It is with a heavy heart, I share the passing this weekend of Dennis Magee – IHC Founder, Original Incorporator, Visionary, Native American Health Care Advocate, and a Tremendous Individual. I was blessed to work with Dennis from 1992 to 1999. Dennis incorporated and lived everything we have been facilitating with our Core Values presentations: Compassion, Culture, Respect, Integrity, and Professionalism.
Dennis was a wonderful Boss that gave time to his employees to not only assist with their jobs, but to talk with them and engage with their thoughts, dreams, and ideas of bringing quality services to his Tribal Communities. This is the reason I am here at IHC and continue to try to further his legacy. Dennis’ efforts and actions are the definition of Empowering Native Wellness!
Dennis was instrumental in the Rincon vs Califano Lawsuit that brought Equitable Funding from Indian Health Service (IHS) to the California Area and IHC in 1978. He spent time annually in Washington DC advocating and testifying for the importance of IHS funding from 1968 through 1999. He was part of the team that moved IHC to negotiate A 93-638 Title I contract in 1995, starting us on the Road to Self-Governance and defining/designing our innovative IHC Healthcare system. Please feel free to review our IHC 40th and 50th Anniversary Issues to get an idea of the work Dennis accomplished.
Please take a moment today to think, pray, and be thoughtful of Dennis’s family. There is loss but also so much to celebrate (I am only touching a few items above).
I feel so lucky to have spent time with him and am blessed he taught me so much on Native American Healthcare as a mentor!
May his memory be eternal!
Orvin Hanson
IHC Chief Executive Officer