Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center

The Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center (GPTEC) is one of 12 epidemiology centers across the nation funded by the Indian Health Service Division of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention. GPTEC’s mission is to provide leadership, technical assistance, support, and advocacy to tribal nations and communities in the Great Plains in order to eliminate the disparities in health that currently exist for tribal people in the area.

What We Do

There are three focuses of GPTEC:

1. Public Health: The science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organized community efforts.
2. Epidemiology: The study of how often a disease occurs in different populations and why. It identifies epidemics and is the science behind public health.
3. Research: Methodical investigation into a subject in order to discover facts.

IHS

• Epidemiology & Disease Prevention (CORE)
• SASP/DVP/FHC Technical Assistance
• NIMHD
• HIV/STIs
• Targeted STDs
• IVAC

CDC

• PH Infrastructure
• Oral Health
• GHW
• Opioid Surveillance 

Services

• Health Promotion & Disease Prevention 
• Data & Informatics
• Public Health Workforce Development
• Training & Technical Assistance
• Partnerships & Systems Connections 
• Evaluation
• Advocacy & Informing Policy
• Response to Emerging Priorities 
• Research 

Growth

• Data services
• Evaluation Services 
• Tribal Public Health Liaison (TPHL) Program

Our Programs

• Coronavirus Response
• Epidemiology & Disease Prevention
• Supporting Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, and Suicide Prevention Programs
• Supporting Tribal Public Health Research
• Ending the HIV Epidemic in Indian Country
• Promoting TEC and Tribal Public Health Capacity, Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Success
• Oral Health Data and Collaboration
• Sexually Transmitted Infections & Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (STITPPI)
• Improving Opioid Morbidity and Mortality Surveillance

Staff 

• Tinka Duran, MPH
  Senior Director of the Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center 
• Nick Hill, MPH
  DCU Director and Lead Epidemiologist
• Sarah Shewbrooks, MPH
  Epidemiologist II and Data Products Manager
• Daveon Provost
  Data Coordinator
• Summer Montileaux
  Data Specialist
• Opal Jones
  STITPPI Project Manager
• Sean Jackson, MPH
  Evaluation Manager 
• Brooke McPherson
  Administrative Coordinator
• Tipi Means
  Health Educator 
• Kristie Lauing
  Public Health Liaison 
• Emily Good Weasel, MPH
  Epi Disease Prevention - Program Manager
• Marilyn Prairie Chicken, MA
  Technical Assistance & Training Coordinator 
• Leah Belgarde
  TECPHI Program Manager 
• Garvene Good Plume
  Evaluator
• Sydney Schad, MPH 
  Public Health Liaison
• Karin Eagle 
  Program Coordinator
• Denise Brave Heart
  Health Educator
• Beth Crow Good Voice
  TECHPHI Program Coordinator 
• Cheng Wang
  Advanced Biostatistician

Contact GPTEC 

Please send any questions or comments you may have about the Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center to:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: (605) 646-0356
Toll Free: 1.800.745.3466
Fax: 605.721.1932

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This publication was supported by IHS Cooperative Agreement Number, U1B1IHS0007. The views expressed in this written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.