United Indian Health Services celebrates its 50th anniversary

ARCATA, Calif. (KIEM)- The United Indian Health Services is celebrating 50 years of serving the American Indian communities of Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

UIHS started at Humboldt State and had a van that would go to the community to make sure that tribal members were connected to health care. 

The organization realized many tribal members without health insurance lacked access to physicians and dentists, the same providers UIHS started their health services with.

Now in their fiftieth year they’ve added 30 health care providers who provide dental, medical, vision and behavioral health services for the indigenous population living in Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

A big celebration was planned, however the coronavirus pandemic happened and now that event won’t be possible.

“The board would like to be able to do that next year and with that we want to bring out a 50 year anniversary book,” said Elizabeth Lara-R’Rourke, the Community Health and Wellness Division Director for United Indian Health Services. “So it would be our golden years and it’ll highlight when we moved to Potawot, which we moved here in 2001 and then it’ll highlight all of the other great things we have done in the past 25 years.”

Lara-R’Rourke says they’re proud of how far they’ve come and just like their motto, will continue caring for their native community.

To make an appointment for services call (707) 646-2919 or for more information click here.