Mark Cruz Confirmed as IHS Director

Mark Cruz’s confirmation as Indian Health Service director brings permanent leadership to an agency serving 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, with workforce stabilization among its most urgent responsibilities.

A Confirmed Leader for a Critical Health System

The Senate confirmed Cruz, a citizen of the Klamath Tribes, on August 7, 2026, for a four-year term. HHS identifies him as the 12th Senate-confirmed IHS director and says the agency serves people from 575 federally recognized Tribes in 37 states. Cruz also remains HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s senior advisor for Native Affairs, giving Indian Country a direct advocate in two roles.

Mark Cruz Faces a Near-30 Percent IHS Vacancy Rate

Leadership arrives amid measurable pressure. IHS reported a near-30 percent agencywide vacancy rate in January 2026, especially affecting rural and remote facilities. A 2023 GAO review also found that the median age of federally operated IHS buildings was 39 years and 61 percent of 212 rated buildings were in fair or poor condition.

In his June 24 testimony, Cruz listed reducing workforce vacancies, advancing appropriations, completing the 1993 construction backlog, improving Purchased/Referred Care, and modernizing electronic health records among his priorities.

Staffing Progress Must Be Built for Indian Country

Ellsworth’s work recruiting nurses and allied health professionals for Navajo Area IHS facilities shows that sustainable staffing requires more than filling an opening. Rural recruitment, reliable housing, efficient credentialing, strong onboarding, and cultural awareness all affect retention and continuity of care. Tribal consultation should shape those solutions because every Native community has distinct needs, strengths, and local knowledge.

“Director Cruz understands that every vacancy represents care our relatives may have to wait longer to receive,” said Michael Woestehoff, Navajo CEO of Ellsworth. “His commitment to hiring needed health professionals, listening to Tribal leaders, and modernizing IHS deserves our support and shared effort.”

As a Native-owned small business and ISBEE, Ellsworth stands ready to help IHS and Tribal health organizations build dependable, culturally informed workforce capacity for Our Relatives.