This fall, United Indian Health Services reached a milestone that has been years in the making: the successful launch of the Epic electronic health record (EHR) system. Epic is the nation’s leading healthcare platform, trusted by organizations around the world, and now it is helping UIHS deliver on its mission to provide high-quality, culturally respectful care for our clients.
While Epic is a technology upgrade on the surface, it represents much more—a transformation in the way care is connected across all our clinics and departments.
What Epic Means for Clients
At its heart, Epic makes healthcare easier, clearer, and more personal for clients. For the first time, health records are fully integrated across UIHS. Whether a client is at Crescent City, Weitchpec, Fortuna, or Potawot, their care team has access to the same complete information.
Providers can see visit histories, lab results, immunizations, and medication lists instantly, reducing duplicate paperwork and ensuring nothing gets missed.
The biggest change clients will notice is MyChart, the secure patient portal that puts health information right at their fingertips. With MyChart, clients can:
- Review lab and imaging results as soon as they are available
- Send secure messages directly to their care team
- Request medication refills
- Schedule, confirm, or reschedule appointments
- Access after-visit instructions and preventive care reminders.
This means clients no longer need to wait for phone calls or mailed results. They can take an active role in managing their health, ask questions, and stay connected with UIHS on their own schedule.
The Effort Behind the Transition
Bringing Epic to UIHS has been one of the most complex projects in our history. It required years of planning, detailed system design, countless hours of training, and an incredible amount of teamwork. Staff across all departments—medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, administration, registration, fiscal, Tribal Public Health and IT—came together to learn new workflows and support each other through the transition.
“Our teams have been amazing,” said one member of the implementation group. “Epic isn’t just a new tool—it’s a whole new way of working. Watching everyone lean in, support one another, and keep the focus on clients has been inspiring.”
From the earliest testing to the first week of “Go-Live,” staff worked late nights, attended training after training, and adapted with resilience. It was not always easy, but the shared goal was clear: making healthcare safer, more accessible, and more client-centered.
A Platform for the Future
Epic also prepares UIHS for what comes next. Because it is the most widely adopted EHR in the country, Epic continually evolves, offering new features and partnerships. This opens the door to expanded telehealth, more specialty care coordination, and the ability to connect with other health systems when our clients need care outside of UIHS.
Top 5 Things You Can Do in MyChart
1. Check Test Results
View your lab and imaging results as soon as they’re ready—no waiting for a phone call or letter.
2. Message Your Care Team
Send secure messages to your provider and get answers to your health questions quickly.
3. Manage Appointments
Schedule, confirm, or reschedule visits at your convenience—right from your phone or computer.
4. Request Refills
No need to call the pharmacy—simply request medication refills through MyChart.
5. Access After-Visit Instructions
Review notes, care instructions, and reminders to stay on top of your health.
Coming Soon: More features like expanded telehealth visits and enhanced preventive care reminders!