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Earlier this year, CHAD was pleased to officially welcome Oyate Health Center as our newest member. We recently sat down with our very own CEO, Shelly Ten Napel, and Jackie Yotter, Vice President of Primary Care Services with Oyate Health Center, to reflect on the new partnership.
Q: Shelly, why was it important to you to extend an invitation for Oyate Health Center to become a member of CHAD?
“We have seen the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board as partners and allies for a long time in the work to promote health equity across the Dakotas. It was so impressive watching the incredible collaborative effort that went into making the vision of Oyate Health Center a reality, from getting their amazing new building constructed, to bringing together multiple
Tribal leaders, to getting Oyate staffed and operational. We saw right away that their mission, services, and care model are very similar to the rest of CHAD members, so our hope was that both Oyate staff and the staff of the rest of CHAD’s members would benefit from the opportunity to network, share best practices and learn together.” - Shelly Ten Napel, CHAD
Q: Jackie, tell us about Oyate Health Center - What sorts of services do you provide, who do you serve, and what is your philosophy of care?
“At Oyate Health Center, we provide comprehensive, culturally sensitive health care services to Native American communities in the Great Plains region. Our patient-centered approach ensures holistic and compassionate care for all. Services provided include primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, laboratory and radiology, women’s health, pediatrics, and more. Our care philosophy emphasizes respect, cultural sensitivity, and community involvement. We integrate traditional healing practices and ensure health care is accessible, equitable, and tailored to our patients' cultural contexts. By fostering a welcoming environment, we empower patients to take control of their health,
addressing their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. At Oyate Health Center, we are committed to high-quality, culturally competent health care that supports the well-being of our Tribal communities, fostering a healthier future through compassionate care and innovative health solutions.” - Jackie Yotter, Oyate Health Center
Q: Jackie, Can you share more about the how Oyate Health Center falls within the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board as an organization? For those not familiar, what role does the Health Board play with Tribes across its four-state region?
“The Health Board is the parent company of the Oyate Health Center. We advocate and serve 17 Tribal nations across the Great Plains Region on issues impacting the health of Tribal citizens.” - Jackie Yotter, Oyate Health Center
Q: Jackie, Oyate Health Center is Tribally owned and operated through an arrangement called 638 contracting/self-determination. For those not familiar, what does this mean? What are some of the benefits of being Tribally owned?
“638 contracting empowers Tribes to manage their own health services, providing the authority to design and implement programs that best meet the needs of their communities. This form of self-governance reflects a significant shift from federal control to Tribal control, embodying the principles of self-determination and sovereignty. Benefits of being Tribally owned
include:
- Advancement of Tribal Sovereignty: By managing our own health center, we affirm our right to govern ourselves and make decisions that impact our people. This strengthens our sovereignty and promotes self-reliance.
- Self Determination: 638 contracting allows us to create health programs that are culturally relevant and tailored to the unique needs of our community. This ensures that the services we provide are more effective and respectful of our traditions and values.
- Local Control: With local control, we can respond more swiftly to the health care needs of our community. We can prioritize resources, innovate solutions, and address issues that are specific to our population without the delays that often come with federal oversight.
- Community Engagement: Being Tribally owned means we can involve our community members in the decision-making process. This enhances transparency and ensures that our health services align with the community’s needs and expectations.
- Economic Empowerment: Managing our health services locally creates job opportunities and stimulates economic growth within our community. It allows us to invest in our own people and infrastructure.
At Oyate Health Center, being Tribally owned and operated through 638 contracting is a powerful expression of our self-determination and sovereignty. It allows us to provide health care that is not only effective but also deeply connected to our cultural values and community needs. This local control empowers us to make decisions that best serve our people, fostering a healthier and more
self-sufficient future for our Tribal communities.” - Jackie Yotter, Oyate Health Center
Q: Shelly, how does Oyate Health Center’s membership with CHAD strengthen our overall network?
