Careers in Health
The IHS scholarship program encourages pursuit of careers in the medical field.
Yvette Roubideaux, M.D.
About Yvette Roubideaux, M.D.
Dr. Yvette Roubideaux is a member of South Dakota’s Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and Director of the federal Indian Health Service. A Harvard educated physician and researcher, Dr. Roubideaux is a past president of the Association of American Indian Physicians, and has written extensively about American Indian/Alaska Native health issues.
Tribal Affiliation
Rosebud Sioux Tribe
Hometown
South Dakota
Region
Great Plains
VIDEO CLIPS
Diversity
The diversity of the tribes makes it challenging to provide health care to all Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
IHS in the City
The Indian Health Service was built as a primary health care system for rural, not urban area.
Lost Connections
Urban American Indians often lose their connection to their families
Medical Dissection
Navajo medical students participate in ceremonies after dissection to comply with their traditional beliefs.
Prioritizing Healthcare
Lack of funds require IHS to prioritize to who they provide services to.
Self-Determination
Legal changes made in 1975 allowed tribes authority for how they administered local healthcare services.
Suicide
Federal agencies and local tribes are collaborating to address high rates of suicide.
Traditional Healing
The Indian Health Service respects those who wish to seek traditional healing.