARDED FOR THE
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AND SUPPORT
TO THE NASHVILLE AREA TRIBAL
ISSUES DURING THE UNPRECEDENTED
GLOBAL PUBLIC CRISIS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THE NEXT ARE THE PANDEMIC
AWARDS FROM THE NAVAJO AREA.
FIRST IS THE TEAM AWARD FOR THE
COVID-19 MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY
INFUSION CLINIC TEAM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> LIEUTENANT COMMANDER CHELSEA
MCFADDEN TO ACCEPT. FOR THE
EXEMPLARY PROVISION OF COVID-19
EMERGENCY REVIEWED MONOCLONAL
ANTIBODIES FOR TREATING SEVERE
COVID-19 DISEASE AND
HOSPITALIZATIONS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT UP IS THE CHINLE
SERVICE UNIT PUBLIC HEALTH
HOMEBOUND VACCINATION TASK
FORCE. MS. JOLENE TOM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR CARRYING OUT THE
MISSION-CRITICAL SERVICES
NEEDED TO PROVIDE SAFE AND
EQUITABLE ACCESS TO, AND
ADMINISTRATION OF THE VACCINE
TO THE 31 COMMUNITIES OF THE
CSU. PUBLIC HEALTH HEROISM AT
ITS BEST ON THE FACE OF THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE FOUR CORNERS
REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER SECURITY
DEPARTMENT ACCEPTED BY DERBY --
NOPE. MS. ANGELA MARTIN,
ACCEPTING FOR THE GALLUP
CLINICAL CENTER SERVICE
COORDINATOR WHO.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MS. MARTIN AND HER TEAM ARE
BEING AWARDED FOR OUTSTANDING
COMMITMENT AND COURAGE DURING
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THE NEXT THEME IS THE
CALIENTE (PHONETIC) HEALTH
CANCER OUTPATIENT CARE TEAM.
MS. TRUDY DASH TO ACCEPT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR THE MUSTERING SERVICE
EXCELLENCE AND COMPETENCY AND
DEDICATION, LEADERSHIP, AND
TEAM COLLABORATIVE CARE
ADVANCING KSU PRIMARY CENTER
MEDICAL CARE CERTIFICATION.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE KSU EMERGENCY
DEPARTMENT NURSING TEAM. MS.
CAROL LINDA GREENSTONE TO
ACCEPT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR DEMONSTRATING SERVICE
EXCELLENCE WITH EXCEPTIONAL,
DEDICATED LEADERSHIP AND
SELFLESS SERVICE DURING THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC PROVIDING
PATIENT CARE WITH COMPASSION.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE NORTHERN NAVAJO
MEDICAL CENTER, COVID-19
OUTDOOR RESPONSE TEAM. MS.
AMANDA KILLIAN TO ACCEPT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR OUTSTANDING DEDICATION,
PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION AND
EXTRAORDINARY COMPLIMENTS OF
YOUR LEADERSHIP SERVICE TO THE
SHIPROCK SERVICE UNIT COVID-19
PANDEMIC RESPONSE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE AWARDS FOR THE
OKLAHOMA CITY AREA. CHOCTAW
NATION PHARMACY AREA, MS.
ANDREA THOMAS FOR THEIR
OUTSTANDING WORK DURING THIS
GLOBAL PANDEMIC IN HELPING TO
PROVIDE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF
CARE FOR THE NATIVE AMERICAN
PATIENTS AND FELLOW OKLAHOMANS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS THE NATIONAL SUPPLY
AND SERVICE CENTER FINANCE TEAM
REPRESENTED BY MS. CHRISTINE
THOMAS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FROM THE OKLAHOMA CITY AREA,
FOR THEIR EXCELLENT SERVICE AND
OVERSIGHT OF FUNDS DURING THE
COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS OUR AWARD FROM THE
PHOENIX AREA. THE TEAM IS THE
PHOENIX INDIAN CENTER MEDICAL
CENTER COVID MEDICAL
DEPARTMENT-- NO IT IS NOT. RYAN
IS QUICK. COMMANDER RYAN
MANNING. FOR INNOVATIVE ...
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR INNOVATIVE AND
COURAGEOUS PERFORMANCE AT HIGH
LEVEL DURING THE COVID RESPONSE
INCREASING THE SAFETY OF
EMPLOYEES AND PATIENTS AT PIMC.
