Page 5 - December 2012

Tribal Health and Wellness News „ Director Clarifes Busy Calendar - “Accountability” A couple members of my staff funnels through the Portland IHS Typically, for 3-4 days each quarter, is associated with each visit and recommended that I write an article offce to the Chehalis Indian Tribe. I am present at these meetings. procedure. By early 2014, this concerning my work schedule Much of my correspondence is The AIHC was created in 1994 coding system will be in place and and put it in the newsletter. To be by phone and e-mail, but I am by federally recognized tribes, there will be triple the amount of specifc, it is concerning why I am occasionally compelled to visit with urban Indian health organizations, codes than what is used currently. out of the offce some of the time. them personally, particularly if there and other Indian organizations to This will require multiple meetings When I started this position in is information that can be better provide a forum to address tribal- and trainings for me and members May, I became introduced to three understood by meeting with them in state health issues. The Commission of the Wellness Center team. Heck, organizations that are affliated person. works on behalf of the 29 federally- even while writing this article, I left with the Wellness Center and the recognized Tribes and 2 Urban to pick up prescriptions at Safeway Chehalis Indian Tribe. These The NPAIHB was established Indian Health Organizations in the which required me to be out of the organizations include the Indian in 1972. It is a non-proft tribal State of Washington. The ultimate offce for a short time. Health Service (IHS), Northwest advisory organization serving the goal in promoting increased tribal- Portland Area Indian Health Board 43 federally recognized tribes of state collaboration is to improve the Looking at my calendar for the last (NPAIHB), and the American Indian Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. health status of American Indians seven months, my time out of the Health Commission (AIHC). This regional organization is a and Alaska Natives in Washington offce has averaged to just less than nationally reputed leader in Indian State by infuencing state and four days (29.7 hours.) a month IHS is a division of the U.S. health. The NPAIHB represents tribal health policy and resource that I am off tribal land and away Department of Health & Human the interests of the 43 tribes in allocation. For the AIHC, I am at meetings. This means I am out Services. There are twelve area four main functional areas: health the tribal delegate for the Chehalis of the offce 17% of the time. I headquarters in the United States promotion and disease prevention, Indian Tribe. The AIHC meets want to assure you that I am doing with our tribe being serviced by legislative and policy analysis, bi-monthly and these meetings are my best to represent the Chehalis the Portland area headquarters. training and technical assistance, alternated at the 29 tribal sites in Indian Tribe at these meetings in Although I visited this offce last and surveillance and research. The Washington. The length of these a professional manner and to give week, my trips to see them in leadership from this organization meetings is one working day. input when appropriate. Regular Portland have been infrequent travels frequently to Washington attendance at these meetings, along thus far (two one-day trips in D.C. to educate members of Also infuencing my attendance at with a caring attitude, inspires trust my 6+ months of employment Congress and to lobby these the clinic will be the implementation from other people present. It also thus far). My visit last week was members on behalf of the 43 tribes. of ICD-10, health care reform, helps keep myself and other staff spent meeting with seven staff The NPAIHB holds meetings meeting with State of Washington up-to-date on what is taking place members and learning about quarterly and these meetings are stakeholders, and other meetings with our state, regional, and national funding allocations, annual funding alternated at the 43 sites. On the with Chehalis Tribal Government stakeholders. I am hopeful this agreements, and work needed day before the quarterly board (director meetings, interviews, information is helpful to you. to be done to comply with these meeting, the health directors from budget meetings, clinic quality agreements. The majority of each tribe meet where there is a improvement meetings, etc.). Respectfully, Doug Wangen, funding for the Wellness Center formalized agenda and discussion. ICD-10 is a coding system that Wellness Center Director Recipe of the Month Orange Chipotle-Spiced Pecan Mix - Yield 2.5 cups) Ingredients Directions: Preheat oven to 225. Combine frst 3 ingredients in a medium bowl; stir NOTICE TO CONTRACT HEALTH ELIGIBLE - 1 tablespoon grated orange rind with a whisk. Stir in pecans. Combine sugar, PATIENTS: - 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice salt, and pepper. Add to pecan mixture; toss - 1 large egg white PLEASE BRING IN YOUR MEDICAL BILLS AND - 2 cups pecan halves well. Spread mixture in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. STATEMENTS. (Labs, x-rays and related services) - 1 tablespoon dark brown Bake at 225° for 1 hour, sugar - 1 teaspoon kosher salt stirring occasionally. If you have been billed that means they don’t have all your billing - 1/2 teaspoon ground chipotle Remove from oven; information. Please don’t assume we have the bill. Please bring them chile pepper cool completely. Stir in to the CTWC. - Cooking spray cranberries. Note: Store in - 1/2 cup sweetened dried an airtight container for up This applies for pre-authorized services ONLY - no exceptions. cranberries to one week. chehalistribe.org  greatwolfodge.com  luckyeagle.com  eagleslandinghotel.net Page 5