{"id":38954,"date":"2025-07-11T07:20:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T12:20:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/mark-cruz-appointed-as-senior-advisor-to-hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr\/"},"modified":"2025-07-11T07:20:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T12:20:15","slug":"mark-cruz-appointed-as-senior-advisor-to-hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/mark-cruz-appointed-as-senior-advisor-to-hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark Cruz appointed as Senior Advisor to HHS Secretary Robert. F. Kennedy Jr."},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"likebtn_container\" style=\"\"><!-- LikeBtn.com BEGIN --><span class=\"likebtn-wrapper\"  data-identifier=\"post_38954\"  data-site_id=\"63347fe36fd08b6c05de3d9e\"  data-dislike_enabled=\"false\"  data-icon_dislike_show=\"false\"  data-white_label=\"true\"  data-style=\"\"  data-unlike_allowed=\"\"  data-show_copyright=\"\"  data-item_url=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/mark-cruz-appointed-as-senior-advisor-to-hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\"  data-item_title=\"Mark Cruz appointed as Senior Advisor to HHS Secretary Robert. F. Kennedy Jr.\"  data-item_image=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/files\/2025\/07\/4p1-1.jpg\"  data-item_date=\"2025-07-11T07:20:09-05:00\"  data-engine=\"WordPress\"  data-plugin_v=\"2.6.59\"  data-prx=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php?action=likebtn_prx\"  data-event_handler=\"likebtn_eh\" ><\/span><!-- LikeBtn.com END --><\/div><p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZYOQ49B-hGo\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_37823\" style=\"width: 774px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/files\/2025\/07\/4p1-1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37823\" class=\"wp-image-37823 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/files\/2025\/07\/4p1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"764\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-37823\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cI had the honor of swearing in Mark Cruz as Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Indian Health Services. central focus.\u201d \u2013 HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr,<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>WASHINGTON DC \u2013 Mark Cruz\u2019s appointment as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on June 19, 2025, represents a significant milestone in the federal government\u2019s engagement with Indian Country. As a Tribal citizen of the Klamath Tribes, Cruz\u2019s role underscores a commitment to elevating Native voices within high-level government decision-making, specifically within the Indian Health Services (IHS), a vital division responsible for Native health issues.<\/p>\n<p>This appointment fulfills Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.\u2019s promise to enhance Native representation in federal health leadership, promoting policies that better address the health needs of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI\/AN) communities. It also reflects a broader acknowledgment of the federal government\u2019s trust and treaty responsibilities to these communities, emphasizing the importance of culturally sensitive and community-led health initiatives.<\/p>\n<p>Organizations such as the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) have long advocated for more Native representation in administrative positions, recognizing that such leadership is essential for advancing health equity and respecting the sovereignty of Tribal nations. Cruz\u2019s role not only symbolizes progress but also aims to foster stronger collaboration across HHS divisions to prioritize AI\/AN health issues.<\/p>\n<p>NIHB expressed its congratulations to Mark Cruz on his appointment and looks forward to working with him to ensure that AI\/AN health priorities remain prominent within the federal health agenda. His leadership is expected to drive meaningful change and strengthen the government\u2019s commitment to serving Native communities effectively.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI had the honor of swearing in Mark Cruz as Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Indian Health Services. Indian Country is not just a concern of mine\u2014it is a top priority. We cannot Make America Healthy Again without making Native health a central focus.\u201d \u2013 Secretary Kennedy<\/p>\n<p>Watch the swearing in video <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZYOQ49B-hGo\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nativesunnews.today\/articles\/mark-cruz-appointed-as-senior-advisor-to-hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\">Mark Cruz appointed as Senior Advisor to HHS Secretary Robert. F. Kennedy Jr.