Mark Cruz was named the director of HHS’ Indian Health Service, according to an Aug. 21 news release.
The Senate confirmed Mr. Cruz on Aug. 7 following President Donald Trump’s June 1 nomination. President Trump has since signed the commission granting him the role.
Mr. Cruz, a citizen of the Klamath Tribes, will have a four-year term. The position had been empty since January 2025, and Mr. Cruz is the agency’s 12th Senate-confirmed director.
IHS, the country’s 18th largest public health system, provides healthcare services to roughly 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives across nearly 600 federally run hospitals and clinics, tribal health programs and urban Indian organizations.
“I look forward to working closely with Tribal leaders, urban Indian organizations, our dedicated workforce and partners across Indian Country to strengthen Tribal consultation, improve access to high-quality, culturally appropriate healthcare, hire health professionals our communities need and modernize the Indian health system,” Mr. Cruz said.
Along with serving as IHS director, Mr. Cruz will still act as senior adviser for Native affairs to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The release said Mr. Cruz’s adviser position establishes him as HHS’ highest-ranking Native American official.
Mr. Cruz had previously been deputy assistant secretary for Indian affairs in the Interior Department. He also worked under former Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind., and Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.
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