Indian Health Care Resource Center

Carmelita Wamego Skeeter - 2009 IHS National Impact Award

Carmelita Wamego Skeeter, Chief Executive Officer has been CEO of Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC) since 1989. Recognized as one of Oklahoma's most distinguished First Ladies of Health, Carmelita Skeeter coordinates the activities and services for IHCRC and helps to bring local and national focus to the vision and mission of the organization. This member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation speaks out strongly in support of minority and Indian health care needs.

Over the years, Ms. Skeeter has distinguished herself nationally with her ongoing efforts to improve the health of Native Americans. Her passion for assisting the nation's underserved populations has not gone unnoticed. She widely acknowledged as an unwavering advocate and spokesperson to advance the quality of health care available for Native Americans. Throughout her more than 33 years at Indian Health Care she has delivered testimony at the local, state and national level to increase public awareness about the health disparities experienced by Native Americans and other minority communities. She has made it her life's mission to understand the health needs of our community - she has tirelessly worked to make sure those needs are being met. Her many years of service have included participation on the Indian Health Service Redesign Team, the Komen for the Cure American Indian/Alaska Native National Advisory Council and the Oklahoma Primary Care Association Executive Committee. She was recognized as the 2008 Tulsa Metro Chamber Minority Small Business Champion.

Carmelita is an inspiration to everyone she meets. She is never without drive and determination to add to and enhance the services provided by Indian Health Care Resource Center. She is admired and respected by the IHCRC patients, former and current staff, and the Board of Trustees. Indian Health Care would not be such a vital resource to the Tulsa community without the strength and loyalty of Carmelita Skeeter. The entire IHCRC organization salutes Carmelita's receipt of the 2009 National Impact Award from the Indian Health Service.

IHCRC Behavioral Health Team - 2009 Indian Health Service National Behavioral Health Achievement Award

(Left to right, starting with back row): Deanna Storts, MD, Laura Taylor, DO, Charles Vaughan, LCSW, LADC, Karen Swanson, Electa Hare. Second row: Elizabeth Duncklee, LCSW, Pat Noah, LCSW, Tamara Newcomb, PhDs., Terra Goodwin, Heather McClure, Beth Gonzalez. Front Row: Barbara Beach, Ph.D., Helen Murie, Stephen Shoemaker, Ph.D., Carmelita Skeeter, Norman Summers.

Founded in 1976, Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC) provides access to comprehensive outpatient medical and behavioral health care to Native Americans of all ages living in the metropolitan Tulsa area. The health center provides medical care, pharmacy, health education, mental health and substance abuse treatment services. The staff of this comprehensive urban Indian health organization (UIHO) provides acute care, preventive care and chronic disease management services. The one-stop health center provides easy access to quality, comprehensive outpatient health care. Preventive and treatment services are designed to improve the health of American Indians and reduce the need for acute medical and behavioral health care. Integration of medical and behavioral health prevention and treatment is a top priority at IHCRC in promoting a holistic model of care. The integrated approach to care encompasses community health nursing, primary care, oral health, vision, mental health and substance abuse prevention and early intervention. The 2009 National Indian Health Service (HIS) Behavioral Health Award was presented to the IHCRC Behavioral Health Team in recognition of the many ways behavioral health services are integrated into the IHCRC clinical operation, including:

A common medical charts is shared between the behavioral health and medical departments. This allows medical and behavioral health providers to review and consult to create a comprehensive plan for patient care. Medical and behavioral health staff are "positioned" in each department. For example, the behavioral health department has a full time psychiatrist and a full time developmental pediatrician. The medical department has access to a case manager from behavioral health to address complex needs of patients.
All prenatal patients are routinely screened for mental illness, substance abuse and domestic violence. Patients in need of treatment are referred to IHCRC's internal departments and to local community agencies. Patient education is provided by a perinatal case manager, a prenatal public health nurse and a pediatric case manager to complement the physician services. Patients with chronic disease management such as diabetes or high blood pressure are referred to behavioral health for an assessment if their medical provider suspects a problem. IHCRC estimates 30% of patients treated for diabetes also suffer from clinical depression, which complicates their diabetic cares.
Medical doctors refer patients to behavioral health and/or substance abuse providers if they suspect problems with alcohol, street drugs, or prescription drugs.
Adult patients being treated for chronic depression and/or anxiety have a treatment team consisting of a medical provider and a therapist. Patients may also be referred for psychiatric care.
Medical staff call for behavioral health consults in crisis situations, such as suicidal ideation, substance intoxication, economic issues (homeless, lost job, utilities cut off, no food in home), or relationship issues (spouse, significant other, child).
Medical staff consult with and refer patients to the behavioral health staff to address legally mandated reporting issues such as suspected child abuse, spouse abuse or elder abuse.