RYAN WAS FASTER THAN ME. THAT'S
OKAY. THIS IS HOW IT WORKS IS
THE EMCEE. I FEEL LIKE MS. TSO
DURING THE BRIEFING, NOT SURE
WHERE WE ARE GOING HERE. THANK
YOU MS. ATWELL.
NEXT IS MS. ASHA ATWELL FOR
THE IHS'S DIRECTORS INDIVIDUAL
AWARD.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR RECOGNITION OF YOUR
EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AND
INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO
IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF
HOMELESS COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT AWARD IS DIRECTOR'S
AWARD INDIVIDUAL AWARD FOR
CAPTAIN MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR OUTSTANDING SUPPORT
THROUGHOUT THE PORTLAND AREA
DURING CRITICAL STAFFING
SHORTAGES AT THE -- SERVICE
UNITS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> CHRIS BRADY. THANK YOU.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MR. CHRIS
BRADY.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> CAPTAIN CHRIS... HE IS A
LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF THE GAME
HERE. HE TRICKED ME BY NOT
HAVING HIS UNIFORM. CAPTAIN
CHRIS BRADY IS ONE OF OUR
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS THAT IS
GETTING A DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
MEDAL TODAY, FOR HIS
DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND
EXCEPTIONAL CONTUSIONS TO THE
IHS PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU CAPTAIN BRADY. MY
APOLOGY SIR. BEFORE WE GO AHEAD
WITH THE REST COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS WOULD LIKE TO
RECOMMEND ALL THE AWARDEES IN
THE PANDEMIC HEROISM AWARD
CATEGORY AND GIVE THEM A BIG
ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT WE WOULD LIKE TO MOVE
INTO OUR COMMISSIONED CORPS
AWARDS. THESE INDIVIDUAL HONOR
AWARDS ARE PROVIDED TO
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS THROUGH
THEPUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
(CORRECTION) THROUGH THE UNITED
STATES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
AND THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
IN THIS OFFICE RECEIVED THE
HIGHEST AWARDS, DISTINGUISHED
SERVICE MEDAL, MERITORIOUS
SERVICE MEDAL AND OUTSTANDING
SERVICE MEDAL. AND YOU WILL SEE
CAPTAIN BRADY RECEIVING THE
DSM, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
MEDAL, THE HIGHEST LEVEL AWARD
THAT THE IHS HAS.
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JASON
HARRIS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> I CAN TELL BY THOSE TRIBES
THAT THE GOOD COMMANDER WAS
EITHER PROMOTED OR WE MISSED
HIS RANK. COMMANDER JASON
HARRIS FOR EXCEPTIONAL
LEADERSHIP AND CHALLENGES IN
PHARMACY PROGRAMS THAT IMPROVED
PATIENT CARE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT OUTSTANDING SERVICE
MEDAL IS LIEUTENANT TENANT
COMMANDER CHRISTOPHER FRAZIER.
FOR EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP
DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
-- IT IS NOT. IT'S COMMANDER
ANGELA TROUT. PRO (CORRECTION)
FOR CONTINUOUS OUTSTANDING
SERVICE ASSIGNED TO THE INDIAN
HEALTH SERVICE.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> >> COMMANDER
MARY TENNIS (PHONETIC).
COMMANDER TENNIS FOR
OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND
LEADERSHIP IN INJURY PREVENTION
PROGRAMS, FOR EXCEEDING
EXPECTED DUTIES.
NEXT AWARD, THE IHS LIKE TO
RECOGNIZE LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
SAMANTHA GUSTAVSON.
FOR CONTINUOUS OUTSTANDING
SERVICE.
>> NEXT IS LIEUTENANT COMMANDER
MOLLY WATSON. FOR EXCEPTIONAL
WRITERS SERVICE AND IMPLANTING
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND
LEADING ACTIVITIES FOR PANDEMIC
RESPONSE AT LEADING
ORGANIZATIONS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT REPRESENTING THE
OUTSTANDING SERVICE MEDAL
AWARDED HIS COMMANDER ANNIE
EDELMAN. FOR CONTINUOUS
OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND
LEADERSHIP, NOTEWORTHY
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ORGANIZING AND
EXECUTING COVID-19 VACCINE
EFFORTS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT OSM IS COMMANDER
CHRISTOPHER DUFF (PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR EXHIBITING A LEVEL OF
SKILL AND PERSEVERANCE ABOVE
AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY
THAT HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT ON THE SERVICES MISSION.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT OSM IS COMMANDERS SCOTT
FILLERUP (PHONETIC), FOR
DEVELOPING AND DEPLOY
STANDARDIZED HEALTH RECORDS TO
25 IHS HOSPITALS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> NEXT IS ANDREA? COMMANDER
... WE'VE HAD SOME PROMOTIONS.
