Indian Health Service Awards Ceremony Photo by Kendra Sikes

Assistant Chief Jack Austin, Jr. (back row, third from right) and Choctaw Nation Health Leaders pause for moment after the ceremony with the award recipients and the Choctaw Nation Honor Guard.

Choctaw Nation Health Services Recognized at 19th Annual Oklahoma City Area Director’s Indian Health Service Awards Ceremony

Published August 22, 2022

DURANT, Okla. – Leaders and innovators across Native American tribes were recognized at the 19th Annual Oklahoma City Area Director’s Indian Health Services awards ceremony in Oklahoma City. Several recipients are associates of the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA).

Service awards were given to those who have served Native Americans in an I.H.S., Tribal or Urban health setting for 30 years or more. Artis Potts and Leslie Crank have been with CNHSA 35 years. Jacqueline Box, Tracie Cox, Lawanda James, and Michael Sisk have been with CNHSA for 30 years.

The Oklahoma City Area Director’s IHS/Tribal/Urban Awards Committee took submissions from all the tribes across the area and recognized those who stood out among their peers. CNHSA had several stand out and receive awards:

  • Jodi Lackey, Casey Woolsey, Bryan Christian, Peggy Carlton, Sally Dawes, Dr. Jonathan Doyle, Shelo Mutz, Shawna Smith, and Gerrick Johnson: Peer Recognition Tribal Award for outstanding work in their respective fields.
  • LT Courtney Trent: Merit Tribal Award.
  • Chrystal Brittain: Exceptional Individual Performance Non-Clinical Award for her work as a social worker for CNHSA.
  • Todd Hallmark: Area Director’s Individual Area Impact Award.
  • Desiray Moore: Area Director’s Individual Excellence in Customer Service Tribal Award.
  • The Tribal Opioid Response 2 program won the Area Director’s Group Excellence in Customer Service Tribal Award.

The reception opened and closed with the Choctaw Nation Honor Guard, giving them an opportunity to show their passion for presenting the flags.


About The Choctaw Nation

The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with more than 225,000 tribal members and 12,000-plus associates. This ancient people has an oral tradition dating back over 13,000 years. The first tribe over the Trail of Tears, its historic reservation boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, covering 10,923 square miles. The Choctaw Nation’s vision, “Living out the Chahta Spirit of faith, family and culture,” is evident as it continues to focus on providing opportunities for growth and prosperity.

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