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Board

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.
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