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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The regional office responsible for federally administered hospitals that care for thousands of members of Native American tribes in the Dakotas, Nebraska and Iowa has been assigned a new interim director.
The change in leadership for the Indian Health Service's Great Plains Area office was announced Monday in a letter sent to tribal leaders.
The move comes weeks after inspectors found serious deficiencies at two health centers in South Dakota.
Rear Adm. Kevin Meeks will begin Monday as the director of the office based in Aberdeen.
In addition to the leadership change, a new four-member team will also be deployed to assist as medical and quality assurance personnel at the embattled hospital on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.
The area office services about 122,000 Native Americans.
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