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National Indian Health Board places top executive on leave amid investigation
Monday, August 19, 2024
Indianz.Com
The top executive at the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), the largest tribal health organization in the U.S., has been placed on leave following unspecified allegations.
Stacy Bohlen, a citizen of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, was placed on leave by the NIHB board last week. A public statement from the organization cited “allegations against our Chief Executive Officer (CEO).”
“The Board of Directors takes this matter very seriously and per NIHB policy has placed the CEO on administrative leave while we conduct a thorough investigation by independent counsel,” William “Bill” Smith, the vice president and chief of the Valdez Native Tribe, said in the August 12 statement.
“The fact that this matter is under investigation does not suggest that there has been a finding of wrongdoing on the part of our CEO,” Smith added.
A separate statement addressed to the “NIHB Family” is also circulating. It contains much of the same information about Bohlen’s status, while also noting that a “third-party law firm has been hired to conduct the investigation.”
“The board met today as we take this matter very seriously,” Smith said.
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Statements from the National Indian Health Board
Both statements from the National Indian Health Board about Stacy Bohlen being placed on leave were signed by William “Bill” Smith, the Chair of NIHB’s Board of Directors.
Dear Tribal Leaders, Member Organizations, and Partners:
Last week, the National Indian Health Board of Directors were made aware of allegations against our Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Board of Directors takes this matter very seriously and per NIHB policy has placed the CEO on administrative leave while we conduct a thorough investigation by independent counsel. The fact that this matter is under investigation does not suggest that there has been a finding of wrongdoing on the part of our CEO.
The vital work that NIHB does for Indian Country, however, must not be impacted. Our People deserve for us to continue the mission, and we will.
A.C. Locklear, Lumbee, has been named Acting CEO, and the Board and I have complete confidence in him to lead during this time.
If you have questions about this matter, please email nihbcommunications@nihb.org. To contact A.C. Locklear, please email ceo@nihb.org.
AwA’ahdah,
Chairman Chief William “Bill” Smith
Dear NIHB Family, On behalf of myself and the Board of Directors, I wanted to inform you that we are aware of the allegations made against the CEO, Stacy Bohlen. The Board met today as we take this matter very seriously. The actions the Board has taken are (1) Stacy has been placed on administrative leave pending a full investigation, (2) a third-party law firm has been hired to conduct the investigation, and (3) A.C. Locklear has been named Acting CEO. Please note, the fact that this matter is under investigation does not suggest that there has been a finding of wrongdoing on the part of the CEO. I am in constant communication with A.C. and the Board will inform you of any further actions, as warranted. Thank you all for your dedication to Indian Country and the important work of NIHB. AwA’ahdah, Chairman Chief William “Bill” Smith
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