Dr. Christina Wallace Makes History as First Choctaw Chief Medical Officer

When a Native practitioner rises to lead her own tribal health system, the entire community moves forward.

Fifteen Years of Service Led to a Historic Appointment

On March 19, 2026, the Choctaw Health Center hosted a special reception honoring Dr. Christina Wallace as the facility’s first-ever Choctaw Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Wallace spent 15 years studying medicine while serving in multiple roles at the health center in Philadelphia, Mississippi. In 2022, she was named Interim Chief Medical Officer, and her permanent appointment now represents a significant milestone for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and for Native health leadership nationwide.

A Community Celebration Rooted in Culture Awareness

Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben delivered opening remarks at the ceremony, and CHC Director Mary Harrison recognized Dr. Wallace’s contributions to the Choctaw community. The Tribal Council presented Dr. Wallace with a quilt, while her family and CHC staff honored her with flowers. The celebration reflected the culturally competent, community-centered values that define Indigenous health systems serving Our Relatives and elders across Indian Country.

Tribal Self-Governance Powers Native Health Leadership

Choctaw Health Center, established in 1975, operates four locations across Mississippi and offers more than 30 departments ranging from primary care and behavioral health to emergency medical services and a diabetes clinic. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians celebrates over 30 years of tribal self-governance, and Dr. Wallace’s appointment is a direct product of that sovereignty in action. Her vision includes facility expansion and additional services for the Choctaw people, proof that when Native populations invest in homegrown medical talent through self-governance, tribal health systems grow stronger from within!

At Ellsworth, a Native owned small business and ISBEE-certified medical staffing company, we celebrate every milestone that strengthens the Indian Health Service workforce pathways. Dr. Wallace’s journey from student to Chief Medical Officer is a model for the future of Indigenous healthcare leadership, and we are honored to support the clinicians and facilities serving Indian Country every day.