Staff Reports
The Navajo Nation is advancing the development of the new Gallup Indian Medical Center through the Navajo Area Health Services Master Plan kickoff meeting held April 28, marking a critical first step in the federal planning and design process. The project is expected to become one of the largest tribal hospital campuses in the country upon completion.
The NAHSMP will guide development of the Program of Requirements and Program Justification Document — key federal planning documents used by the Indian Health Service to define facility size, service capacity, and funding justification for major healthcare infrastructure projects. Completion of these documents is essential to advancing the GIMC replacement through the federal priority system and into design and construction.
The master planning effort establishes a comprehensive, data-driven framework for the future Navajo Area health system. Key deliverables include community health profiles for each point of care, a region-wide assessment of healthcare needs and priorities, and an objective basis for future placement on the IHS Facility Construction Priority List. The process will also quantify staffing needs, including workforce housing, and develop a unified Navajo Area planning vision to guide the replacement of the Gallup Indian Medical Center.
“For too long, many of our families have had to travel hours just to access basic or referred care,” Navajo Department of Health Director Sherylene Yazzie said. “This kickoff meeting is about finally listening, identifying those needs, and building a healthcare system that truly serves our people. It has been decades since a master plan of this scale has been done, and this process will help shape a future where care is closer, more accessible, and grounded in the realities of the Navajo Nation.”
The April 28 meeting marked the first in-person opportunity for IHS Navajo Area officials and contracted planning teams to engage in coordinated, system-wide planning discussions. The session focused on identifying the characteristics of an ideal healthcare system, reviewing leadership input, and examining opportunities to strengthen care delivery across the region.
Discussions included population trends, projected service demand, referral patterns, and potential expansion of specialty care and new access points. Breakout sessions allowed health system leaders to evaluate gaps in care, explore regional coordination strategies, and identify future opportunities to improve healthcare delivery across the Navajo Area.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren emphasized the importance of the master planning process in shaping the future of healthcare for families across the Four Corners region.
“The Gallup Indian Medical Center is the Navajo Nation’s top healthcare infrastructure priority because it directly impacts the lives of our people every day,” he said. “For too long, our families have had to travel long distances to receive care. This master planning process ensures we are building a facility grounded in real data, real needs, and the future growth of our Nation.
The planning effort builds on weeks of outreach and coordination, including the identification of points of contact across health systems, leadership engagement, and ongoing data collection to ensure broad participation and meaningful input throughout the process.
Health, Education, and Human Services Committee Chairman Vince James underscored the importance of tribal-driven planning rooted in both data and Diné values.
“The Program of Requirements and Program Justification Document will define how this hospital serves our people for generations,” James said. “Our leaders have always planned with foresight — thinking not just for today, but for those who come after us. This process must reflect the realities our communities face, from long travel distances to workforce shortages, and ensure the final design delivers accessible, high-quality, and culturally grounded care that honors our people.”
The NAHSMP effort also builds on recent federal engagement, including a site visit to the Gamerco, N.M., location by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Senior Advisor Mark Cruz and IHS Chief of Staff Clayton Fulton, where early planning concepts were reviewed for what is anticipated to become one of the largest Tribal hospital campuses in the U.S.
The NAHSMP process will continue throughout 2026 and includes data collection, stakeholder engagement, and regional coordination. Completion of the Program of Requirements and Program Justification Document will position the project for federal funding consideration and advancement into the design and construction phases.
“The Navajo Nation stands ready for this infrastructure project to move into the construction phase,” Executive Branch Chief of Staff Sharen Sandoval aid. “Under the leadership of President Nygren, and in partnership with the 25th Navajo Nation Council, we formally selected the Gamerco site for this hospital. Continued collaboration with Secretary Kennedy and the Indian Health Service is critical to ensuring the Gallup Indian Medical Center remains a national priority.”
During the week of April 20, Last week, Nygren and Yazzie also participated in the Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee meeting, where they held consultation with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to advance key federal funding priorities for Indian Country, including increased IHS appropriations, investment in GIMC, expansion of 638 programs, and long-term funding stability.
