Big Sky Times

Regina Ertz, Ph.D., has been named the recipient of the 2023 Mignon Waterman Award for her exceptional leadership as the Program Director of the Fort Belknap Tribal Health Behavioral Health Program. Dr. Ertz's innovative efforts to provide widespread access to mental health services within the Fort Belknap Indian Community have been recognized with this prestigious award.

Expressing her gratitude for the honor, Dr. Regina Ertz stated, "This has been an incredible journey joining with the Fort Belknap Indian Community, with the goal to bring readily available and consistent behavioral health services to the community. I’m honored to earn the trust of our Patients and the community, and I am committed to continuing our path of progress for our People, Oyáte."

Under Dr. Ertz's leadership, the Fort Belknap Tribal Health's Behavioral Health Program has seen remarkable success in addressing the mental health needs of its community. Before the program's inception, less than 10% of the Fort Belknap Indian Community population received mental health services, a situation Dr. Ertz worked diligently to change.

Dr. Ertz's approach to treatment, which incorporates traditional American Indian values with innovative therapeutic practices, has significantly improved the community's access to mental health services. The program's implementation saw a significant increase in behavioral health encounters and a decline in crisis response cases.

Dr. Ertz's dedication to providing care extends to offering flexible options such as telehealth services, which have proven to be highly beneficial for patients. She noted, "Patients have responded positively to our telehealth option as our clinicians provide exceptional telehealth care services."

Recognizing Dr. Ertz's impactful work, Karen Yazzie, Fort Belknap Tribal Health Director, and Dr. Jennifer Show, Fort Belknap Chief Health Officer, stated, "We wholeheartedly endorse Dr. Ertz for this esteemed award and believe that her contributions should be celebrated and recognized on a broader scale. She is a beacon of hope and a driving force in the pursuit of equitable and ethical care for Fort Belknap tribal members."

The Mignon Waterman Award, established in 2017, honors individuals who have significantly contributed to improving behavioral health in Montana. Dr. Regina Ertz's dedication and leadership in enhancing mental health services within the Fort Belknap Indian Community make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.