i 

Annual Report of the 

American Indian/Alaska Native 

Health Research Advisory Council 

(HRAC) 

 

Fiscal Year 2016
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 1

Background ............................................................................................................................................... 1

Presidential Memoranda and Executive Orders......................................................................................................................1

Formation of the HRAC..........................................................................................................................................................2

HRAC’s History......................................................................................................................................................................3

Fiscal Year 2016 Activities ....................................................................................................................... 4

Meetings (Teleconference and In-person)...............................................................................................................................4

Outreach Activities ...............................................................................................................................................................10

Attachment A: ......................................................................................................................................... 11

Member and Partner List for FY 2016 ................................................................................................. 11

HRAC Co-Chairs..................................................................................................................................................................11

FY 2016 Members ................................................................................................................................................................12

Federal Partners ....................................................................................................................................................................15
1 

INTRODUCTION

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 

produces an annual report highlighting the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Health Research 

Advisory Council (HRAC) and its key activities and accomplishments. The fiscal year (FY) 2016 report 

includes summaries of FY 2016 HRAC meetings, a summary of HRAC outreach activities, and 

recommendations that the HRAC submitted to HHS. A list of HRAC members and federal partners is 

also included as an attachment. 

BACKGROUND

OMH was established in 1986, following the release of the 1985 Report of the Secretary’s Task Force 

on Black and Minority Health. The mission of OMH is to improve the health of racial and ethnic 

minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate 

health disparities. OMH advises the HHS Secretary, Assistant Secretary for Health, and other 

departmental leadership and works collaboratively with other HHS Operating and Staff Divisions, 

federal agencies, and other organizations across the country on health-related matters affecting AI/AN, 

Asian American, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander 

populations. 

As the Executive Secretariat for the HRAC, OMH is responsible for the administrative and fiscal 

operation of the HRAC, solicitation and selection of tribal delegates, and for ensuring that delegates and 

alternates meet Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) exemption requirements.

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDA AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Presidential Memoranda and Executive Orders have been developed over the years in support of the 

relationship between tribal governments and the U.S. federal government. In 1970, President Richard 

M. Nixon set forth a new direction for Indian policy aimed toward Indian self-determination. He stated: 

“It is long past time that the Indian policies of the federal government began to recognize and build upon 

the capacities and insights of the Indian people.” 

An abbreviated timeline of memoranda and orders is presented below: 

April 29, 1994 » President William J. Clinton issued the Government-to-Government 

Relationship with Native American Tribal Governments memorandum to 

executive departments and agencies. It emphasized the special 

relationship between tribal governments and the federal government 

regarding tribal consultation and sovereignty. 

[Circa 1996] » The Domestic Policy Council Working Group on Indian Affairs requested 

that each department develop its own operational definition of 

“consultation” with Indian tribes to meet the requirements of the Indian 

Self-Determination and Educational Assistance Act. 
2 

August 7, 1997 » HHS created its formal Tribal Consultation Policy to strengthen the 

federal to tribal government-to-government relationship and ensure that 

tribes are consulted on matters affecting them. 

November 6, 

2000 

» President Clinton issued a revised Executive Order (13175) that 

reinforced his Administration’s commitment to tribal sovereignty and the 

unique government-to-government relationship that exists between the 

U.S. government and tribal governments; directed agencies to establish 

regular and meaningful consultation and collaboration between tribal

nations and the federal government; and directed all federal agencies to 

coordinate and consult with Indian tribal governments whose interests 

might be directly and substantially affected by activities on federally

administered lands. 

November 5, 

2009 

» President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum on tribal 

consultation that reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to regular 

and meaningful consultation and collaboration with tribal officials 

through implementation of Executive Order 13175. 

December 12, 

2010 

» HHS, working with tribal leaders, developed and signed a revised Tribal

Consultation Policy that provided more opportunities for tribal input 

through the development of policies, regulations, and budgets. 

FORMATION OF THE HRAC

In November 2005, HHS solicited nominations from tribal leaders to develop the HRAC. HRAC is 

composed of one delegate and one alternate from each of the 12 Indian Health Service (IHS) areas as 

well as four national at-large members. Federal partners representing HHS Operating and Staff 

Divisions also support the HRAC. 