“CHAD members are my bosses, and they set the strategic direction of our organization, guiding both our policy priorities and our training agenda. I don’t believe that we can be successful as states, whether that is in health policy or in general, until we can figure out how to share leadership in a collaborative way with Indigenous and non-Native residents of our
states. I think the same is true for CHAD, which is why it was important to me to bring Indigenous voices – both from Oyate and South Dakota Urban Indian Health – into the leadership of our organization. We have already been so enriched by their contributions and their general approach. For example, I have found it impactful that both Oyate and SDUIH refer to their patients as relatives and by the spiritual and cultural depth that informs their approach to patient care. I’ve also been learning a lot about Indian Health Service funding and how we resource health care across our states. I am looking forward to how CHAD direction will evolve with Oyate staff joining community health centers and South Dakota Urban Indian Health at the helm.” - Shelly Ten Napel, CHAD
Q: Jackie, we are thrilled to welcome Oyate Health Center as a member. Since joining CHAD, what opportunities do you see for working together?
“The Oyate Health Center and the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board recognizes that we share the same interests as many across the state and we look forward to working with all of them to improve the health of all people across the region.” - Jackie Yotter, Oyate Health Center
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Health Centers in the
News
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Horizon Health was featured in Midwest Medical Edition on building stronger and healthier communities.
Family HealthCare announced Margaret Asheim as their new Chief Executive Officer in the Fargo Forum.
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Last Chance: Register for LeadU
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Join CHAD and Think 3D Solutions for LeadU, a new cohort-based training program designed to develop confident and intentional health care supervisors and managers. We encourage health centers and partner organizations to take advantage of this unique opportunity and embrace the chance to support your team’s growth and development through this comprehensive training program. Time is running out – learn more and register:
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ND Medicaid FQHC Manual Updates
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In August, North Dakota released a revised Medicaid FQHC manual. In the manual, new policy language appears within these symbols << >>. CHAD is working to schedule a virtual meeting where the manual updates will be reviewed and where health centers will have the opportunity to ask the Medicaid team any questions. Some of the changes include:
If you have any questions or feedback regarding the changes, please email these to CHAD staff Shannon
Bacon, so that CHAD can compile these for the upcoming call.
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Fall Respiratory Vaccine Update
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With the fall season here, it is important to remain aware of respiratory illnesses including Influenza, RSV and COVID-19. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Flu vaccination and the updated COVID-19 vaccine to target the new strain KP.2 is recommended for all people ages 6 months and older. Vaccinations are especially important for people at a higher risk for severe illness, like older adults, young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune
systems. The updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at the same time with other routine vaccinations. This article from Katelyn Jetalina
highlights the best timing to receive your flu and COVID-19 vaccine.
Older adults and young babies are at highest risk for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The new recommendation is for anyone 75 and older to receive an RSV vaccine and those adults 60 to 74 should receive the RSV vaccine if they did not last year and are at higher risk . For pregnant woman one vaccine is available from Pfizer. It is recommended pregnant women receive the RSV vaccine during 32-36 weeks of pregnancy from September to January to protect their baby in the first 6 months of life, which is the riskiest time for severe RSV. This vaccine can be given with other routine vaccines for pregnancy.
Infants aged less than 8 months born during or entering their first RSV season are recommended to receive one dose of Beyfortus (nirsevimab) and children aged 8 through 19 months who are at increased risk and entering their second season. Due to the high number of Native American and Alaska Native children hospitalized for RSV each year, they are considered
high-risk and recommended to receive a dose in their first and second RSV seasons. Nirsevimab is a monoclonal antibody with activity against RSV. One dose of nirsevimab, administered as a single intramuscular injection prior to or during RSV season, may provide protection for up to 5 months or the duration of the RSV season.
Education from primary care providers will help in the efforts to vaccinate and be aware of when to test and isolate throughout the year. Schools, health care providers, and health departments are the most trusted sources of information about vaccines and testing recommendations for Influenza and other illnesses.
The U.S. government plans to give each household four free at-home Covid-19 tests again this season beginning late September.
