Colorado River Indian Health Service

06/01/2026

🌞🛝🤿😎🏝️

05/30/2026

Today, the IHS recognizes former Director Michael Weahkee, who is retiring after 28 years of federal service. An enrolled member of the Zuni Tribe and retired Rear Admiral with the U.S. Public Health Service, Weahkee led the agency as principal deputy director from 2017-2020 before being confirmed by the Senate as the 10th IHS director. He recently served as the deputy director for the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service and is the former CEO of the Phoenix Indian Medical Center.

Weahkee’s leadership has been defined by compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of Native people. His lifelong connection to the IHS, as both a patient and a leader, brought a unique perspective and heartfelt dedication to every role he served.

As director, Weahkee helped lead important efforts that strengthened the IHS mission and advanced meaningful progress across the agency. He oversaw the development and implementation of a new five-year strategic plan, the first in more than a decade, and pushed the IHS to address longstanding oversight recommendations from the Government Accountability Office and HHS Office of Inspector General. He also established a new Office of Quality at IHS headquarters to bolster accountability and oversight across area offices and service units.

Under Weahkee’s leadership in 2018, IHS launched the Health Information Technology Modernization Program, a long-term initiative designed to modernize the agency’s enterprise health IT system and provide clinicians with tools to deliver high-quality health care through a modern platform. He also led the IHS through the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, earning him the honor of being named Health Leader of the Year by the Commissioned Officers Association in 2021.

Throughout his distinguished career, Weahkee earned the respect of colleagues, Tribal communities, and partners nationwide through his visionary leadership, humility, and service-driven approach. His many accomplishments and honors reflect the lasting impact he has made on public health and Indian Country. We thank Weahkee for his decades of service and leadership and wish him all the best in a well-earned retirement.

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

Notice – Chemehuevi Health Center Phone and Network Disruption
CHEMEHUEVI, Calif. — May 27, 2026 — Chemehuevi Health Center is currently experiencing a phone and network outage affecting normal clinic communications. At this time, clinic staff are unable to receive incoming calls through the regular clinic phone lines.
A provider will be available onsite today from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Patients needing medication pickup or scheduled visits are encouraged to complete those services during these hours.
Clinic staff are actively working to contact scheduled patients directly using available communication methods to coordinate appointments, medication needs, and continuity of care during the outage.
Chemehuevi Health Center appreciates the community’s patience and understanding while staff work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

05/16/2026

CDC is actively working alongside public health partners at the local, state, federal, and international levels, applying world-class expertise to monitor potential Andes virus exposures. The current risk to the public remains low. Here’s how CDC is responding:
- Engaging with state and local health departments to conduct daily health check-ins, ensuring rapid access to testing and care if symptoms develop, and supporting individuals through routine monitoring.
- Tracking three potential exposure groups: repatriated passengers, travelers who returned home before the outbreak was identified, and in-flight contacts who were exposed to symptomatic cases.
- Developing testing protocols and guidance based on the best available scientific evidence.
Answers to frequently asked questions: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/faq/index.html

05/16/2026

EAT YOUR VITAMINS: Vitamin B1, or thiamin, helps your body turn the food you eat into useable energy. In some, thiamin deficiency is marked by memory loss, impaired cognition, and even heart failure. Americans struggling from alcohol dependence or diabetes are more likely to be deficient in thiamin.

Real Food is full of thiamin. Top sources include pork chops, trout, black beans, tuna, orange juice, and yogurt.

05/09/2026

ONDCP Drug Threat Notice: Cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid involved in at least 55 deaths, has potential to spread across Nation. Read more

05/05/2026

Today is recognized as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Day. This is a day to help remember and honor our Indigenous relatives who have gone missing or were murdered, and a day to raise awareness to offer prevention efforts within our communities. Join us in wearing red today to help raise awareness to support an end to this crisis.

IHS, Tribal, and urban Indian organization programs are working to build a holistic and comprehensive health care approach to care for patients following violent crimes. Read more in the IHS Blog: https://www.ihs.gov/newsroom/ihs-blog/may-2026-blogs/building-a-holistic-health-care-approach-at-ihs-during-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-persons-awareness-day/

05/05/2026

05/04/2026

Colorado River Service Unit is sharing this public health notice to help prevent Giardia infection.

Giardia is a parasite that can spread through contaminated water, food, surfaces, and unwashed hands. It can also spread when people accidentally swallow contaminated water while swimming.

Ways to help prevent Giardia:
• Wash hands often with soap and water
• Drink safe, treated water
• Avoid swallowing water while swimming
• Wash fruits and vegetables before eating
• Stay out of pools or splash areas if sick with diarrhea

For more information, please review these public health resources:
Arizona Department of Health Services – Giardiasis page:
https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/foodborne/index.php

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/giardia/about/index.html

Source: Arizona Department of Health Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Giardia is a tiny parasite (germ) that spreads easily and causes diarrhea.