The HRAC was established to fulfill three primary functions:

1. Obtain input from tribal leaders on health research priorities and needs for their communities; 

2. Provide a forum through which HHS Operating and Staff Divisions can better communicate 

and coordinate AI/AN health research activities; and 

3. Provide a conduit for disseminating information to tribes about research findings from 

studies on the health of AI/AN populations. 

The inaugural co-chairs elected in May 2006 were Councilwoman Cara Cowan Watts and President 

Cecilia Fire Thunder. HRAC members participated in numerous conference calls to plan for and 

organize activities. During these calls, they reviewed other HHS advisory models, discussed solicitation 

of research priorities and needs, and planned for future meetings.

The HRAC held its second meeting in November 2006 and reached a collective agreement to focus on 

three objectives:

1. Establish the HRAC Charter (outlining the purpose, background, and structure of the council 

and processes for voting, membership, and leadership); 
3 

2. Develop a Discussion Guide (a survey to inquire about health research priorities and needs in 

Indian Country); and 

3. Establish future meeting dates.

HRAC Members at June 2014 Meeting

HRAC’S HISTORY

The HHS OMH established an American Indian and Alaska Native Health Research Advisory Council 

(HRAC or the Council) to serve as an advisory body to HHS, helping to ensure that tribes and American 

Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people have meaningful and timely input in the development of 

relevant HHS policies, programs, and priorities specific to AI/AN research. Through the HRAC, 

representatives of HHS can better communicate and coordinate the work of their respective 

organizations in AI/AN health research, and the Department can better disseminate information to tribes 

about research findings from HHS-sponsored studies focusing on the health of AI/AN populations. 

HRAC delegates will also have a responsibility to communicate critical information, research findings, 

and any other policy related activity back to their respective tribes, communities, and IHS Area. From 

2006 to 2015, the HRAC held quarterly conference calls and annual meetings. The topics of continued 

concern and interest included the National Children’s Study, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Tribal 

Consultation Policy, data sharing, scholarships for Native researchers, and a Native health research 

database. Based on the findings of these discussions, the HRAC developed and presented 

recommendations to HHS through letters to the Secretary and testimony at the annual HHS National 

Tribal Budget and Policy Consultation Sessions. 

The HRAC developed a Discussion Guide to help ascertain health research priorities in Indian Country 

and constructed survey questions to examine health care delivery systems and the research that tribes 

were conducting. The HRAC members distributed the Discussion Guide to tribal leaders in their 

respective IHS areas from 2007 to 2009. The Discussion Guide results provided valuable information to 

the HRAC from the tribes’ perspectives regarding health concerns, priorities, and the methodology by 

which future research should be conducted. 

HRAC members attended outreach events to educate and inform tribes of the HRAC’s mission and 

objectives. Events included the Annual Native Health Research Conference (2008, 2010 and 2011); 
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National Indian Health Board (NIHB) Annual Consumer Conference (2008, 2011, 2012 and 2015); 

AI/AN Health Policy Conference (2009); IHS/Health Canada Maternal and Child Health Research 

Meeting (2009); Third National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in 

Health (2009); NIHB Public Health Summit (2010); HHS Regional Consultations (2011, 2012, 2013, 

2014 and 2015); Oklahoma City Area Indian Tribal Health Board Public Health Conference (2013); 

NIHB Quarterly Meeting (2013); and the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Board Quarterly Meeting 

(2014). These events provided an opportunity for tribes to collaborate and share their knowledge and 

experiences regarding the advancement of health research and its importance in Indian Country. 

In addition, the HRAC collaborated with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF); Agency 

for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE); 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Health Resources and Services Administration 

(HRSA); IHS; Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA); NIH; Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration (SAMHSA); Tribal Epidemiology Center (TEC) staff; OMH; and external 

researchers and scientists to advance its knowledge of healthcare research and learn how to promote best 

practices in health research throughout Indian Country. 