Phyllis Pratt - 2009 IHS Area Merit Award

Phyllis Pratt, Choctaw and Pawnee, came to Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC) in October 1996. She serves as the Patient Billing Office Manager, where she oversees, supervises and manages the 18 employees of the Patient Billing and Eligibility Departments.

The Eligibility Department is one of IHCRC's busiest departments. This team includes three Eligibility Clerks, an Insurance Verification Clerk and a Referrals Specialist - the team makes referrals for specialty care, durable medical equipment, special procedures and medical tests. This staff handles all insurance verifications, assist patients participate in the pharmacy assistance program and helps patients apply for governmental insurance programs. Over the past few years, the Eligibility Department has experienced rapid growth, achieving a 66% increase in medical referrals in just one year. The Patient Billing Department is instrumental to both the day-to-day operations and the financial well being of IHCRC. For these reasons, a high level of responsibility falls onto the shoulders of Phyllis Pratt. Under her direction, a team of cashiers, receptionists, registration clerks, patient account clerks and insurance clerk have been trained as IHCRC's front line employees. In addition to daily patient processing, this staff handles patient complaints and other stressors that require an ability to compassionately resolve a wide variety of situations.

Phyllis manages and trains the insurance clerks who conduct the collections of patient payments and Medicaid, Medicare and commercial insurance billings. Since 1999, Phyllis has overseen a steady increase in third-party insurance collections - representing an increase of over 350% in the past few years.

Phyllis is a past recipient of Indian Health Service Area Director's award for Support Staff of the Year in 2006, as well as a 2003 award from the Oklahoma Primary Care Association (OPCA) for Dedication and Commitment to Excellence in Third Party Reimbursement. Under her direction, the Patient Billing Department won the IHS Director's Award in recognition of their outstanding performance, dedication and commitment to the mission of IHS (2006-2007). Phyllis serves on IHCRC's Leadership Team, the HIPAA Committee and the Document Retention and Destruction Committee.

Phyllis is married with three active boys. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from NSU and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix. Without question, Phyllis Pratt is an organized and accomplished manager and a very deserving recipient of the 2009 IHS Area Merit Award.

IHCRC Indian Youth Program - 2009 IHS Area Awards - Exceptional Group Performance Award (Non-Clinical)

(Group left to right) Clayton Tselee Courtney Clymer Alison Forsythe Carmelita Skeeter Nancy O'Banion Kerri Cochran Jennie Howard Kevin Heeney.

Indian Youth Program of Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC) conducts an extensive array of afterschool programs, school-day programs and summer camps. These various programs teach healthy lifestyles and enhance the ability of youth to make good decisions regarding physical activity, nutrition, and healthy promotion.

IHCRC youth program staff conduct afterschool programs for elementary school age children at two schools with sizable Indian student enrollments. These programs provide physical activity, nutrition, and other positive health promotion messages. Between 40 and 60 students participate at each school. IHCRC uses the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) curriculum in the afterschool programs. This evidence-based program promotes physical activity and healthy food choices and prevents tobacco use in elementary school-aged children. In addition to CATCH, IHCRC wellness staff use experiential learning activities to help the children retain what they have learned. The experiential learning activities teach nutrition and fitness concepts and are excellent for reinforcing the CATCH lessons.

IHCRC offers a variety healthy lifestyle summer camps for Native American children. The Wellness Adventures Diabetes Prevention Camp is a unique camp focused on the health and wellness of Native American children. Participants enjoy adventure-based health and fitness activities at the Tulsa Public Schools HelmZar Challenge Course. The Healthy Trails Camps are offered to children who have completed grades 1-6. Healthy Trails Camp features CATCH curriculum fitness and nutrition lessons, experiential learning activities, and traditional Indian games. Sports and Recreation Camps provide youth with fundamental skills for 8 to 10 sports. Sports include basketball, softball, baseball, football and soccer. Basketball Camp is for boys and girls who have completed grades 3-6 and the emphasis is on fundamentals, shooting skills and the basics of offense and defense.

In the fall of 2008, IHCRC was awarded an Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) grant to implement the CATCH curriculum, physical activity, nutrition, and commercial tobacco prevention into 12 elementary schools over the next three years. An afterschool gardening component provides youth with opportunities to learn how to grow their own healthy foods. Other recent grants from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Department of Agriculture help promote the consumption of healthy foods through participation in community gardening, shopping trips, meal planning and cooking classes.

