The Navajo Nation is expanding support for public health services and addressing critical nursing workforce needs through a new services contract between the Navajo Nation and ColoVAX, LLC.
The agreement will help ensure the Navajo Department of Health’s Public Health Nursing Program has qualified nursing personnel available to continue providing essential health services throughout Navajo communities. Public health nurses play an important role in bringing care and health resources closer to the people, particularly in rural communities where access to services can be challenging.
“This contract is the driving catalyst to get the Public Health Nursing Program off the ground with the much-needed support that should have been there,” said Sherylene M. Yazzie, Executive Director of the Navajo Department of Health. “The PHN Program has come a long way, and the structuring of this program will make a profound impact on our communities for years to come. In the Navajo Department of Health’s efforts of ‘Navajo Healing Navajo,’ we will continue working to streamline programs and work toward greater efficiency.”
The contract comes as the Department of Health continues its efforts to recruit and retain nursing professionals following the retirement of the program’s previous nurse last year. Through contracted nursing staff provided by ColoVAX, the program will gain additional personnel capacity while the Nation continues its recruitment efforts.
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren signed the agreement on August 17, 2026, authorizing a 36-month contract to provide Public Health Nursing staff for the Navajo Department of Health’s Navajo Public Health Nursing Program.
Over the next three years, the partnership is intended to provide greater staffing stability, support the continued development of the PHN Program and expand its ability to serve Navajo families and communities.