FISCAL YEAR 2016 ACTIVITIES

MEETINGS (TELECONFERENCE AND IN-PERSON) 

December 11, 2015 

The HRAC held its first teleconference for FY 2016 on December 11, 2015. Councilman Stephen Kutz, 

HRAC Co-Chair, and Rick Haverkate, OMH, welcomed participants, and Mr. Haverkate conducted a 

roll call of tribal delegates and federal representatives.

Mr. Haverkate announced that there is an HRAC fact sheet on the new HRAC website located under the 

“About HRAC” tab. It is a one-pager that explains what the HRAC is, as well as its mission and 

research priorities. 

The HRAC priorities compiled from the 2015 meeting were sent out for review before the meeting. 

Councilman Kutz informed the members that the discussion would be on whether the list covered all the 

priorities or if there were ones to add. In addition, he advised that the six main priorities should be 

narrowed down to two or three to work on this fiscal year. 

HRAC priorities identified and compiled from the 2015 meeting were:

1. HHS-wide (umbrella) policy for research;

2. Native healthcare research database/clearinghouse;

3. Institutional Review Board (IRB) point of contact list published in the Federal Register annually;

4. Build local capacity to inform practice;

5. Social determinants of health; and

6. Culture-specific modes of intervention. 

It was mentioned that subtopics under the HHS-wide (umbrella) policy are items that the HRAC works 

on continually. Mr. Haverkate asked members if they thought there was a hot topic under the HHS-wide 

policy that HRAC should focus on this year. Rodney Haring, PhD, stated that the recent information 
5 

shared about the proposed changes to the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, also 

known as the Common Rule, is important. Some of the proposed changes are around informed consent, 

single IRB review of multisite research, and clinical trials coverage under the rule. It is imperative for 

tribes to understand the potential effect and to review the information from the National Congress of 

American Indians (http://www.ncai.org/policy-research-center/research-data/priorities/fed-respriorities). 

Councilman Kutz noted the Native healthcare research database/clearinghouse has been a priority for 

several years and indicated that it would be more long-term work for the HRAC. 

Mr. Haverkate asked that members select one or two of the main priorities to work on over the next nine 

months in order to have a product by the end of this fiscal year. He will then develop a logic model, 

activities and a timeline. 

March 11, 2016 

The HRAC teleconference call on March 11, 2016 began with Chairperson Aaron Payment and Mr. 

Haverkate welcoming participants, and Mr. Haverkate conducting a roll call of tribal delegates and 

federal representatives. 

Chairperson Payment reported that he brought issues forward at the Secretary’s Tribal Advisory 

Committee (STAC) meeting and HHS Tribal Budget and Policy Consultation Session on behalf of the 

HRAC. He spent time with the HHS Secretary discussing the Flint, Michigan, water crisis and the 

ongoing issues with suicides, overdosing and historical trauma. He explained that a comprehensive 

study is needed to get to the systemic reason why AI/ANs are facing the worst health related statistics. 

Chairperson Payment and Mr. Haverkate reported that a poll was sent out asking members to rank 

HRAC priorities. The results of the HRAC priorities poll are:

1. Development of an HHS-wide (umbrella) policy for conducting AI/AN research; 

2. Recommend that HHS agencies include AI/AN culture-specific modes of intervention in funding 

proposal requests; 

3. Encourage a stronger focus on social determinants of health among tribal and HHS policy 

makers and health practitioners and a stronger focus on social determinants in public health 

research;

4. Advance specific initiatives in Indian Country that are designed to build local capacity to use 

research data to inform public health practice;

5. Creation of a web-based searchable AI/AN health research and reference collection with links to 

university and government libraries that encourages voluntary submissions of scholarly articles 

and projects; and 

6. Creation of an AI/AN-specific IRB point of contact list published annually in the Federal 

Register.

Chairperson Payment asked for input on the first priority—development of an HHS-wide (umbrella) 

policy for conducting AI/AN research. Malia Villegas, PhD, stated that the NIH Tribal Consultation 

Advisory Committee is working on developing guidance for tribal consultations that can help guide 

other agencies. This could be useful in addressing Priority 1. 
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Other suggestions for consideration of the HHS-wide (umbrella) policy for AI/AN research provided by 

committee members included:

• Ethics

• Cultural appropriateness of the question 

• The need to oversample 

• When research opportunities are promoted or conducted, ensure comprehensive information is 

provided regarding the reason why AI/ANs are sometimes categorized as minorities and other 

times considered “other” in the race classification.

