The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC) is improving dementia care for patients and families, thanks to recent funding from the Indian Health Service (IHS) Alzheimer’s Program.

OKCIC has long provided high-quality, culturally respectful care for American Indian and Alaska Native people. This new funding is helping OKCIC create a better system for dementia screening and follow-up care.

OKCIC plans to: 

• Build a team approach to dementia care for better communication and consistent treatment.
• Add a dementia care coordinator to support patients and families during diagnosis, treatment, and planning.
• Expand caregiver education so families have the tools and training they need.
• Improve access to timely, culturally relevant materials and community resources.

OKCIC Pharmacist Dr. Morgan Masterson is certified in geriatrics and a former IHS GeriScholar. She brings strong experience and a deep commitment to this program. 

Through the IHS GeriScholars Program, Dr. Masterson attended the 2025 IHS National Clinical and Community Workforce Summit. There, she learned about IHS funding options. After seeing what others had done with similar support, she said applying was the natural next step. 

The result is OKCIC’s first program to focus wholly on dementia services.

“The funding will improve how we screen for dementia, evaluate patients, and provide follow‑up care,” said Dr. Masterson. “It will help us find dementia earlier, reduce stress on caregivers, and offer more complete, person‑centered care.”

Learn more about dementia services on the OKCIC website.

Pictured: OKCIC staff Dr. Jin Kong, left, former OKCIC Registered Nurse, Christain Kotoucek, middle, and Dr. Morgan Masterson take a photo during the 2025 IHS National Clinical and Community Workforce Summit in Seattle.
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The 2026 Indian Health Service (IHS) National Clinical and Community Workforce Summit will bring together national speakers, health care providers, tribal leaders, and partners dedicated to improving health in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

This year’s theme, “Alzheimer’s and Elder Care: Knowledge, Compassion, and Community at Work,” highlights the growing focus on memory health and elder care in tribal communities.

The Summit will take place March 10–12, 2026, at the Hilton Denver City Center in Denver, Colorado. To register, visit the IHS Alzheimer’s registration page.

Health care teams serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities often face complex dementia care questions with limited time and resources. With the IHS Dementia Clinical Support Line, providers can now get help with a free phone call. 

The line offers clinical support for IHS, tribal, and urban Indian health programs on: 

• Screening and assessment 
• Diagnosis and treatment options 
• Care planning 
• Complex cases 
• Caregiver support 

Learn more and download the flyer to share with your teams and partners.