WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Indian Health Service (IHS) has announced the permanent appointment of Joe Amiotte as Director for the IHS Great Plains Area. Amiotte, an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, has served as the Acting Director for the Great Plains Area since November 2022. As the Area Director, he is responsible for overseeing comprehensive healthcare and environmental health services for American Indians and Alaska Natives throughout Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.
“Joe Amiotte has been a consistent voice and leader in the Great Plains Area for many years,” said IHS Director Roselyn Tso. “His wealth of knowledge and experience will continue to positively contribute to the mission of the IHS and the services we provide throughout the area.”
Amiotte has more than 23 years of experience working with federal agencies, tribes and local governments. He began his IHS career as a supervisory sanitarian and then served as the Director of the Billings Area Office of Environmental Health and Engineering. Later, he served as the Acting Chief Executive Officer for the Wind River Service Unit in the IHS Billings Area, and subsequently as the Chief Executive Officer for the Rapid City Service Unit in the Great Plains Area. Amiotte previously served as the Great Plains Area Director for Field Operations from July 2019 to November 2022.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve as the Area Director and make a positive impact across our tribal and urban Indian communities,” said Amiotte. “Providing quality, comprehensive healthcare services is a top priority for the Great Plains Area, and I look forward to continuing those efforts.”
The Great Plains Area IHS serves an estimated patient population of approximately 130,000 and delivers health services through 19 service units, which include seven hospitals, eight health centers, and several smaller health stations and satellite clinics.
