Success Stories

Inaugural Group of Community Health Aide (CHA) Providers gather for “White Coat” Ceremony.

CHA Cohort

The inaugural group of Community Health Aide (CHA) trainees met for an in-person “Skills” training session at Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Community Health Center, in Port Gamble, Washington. The CHA 101 Pilot Cohort consists of students from Washington, Idaho and Oklahoma. Community Health Aides (CHAs) are certified primary and emergency care providers who have close cultural ties and connections to the communities they serve. CHAs practice under the supervision of a licensed clinical provider, such as a physician or advanced practice provider. Examples of CHA duties include exams, taking vital signs, medication management and family planning.

The CHA 101 program began in February 2026, and students have been learning Anatomy and Physiology, Medical Math, Introduction to Patient Care, Indigenous Practices in Self Care, Epocrates, Emergency Patient Care, Medical Language, and Physical Exam. 

A provider “White Coat Ceremony” was held Wednesday, May 20, 2026, and CHA 101 students pledged the Hippocratic Oath and were presented with “white coats” as new Community Health Aides (CHA) trainees. The CHA Pilot Cohort consists of students from the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe (Washington), Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (Idaho), and Otoe Missouria Tribe (Oklahoma).

The Community Health Aide (CHA) Program is facilitated by the Tribal Community Health Provider Program (TCHPP) which is a program of the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB). The TCHPP builds and sustains educational programs to train Dental Health Aides (DHA), Behavioral Health Aides (BHA) and Community Health Aides (CHA). Working in partnership with tribes and tribal health organizations to promote tribal self-governance and sovereignty by removing barriers to health care services and health education.

Congratulations to the Students, Tribal Health Organizations (THOs), and Tribes enrolled in the Community Health Aide Provider (CHA/P) Pilot Program.