Yvette Roubideaux facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dr. Yvette Roubideaux
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Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, Director of Indian Health Services (IHS) and Pamela S. Hyde, Administrator, ... and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) listen to remarks during the HHS 2014 Budget Press Conference, April 10, 2013.
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| Born | 1963 (age 61–62) |
| Occupation | Medical doctor and public health administrator |
| Known for | Diabetes research and prevention |
| Title | Vice President for Research and Director, Policy Research Center (National Congress of American Indians) |
Yvette Roubideaux (born 1963) is an American doctor and leader in public health. She is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe from South Dakota. Dr. Roubideaux is known for her work in preventing and researching diabetes, especially among Native American communities.
In 2009, she became the Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS). This agency helps provide healthcare for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Dr. Roubideaux was the first woman ever to lead the IHS. Later, in 2017, she became the Director of the Policy Research Center for the National Congress of American Indians.
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Growing Up and School
Yvette Roubideaux grew up in western South Dakota. Her family was part of the Rosebud Indian Reservation. She finished high school in Rapid City, South Dakota, in 1981.
After high school, she went to Harvard University for her first college degree. Then, she studied medicine at Harvard Medical School, becoming a doctor in 1989. She also completed special training in internal medicine in Boston.
Later, Dr. Roubideaux went back to school to earn a Master of Public Health degree in 1997. This degree helped her focus on health for large groups of people. She also completed a special program about health policy for minority groups.
Working as a Doctor
Dr. Roubideaux first worked as a doctor for the Indian Health Service (IHS). She spent three years helping patients at the San Carlos Service Unit in Arizona. She also worked for a year at the Hu Hu Kam Memorial Indian Hospital in Arizona.
After working directly with patients, Dr. Roubideaux decided to focus on public health. This means working to improve health for entire communities. She became a professor at the University of Arizona. There, she studied health issues for Native Americans, especially diabetes.
She helped lead projects to prevent diabetes and heart disease in 66 Native American communities. She also directed programs at the University of Arizona. These programs encouraged Native American students to study health and research.
Leading the Indian Health Service
In 2009, President Barack Obama chose Dr. Roubideaux to lead the Indian Health Service. She was the first woman to hold this important job. As the IHS Director, she managed a huge healthcare program. This program provides health services to about 2 million Native Americans across the United States.
Dr. Roubideaux had four main goals to make healthcare better for Native Americans:
- Work closely with tribes to improve healthcare together.
- Find and fix problems within the IHS agency.
- Make sure patients get better quality care and can access it easily.
- Make sure the IHS is open, fair, and responsible in its work.
Groups and Books
Dr. Roubideaux has been very involved in groups that help Native American doctors. She was once the president of the Association of American Indian Physicians. She also helped edit a book called Promises to Keep: Public Health Policy for American Indians and Alaska Natives in the 21st Century. She has written many articles and papers about Native American health.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Roubideaux has received several awards for her important work:
- 2004: Indian Physician of the Year Award from the Association of American Indian Physicians.
- 2008: Addison B. Scoville Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service from the American Diabetes Association.
