News Release
Indian Health Service
Yesterday the Billings Area Indian Health Service announced the opening of the Little Shell Tribal Health Center. The new 10,000 square-foot facility provides health care services for the more than 5,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives residing in the metropolitan area of Great Falls, Montana.
“Partnering with the Little Shell Tribe to open a new health center underscores Indian Health Service’s commitment to provide quality health care for tribal communities in and around the Billings area,” said Billings Area Director Bryce Redgrave. “We achieved this significant milestone because of the tribe’s advocacy. The Indian Health Service made this facility a priority during the pandemic.”
The new facility, led by acting CEO Cmdr. Stacey Thomas, is located 425 Smelter Avenue NE in Great Falls. The clinic is now accepting patients and can be reached at (406) 247-7130. It will provide primary medical care including behavioral health, pharmacy, laboratory and outpatient clinic services. Future plans to include dental, optometry and radiology services are underway.
Since gaining federal recognition in 2019, the Little Shell Tribe has worked together with Indian Health Service to develop a facility that would meet the health care needs of the local tribal community. The new facility is staffed and operated by the Indian Health Service. The Little Shell Tribal Health Center will meet the growing demand for tribal health care in the Billings Area Indian Health Service.
The Indian Health Service, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.7 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 574 federally recognized tribes in 37 states. Follow the agency via social media on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