It is important to protect yourself and others from all respiratory illnesses this fall. One of the best ways to reduce your risk of catching respiratory illnesses is to get your recommended vaccines this fall.
Other healthy habits and measures you can take to prevent the spreading of respiratory illnesses include:
Practice other good health habits such as plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritional foods.
Additional Resources:
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Northland Health Centers Celebrates New location in Turtle Lake
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Northland Health Centers’ Turtle Lake Medical, Dental, and Central Office have moved to a new location. Nadine Boe, CEO of Northland Health Centers, reflects with CHAD on the opening of the new Turtle Lake location.
Q: Northland Health Centers has been serving the Turtle Lake community for many years. What led you down this journey of building a new location for the health center? How did you secure the needed resources and support?
We built a new building for the health center to provide a modern, state-of-the-art facility that enhances patient care and accommodates the community's needs. Northland Health Centers’ Administration has been talking about building a new building since 2009. The new space allows for expanded services, improved accessibility, and a more comfortable environment for both
patients and staff.
Securing resources and support for the new building was essential to ensure that the health center could meet the increasing demands for quality care. Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, we were able to gather the necessary funding and backing. This collective effort reflects our shared commitment to improving public health infrastructure and delivering
exceptional services to our community.
Q: Tell us about the new clinic location. What are some of your favorite features of the new space, and how does it enhance the care and support you are able to provide to the community?
One of our favorite features of the new space is the large Community Room, which fosters a sense of togetherness and provides a versatile area for health education, workshops, and community events. The wellness room is another standout, offering a tranquil environment for mental health support and relaxation for our staff. Our state-of-the-art dental equipment ensures that
we can deliver top-tier oral care. The convenience of merging two sites into one has been a significant benefit for NHC. This consolidation has streamlined services, making it easier for staff and patients to access a wide range of health care options in a single, central location. Together, these features significantly enhance the care and support we provide, enabling us to address the diverse needs of our community with compassion and excellence.
Q: How has the community reacted to your new clinic location?
The community has responded with enthusiasm to the new clinic, with many expressing their gratitude for the expanded services and modern facility. They appreciate the clinic’s welcoming atmosphere and the effort to create spaces like the large Community Room, which will hopefully become a popular spot for health education and local events. Overall, the feedback reflects a deep appreciation for the clinic’s role in enhancing access to quality care and strengthening community ties.
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CHAD Launches Get Covered Coalition in South Dakota
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We’re
launched! The Get Covered Coalition celebrated the convening of health equity enthusiasts dedicated to strengthening and preserving Medicaid in South Dakota. Gathered both in-person and virtually, a community of over fifty people from across the state heard stories depicting the importance of health coverage as told by a variety of presenters, including CHAD’s Shelly Ten Napel, Penny Kelley, and Liz Schenkel in addition to Kuol Malou from Design Narratives, Natasha Smith from Sanford Health, and Chrissy Meyer from the American Heart Association. Each presenter shared why strengthening SD Medicaid matters to them on both a personal and professional level, inspiring others to commit to working together for positive change. If you missed the event, it’s not too late - you can watch the recording here.
To learn more about the coalition and how to get involved, visit our new webpage!
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Registration is now open for the 2024 CHAMPS/NWRPCA Annual (Fall) Primary Care Conference. This year, the event will take place from October 26-29 in Denver, CO. The conference will include educational tracks on Board Governance, Clinical, Finance, Healthy Communities, Hot Topics, Human Resources/Workforce, Leadership, Operations, and Policy. This year, the conference includes several pre-conference workshops, including 340B, Employer of Choice and Integrating Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder into Primary Care.
Registration reimbursement is available to CHAMPS Organizational Members in good standing as of October 25, 2024. Each CHAMPS Organizational Member Community Health Center (CHC) is eligible for reimbursement for a single registration fee (total value up to $1,000). CHC staff who qualify for the
registration reimbursement include front line staff, medical support staff, and mid-level managers and supervisors as well as CHC board members. Providers and Executive Directors/CEOs are not eligible for reimbursement.
