A Conversation with the Honorable Dr. Charles Grim

Charles W. Grim, D.D.S., a native of Oklahoma and a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, was appointed director of the Indian Health Service (IHS) by President George W. Bush in 2002 and received a unanimous Senate confirmation to the post in 2003. Dr. Grim holds a master's degree in health services administration from the University of Michigan and graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry before joining IHS, where he has had a long and distinguished career and received numerous honors, including being twice decorated with the U.S. Public Health Service Commendation Medal.

As IHS Director, Dr. Grim administers a nationwide multi-billion dollar health care delivery program that is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for approximately 1.6 million of the Nation's 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives. Dr. Grim was interviewed by telephone from his office in Washington, D.C. by Tribal Connections Editor Miles White.

Dr. Charles Grim (Photo courtesy NIH)