5 Minutes: Susan Levy

5 Minutes: Susan Levy

Technical Assistance Partnership

5 Minutes: Susan Levy

Five Minutes with Susan Levy of Native Health

TAP: Susan, what is Native Health, where has it been and where is it going?

Susan Levy: Native Health (Native American Community Health Center, Inc.) was founded in 1978. Our mission is to continually improve the lives of Native American families in greater Phoenix by providing unique, high quality, culturally competent health-related services that enhance the well-being of the whole person and the Native American Community. Historically, Native Health has been funded primarily by Indian Health Services, but we have expanded funding sources over time to include federal agencies, state agencies, public charities, third party payers, private foundations and others. Last year Native Health saw 12,000 individuals and logged 68,000 visits. We continue to expand outreach and programs to meet our community’s needs, and that’s where involvement in TAP factored into our progress.

TAP: Where did TAP make a difference for you?

Susan Levy: Our involvement with TAP brought us immediate benefits. At the time, our quest to build the first-ever Native American adult day care center was stalled. Involvement in TAP’s Fundraising group gave us the feedback and input we needed, and that new center is now scheduled to open at 1010 E. McDowell in Phoenix in June. We have also participated in a TAP Marketing group. Changes resulting from that involvement have raised heightened awareness for Native Health and increased service utilization – both important in achieving our objectives and mission.

TAP: What do you recommend for people considering getting involved with TAP?

Susan Levy: First, love what you do. I love my work at Native Health – the people, the mission, the quality of what we do, the sense of community here. I can actually say that on Sunday night I am excited to think about going to work the next day. Secondly, contact TAP and join a group that supports your area of interest. There’s a lot to connect with. This time around we’ll be participating in the Web Enhancement group as well as the Executive Director Round Table. TAP’s community of expertise and support has worked just beautifully for us at Native Health.