Joni Buffalohead PhD

Provides implementation services including strategic and community health assessments, program development, and capacity building. Supports policy advocacy and government relations for healthcare and community programs.

Serves as a trusted advisor for a healthcare technology company serving Indian Country. Conducts onsite visits to understand workflows and develop strategies for expanding tribal health programs and care coordination.

Leads Tribal Training & Technical Assistance, overseeing projects focused on strategy, adoption of best practices, and transformation of tribal and urban Indian health services. Provides leadership and mentorship to managers and manages contracts and contract monitoring.

Serves as a subject matter expert for a state of Arizona white paper addressing the opioid crisis among tribal communities. Provides cultural training for an annual retreat and supports IT modernization communications.

Led health care development and tribal relations work to increase sustainable revenue and improve health equity in Indian Country. Managed collaboratives and foundation social impact work, led communications and marketing, and served as managing director for a MAT clinic.

Researched, developed, and negotiated solutions for tribal clients and managed specific projects driving operational effectiveness and execution of the strategic business plan. Analyzed account reports and clinical data outcomes and represented the voice of tribal customers to internal workgroups.

Led daily operations and improved infrastructure, information management, and business systems. Oversaw compliance, agency-wide data collection, Medicaid billable services, and finance and human resources.

Administered the nonprofit Pejuta, Inc., developing research and consultation services for communities, Tribes, clinics, and healthcare programs. Managed organizational infrastructure, board governance and strategic planning, grant writing and reporting, and policy advocacy to improve access to health care and pharmaceuticals.

Planned and developed a tribally owned urban pharmacy program in Minneapolis serving Medicaid (PMAP+ Network), Medicare, and dual-eligible clients. Oversaw pharmacy dispensing and counseling, staff hiring and supervision, network systems installation, and billing policy responsibilities.

Planned, designed, implemented, and evaluated a culturally specific pharmaceutical care program to address health disparities for American Indian communities in the Twin Cities. Developed a replicable patient-centered model and managed grants, contracts, budgets, outreach, and staffing.

Served as lead for the Elders Lodge Pharmaceutical Care Project, designing and implementing a two-year pilot pharmaceutical care program for American Indian elders in an urban setting. Managed grant writing and funding, provided pharmacy services, developed culturally appropriate trainings, and supervised staff.

Worked with tribal health directors to ensure tribes’ voice was reflected in health policies and handled Medicaid service claims submissions. Coordinated between state and tribal governments and urban Indian communities to support tribal revenue enhancement.

Developed a pharmaceutical care project for the State of Minnesota and designed a culturally specific pharmaceutical care model for underserved communities. Conducted research and designed culturally appropriate curriculum for health professional school programming and developed a related white paper.

Supported the American Indian Development Program by developing awareness of American Indian issues among faculty and students to improve recruitment and retention. Coordinated the Partners in American Indian Retention Program with other local colleges and universities.

Supported research through the Peters Institute of Pharmaceutical Care, collaborating with the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Clinic and tribal council. Focused on the traditional use of Indian medicine and related belief systems among the Indian elder population.

Served as a teaching assistant in the Social and Administrative Pharmacy Program, supporting undergraduate and professional health sciences students by proctoring exams.

Supported the American Indian Studies Program by conducting lectures on American Indian health care issues and demographics and assisting with exam writing and grading.

Completed a fellow role through the Butler-Williams Scholars Program within the National Institute on Aging.

Participated in the Institute for Executive Director Leadership cohort for personal, professional, and organizational leadership development.

Served as an adjunct instructor teaching Indian Health Policy.

Served as a liaison for the Wisdom Steps program, building relations and collaborations with the MN Board on Aging and American Indian urban and tribal nations. Supported preventative health for the American Indian elder population.

Completed a fellowship through the Native American Pharmacy Program with a focus on grant writing and coordinating funding and presentations related to pharmaceutical care and medicine project work.

Doctoral research identifying the medication-related needs of American Indian elders in an urban setting.

Master’s research on discourse on Indian medicine among Santee Sioux elders: a preliminary study.

Undergraduate study in American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota.