The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) presented CIRI shareholder Roy Huhndorf and
Southcentral Foundation’s (SCF) Responsible Adolescents in Successful Employment (RAISE) program with awards at its 28th Annual Consumer Conference in September. Huhndorf was recognized with an Area/Regional Impact Award for his contributions to Alaska Native and American Indian health and wellness. Huhndorf is a director of both CIRI and SCF and a former CIRI president.
The NIHB is a nonprofit that advocates for tribal governments that operate their own health care delivery systems and for patients receiving care from the Indian Health Service. The NIHB also provides policy formation and analysis, research on Indian health, training, project management and legislative and regulatory tracking.
Huhndorf was involved in strengthening the Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) in the
1970s. The program now consists of a network of about 550 Community Health Aides/Practitioners in more than 170 rural Alaska villages.
“This was totally unexpected. I feel honored. But as Iditarod champion John Baker said at his keynote speech during the NIHB conference, it takes a community to ensure that beneficial projects and programs are implemented. It is not just one person; it is a community that lends its intellect to make a project work. I’ve worked with a lot of people who have made progress happen. So I accept this award on behalf of the community and their efforts,” said Huhndorf of the award.
NIHB also recognized SCF’s RAISE program with a Local Impact Award. The year-round RAISE program helps Alaska Native teenagers gain work experience and leadership skills through on-the-job training and mentoring. More than 300 teenagers have participated in the program since its inception in 1997. Learn more about SCF by visiting www.southcentralfoundation.com.
