Indian Health Service Director Announces
Selection of New Albuquerque Area Director

Dr. Michael H. Trujillo, the Director of the Indian Health Service (IHS), announced today his selection of James Lawrence Toya as the Director Albuquerque Area for the IHS. Toya, a member of Laguna Pueblo, will manage the federal health program and services provided to approximately 85,000 eligible American Indians in 27 tribal groups on reservations in New Mexico, southern Colorado, Utah, and Texas.

"Mr. Toya's experience in the areas of patient care, education, and research will benefit the delivery of health services through the comprehensive health care programs coordinated and supported by the Albuquerque Area IHS," said Dr. Trujillo. "James Toya is a health leader that the tribes and pueblos recommended for my consideration. He will play an influential role in the coming years not only in the decisions affecting the health programs for the Albuquerque Area but also at the national level as the administration and the Congress move to re-emphasize the commitment the government has to honor treaty rights and obligations."

Toya, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, is scheduled to assume the Area Director position September 28, 1998. He has clearly stated his priority for the Albuquerque Area under his leadership. "With the continuous changes affecting health care delivery, it is paramount that we do not lose sight of the focus of our efforts -- the health of the patients and the communities we serve," said Toya.

The Albuquerque Area IHS has 1,100 employees and is organized into eight service units that provide an array of in-patient and out-patient services through five hospitals, twelve health centers, seven health stations, and eighteen other IHS/tribal operated clinics. As part of a national Indian health system of federal, tribal, and urban Indian health programs, the Albuquerque Area also contributes to the support of one urban Indian health program in Albuquerque and one in Denver.

A copy of Toya's biography can be found on the IHS web site.