NCAI Policy Research Center

Yvette Roubideaux, MD, MPH (Rosebud Sioux) is the Director of the Policy Research Center at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI).  The mission of the NCAI Policy Research Center is to lead, conduct, and translate high quality policy research and data to improve outcomes for Indian Country. Her prior work includes research, education, health systems administration and policy development in the areas of American Indian/Alaska Native health and the quality of diabetes care.  She served in the Obama Administration as a Senior Advisor to the HHS Secretary for American Indians and Alaska Natives and as the Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS).  She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Systems, Management, and Policy in the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado, and her previous academic appointments include Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion and Leadership at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University, and Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and Zuckerman College of Public Health.  Dr. Roubideaux served as the co-director of the Coordinating Center for the IHS Special Diabetes Program for Indians Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Demonstration Projects, directed training programs to encourage American Indian and Alaska Native students to enter health and research professions, is a founder of the Native Research Network, Inc., and served as President of the Association of American Indian Physicians. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine. Dr Roubideaux received her undergraduate, medical, and public health degrees at Harvard, is the author of several peer-reviewed research publications, and co-edited the 2001 book Promises to Keep: Public Health Policy for American Indians and Alaska Natives.