Health | National

Native Sun News: Official returns to position at IHS hospital

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The following story was written and reported by Karin Eagle, Native Sun News Staff Writer. All content © Native Sun News.

Fred Koebrick of the Indian Health Service.
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA –– Amidst much controversy, the once-standing CEO of Sioux San, or the Rapid City Indian Health Service Unit, has returned to his post.

After two weeks of speculation swirling around the alleged removal of Fred Koebrick, a member of the Cheyenne and Caddo tribes, the dust settles with the return of Koebrick to his post as Sioux San’s leader.

“It will take people like Koebrick to change a health system that has fallen short of its treaty obligations, and he knows that he needs powerful allies to secure the money to make and to keep the Sioux San as one of the best Indian hospitals in America,” said Native Sun News’ founder and former publisher and editor, Tim Giago, in a previously published column about IHS.

In related news, a change has come about concerning the previously reported complaints about the $5 fee for Porta-Potty usage at Sioux San’s sweat lodge site. According to Jackie Arpan, Sioux San’s public health representative, IHS will now cover the cost of maintaining the Porta-Potty, which includes weekly cleaning.

Additionally, with the high fire danger alert in the Black Hills, or Paha Sapa, the Rapid City Fire Department has issued an open-fire ban, which affects Sioux San sweat lodge usage. Participants are asked to check every day for possible changes as the ban can be lifted or reinstated with little to no warning, Arpan said.

(Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com)