MS. -- SHOULD GET A ROUND OF
APPLAUSE FOR ALL OF THESE OSMS
GOING ON. COMMANDER ANDREA
SITOPE (PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP
AND AND SERVICE IN THE WESTERN
OREGON SERVICE UNIT IS A
SERVICE DIRECTOR.
>> NEXT UP IS COMMANDER
MICHELLE LIVINGSTON.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR SERVING THE WARM SPRINGS
SERVICE UNIT IS SAFETY OFFICER
AND EQUIPMENT COORDINATORS
COLLATERAL DUTIES FOR FIVE
YEARS.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE
GOOD COMMANDER ADAM HUGHES.
COMMANDER HUGHES ...
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> FOR DEMONSTRATING
EXTRAORDINARY ACTS OF HEROISM,
BRAVERY, AND SUPERIOR
PERFORMANCE RESULTING IN THE
PRESERVATION OF LIFE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> I WOULD LIKE YOU TO TURN
YOUR ATTENTION TO THE SCREEN.
THIS BRINGS US TO THE END OF
THE LIVE PRESENTATIONS. WE
WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL
THE AWARDEES IN THE -- AWARDS
CATEGORY. GIVE THEM A BIG ROUND
OF APPLAUSE.
>> NEXT UP IS THE LENGTH OF
SERVICE AWARDS AND SPECIAL
RECOGNITION FOR THE DEDICATION
AND COMMITMENT TO THE IHS, THE
DIRECTOR WOULD LIKE TO
RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING
INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR
EXTRAORDINARY LENGTH OF SERVICE
TO THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE.
THE FIRST START OFF WITH 40
YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE ALASKA
AREA. MS. PAULA PANCHO
(PHONETIC).
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> JUST THINKING ALL MY 105
LEASES PAULA. KEEPS ME ON MY
TOES. (LAUGHTER).
NEXT FOR THE PHOENIX AREA FOR
40 YEARS OF SERVICE FORM, MS.
KARINE --.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> WE HAVE 1 45 YEARS OF
SERVICE AWARDED TODAY. I'D LIKE
TO INTRODUCE MS. DEBRA DOWNS
FROM OKLAHOMA CITY AREA.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> YOU ARE NOT JANET, ARE YOU?
ANOTHER ANDREA. THAT BRINGS US
TO THE END OF THE LENGTH OF
SERVICE AWARDS. I WOULD LIKE TO
GIVE THEM ALL ANOTHER GROUND OF
APPLAUSE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> I SAID EARLIER IN MY
COMMENTS THAT YOU KNOW WHO YOU
ARE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE WHO
STAYED AROUND YOU. THE NEXT
AWARD THE HHS GREEN CHAMPION
AWARDS THAT RECOGNIZE AND
PROMOTE THE EXCELLENCE AND
CREATIVITY OF HHS
EMPLOYEES'SUSTAINABILITY
EFFORTS. THE 2022 IHS AWARDED
UNDER THE CLIMATE RESILIENCE
AND HEALTH EQUITY INDIVIDUAL
CATEGORY IS MS. ANDREA TAYLOR.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> MS. TAYLOR'S AWARD IS A
LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN THE
OTHER CRYSTALS. WE WERE ABLE TO
KEEP THAT AWARD FOR TWO HOURS
TO GET BACK HER SAFELY. TOUGH
THING TO DO. SHE IS AWARDED
THIS FURTHER DEFINING A
CRITICAL GAP IN THE HHS FLOOD
RISK MANAGEMENT STANDARD
PROCEDURES BASED ON CONSIDERING
FLOOD HAZARDS DUE TO CLIMATE
CHANGE AND CLIMATE CONCEPT
DESIGN FOR HHS RURAL PROPERTY.
