(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) has selected Trixie Bennett as their next Tribal Health Administrator, following a rigorous selection process. KIC is a federally recognized Indian Tribe with over 6,400 members. In her new role, Bennett will be responsible for managing a multimillion-dollar annual budget and overseeing the Tribe's healthcare services, including the KIC Tribal Health Clinic at 2960 Tongass Avenue.

Bennett first came to work for KIC in 2000, as Quality Management Coordinator, and worked in clinic administration from 2000 to 2018. She went on to serve on the Tribal Council from 2018 to 2023 and as the Tribe's president in 2022. During that time, Bennett attended UAS Ketchikan, receiving an Associate of Applied Science degree, followed by Alaska Pacific University where she completed her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration & Management. In addition, she is the owner and operator of Tongass Tonics.

KIC's Tribal Health Clinic employs roughly 120 people across its medical services, providing primary care, a walk-in clinic, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, dental, laboratory, pharmacy, purchase and referred care, as well as wellness and diabetes services. Bennett's selection comes as KIC sharpens its focus on improving access to high-quality, relevant, and trauma-informed medical and behavioral health services for its members. The Tribe is committed to bringing self-governance to a new level and has been using change management practices to achieve this goal.

"Having grown up in Wrangell, we had to travel for all of our healthcare needs, and I was shocked how often patients had to travel long distances for care even though they were available in Ketchikan," Bennett reflected. "I was inspired when KIC began running their own clinic to meet its citizens' healthcare needs right in Ketchikan. This commitment to self-governance continues today and I’m so pleased to be selected to lead the team as we strive to care for and meet our patients' needs even better in the future."

Tribal Administrator/CEO Ruby Steele shared that she and the hiring committee were satisfied with the caliber of applicants, expressing confidence in their decision, "We look forward to working with Trixie in this leadership role. Her education, experience, and passion to serve her Tribe will strengthen the clinic's ongoing efforts to continually improve our services."

Tribal President Norman Skan commented, "I am pleased to welcome Trixie as our new permanent Health Administrator. I know she brings a wealth of experience and her dedication will offer stability to the program."

Quoting a news release from KIC, "Tribe extends its gratitude to Joel Jackson, who has filled the interim Health Administrator position since 2022 and wish him well in his future endeavors. Bennett will begin her tenure on May 30, 2023."






Source of News:

Ketchikan Indian Community
www.kictribe.org

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