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Sanford Health prioritizes tribal nations, citizens and other Indigenous people in receiving the proper care, with a prioritization in removing barriers so care can be accessed timely. We are improving access at all levels of health care.

Improvements we are working on include:

• Reviewing, understanding and removing common barriers and other detriments and disparities for tribal patients
• Providing and honoring traditional, cultural and spiritual care in a holistic approach
• Ensuring ease in access to care, including admittance and discharge
• Respecting distinct cultural and traditional Indigenous practices and ways while supporting the needs of the patient and their family throughout the Sanford Health system. This is done in partnership and consultation with tribal nations, Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, tribal health services, and all tribal citizens, families and descendants

Sanford Health’s commitment to standing and new relationships with tribal colleges, regional universities and other tribal schooling institutions is one of our stand-out priorities.

We are supporting and developing programs to recruit and maintain a skilled workforce of Indigenous health care providers so we can better represent the Sanford Health patient population.

In this work, we strive to uphold our objectives, which include:

• Advancing connections with tribal colleges, regional universities and other educational institutions where tribal citizens and descendants have the opportunity to understand and see future healthcare opportunities
• Building upon existing, new or potential programs at tribal colleges while offering opportunities with our scholarship programs
• Implementing employee resource groups (ERGs) to support the lived experiences of those Sanford Health team members with tribal affiliations, as well as welcoming all Sanford Health team members to join, creating educational and other fellowship opportunities

Sanford Health is actively engaging tribal leadership, citizens and nations on health care issues that have been specifically identified by tribes as priority items. In the spirit of consultation and our respect and relationships to tribes, we are focusing on:

• Improving dialysis services
• Identifying and supporting tribal community events through attendance, educational offerings and community investment
• Offering long-term, affordable health insurance policy plans to tribal nations, citizens, workforces and other relevant tribal entities
• Uplifting, participating and partnering with tribal health conferences and other gatherings to share space in addressing health care issues, advances, strengths and needs, opportunities, policies and other partnerships

Sanford Health is seeking innovative ways to improve tribal health and health care in both active and future partnerships.

Through the Tribal Health Equity and Experience initiative, we prioritize:

• Dedicated internal Sanford Health team as a resource, strategy partner, knowledge center, and more
• Our Tribal Health Advisory Committee
• Endowment funds to support yearly operations and strategic plan costs specifically for tribal nations and citizens
• Listening opportunities, including listening sessions, roundtables and other opportunities to meet tribes where they are at, knowing that tribes understand their health and health care needs best
• Empathy, compassion, and understanding in addressing Tribal health care needs, and empowering Tribal Nations and Citizens to have a voice in addressing, voicing, and having a seat at the table to speak on the many strengths and needs within Sanford Health systems, and other Tribal health partners