SHE IS ALSO WORKING WITH THE
IHS THE PHOENIX MEDICAL CENTER
TO OBTAIN AN EVALUATION FOR THE
SITE SO THEY CAN PLAN
ACCORDINGLY AND IN KEEPING WITH
THE FDA. IN ADDITION MS.
TAYLOR ESTABLISHED A MECHANISM
WITHIN THE US ARMY CORPS OF
ENGINEERS ALSO DISTRICT TO --
WITH THE FEDERAL AGENCY OR
TRIBAL PROJECT ANYWHERE IN THE
CONTINENTAL US AT NO CHARGE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> I'D LIKE TO-- NEXT IS THE
LUANA REYES LEADERSHIP AWARD,
FINAL AWARD TO BE PRESENTED
THIS AFTERNOON. THE LUANA REYES
LEADERSHIP AWARD.
EVERY YEAR THE IHS RECOGNIZES
AN INDIVIDUAL WHO EXEMPLIFIES
THE LEADERSHIP SKILLS THAT
ASSERTED BY MS. LUANA REYES WHO
SERVED AS THE EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR HEALTH BOARD AND HELP
FOUND THE AMERICAN INDIAN
HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION. IN 1982
SHE SERVED AS THE DIRECTOR OF
THE IHS HEADQUARTERS OPERATIONS
AND AS IHS CHIEF FINANCIAL
OFFICERS WORKING TO ENSURE THE
GOVERNMENT MANAGE TREATY
OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE
HEALTHCARE TO INDIAN PEOPLE.
IN 2001, THE YEAR SHE PASSED
AWAY, SHE WAS HONORED WITH THE
PRESIDENTIAL-RANKED MERITORIOUS
AWARD PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO THE
TOP FEDERAL MANAGERS FOR
EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE. THE
IHS'S LUANA REYES LEADERSHIP
AWARD IS RESERVED FOR AN
INDIVIDUAL WHOSE PROFESSIONAL
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THAT
REPRESENTED THE KIND OF
LEADERSHIP THAT MS. REYES
DEMONSTRATED. PAST RECIPIENTS
WERE (READING NAMES) -- WE'VE
GOT A SPECIAL PRESENTER WE
WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP
TWO-STAGE WITH DIRECTOR TSO AND
DEPUTY DIRECTOR PALM. WE WOULD
LIKE TO WELCOME MS. REYES'
DAUGHTER, PRISCILLA REYES, TO
PRESENT THIS AWARD.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON!
>> DIRECTOR TSO THANK YOU AGAIN
FOR LETTING ME JOIN TODAY. THE
INVITATION WAS VERY KIND. I AM
VERY HONORED.
YOU KNOW, LUANA REYES WAS THE
SECOND OLDEST OF SEVEN BROTHERS
AND SISTERS. AND, LORA, MY
MOM'S YOUNGER SISTER, WAS ABLE
TO JOIN LAST YEAR. SHE STILL
TALKS ABOUT IT TO THIS DAY.
SHE REALLY ENJOYED HER TIME. IT
WAS ACTUALLY THE FIRST TIME
THAT SHE TRAVELED DOWN HERE IN
YEARS.
A FEW DAYS AGO, I SPOKE WITH
MY BROTHER ROBERT WHO ALSO
LIVES IN WASHINGTON STATE. HE
HAS YET TO TRAVEL HERE.BUT
AFTER TODAY, AFTER FEELING THE
POSITIVE ENERGY, HE'S MISSING
OUT. I'M GOING TO SHARE THAT
WITH HIM. THE HOOTS AND HOLLERS
AND THE SUPPORT THAT EVERYBODY
IS GIVING TODAY IS VERY
TOUCHING. IT BRINGS A SMILE TO
MY FACE. AND I THINK MY MOM
WOULD REALLY BE HAPPY TOO.
OUR MOM WAS REALLY ONE OF THE
FIRST IN HER FAMILY AND IN OUR
FAMILY, IN HER GENERATION TO
TAKE A LEAP AND MOVE AWAY FROM
HOME. SHE DID SO BECAUSE SHE
SAW SOME OPPORTUNITIES IN HER
EARLIER CAREER, IN HER TWENTIES
TO DO SO. THE OPPORTUNITY THAT
SHE SOUGHT OUT BROUGHT HER TO
CALIFORNIA, TO SAN FRANCISCO.