<\/a> first appeared on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nativesunnews.today\">Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"likebtn_container\" style=\"\"><!-- LikeBtn.com BEGIN --><span class=\"likebtn-wrapper\"  data-identifier=\"post_38954\"  data-site_id=\"63347fe36fd08b6c05de3d9e\"  data-dislike_enabled=\"false\"  data-icon_dislike_show=\"false\"  data-white_label=\"true\"  data-style=\"\"  data-unlike_allowed=\"\"  data-show_copyright=\"\"  data-item_url=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/mark-cruz-appointed-as-senior-advisor-to-hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\"  data-item_title=\"Mark Cruz appointed as Senior Advisor to HHS Secretary Robert. F. Kennedy Jr.\"  data-item_image=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/files\/2025\/07\/4p1-1.jpg\"  data-item_date=\"2025-07-11T07:20:09-05:00\"  data-engine=\"WordPress\"  data-plugin_v=\"2.6.59\"  data-prx=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php?action=likebtn_prx\"  data-event_handler=\"likebtn_eh\" ><\/span><!-- LikeBtn.com END --><\/div><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nativesunnews.today\/articles\/mark-cruz-appointed-as-senior-advisor-to-hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\" target=\"_blank\">Visit Original Source<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"likebtn_container\" style=\"\"><!-- LikeBtn.com BEGIN --><span class=\"likebtn-wrapper\"  data-identifier=\"post_38954\"  data-site_id=\"63347fe36fd08b6c05de3d9e\"  data-dislike_enabled=\"false\"  data-icon_dislike_show=\"false\"  data-white_label=\"true\"  data-style=\"\"  data-unlike_allowed=\"\"  data-show_copyright=\"\"  data-item_url=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/mark-cruz-appointed-as-senior-advisor-to-hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\"  data-item_title=\"Mark Cruz appointed as Senior Advisor to HHS Secretary Robert. F. Kennedy Jr.\"  data-item_image=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/files\/2025\/07\/4p1-1.jpg\"  data-item_date=\"2025-07-11T07:20:09-05:00\"  data-engine=\"WordPress\"  data-plugin_v=\"2.6.59\"  data-prx=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php?action=likebtn_prx\"  data-event_handler=\"likebtn_eh\" ><\/span><!-- LikeBtn.com END --><\/div><p>\u201cI had the honor of swearing in Mark Cruz as Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Indian Health Services. central focus.\u201d \u2013 HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr, WASHINGTON DC \u2013 Mark Cruz\u2019s appointment as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on <\/p>\n<p><a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/mark-cruz-appointed-as-senior-advisor-to-hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\">Read More<\/a><br \/><img alt='' src='https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/files\/avatars\/1541\/5d01b3efac7c3-bpthumb.png' srcset='https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/files\/avatars\/1541\/5d01b3efa3bc2-bpfull.png 2x' class='avatar avatar-32 photo' height='32' width='32' loading='lazy' decoding='async'\/>  Shared by <a href=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/membership-directory\/nativesunweekly\/profile\">Native Sun News Today<\/a>  July 11, 2025<\/p>\n<div class=\"likebtn_container\" style=\"\"><!-- LikeBtn.com BEGIN --><span class=\"likebtn-wrapper\"  data-identifier=\"post_38954\"  data-site_id=\"63347fe36fd08b6c05de3d9e\"  data-dislike_enabled=\"false\"  data-icon_dislike_show=\"false\"  data-white_label=\"true\"  data-style=\"\"  data-unlike_allowed=\"\"  data-show_copyright=\"\"  data-item_url=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/mark-cruz-appointed-as-senior-advisor-to-hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr\/\"  data-item_title=\"Mark Cruz appointed as Senior Advisor to HHS Secretary Robert. F. Kennedy Jr.\"  data-item_image=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/files\/2025\/07\/4p1-1.jpg\"  data-item_date=\"2025-07-11T07:20:09-05:00\"  data-engine=\"WordPress\"  data-plugin_v=\"2.6.59\"  data-prx=\"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php?action=likebtn_prx\"  data-event_handler=\"likebtn_eh\" ><\/span><!-- LikeBtn.com END --><\/div>","protected":false},"author":1541,"featured_media":38956,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5627],"tags":[6657],"class_list":["post-38954","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-resource-directory-blog","tag-top-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38954","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1541"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38954"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38954\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}