Last month, Secretary Kennedy traveled to Jamul, California, to meet with the Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee (STAC) and hear directly from Tribal leaders about the health priorities facing their communities.

During the visit, Secretary Kennedy also swore in Mark Cruz, a citizen of the Klamath Tribes, as the 12th Senate-confirmed Director of Indian Health Service.

Director Cruz now leads a health system serving approximately 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, with a focus on strengthening Tribal consultation, expanding access to high-quality care, and modernizing the Indian health system.