NIHB Media Release                         www.nihb.org  

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: April Hale at 202-507-4077 or [email protected]

 

NIHB Board Member Andy Joseph, Jr. Honored with Prestigious Director's Award from the Indian Health Service

Mr. Joseph recognized for years of service to Tribal health.

 

WASHINGTON, DC--June 3, 2015--On May 29, 2015, the Indian Health Service (IHS) Acting Director Robert McSwain presented long-time National Indian Health Board (NIHB) Board Member Andy Joseph, Jr. with the 2014 IHS Director's Special Recognition Award for his significant contributions and unwavering leadership to advancing the health agenda in Indian Country.  

 

AJOSEPH-IHS-Award
NIHB Board Member Andy Joseph, Jr. receives Indian Health Service Director's Award on May 29, 2015. Photo credit: W.K. Kellogg Foundation

"I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this award from the Indian Health Service.  Through my many years and work on the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, and the National Indian Health Board, I have witnessed many struggles in Indian health but also many victories.  The work that Tribal health professionals do across the country is needed to keep our Peoples healthy and strong, and I'm thankful that the work is recognized," said Mr. Joseph, who is in his fifth term on the Confederated Tribes of Colville Tribal Council representing the Nespelem District. 

 

The Indian Health Service Director's Award "recognizes service significantly advancing the IHS mission and goals through enhancements supporting IHS priorities; these include renewing and strengthening Tribal partnerships; bringing reform to the IHS; improving quality and access to care for IHS patients; and ensuring transparency, accountability, fairness and inclusion."

 

"The award reflects my sincere appreciation for your leadership and partnership in improving the IHS budget formulation process through co-chairing the Tribal Budget Formulation Workgroup," McSwain said in a letter to Joseph.

 

AJOSEPH-Award
Mr. Andy Joseph, Jr., NIHB Board Member and Colville Tribal Council Member, received the 2014 IHS Director's Award on May 29, 2015.

Recently re-elected Chairman of the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and Member-at-Large to the National Indian Health Board, Mr. Joseph has testified before Congress on increasing the budget for IHS, health disparities in Tribal communities and provider access and vacancies.  In addition, Mr. Joseph represents NIHB on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Tribal Advisory Committee, is a voting delegate of Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and the National Congress of American Indians. He is a constant advocate of quality and accessible health care for all American Indian and Alaska Native people.

 

"Thank you to the Indian Health Service for recognizing me and the Colville Tribe.  Thank you to Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, NIHB and those that have guided and mentored my career," Joseph added.

 

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Founded in 1972, NIHB is a 501(c) 3 not for profit, charitable organization providing health care advocacy services, facilitating Tribal budget consultation and providing timely information, and other services to all Tribal governments. NIHB also conducts research, provides policy analysis, program assessment and development, national and regional meeting planning, training, technical assistance, program and project management. NIHB presents the Tribal perspective while monitoring, reporting on and responding to federal legislation and regulations. It also serves as conduit to open opportunities for the advancement of American Indian and Alaska Native health care with other national and international organizations, foundations corporations and others in its quest to build support for, and advance, Indian health care issues.

 

National Indian Health Board | www.nihb.org
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