United Indian Health Services

08/14/2026

Today Doctor Coyote wants to remind everyone that tomorrow August 15 is International Relaxation Day. While I myself am usually in a Zen state of mind others might have to learn how to keep stress out of their lives. One way to do this is to practice mindfulness which is “the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.” It is a relaxation skill we all have inside, but one we may need to practice to help it grow.

Being able to exist in the moment, take a deep breath and calm ourselves can help slow down the crazy pace of modern life, and focus on things, thus reducing stress. It can help us be happy, aware of the people places and things around us and according to studies can even improve our health.�
Reflecting on stressful thoughts as negative impacts on the body. Notice how our heart rate rises and we sweat and breath faster when we think of stressful thoughts. That is our body responding to a perceived threat, but one which is non-existent considering the thought is only in our mind. But this thought can elicit mechanisms in our body that can become compromised If we experience chronic stress. This activation of our stress response will lead to problems and disease with these systems over time. Relaxing is a natural way of overcoming these issues.�
Mindfulness is a practice that you must work on to develop as a skill. Spending 10-15 minutes a day in mindfulness practice can provide many benefits. You can take a mindfulness class, read some books on the practice and review the many videos and recordings that are out there to guide you through mindful practice to help you relax.
�Signed, Dr. C Who Is Always Seeking Nirvana�
Please refer to the links below:
VIDEO: 8 Relaxation Techniques
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyEdZ23Cp1E&t=4s
�VIDEO: 4 Ways Mindfulness Can Relieve Stress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcRANlaqf9c&t=11s

VIDEO: How To Do a Body Scan Meditation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouqlSGSOAwo

http://www.mindfulness.org/

https://bit.ly/2XhOXG9TedTalksOnMindfulness

08/13/2026

United Indian Health Services hosted it's annual summer camp “May-Gay-Tolh-Kwe” (a Healing Place), on Tuesday July 7th through Friday July 10th, 2026. This camp was held at Sue-meg State Park and was such a great experience for all the youth who were able to attend and partcipate. Activities range from kayaking and hiking, to cultural presentations.
UIHS would like to thank all of our UIHS staff who worked this camp, our Adult Counselors, our Peer Counselors, our Camp Cooks, our Night Security, and our our Co-Coordinators Ty Allen and Sarah Scott, who truly put so much time and effort into making this special for our youth.

08/11/2026

Tips On Tuesdays-Annual Medical Checkup

Everyone should make it a point to schedule an annual medical checkup with your health care provider. Just as you take your car into the mechanic for checkups and preventative maintenance it is the same thing for your body.

This gives your medical provider a chance to see how you are doing and administer any test that they need to monitor your wellbeing ion. It also keeps your status active and leaves no gaps in service for your Doctor’s office to think of dropping you as a patient.

An annual medical check-up is part of good proactive care that emphasizes the prevention and early detection of health issues. It allows your Doctor to evaluate your health issues, review your personal medical history and identify potential health risks. Your doctor will measure vital signs like blood pressure, assess your weight and discuss lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise. This will help you set and achieve health goals.

Annual medical examinations are essential for maintaining health and well-being, especially among American Indians who may face unique health challenges. By prioritizing preventive care and screening for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, healthcare providers can work with American Indian individuals to develop personalized health plans tailored to their specific needs.

Culturally sensitive care that respects traditional healing practices and values can also play a crucial role in promoting trust and improving health outcomes within the Native American community. You can play a role in maintaining good health by scheduling an annual visit with your care provider. By emphasizing the importance of annual medical examinations, we can support the health and longevity of American Indians for generations to come.

For more information please go to:
VIDEO: What To Expect In Your Annual Medical Exam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3IBubHjEAM

VIDEO: Why You Should Have An Annual Medical Exam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVVf8XzQ-xo

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/annual-physical-examinations

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-you-need-an-annual-physical-and-what-to-expect

08/10/2026

Weitchpec Clinic Will Be Open This Week

The UIHS Weitchpec Clinic will reopen on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week.

It is closed on Wednesday for an all-staff event.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during Monday's temporary closure due to the Highway 96 closure. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Questions? Please call 530.625.4300

08/10/2026

Dear UIHS Clients,

Recently, we announced the closing of the Eureka Health Clinic on Lucas Street in Eureka. There have been some questions about why we are closing this site, so I wanted to explain our plans.

Temporarily, we relocated providers from Potawot Health Village to the Eureka Health Clinic on Lucas Street during the remodeling of the Potawot medical and pharmacy departments.

Now that we are completing the remodel at Potawot Health Village, we are moving these same providers back to Potawot.

Please note that we are still providing medical services at Jaroujiji Health Clinic on 7th Street in Eureka. In fact, we have 4 medical providers located at this site.

If you visit our website at UIHS.org, click the “Client Resources” tab, then click “Providers,” you will see a list of all our providers and where they provide care.

Thank you for your questions and the opportunity to care for you and your family.

Warmest regards,
Liz

Elizabeth Lara-O'Rourke
Chief Executive Officer

08/10/2026

Weitchpec Clinic Closure Notice

Due to the Highway 96 closure, the UIHS Weitchpec Clinic is closed today Monday, August 10.

The safety of our clients, staff, and community is our top priority. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

If you have questions, please call 707.825.5000

08/08/2026

🌿 Join us today for the 2026 Annual Membership Meeting! 🌿

UIHS members are invited to our Annual Membership Meeting on...
Saturday, August 8 | 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Potawot Health Village
1600 Weeot Way, Arcata

Come connect with your community, hear important updates, and participate in the future of United Indian Health Services.
We look forward to seeing everyone today!

08/07/2026

To emphasis the importance of breastfeeding in the American Indian community, August 8–14, 2026 has been declared Indigenous Milk Medicine week. The theme this year: “We Keep The Fires Lit: Rising Through Milk Medicine.” The theme was selected to honor the brilliance, continuity, and cultural strength carried through Indigenous lactation and community care.

According to the March Of Dimes, “Breast milk is the best food for babies in the first year of life. It helps them grow healthy and strong and protects them from infections and illness.”
For example:
• Breast milk has hormones and the right amount of protein, sugar, fat and most vitamins to help your baby grow and develop.
• Breast milk has antibodies that help protect your baby from many illnesses.
• Breast milk has fatty acids like DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), that may help your baby’s brain and eyes develop.
• Breastfeeding can reduce your baby’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome (also called SIDS).
• Breast milk is easy to digest.
• Breast milk changes as your baby grows so they get exactly what they need at the right time.
• Breast milk is always ready when your baby wants to eat. The more you breastfeed, the more milk you make.

They are three positive benefits for moms who breastfeed as well:
1. It Lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer
2. Decreases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease
3. Prolongs lactational amenorrhea which may aid in postpartum weight loss and postpartum depression

To get more information and resources please go to:

https://www.indigenousmilkmedicinecollective.org/

https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/blog/indigenous-milk-medicine-week

https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html

08/07/2026

You are invited to participate in a study conducted by 𝗖𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗨𝗜𝗛𝗦 to help us better understand community food needs and improve food-related services and programs.

Take the survey here >> https://humboldt.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dpB5V00unaNVbUy

Thank you for helping us strengthen the health and wellness of our community!

08/06/2026

𝗪𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆! 💙

Take the survey here >> https://swiy.co/2026-UIHS-Community-Survey

By completing this survey, you'll help UIHS better understand how we can improve communications, strengthen our services, and better serve our communities.

Thank you for sharing your voice and helping shape the future of UIHS.😊🌺

Please click the link to complete this form.