SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium

About Us

SEARHC is a non-profit tribal health consortium of 18 Native communities, which serves the health interests of the Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and other Native people of Southeast Alaska. We are one of the oldest and largest Native-run health organizations in the nation.

SEARHC was established in 1975 under the provisions of the Indian Self-Determination Act. The intent of this legislation was to have Indian Health Service programs and facilities turned over to tribal management. Our contracting with IHS began in 1976 when we took over management of the Community Health Aides Program. In 1982, we took over operation of the IHS Juneau clinic, now the Ethel Lund Medical Center, and took over operation of Sitka's Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in 1986.

The Consortium

Our highest priority is to be responsive to the needs of the communities we serve. We maintain strong ties to the communities, to our culture, and to our elders. Wherever possible we incorporate traditional Native cultural practices and values into our health care delivery system. To ensure the needs of each community are met the tribal governing body in each community selects a representative to serve on our Board of Directors.

Our Focus on Quality

At our Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital and Ethel Lund Medical Center, we offer services that meet established national standards of excellence as demonstrated in our accreditation reviews by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

Our Mission

Alaska Native People working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities.

Our Values

    We value healthy lifestyle choices among the people in Southeast Alaska
    We value a high quality and responsive health system through a process of continuous improvement
    We value respect and dignity for patients, visitors and staff

We value effective partnerships among staff and Native people