AND AT THAT TIME, SHE DIDN'T
KNOW ANYBODY. SHE HAD TO
SETTLE ON HER OWN, KIND OF MAKE
HER WAY. IT HAS TAKEN SMALL,
STEADY STEPS FOR US AS A FAMILY
TO OPEN UP THE MEMORIES OF MY
MOM'S LIFE THAT HAVE BEEN
STORED AWAY IN BOXES FOR NUMBER
OF YEARS NOW. BUT IT HAS ALSO
BEEN A GIFT. WE ARE ALL KIND
OF SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE
COUNTRY. WE DON'T GET THE
OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN AND
SHARE STORIES WITH ONE ANOTHER.
SO, THOSE BOXES HAVE BECOME
REALLY IMPORTANT. BECAUSE WE
DON'T WANT THE MEMORIES TO FADE.
WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SHARE
THEM.
AND WHAT WE FOUND IS, LUANA,
OUR MOM, WOULD WRITE FAMILY AT
LEAST ONCE A WEEK. SOMETIMES
EVEN MORE. TO HER MOM, GRANDMA
MARY, TO OUR FAMILY. TO SHARE
WHAT SHE WAS DOING IN SAN
FRANCISCO, WHO SHE WAS MEETING,
WHAT KIND OF PROJECT SHE WAS
UNDERTAKING. IT WAS A WAY TO
STAY CONNECTED AND KEEPING HER
FAMILY CLOSE.
TODAY THAT IS WHAT I FEEL.
THIS IS FAMILY. IT'S BEEN SAID
THAT OUR MOM REALLY LED WITH
QUIET RESERVE. THAT WAS VERY
TRUE. THAT WAS AT HER CORE. BUT
IT WAS QUIET RESERVE WITH
PURPOSE. HMM. AND ALSO
ENCOURAGING OTHERS. SHOWING
OTHERS UP. RECOGNIZING THEIR
STRENGTHS. COLLABORATING.
TALKING AROUND A TABLE.
SO, I'LL KEEP THIS SHORT. BUT
IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO SPEND
THIS AFTERNOON WITH ALL OF YOU.
I'M REALLY HOPING MY FAMILY
CAN COME MORE OFTEN. AND SEE
AND FEEL WHAT HAPPENS TODAY. I
KNOW IT IS JUST ONE DAY OUT OF
A FULL YEAR. BUT THANK YOU FOR
GIVING THE CARE. THE THOUGHTFUL
CARE. THE UNDERSTANDING. THE
KINDNESS TO OUR COMMUNITY. TO
ALL OUR RELATIONS. IT MEANS A
LOT. >> SO THANK YOU. THANK
YOU FOR KEEPING THE LEGACY OF
MY MOM AND HER TIME. HER
LIFELONG WORK IN HEALTH
SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITIES
ALIVE.
I AND MY FAMILY ARE VERY
THANKFUL FOR THAT. THANK YOU.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> THANK YOU MS. REYES. WE
APPRECIATE THE KIND WORDS. THIS
AWARD IN THE IHS REPRESENTS
KINDNESS, HUMILITY, COMPASSION,
PROFESSIONALISM, TECHNICAL
EXCELLENCE, YOU CAN GO ON AND
ON AND ON. I NEVER MET MS.
REYES PERSONALLY. BUT MY
MENTORS DEFINITELY MET MS.
REYES. AND DEFINITELY HAD
NOTHING TO SAY BUT GLOWING
REMARKS ABOUT HER PASSION, HER
ENERGY TOWARDS HEALTH OF OUR
COMMUNITIES. AND I WANT TO SAY
THAT I APPRECIATE THE LEGACY I
CAN SEE IT BRINGS TO THE AGENCY.
HISTORY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO
OUR COMMUNITIES. WE APPRECIATE
MS. REYES' CONTINUING TO COME
HERE PROVIDE US WITH THE
PRESENT AND THE SPIRIT OF MS.
REYES WHICH CONTINUES WITHIN
THE AGENCY.
TODAY WE WOULD LIKE TO
RECOGNIZE THE AWARDEE OF THE
2022 LUANA REYES LEADERSHIP
AWARD. CAPTAIN JOE BRYANT FROM
THE CLINTON SERVICE UNIT.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>>
>> IS DOCTOR BRYANT HERE?