The IHCRC Indian Youth Program provides health promotion opportunities for over 1000 children each year. The various youth programs of the Health Education and Wellness Department are funded through a variety of federal and state grants and contracts and IHCRC's general fund. Each program fulfills a detailed workplan and incorporates an evaluation component. In 2008, the IHCRC Indian Youth Program received a very favorable review by the Early Assessment of Programs and Policies to Prevent Childhood Obesity, conducted by the CDC and Macro International. The Indian Youth Program of IHCRC's Health Education and Wellness Department is without question a deserving recipient of the 2009 IHS Area Exceptional Group Performance Award (Non-Clinical).

Donna Birkenfeld - 2009 IHS Peer Recognition Award

Donna Birkenfeld came to Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, Inc. (IHCRC) as an Optometry Technician in February of 2002. Donna has worked in the optometry field since 1987 and has always excelled, regardless of where she has worked, in making patients feel that they are a top priority and number one.

Through hard work, attention to detail and exceptional multitasking skills, Donna served for many years in a dual capacity as IHCRC's receptionist/scheduling clerk and the optometry tech until another a second Optometry Tech was hired in late 2008. Donna's ability to capably fill both these roles is a tribute to her skills set, determination, and competency.

Each year the IHCRC patient load steadily increases and each year Donna rises to the occasion. The patient load has increased by 30% since the addition of a second optometry tech. At IHCRC, we see the diabetic and glaucoma patients on a regular basis. One of Donna's many responsibilities includes charting a patient's diagnosis, last visit, type of visit and when they are due for their next appointment. Donna has been able to dramatically increase our patient numbers in the Optometry Department by making patient reminder calls to confirm appointments.

Donna is not only reliable as it relates to her responsibilities but she is also an active volunteer at many of IHCRC special events, including our annual Dance of the Two Moons fundraiser and our pediatric teddy bear clinic. Donna also a regular participant in the employee wellness activities organized by IHRCR's Health Education and Wellness Department. She religiously participates in the Personal Empowerment Plan (PET) program to expand her understanding of and to gain education on how best to achieve an optimal healthy living lifestyle.

Donna is the rare employee who is an excellent performer in her job and is universally well liked by all her fellow employees. Without question, Donna Birkenfeld is a deserving recipient of the 2009 IHS Peer Recognition award.

Justin Postier, DPh - 2009 IHS Area Director's Excellence Award

Justin Postier, DPh, joined Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC) as the Director of Pharmacy in February 2006. Since that time, he has distinguished himself with his competence, clinical knowledge, professionalism, proactive approach to handling pharmacy related issues, ability to diffuse and handle patient complaints satisfactorily and capacity to provide the highest quality services to IHCRC's pharmacy patients.

Justin is charged with a large number of general duties at IHCRC, all of which he carries out in an outstanding and commendable manner. He serves on the Justin serves on the Leadership Team, the Credentialing and Privileging Committee, the CQI Committee and the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. Within his Pharmacy Department, he oversees all the daily operational activities, including filing prescriptions orders and conducting individual patient education consultations concerning medication with a special emphasis being given to high blood pressure and diabetic patients.

Justin is an energetic and highly productive employee who routinely performs above and beyond in his job responsibilities. His contributions to the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the IHCRC pharmacy operation have been many. For example, under his leadership the IHCRC pharmacy saw an increase of outgoing prescriptions by 11,000 over the previous year with only an $11,000 increase in medication expenditures. With proper product selection and an average prescription of $12.54, Justin and the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee were able to save the IHCRC approximately $127,000 during the calendar year.

Justin earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center and he attended Oklahoma State University where he studied microbiology. He is a preceptor and adjunct faculty for the University of Oklahoma - College of Pharmacy. Previous to coming to IHCRC, Justin was the Pharmacy Manager for Mays/Drug Warehouse.

Without question, Justin is a deserving recipient of the 2009 IHS Area Director's Excellence Award. His exemplary performance and the positive changes he has made in the pharmacy operation have unquestionably benefitted IHCRC patients. He is also a friendly co-worker who is always willing to lend a helping hand. He is well liked and respected for all of these reasons by staff and management.

IHCRC's Staff Receive National IHS Awards

Claude Denize, PA-C and Jennifer Jones, OD were selected to receive an Indian Health Service (IHS) National Director's Award for their exceptional performances. The awards ceremony was originally scheduled for May 7, 2009 in Bethesda, MD but was postponed due to concerns over the Swine Flu. To date, the awards ceremony has not been rescheduled but more information and photos will be posted after they have received their awards. All of the staff, management and members of the board of trustees at IHCRC offer heartfelt congratulations to both Claude and Dr. Jones.