29/05/2026
Today, the IHS recognizes former Director Michael Weahkee, who is retiring after 28 years of federal service. An enrolled member of the Zuni Tribe and retired Rear Admiral with the U.S. Public Health Service, Weahkee led the agency as principal deputy director from 2017-2020 before being confirmed by the Senate as the 10th IHS director. He recently served as the deputy director for the Phoenix Area Indian Health Service and is the former CEO of the Phoenix Indian Medical Center.
Weahkee’s leadership has been defined by compassion, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of Native people. His lifelong connection to the IHS, as both a patient and a leader, brought a unique perspective and heartfelt dedication to every role he served.
As director, Weahkee helped lead important efforts that strengthened the IHS mission and advanced meaningful progress across the agency. He oversaw the development and implementation of a new five-year strategic plan, the first in more than a decade, and pushed the IHS to address longstanding oversight recommendations from the Government Accountability Office and HHS Office of Inspector General. He also established a new Office of Quality at IHS headquarters to bolster accountability and oversight across area offices and service units.
Under Weahkee’s leadership in 2018, IHS launched the Health Information Technology Modernization Program, a long-term initiative designed to modernize the agency’s enterprise health IT system and provide clinicians with tools to deliver high-quality health care through a modern platform. He also led the IHS through the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, earning him the honor of being named Health Leader of the Year by the Commissioned Officers Association in 2021.
Throughout his distinguished career, Weahkee earned the respect of colleagues, Tribal communities, and partners nationwide through his visionary leadership, humility, and service-driven approach. His many accomplishments and honors reflect the lasting impact he has made on public health and Indian Country. We thank Weahkee for his decades of service and leadership and wish him all the best in a well-earned retirement.