>> I WANTED TO SAY A FEW WORDS
HAVE CAPTAIN BRYANT FROM THE
OKLAHOMA CITY AREA. WE
APPRECIATE HIS SERVICE TO THE
COMMUNITY. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO
KNOW CAPTAIN BRYANT KNOW THAT
HIS QUALITY AND HIS COMMITMENT
TO EXCELLENCE AND TO OUR
PATIENTS IS BEYOND MOST OF US
WHEN IT COMES TO SERVING.
COMMANDER BRYANT SERVES IN A
SERVICE UNIT WITH THE CHEYENNE/
ARAPAHOE TRIBES. COMMANDER
BRYANT HAS PROTECTED THE
RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRIBES,
PROVIDING DIRECT PATIENT CARE
AND PARTNERING WITH THOSE
TRIBES IN NURTURING THAT
RELATIONSHIP HE HAS.
WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING
THAT RELATIONSHIP, THERE'S
NOBODY BETTER THAN CAPTAIN
BRYANT. WHEN IT COMES TO
SERVING THE PATIENTS THAT HE
SERVED. HE HAS THE UNIQUE
ABILITY OF RUNNING A HEALTH
SERVICE UNIT BLENDING IT WITH
THE TRIBAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND
DURING THE PANDEMIC RAN
MULTIPLE IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM
TO THE TRIBES, SERVICE UNIT
PROVIDED THE STAFF AT THE STAFF
PROVIDED THE BUILDING IN THE
SERVICE CENTER, HELP WITH THE
MOBILE UNITS AND CAPTAIN BRYANT
HAS WORKED A SPECIAL PROJECT
WITH THE TRIBE. WHEN WE
IDENTIFY THE FEDERAL
REPLACEMENT LIST WAS TOO LONG
FOR THE ARENO SERVICE UNIT TO
BE REPLACED CAPTAIN BRYANT
RAISE THE FUNDS NEEDED WITHIN
THE FEDERAL STRUCTURE AND
PARTNERED WITH THE TRIBE. AND
THE TRIBE BUILT A NEW FACILITY
FOR THE FEDERAL SERVICE UNIT TO
PROVIDE PATIENT CARE. CAPTAIN
BRYANT DETERMINES JOB AS THE
SERVICE UNIT LEADER, AT THAT
SERVICE UNIT, AND WE ARE VERY
GLAD TO HAVE THEM RECEIVE THE
LUANA REYES LEADERSHIP AWARD
FOR 2022. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THAT BRINGS US TO THE END OF
TODAY'S CEREMONY FROM A
STANDPOINT OF THE AWARDS. I
WOULD LIKE TO THANK DEPUTY
SECRETARY PALM FOR BEING WITH
US TODAY. IT IS ALWAYS A
PLEASURE MA'AM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> I WOULD LIKE TO ASK DIRECTOR
TSO TO COME BACK UP ON THE
STAGE TO GIVE HER CLOSING
REMARKS.
>> DIRECTOR TSO: THANK YOU
AGAIN EVERYONE. ALL OF THE
AWARDEES PROBABLY HAVE ALREADY
STARTED PARTYING, OR WHATEVER
IT IS THEY NEEDED TO DO. ALSO
EARLIER I FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE
OUR AWARD TEAM. OUR TEAM THAT
PUT THIS TOGETHER. XAVIER, CAN
YOU BRING YOUR TEAM UP HERE?
WHERE ARE THEY? CAN YOU ALL
COME UP HERE? MAYBE THEY
ALREADY LEFT. I KNOW THERE ARE
PEOPLE BEHIND. COME OUT
WHEREVER YOU ARE. COME ON!
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> IT IS A LOT OF WORK WHEN YOU
PUT ON AN EVENT LIKE THIS. AND
TRYING TO COORDINATE ACROSS THE
COUNTRY TO BRING ABOUT PEOPLE.
I KNOW THAT I TRYING TO GET TO
ME. TRYING TO KEEP ME UPDATED.
GO AHEAD. KEEP DOING IT. I KNOW
THERE WERE MORE INDIVIDUALS IN
THIS BUT XAVIER WAS THE LEAD
FOR THE TEAM. LET'S GIVE THEM
ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> AND I KNOW WE'RE RUNNING A
LITTLE BIT LONG. AS WE SAID AT
THE BEGINNING, IT IS REALLY
IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE A MOMENT
TO REFLECT OVER THE PAST YEAR.
