Leadership and Governance of the National Indian Health Board
The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) Board of Directors (and their alternates) are leaders from across Indian Country representing the 12 Indian Health Service (IHS) regions.
Board of Directors
These leaders bear the responsibility of guiding NIHB’s primary mission as established by the Tribes.
William Smith
Valdez Native Tribe
NIHB Chairperson and Alaska Area Representative
Valdez Native Tribe - Board Member
Alaska Native Health Board – Chairman
Sam Moose
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
NIHB Vice Chairperson and Bemidji Area Representative
Jerome Kasey III
White Mountain Apache Tribe
Phoenix City Area Representative
White Mountain Apache Tribe - Vice Chairman
Jacqueline Platero
To’Hajiilee Band of Navajos
NIHB Secretary and Albuquerque Area Representative
Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board – Vice Chairperson
Peter Lengkeek
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe
Great Plains Area Representative
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe - Chairman
Lee Spoonhunter
Northern Arapaho Tribe
Billings Area Representative
Northern Arapaho Tribe – Councilman
Lawanda green
Elk valley Rancheria
NIHB Treasurer and California Area Representative
Elk Valley Rancheria Council Member
Chairperson, California Rural Indian Health Board
Clarissa Sabattis
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians
NIHB Member-at-Large and Nashville Area Representative
Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians - Chief
Dr. Buu Nygren
Navajo Nation
Navajo Area Representative
Navajo Nation - President
Aaron Hines
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Portland Area Representative
NPAIHB Treasurer/Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center Chief Executive Officer
Robert Coffey
Comanche Nation
Oklahoma Area Representative
Southern Plains Tribal Health Board- Chairperson
Pamela Benavidez
Tohono O'odham Nation
Tucson Area Representative
Tohono O’odham Nation - Legislative Council, Pisinemo District
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Heroes in Health Awards Banquet
Join us on Wednesday, August 19th for the 2026 Heroes in Health Awards Banquet, presented at NTHC 2026.
Register by 7/2, and be the first to know when our musical guests and keynote speaker are revealed.
