Tribal Health & Human Services Receive Recognition from National Indian Health Services

Submitted photo of Elizabeth Moss, Taitum DeGarmo, IHS Director Roselyn Tso and Travis Martin, 2022.

Submitted photo of Elizabeth Moss, Taitum DeGarmo, IHS Director Roselyn Tso and Travis Martin, 2022.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 2, 2022
Contact: 
Ms. Randy’L Teton
Public Affairs Manager
rteton@sbtribes.com
(208) 478-3818 office

Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Tribal Health & Human Services Receive Recognition from National Indian Health Services Directors Awards Ceremony 

Washington DC – On November 18, 2022, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Health & Human Services (THHS) Department and staff were awarded various awards at the Indian Health Services Directors Awards Ceremony held in Washington, DC. The Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) recognizes individuals or groups of employees whose special efforts and contributions, beyond regular duty requirements, have resulted in significant benefits to the IHS strategic goals, objectives, and programs, customers and fulfillment of the IHS mission.

The Shoshone-Bannock Health and Human Service Department, Shoshone-Bannock Community Health Center, and IHS Fort Hall Service Unit received a joint award resulting from collaborative efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the Director’s Award for COVID-19 Pandemic Heroism and was accepted on behalf of Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Health and Human Services by Community Health Services Manager, Elizabeth Moss for the Exceptional initiative and leadership in carrying out COVID-19 activities or projects to improve the quality of care and the service delivery processes; Innovative efforts to solve problems/address issues that related to the COVID-19 pandemic; Unusual acts of competence, compassion, or heroism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tribal member Travis Martin, THHS Data Analyst/Quality Improvement Coordinator received theIndividual Directors Award; this award is given for exceptional initiative and leadership in carrying out projects to improve program operations; Outstanding contributions to a committee or task force addressing, Outstanding efforts in applying technical or clerical support skills to accomplish the IHS mission. According to THHS Director, Sunny Stone, “Travis has been with us for a short time and I’m not sure how we have ever functioned without him.  His expertise and leadership have improved the way we provide care and collect data at Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Health and Human Services.”

Tribal member Taitum DeGarmo, THHS Finance Officer received the Individual Director Leadership Award; this award is given for demonstrated leadership; Achievements with the potential to make a positive difference in the lives of American Indian and Alaska Native people. According to THHS Director, Sunny Stone, “Taitum DeGarmo’s leadership before and during the COVID-19 pandemic is exemplary. She has led THHS into a financially secure future, implemented programs benefiting the community, and provides staff with recognition for the work they do.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the health entities on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation took extraordinary steps and created a collaboration previously unseen in Indian Country.  A collaborative agreement was signed with Indian Health Services (IHS), Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Health and Human Services (THHS), and the Shoshone-Bannock Community Health Center all agreeing to respond collectively to this public health emergency. 

Please find an online link to the IHS Director’s Award Ceremony (we recommend using Google Chrome to view): https://videocast.nih.gov/watch=48603

###