By
Benny Polacca
The Osage Nation Health Authority Board has hired Kirk Shaw as clinic manager for the Wah-Zha-Zhi Health Center in Pawhuska.
Shaw (Osage) started working at the clinic in April and has worked for Indian Health Service in business administration-related posts, in addition to holding college degrees in business. Shaw joins the WHC after predecessor Daniel Sherron resigned in January to take a similar health service position for the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma, where he is a tribal member.
“Kirk Shaw has a Bachelor’s degree in business management and a Master’s degree in business administration and has worked in purchased and referred care, contracting and procurement over the last two years at the Indian Health Service,” said Dr. Ron Shaw, the CEO for the WHC/ Osage Nation Health Services. Dr. Shaw and Kirk Shaw are not related, but both come from the Grayhorse District.
“(Shaw) was interviewed by the Osage Nation Health Authority Board who also approved his hire,” Dr. Shaw said.
Kirk Shaw joins the WHC staff in the middle of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, which has altered clinic operations with the staff taking on extra training and policies/ procedures to handle COVID-19 testing and to treat patients who may be ill with the contagious virus.
Shaw attended his first HAB meeting on April 23 with the board and health officials meeting by teleconference where he delivered a progress report on his first weeks at the clinic. Shaw said he is learning about self-governance issues regarding the clinic as part of his orientation with the drive-thru COVID-19 clinics also starting in April. In addition, the clinic holds staff meetings on COVID-19 updates, which Shaw also attends.
“Day-to-day because of COVID, it changes every day for me, and I understand that’s how it’s going to be for my job, but I feel like right now even more so, there’s something else that pops up every single day,” Shaw told the board. “Next month, I’ll be full-go as far as a clinic manager report goes.”
According to his LinkedIn page, Shaw’s professional experience includes work as a contract specialist and PRC technician for the Oklahoma City Area IHS office. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Oklahoma State University and also holds a master’s of business administration degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
“Mr. Shaw is the future in management for the Wahzhazhe Health Center. He impressed the board with his experience and potential and was raised in a traditional manner and knows our ways. I look forward to working with him,” Dr. Shaw said.
Former interim clinic manager Laura Sawney continues to work in a WHC administrative role as Chief Operations Compliance Officer.
The WHC in Pawhuska can be reached at (918) 287-9300. For more information about the WHC, visit: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/what-we-do/wah-zha-zhi-health-center.
Original Publish Date: 2020-05-12 00:00:00
