Ak-Chin Indian Community Secures Historic IHS Joint Venture For New Health Facility

Access to quality local healthcare remains a fundamental necessity for thriving communities.

Expanding Care Access Strengthens Sovereignty in Indian Country

The Ak-Chin Indian Community recently achieved a monumental victory for Native health by becoming one of only seven recipients nationwide selected for the 2025 Indian Health Service (IHS) Joint Venture Construction Program. As the only Tribe in Arizona and the first in the Phoenix area chosen for this competitive initiative, Ak-Chin will finance and construct a modern healthcare facility on a 14-acre site, which the IHS will then lease at no cost while providing federal funding for staffing and operations. This strategic partnership replaces an outdated 2,000-square-foot clinic that no longer supports the growing population, ensuring that Our Relatives receive comprehensive services including primary care, dental, and behavioral health right at home.

Strategic Partnerships Elevate Native Health Outcomes Significantly

This initiative represents a powerful collaboration between Tribal leadership and federal partners to improve the quality of life for Native populations. During a meeting with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Ak-Chin Chairman Gabriel Lopez highlighted how this project honors past leaders and elders who previously endured all-day travel just to seek medical treatment. Supported by Arizona officials like U.S. Rep. Eli Crane and Sen. Ruben Gallego, the project is expected to break ground in approximately one year with a construction timeline of 18 to 24 months. Secretary Kennedy emphasized that this joint venture builds hope and opportunity across Indian Country, aligning with the mission to Make America Healthy Again!

Ellsworth Supports Indigenous Growth and Medical Staffing Excellence

As a Native-owned small business and ISBEE, Ellsworth celebrates this advancement in infrastructure that empowers Native practitioners and patients alike. The Ak-Chin project serves as a beacon of progress for Native owned medical staffing companies who understand the unique needs of rural and Tribal facilities. By closing longstanding gaps in care, this new center will require dedicated professionals ready to serve the community with cultural competence and expertise. Ellsworth stands ready to support the evolving landscape of healthcare in Indian Country, ensuring that facilities like this have the skilled teams necessary to thrive.