On November 20, PTHA welcomed several key leaders from the Indian Health Service to our campus, including Acting Director Benjamin Smith, Acting Deputy Director Darrell LaRoche, Chief of Staff Clayton W. Fulton, and Portland Area Director Rear Adm. Marcus Martinez, P.E. Their visit was a meaningful opportunity to share the important strides PTHA is making in Native healthcare.
Our guests met with members of our leadership team—including Executive Director David Tonemah, Deputy Director Ryan Gilbert, and other PTHA leaders—for thoughtful conversations about our ongoing work. They also joined us for a brief tour of our facilities, where we discussed our expanding services, strengthened partnerships with IHS, and rising patient satisfaction, especially in supporting and appreciating cultural needs. We were grateful to highlight our continuing commitment to training new resident physicians, both Native and non-Native alike, in providing outstanding care to our Alaska Native and American Indian patients.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who visited and contributed to such a positive, collaborative experience. We would be honored to welcome our IHS partners back anytime to continue these important conversations and strengthen our shared commitment to Native health.