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National Health Center Week 2024 Recap
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Every August, we celebrate and increase awareness of health centers in the Dakotas, their impact on our communities here, and to our entire country.
This year, every day of the week was a designated focus topic to bring attention to the many areas supported by health centers. The days highlighted populations, staff members, stakeholders, and more who are all impacted by the work health centers do.
CHAD developed a new theme for 2024 to honor and celebrate our members, titled “Champions of Community Health: Celebrating Health Center Impact”. The theme was inspired by coinciding with this year’s global Olympics and that our members truly are champions who make tremendous impacts. A logo, webpage, graphics, toolkit, and more were all created to help promote
this year’s theme. In addition, CHAD sent every member health center a box with Olympic-themed games and promotional items for their staff to celebrate the week and as a group.
Several events took place during the week that were hosted by member health centers, including the Northland Health Center open house in Turtle Lake, North Dakota, and the Falls Community Health open house in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It was also a great week for advocacy, with three Members of Congress (or their staff) participating in health center events or tours.
Governors from North Dakota and South Dakota signed proclamations to designate August 4-10, 2024 National Health Center Week, highlighting the annual celebration as properly recognized among our states.
We thank everyone for their participation in this year’s celebration of your health center’s impact!
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Data Voyage: How Data Becomes DRVS
Attention all data enthusiasts! Get ready to discover the fascinating journey of your data into DRVS. Join Phil Parker, Azara's Vice President of Client Analytics, for an exclusive insider's exploration of our data infrastructure and the intricate process of delivering data to its ultimate destination in DRVS. From the foundational aspects of server architecture and user
interfaces to the nuanced workings of connectors, APIs, measures, alerts, and observations, we'll dive deep into the comprehensive ecosystem of data delivery to your organization. This webinar ensures a thorough examination of the driving forces behind data delivery to your organization in DRVS.
Thursday, September 12
11:00 am CT/10:00 am MT
From Silos to Synergy: How Integrating Behavioral Health Data Enhances Primary Care
A quarter of all people enrolled in Medicare experience mental illness, and 40 percent of all adults enrolled in Medicaid experience mental illness or SUD. People with behavioral health needs often have trouble accessing necessary health care, have unmet health-related social needs, experience poor health outcomes, and die prematurely. Services for these patients have
often been physically and financially siloed, creating often insurmountable barriers to accessing care. Momentum and funding are growing to support greater integration of primary and behavioral health services, however significant challenges remain. Come learn how Azara supports FQHCs, Community Mental Health Centers (CMH), & Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHC) with DRVS to drive data integration. This webinar is recommended for team members focused on quality improvement, behavioral health, population health, and behavioral health-primary care cross roles.
Thursday, September 19
1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT
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| National 2023 UDS Data Now Available
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Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has released the national 2023 Uniform Data System (UDS) data for health centers. UDS data includes demographic data such as numbers of patients and visits, age, race and ethnicity, and payor mix, as well as performance measures in clinical quality, finance, and operations.
Data can be accessed by health center, by state and territory or nationally. Data comparisons can also be found for each calendar year from 2019-2023. HRSA has also published a 2023 UDS Data Trends Brief that highlights trends from 2020-2023 in key areas such as Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) treatment, maternal health, cancer screenings, and infectious disease prevention. Nationally, there continues to be an increase in the number of patients seen at health centers. In 2023 more than 31 million patients were served at health centers, a nine percent increase since 2020.
The 2023 national UDS data for both the CHAD and the Great Plains Health Data Network (GPHDN) databooks has also been updated for members. Contact Heather Tienter-Musacchia for assistance accessing the databooks.
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South Dakota Indigenous and Integrative Health Summit
The South Dakota Department of Health is hosting a health summit to bridge Western medicine, traditional healing practices, and integrative health approaches. Health care professionals including Medicaid providers, Tribal and public health practitioners, and local health coalition members are invited to attend. The event will be held in Oacoma, SD, on September 24, 2024.