• Best practices

• Making the results translational 

• Dissemination (local, state and national)

• Sustainability

• Whom we are studying when talking about AI/ANs (e.g., federally recognized tribal members, 

descendants)

• Identify and work through mixed methodology and community-based participatory research in 

Indian Country 

• Importance of informed consent and data ownership 

• Specimen protocol and ownership 

• Federal policy should recognize that there are tribes with research codes that must be followed. 

June 9-10, 2016 

The HRAC Annual Meeting was held on June 9-10, 2016, in Arlington, Virginia. Chairperson Payment 

welcomed HRAC members and staff, and invited meeting participants to introduce themselves. 

J. Nadine Gracia, MD, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health provided updates on the work of 

OMH. Highlights were as follows:

• National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities (NPA): The NPA is a national, 

community-driven initiative that utilizes social determinants of health (SDoH) approach to 

address health disparities. A new partnership with the NIHB will support the integration of 

SDoH into strategic planning and public health accreditation activities of tribal public health 

departments. There is an AI/AN NPA Caucus working to address health disparities and SDoH 

among Native populations, with a focus on the Affordable Care Act, diabetes, oral health and 

public health accreditation. The caucus is seeking new members, and OMH would welcome 

nominations from HRAC members.

• Hepatitis B and C viral infection: Hepatitis is becoming an epidemic, and there are significant 

disparities among AI/AN populations. OMH partnered with CDC and the National Academy of 

Science on a study to determine the feasibility of setting national goals for the elimination of 

Hepatitis B and C. The first phase of the study determined that setting elimination goals would 

be feasible; the second phase will set specific goals and targets. The OMH Resource Center 

(OMHRC) is conducting training on hepatitis, including a webinar on June 22 that will focus on 

hepatitis among AI/AN populations. 

• Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS): Think Cultural Health is a national 

clearinghouse for curricula and training materials for health professionals 

(www.thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov). A new Tracking CLAS feature on the website shows states 

that have enacted or introduced legislation on cultural competency training for health 
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professionals and/or have expressed support for the National CLAS Standards. A new 

compendium tracks state-sponsored activities related to the implementation of the National 

CLAS Standards. OMH receives numerous inquiries regarding culturally appropriate 

approaches for Indian Country and would value input from the HRAC. 

Michael Peercy provided an overview of the HRAC’s history and accomplishments since its inception in 

2005 and reviewed HRAC’s purpose, structure, participating HHS components, meetings and member 

responsibilities. 

Chairperson Payment called for a motion to approve the minutes of the March 11 quarterly meeting. 

The motion was made by Tom Anderson, seconded by Dan Calac, MD, and carried by unanimous voice 

vote. 

Elton Naswood and Tamara Henry, PhD, from the OMHRC described how a logic model is structured 

and how it is used for planning and evaluation. Working in groups, HRAC members developed logic 

models for the top two priority issues for the coming year: 

• Priority 1: Development of an HHS-wide (umbrella) policy on AI/AN research

• Priority 2: AI/AN culture-specific modes of intervention

For Priority 1, HRAC members suggested initial activities could include conducting a scan to identify 

existing policies on data collection and human subject protections with indigenous communities (federal 

agencies, universities, tribal governments, foreign governments) and identifying existing data sources 

(e.g., electronic databases, morbidity and mortality data, state data). 

For Priority 2, proposed activities included: identifying existing efforts for resources and gaps; 

requesting representation on grant review sections and funding for a nationwide search to identify 

potential candidates to serve as reviewers for grant review sections; engaging agency tribal liaisons; and 

drafting a letter or recommendations to HHS. Outcomes might include: 100 percent increase in AI/AN 

representation in grant review sections; training for tribal liaisons for special study section placement; 

and increased grant awards to AI/AN tribes and organizations. It was noted that CDC was using its 

tribal convening process to identify culturally specific aspects that could be incorporated into its grant 

programs. Tribal traditional practitioners developed a list of 10 components to include in funding 

opportunity announcements (FOAs). HRAC members agreed that formalized logic models for Priorities 

1 and 2 should be developed for discussion. 
8 

Dan Calac, MD, Presenting Logic Model at June 2016 Annual Meeting

Federal partners provided updates on AI/AN funded projects and initiatives relevant to Indian Country. 

