Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service

Happy Nurses Day and Nurses Week to all the incredible nursing staff across the Indian health system! Your compassion, care, and dedication continue to make a difference in the lives of the patients, families, and communities you serve. We are grateful for all that you do, today and every day.

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/

During National Public Health Week, we honor the dedicated individuals across the Indian health system who show up each day with a deep commitment to the health and well-being of our Tribal communities.

Much of their work happens behind the scenes, yet its impact is felt in countless ways. Public health is more than a profession—it’s a shared responsibility grounded in prevention, education, advocacy, and a One Health approach that recognizes the connection between people, animals, and the environment—helping to build healthier futures for generations to come.

From addressing urgent health needs to promoting wellness and expanding access to care, their efforts strengthen communities every day. Thank you for your continued dedication to this vital work.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among AI/AN people and the second leading cause of cancer death. Colorectal cancer often has no signs or symptoms in its early stages. Screening and early detection are important to treatment and changing the statistics for our future generations. Did you know there are multiple screening options?



https://americanindiancancer.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/colorectal-cancer-signs-symptoms.pdf

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americanindiancancer.org

Blue Beads day is TOMORROW, March 19th! Wear your favorite blue clothing or beadwork to support AICAF's campaign during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and pledge to get screened to change colorectal cancer in Indian Country!

March is National Nutrition Month! To help celebrate the importance of healthy nutrition, the IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP) offers free education materials tailored to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people. Find free, culturally relevant materials to prevent and treat diabetes and diabetes-related conditions. Read and share with your patients, clients, friends, and family members from their Online Catalog at https://www.ihs.gov/diabetes/education-materials-and-resources/

The Indian Health Service is launching the largest hiring initiative in the history of the federal agency. This unprecedented hiring push represents a historic investment in rebuilding and strengthening the IHS workforce and reflects the urgency for recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified professionals in critical positions throughout the agency.

“With a near 30 percent vacancy rate across the IHS, our top priority is filling vacancies for positions essential to keeping our health care facilities operating smoothly, especially in some of the more rural and remote locations,” said IHS Chief of Staff Clayton Fulton. “Our friends, families, and relatives need the best available health care providers who are focused on our shared goal of raising the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level, and this hiring initiative will go far in helping us accomplish that goal. This is an exciting time to join the Indian Health Service.”

With the full support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Kennedy, the IHS worked diligently to complete a comprehensive workforce plan for this hiring effort.

Read more: https://www.ihs.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/2026-press-releases/indian-health-service-launches-largest-hiring-effort-in-agency-history/