Welcome back to Impact Unfiltered—the podcast highlighting bold leaders transforming healthcare, business, and their communities.
Today, we’re joined by Dr. Marty Lofgren, Medical Director of the Absentee Shawnee Health System. From his roots on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe reservation to leading a Native health system in Oklahoma, Dr. Lofgren shares his journey and the impact of community-focused care.
We talk about expanding pharmacy access, promoting wellness through small initiatives like “100 miles in 100 days,” and the challenges facing Native healthcare today. Dr. Lofgren also reflects on leadership, legacy, and building systems rooted in connection.
If you’re passionate about making a difference in healthcare or interested in the ways tribal health leaders are paving new paths, you won’t want to miss this episode. Let's jump into our conversation with Dr. Marty Lofgren.
1. Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
- Introduction of Dr. Marty Lofgren, Medical Director of Absentee Shawnee Health System.
2. Dr. Marty Lofgren’s Background and Role
- Personal background: Growing up in South Dakota on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe reservation.
- Educational journey: Undergraduate at University of South Dakota, medical school and residency in Iowa.
- Career progression: Work experience in private clinics, the VA, Air Force Base, and eventually joining the Absentee Shawnee Health System in Oklahoma.
- Scope of current role: Overseeing a medical clinic with about 100 providers and over 400 staff, managing multiple healthcare departments.
3. Motivation for Entering Tribal Leadership and Community Health
- Influence of rural and Native American healthcare disparities.
- Personal mission to provide higher quality healthcare to tribal members.
- Commitment to making the tribal health system superior to external systems.
4. Defining and Embodying “Impact” in Healthcare
- Interpreting impact as the daily work of providers to improve people’s lives.
- The importance of both small and large interventions in healthcare.
- Emphasis on comprehensive care (physical, mental, and support).
5. Ongoing Initiatives and Examples of Impact
- 100 Mile Challenge: Encouraging increased physical activity among staff and patients, leading to tangible health benefits (weight loss, cholesterol, diabetes markers, mental health).
- Becoming a 340B pharmacy: Expanding pharmacy services to all patients and employees, increasing healthcare access, and reinvesting savings into system improvements.
- Philosophy that both big and small projects can have far-reaching impacts.
6. Community Outreach and Alignment with Patient Needs
- Commitment to community outreach.
- Efforts to snowball positive outcomes from programs like the 100 Mile Challenge.
7. Lessons for Other Tribal Health Leaders
- Dr. Lofgren’s humility: Preference for learning from peers rather than viewing himself as a model.
- The importance of networking, learning, and developing new programs from shared experiences.
8. Opportunities for Improvement and Future Outlook
- Advances in healthcare and the ongoing basics of care.
- Prioritizing early screenings and proactive preventive care.
- Need for increased federal funding for Native American health.
- Challenges with limited resources and the potential impact of funding parity.
9. Reflections on Leadership and Legacy
- Advice for emerging tribal health leaders: Act on leadership opportunities sooner; fulfillment in helping others through leadership.
- Value of creating programs that meet community needs.
10. Defining the Pillars of Health System Success
- Health system as a multi-faceted pillar: Patient care, community, and tribal support.
- The importance of a “many pillars” approach—holistic and integrated system support.
11. Holistic and Accessible Healthcare Model
- Striving for a “one stop shop” healthcare system by providing a full suite of services (specialty care, behavioral health, pediatric/adolescent clinics).
- Continuous expansion to meet evolving patient needs.
- Emphasis on saying “yes” and being solutions-oriented.
12. Invitation to Support and Get Involved
- Encouragement for listeners to get involved by taking actionable steps in their own communities.
- Reinforcing the importance of daily commitment, expanding services, and community involvement.
13. Closing Remarks
- Invitation to reflect on and carry forward the episode’s key themes of impact, leadership, and community-focused healthcare