In addition, federal representatives requested input from members on topics of interest. Representatives 

included AHRQ, NIH, CDC, SAMHSA and IHS. 

Kenneth Johnson from the HHS Office for Civil Rights provided an overview of the final rule 

implementing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, which is the nondiscrimination provision of the 

law. He noted that Section 1557 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age 

or disability in certain health programs and activities. It has been in effect since the Affordable Care Act 

was enacted in March 2010. The final rule aims to educate consumers about their rights and help 

covered entities understand their obligations. Section 1557 extends protection to populations that have 

been most vulnerable to discrimination in health care and health coverage including women, members of 

the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community, individuals with disabilities and individuals with 

limited English proficiency. It is the first federal civil rights law to broadly prohibit sex discrimination 

in health programs and activities. 

Faye Williams from OMHRC provided an overview of the services and resources available from the 

OMHRC Knowledge Center. Knowledge Center services include document retrieval, literature 

searches, organization searches, statistics and data, and legislative tracking. The Knowledge Center is 

the nation’s largest dedicated repository of health disparities information, with a public catalog of more 

than 55,000 records. Sixty percent of the collection is available online. The Knowledge Center’s 

catalog search can be used to create customized bibliographies on any subject. 
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HRAC Members and Federal Partners at June 2016 Annual Meeting

September 7, 2016 

Dr. Gracia introduced David Wilson, PhD, the new AI/AN Health Policy Lead at OMH. Dr. Wilson 

reminded members that the HRAC updated its charter in 2015 to be in alignment with the Secretary’s 

Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) charter, which included terms of membership on HRAC. This 

affected half of the committee members as they rotated off at the end of June 2016. OMH is currently 

working to fill the vacant positions. He asked that HRAC members contact potential new members and 

encourage participation. The call for nominations is being reestablished, and a new deadline will be 

added so that new members can be recruited. 

Dr. Wilson reviewed the HRAC priorities during the conference call to get input from members to make 

sure that the priorities can have achievable outcomes for the upcoming year. He noted that some 

priorities would take many years to accomplish. 

The first HRAC priority is the development of an HHS-wide (umbrella) policy for conducting AI/AN 

research; Dr. Wilson stated that it is a large initiative. He recommended holding discussions to 

determine how to make the priority achievable in a one- to two-year timeframe. 

The second HRAC priority recommends that HHS agencies include AI/AN culture-specific modes of 

intervention in funding proposal requests, with special grant review sections to review proposals. Dr. 

Wilson indicated that this priority is very doable and could show measurable and achievable outcomes, 

especially in terms of Native representation on grant review sections. Dr. Villegas stated that there is a 

significant backlog of individuals who have applied to serve on grant review sections but have not been 

processed, including many Native scholars with extensive credentials. There was a report 

commissioned from the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, and she requested to 

get an update on the status of the report. 
10

CDC has a standard template that all FOAs are modeled under, which includes culturally specific 

interventions, noted Delight Satter (CDC). When FOAs are developed, there can be a request for 

reviewers across HHS, which might be a temporary fix to the backlog. 

Mose Herne (IHS) added that a lot has been learned with the Native American Research Centers for 

Health (NARCH) Program, and the Center for Scientific Review at NIH has been key. There have been 

grant review sections for NARCH grant reviews with 90 percent or more AI/AN scholars, and all those 

on the sections had experience working in AI/AN communities. 

The third HRAC priority is to encourage a stronger focus on social determinants of health. Historical 

trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and culture as prevention/intervention are all components. 

Dr. Villegas noted the Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda from SAMHSA would be released soon, and 

one of the foundational elements is historical and intergenerational trauma. 