Participants are encouraged to register by September 9, 2024.
Tuesday, September 24
9:00 am CT/8:00 am MT
Sick Days, Smart Ways: Navigating Diabetes Management During Illness
Managing diabetes during periods of illness presents unique challenges that require careful consideration and proactive strategies. This presentation aims to provide insights into the complexities of diabetes management in the context of illness, emphasizing the importance of education, preparation, and adaptive strategies.
Thursday, September 26
12:00 pm CT/11:00 am MT
Postgraduate Nurse Practitioner (NP) and NP/Physician Associate (PA)
This six-session series will equip health centers with the knowledge and resources to launch their own Postgraduate NP and NP/PA Training Program. This learning collaborative provides health center participants with a roadmap and coaching support on implementing the formal training program, including program drivers, program structure, recruiting, curriculum development, evaluation, and program accreditation. The learning collaborative is led by two expert faculty members, Charise Corsino (CHC’s Postgraduate NP Residency Program Director) and Kerry Bamrick (Executive Director of the Consortium for Advanced Practice Providers).
Tuesday, October 8
12:00 pm CT/11:00 am MT
North Dakota Mission of Mercy Dental Event
The North Dakota Dental Association (NDDA) and the North Dakota Dental Foundation (NDDF) are excited to announce a North Dakota Mission of Mercy is being held at the Bismarck Event Center. The goal of this community event is to provide treatment for patients that have barriers to oral health care.
We are excited to offer life-changing oral health care to patients and also joy to the hundreds
of volunteers who participate. Thank you for joining us!
October 11 - 12
5:00 am CT/4:00 am MT
HIV Prevention Seminar
You’re invited to join DAETC, North Dakota Health & Human Services Sexually Transmitted Bloodborne Diseases Unit, and CHAD for an engaging virtual seminar on “Integrating HIV Testing, Management, and Prevention in Primary Care.” Presented by Jennifer Sobolik, CNP, AACRN, AAHIVS, sexual and reproductive health provider at Complete Health in Rapid City, SD, this seminar will cover essential best practices for effectively caring for people with or at increased risk for acquiring HIV and seamlessly integrating these practices into primary care.
This seminar is a must-attend for all primary care clinicians who care for individuals at risk of acquiring HIV and individuals living with HIV, placing a particular emphasis on addressing primary care management issues related to HIV. Get ready to explore the vital topics of HIV testing, management, and prevention/PrEP in primary care, and equip yourself with the knowledge
to provide exceptional care in this critical area. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to expand your expertise and make a meaningful difference!
Wednesday, October 16
9:00 am – 12:30 pm CT/8:00 am – 11:30 am MT
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Did you miss a recent CHAD training? You can connect with our trainings and webinars anytime via our website here.
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Screening to Healing: Depression Management Series
The training team from the Association for Utah Community Health (AUCH) guided participants through comprehensive strategies, including data measurement, clinical pathways toward depression remission, and the integration of behavioral health to achieve optimal outcomes in depression management and remission.
This training session was designed for clinical professionals from all backgrounds, emphasizing our unified mission to manage and achieve remission in depression effectively.
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CHAD Network Team and Workgroup Meetings
Monday, September 9 @ 1:00 pm CT/12:00 pm MT – Operational Excellence/Compliance Workgroup Meeting
Tuesday, September 10 @ 2:00 pm CT/1:00 pm MT – Communications & Marketing Network Team Meeting
Thursday, September 12 @ 9:00 am CT/8:00 am MT – Emergency Preparedness Network Team Meeting
Thursday, September 12 @ 11:00 am CT/10:00 am MT – GPHDN Data Governance Meeting
Thursday, September 12 @ 2:00 pm CT/1:00 pm MT – HR/Workforce Network Team Meeting
Tuesday, September 17 @ 11:00 am CT/10:00 am MT – GPHDN Leadership Committee
Wednesday, September 18 @ 12:00 pm CT/11:00 am MT – HCAN Webinar Series
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This account is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling
$1,423,637.00 with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
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