REFLECT OVER THE TIME THAT
WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER, TO REALLY
LIFT UP INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
AND YOU KNOW, THE ONE THING I
WOULD SAY ABOUT LUANA REYES --
AND I DID KNOW HER-- I AM
WAITING FOR ONE OF THOSE
FORTY-YEAR THINGS -- (LAUGHTER)
-- SHE WAS JUST A PROFOUND
PERSON. AND WHAT I TAKE FROM
LUANA AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT
HAVE BEEN PART OF MY LIFE, PART
OF HELPING ME GET TO WHERE I AM
TODAY, WERE THESE INDIVIDUAL
PEOPLE THAT TOOK ME UNDER MY
WING AND THIS IS WHY I HAVE
BEEN ASKING MY LEADERSHIP TEAM.
WHO ARE WE GETTING READY FOR
THE NEXT ROLE, LEADERSHIP ROLES
AT THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE?
WHAT ARE WE ALL DOING A
PHYSICAL DAY TO LIFT UP INDIAN
HEALTH SERVICE?
I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS.
WHAT I DO EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND
THE WAY I LOOK AT EVERY SINGLE
DAY, IS THAT I SAY I WANT TO
LEAVE A FOOTPRINT. I WANT TO
LEAVE SOMETHING BEHIND. AS
SOMEBODY WOULD SAY, WE CHANGE
THIS THIS YEAR. WE MADE THIS
BETTER IN THIS YEAR. WE SAW
MORE PEOPLE THIS YEAR. WE TOOK
CARE OF MORE VETERANS THIS YEAR.
WE BROUGHT HOW MANY BABIES
INTO THIS WORLD. WE BROUGHT
THEM IN A SAFE PLACE.
WE TOOK CARE OF OUR
GRANDMOTHERS. WE TOOK CARE OF
HER GRANDCHILDREN. WE TOOK CARE
OF OUR GRANDFATHERS. AND THAT
IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT.
SO I LEAVE YOU WITH THAT
ABSOLUTE PASSION. WHILE WE ARE
LOOKING AT 2022, WE ARE ALREADY
LOOKING AT 2024. AND WE HAVE A
LOT OF WORK TO DO. AND I NOW I
KNOW WHO ALL OF YOUR. WE ARE
TAPPING INTO ALL OF THE
RESOURCES ACROSS INDIAN COUNTRY.
AND BRINGING THE BEST UP. AND
WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF
LEADERS OUT THERE TOO. I WANT
TO THANK EVERYONE OF YOU VERY,
VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FAMILIES
FOR ME, AND YOUR CHILDREN. I
KNOW -- I CAN'T REMEMBER THE
LAST TIME I SAW MY HUSBAND,
I'VE BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR SO
LONG. HE TOLD ME THE OTHER DAY,
BY THE WAY I GOT MARRIED
EARLIER THIS YEAR. I'VE BEEN
WITH HIM FOR OVER 30 YEARS, AND
I GOT MARRIED
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> DIRECTOR TSO: WE WERE
TALKING THE OTHER DAY AND SAID
I SEE YOU LESS NOW THAN I DID
BEFORE WE GOT MARRIED. WE
SHOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN MARRIED.
IT DOES TAKE A LOT. BUT I'M
ENJOYING EVERY SINGLE MOMENT
THAT I HAVE IN THIS ROLE. AND I
WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. AND
CONTINUE TO BE HONORED TO BE
YOUR DIRECTOR. THANK YOU
EVERYONE. AND CONGRATULATIONS
AGAIN.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR TSO. ON
BEHALF OF DIRECTOR TSO AND THE
IHS I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU
FOR ATTENDING TODAY'S AWARD
CEREMONY AND TO HELP US
RECOGNIZE THE COMPLEMENT OF THE
2022 AWARD RECIPIENTS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE
AWARDEES AND JOIN US UPSTAIRS
IN THE ATRIUM FOR THE RECEPTION
FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY.
DIRECTOR TSO AND DEPUTY
DIRECTOR PALM WILL BE AVAILABLE
FOR GROUP PHOTOS IN THE ATRIUM.
AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO
CONGRATULATE AGAIN ALL THE
AWARDEES. I KNOW YOU CLAP, AND
CLAP. THAT IS ENOUGH. YOU ARE
DISMISSED. CONGRATULATIONS
EVERYONE.