Priority four is to advance specific initiatives in Indian Country that are designed to build local capacity 

for using research data to inform public health practice. This includes providing scholarships and 

training to build a pipeline and promoting IRB best practices throughout Indian Country. Dr. Wilson 

stated that training young professionals is important so they get on a path to practice science in the 

public health setting. 

The fifth priority is the creation of a web-based, searchable AI/AN health research and reference 

collection with links to university and government libraries. Dr. Wilson noted that there might be an 

opportunity to leverage other efforts, such as a database for AI/AN researchers who are interested in 

participating in study sections. Dr. Villegas commented that the National Congress of American Indians 

has been involved in developing a range of resources and databases. They have learned there is always 

a tendency to be comprehensive, but a very specific database is much more useful. She would like to 

see HRAC think about who the user would be and divide out the resources into different areas for 

different users. 

The last ranked priority is the creation of an AI/AN-specific IRB point of contact list published in the 

Federal Register annually. Mr. Herne shared that IHS has created a list on its website of about two 

dozen tribal IRBs. It is working on expanding that list, and he will share the link with the HRAC 

members.

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

The HRAC conducted outreach to share its priorities and recommendations, provide updates to tribes on 

HRAC activities, and gather feedback and input from tribes and tribal communities regarding research 

issues, concerns and priorities. Chairperson Payment attended the 18th HHS Annual National Tribal 

Budget Consultation held on March 2-3, 2016, in Washington, DC, and provided testimony on behalf of 

the HRAC. The HRAC was also represented at NIHB’s Annual Consumer Conference held September 

19-22, 2016, in Scottsdale, Arizona. 
11

ATTACHMENT A: 

MEMBER AND PARTNER LIST FOR FY 2016 

HRAC CO-CHAIRS

Stephen Kutz

Councilman, Cowlitz Indian Tribe 

1044 11th Avenue 

Longview, WA 98632 

Phone: (360) 508-6347 

Fax: (360) 731-2885 

Email: skutz.health@cowlitz.org

Aaron Payment 

Tribal Chairperson, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians 

523 Ashmun Street 

Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 

Phone: (906) 635-6050 

Fax: (906) 632-6289 

Email: aaronpayment@saulttribe.net

HRAC Co-Chairs Stephen Kutz and Aaron Payment
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FY 2016 MEMBERS

Tribal Members by IHS Area

Alaska Area

Region 10: Seattle 

Delegate

Ileen Sylvester

Vice President of Executive & Tribal Services

Southcentral Foundation 

Alaska Area

Region 10: Seattle 

Alternate

Timothy Thomas 

Division of Community Health Services 

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium 

Albuquerque Area

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 8: Denver 

Delegate

(VACANT)

Albuquerque Area

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 8: Denver 

Alternate

(VACANT)

Bemidji Area

Region 5: Chicago 

HRAC Co-Chair

Delegate

Aaron Payment

Tribal Chairman

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians 

Bemidji Area

Region 5: Chicago 

Alternate

Larry Jacques

Director of Strategic Planning and Development 

Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians 

Billings Area

Region 8: Denver 

Delegate

(VACANT)

Billings Area

Region 8: Denver 

Alternate

Darrin Old Coyote 

Chairman

Crow Nation

California Area 

Region 9: San Francisco

Delegate

Daniel J. Calac

Chief Medical Officer

Indian Health Council 

California Area 

Region 9: San Francisco

Alternate

Willie J. Carrillo

Councilman 

Tule River Tribe of California 

Great Plains Area

Region 7: Kansas City 

Region 8: Denver

Delegate

Patrick Marcellais

Councilman 

Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians 
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Tribal Members by IHS Area

Great Plains Area

Region 7: Kansas City 

Region 8: Denver 

Alternate

Harold Frazier

Chairman

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe 

Nashville Area

Region 1: Boston

Region 2: New York

Region 3: Philadelphia

Region 4: Atlanta 

Delegate

Charlene Jones 

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation

Nashville Area

Region 1: Boston

Region 2: New York 

Region 3: Philadelphia

Region 4: Atlanta 

Alternate

Hope Shwom 

Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

Navajo Area 

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 8: Denver 

Region 9: San Francisco

Delegate

Simental “Sy” Francisco

Project Manager

NDOH/Navajo Epidemiology Center

Navajo Area 

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 8: Denver 

Region 9: San Francisco

Alternate

Philene Herrera

Program Manager III

NDOH/Health Education/HIV Prevention and Acting Program Manager 

for Navajo Special Diabetes Project

Oklahoma Area 

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 7: Kansas City 

Delegate

Tom Anderson 

Director

Oklahoma Area Tribal Epidemiology Center

Oklahoma Area 

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 7: Kansas City 

Alternate

(VACANT)

