Montana official resigns from state American Indian health office

Stephanie Iron Shooter, director of the Office of American Indian Health at Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services, resigned Sept. 2, according to Montana Free Press. She led the office, created in 2015 to address Native health disparities, since February 2022 and was the third person to hold the role. In a Sept. 2 email to tribal leaders, Iron Shooter wrote that “recent events” had led her to resign, adding, “I did my best for our people.”

Charlie Brereton, DPHHS director, said Heidi DeRoche, programs officer for the office, will serve as acting director. He added the department “remains committed to working with all Montana tribes to meet the health needs of our tribal communities.” Iron Shooter’s tenure included controversy over the 2023 elimination of the tribal relations manager position, which tribal leaders criticized for lacking consultation.