Seattle Indian Health Board
The Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB) provides an urban medical home to members of more than 200 American Indian and Alaska Native tribes. Approximately 60 percent of our clients are American Indian and/or Alaska Native, and 25 percent are under the age of 19. The remainder of our clientele is made up of a broad ethnic and age range that reflects the diverse communities which surround our clinic located in the International District.
SIHB is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and was established in 1970 as a volunteer medical clinic in response to the need for culturally appropriate, accessible health care services for Seattle’s American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. The mission of SIHB is to assist the AI/AN population in achieving the highest possible physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being through the provision of culturally appropriate services, and to advocate for the needs of all Indian people, especially the most vulnerable members of our community.
SIHB was established as a satellite site of the Swedish Cherry Hill residency in 1994. In-hospital rotations for SIHB residents are identical to the residents at the Swedish Cherry Hill site, while their ambulatory practice takes place at SIHB. All SIHB residents complete at least one away elective at Indian Health Service (IHS) or tribal facilities outside of Seattle.
SIHB residents for the 2022-2023 academic year
An example of the Native art seen throughout the clinic at SIHB
Residents at SIHB receive excellent training for careers in indigenous health care, such as IHS and rural or urban Indian health centers. Residents have special opportunities to learn about Indian health including participation in community outreach and SIHB’s robust traditional Indian medicine service. These skills can also be utilized by any family doctor interested in serving an underserved, resource-poor population in a culturally appropriate manner at home or abroad.
As an accredited FQHC, SIHB has on-site pharmacy, laboratory, WIC, diabetes educators, nutrition services, dental services, behavioral health programs in mental health and chemical dependency, and community health and case-management services. SIHB also operates the Chief Seattle Club, a community center with social and health services for the homeless, and the Urban Indian Health Institute, a research and grant writing unit serving the nation’s Urban Indian Health Clinics.
SIHB’s NRMP Match number is 1755120C5.
Patients at a Glance
Racial and Ethnic Identity, 2021
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 61% |
| Asian | 3% |
| Black/African American | 10% |
| Hawaiian Native/Other Pacific Islander | 1% |
| Hispanic | 13% |
| Multiracial | 12% |
| White | 11% |
Language, 2021
3% of patients are best served in a language other than English.
Age, 2021
16% under 18 y/o, 11% over 65 y/o
Virtual Tour
Take a look around the Seattle Indian Health Board and learn about their indigenous-informed approach to caring for patients or, rather, relatives.