In June, UIHS had the honor of welcoming Ben Smith, the Acting Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS), to the North Coast with California Area Director for IHS, Beverly Miller. This special visit gave Acting Director Smith a chance to meet with UIHS leaders and to see the amazing work happening at UIHS up close.
The day started at Potawot Health Village in Arcata with a warm welcome from the Board of Directors and leadership. After a blessing and introductions, Acting Director Smith heard a short presentation about UIHS’s history, how it began over 55 years ago, and how it continues to serve tribal people with care, respect, and cultural traditions.
Acting Director Smith toured different areas of Potawot, including the clinic, gardens, and community spaces. Staff showed how UIHS blends modern medicine with traditional healing, using the land, language, and culture as part of the care. He was especially interested in the community garden, the traditional foods program, and the ways UIHS is helping young people stay connected to their roots.
Later, Acting Director Smith joined discussions with leadership and staff to talk about important issues like behavioral health, recruiting healthcare workers, and making sure clients have what they need. The team shared how UIHS has begun the process to switch to a new electronic health system called Epic and how it will help improve care—while also being a big project for staff and patients to learn.
Acting Director Smith also heard about new programs focused on youth wellness, and telehealth services that reach people in remote areas. He praised UIHS for being a model of how Tribal communities can lead the way in creating strong, healthy futures.
His visit was more than just a tour—it was a celebration of the strength, culture, and care that make UIHS so special. It reminded everyone how important it is for Tribal voices to be heard at the national level.