Overview & Learning Objectives
Tribally owned healthcare is both a service to the nation and an economic sector in its own right. This module covers tribal healthcare systems under self-determination authority, FDA and CLIA navigation for labs and biotech ventures, and the joint-venture structures that bring outside capability under tribal ownership.
- Describe tribal healthcare system models under self-determination contracting
- Navigate FDA and CLIA requirements for tribal labs and biotech ventures
- Structure biotech and health-sector joint ventures under tribal ownership
- Connect health-sector capacity to consortium readiness
Reading Sections
Reading sections for this module are being prepared from the Institute’s book manuscript and will publish here as they are finalized.
Case Studies
Southcentral Foundation’s Nuka System of Care
Alaska Native-owned Southcentral Foundation serves roughly 65,000 people through its relationship-based Nuka System of Care and is the only healthcare organization to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award twice (2011, 2017) — proof that tribally owned health systems can set the national standard, not just meet it.
NIST — Baldrige Award: Southcentral Foundation2026-07-19