Federal officials are shaking up leadership at some Native American hospitals in South Dakota, according to an Argus Leader report.
Here are four things to know about the leadership changes.
1. Federal officials are making the changes to improve the quality of healthcare on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud reservations, according to the report, which cites a Feb. 1 letter to tribal leaders.
2. An interim director has been appointed for the Great Plains Area Indian Health Service, based in Aberdeen, S.D. The Great Plains Area Indian Health Service has 19 IHS and tribal service units that provide healthcare to Native Americans in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa.
3. Federal officials will also send additional staff to help with management and quality control, according to the Argus Leader, which cites a letter from Robert McSwain, principal deputy director for HHS.
4. Rear Adm. Kevin Meeks, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, has been named acting area director of the Great Plains Area IHS, effective Feb. 8. He replaces Ron Cornelius, who has been temporarily reassigned, according to officials.