Phoenix Area

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 9: San Francisco

Delegate

(VACANT)

Phoenix Area

Region 6: Dallas 

Region 9: San Francisco

Alternate

(VACANT)

Portland Area

Region 10: Seattle 

HRAC Co-Chair

Delegate

Stephen Kutz 

Councilman 

Cowlitz Indian Tribe 

Portland Area

Region 10: Seattle

Alternate

Kim Zillyett-Harris

Health Director

Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe 

Tucson Area

Region 9: San Francisco

Delegate

(VACANT)

Tucson Area

Region 9: San Francisco

Alternate

(VACANT) 
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National At-Large Members

National At-Large Member Delegate

Jefferson Keel

Lt. Governor 

Chickasaw Nation

National At-Large Member Alternate

Malia Villegas

Director, Policy Research Center

National Congress of American Indians

National At-Large Member Delegate

H. Sally Smith

Ekuk Village Representative

Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation 

National At-Large Member Alternate

Stacy Bohlen 

Executive Director

National Indian Health Board 

National At-Large Member Delegate

Rodney Haring 

Seneca Nation of Indians 

National At-Large Member Alternate

Timothy J. Waterman

Chief Executive Officer

Seneca Nation Health System

National At-Large Member Delegate

Michael Peercy

Epidemiologist 

Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority

Chickasaw Nation Division of Health

National At-Large Member Alternate

Mickey Peercy

Executive Director of Health Services

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma 
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FEDERAL PARTNERS

Federal Partners

Office of Minority Health Delegate

J. Nadine Gracia

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health

Office of Minority Health Alternate

David Wilson

Public Health Advisor, AI/AN Health Policy Lead

Agency for Health Research 

and Quality

Delegate

Kishena C. Wadhwani 

Director, Division of Scientific Review

Office of Extramural Research, 

Education and Priority Populations 

Intergovernmental and 

External Affairs

Delegate

Stacey Ecoffey

Principal Advisor Tribal Affairs

Intergovernmental and 

External Affairs

Alternate

Elizabeth "Liz" Carr

Tribal Affairs Specialist

Indian Health Service Delegate

Mose A. Herne

Director

Division of Planning, Evaluation, and Research 

Office of Public Health Support 

Indian Health Service Alternate

Asantewa Gyekye-Kusi 

Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention

Delegate

Delight Satter

Senior Advisor for Tribal Research and Program Integration

Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support 

Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention

Alternate

Kimberly Cantrell

Deputy Associate Director Tribal Support 

Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support 

Assistant Secretary for

Planning and Evaluation

Delegate

Adelle Simmons 

Senior Program Analyst

Office of Health Policy
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Federal Partners

National Institutes of Health Delegate

Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable

Director

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities 

National Institutes of Health Alternate

Joyce A. Hunter 

Deputy Director

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities

Health Resources and 

Services Administration

Delegate

CAPT Elijah Martin Jr.

Tribal Affairs Manager

Office of Health Equity 

Health Resources and 

Services Administration

Co-delegate 

Sylvia E. Joice

Public Health Analyst

Office of Health Equity 

Administration for Children 

and Families

Delegate

Aleta Meyer

Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation 

Administration for Children 

and Families

Alternate

Hilary Forster

Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation 

Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services 

Adminstration

Delegate

Sheila K. Cooper 

Senior Advisor for Tribal Affairs

Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services 

Adminstration

Alternate

Chipper Dean 

Behavioral Research Scientist
17

For Additional Information on the HRAC:

Please Contact:

Office of Minority Health 

1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 600

Rockville, MD 20852

Phone: (240) 453-2882 

Email: OMH-HRAC@hhs.gov