Our Mission
The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center (GLIIHC) grew out of an awareness in the 1970s of the poor health of Milwaukee’s Native American community. Since its inception, GLIIHC has tripled in size and besides the medical clinic, houses a pharmacy, dental clinic, behavioral health center and a fitness center that is used by our physical therapist.
We provide comprehensive and culturally sensitive health care for the whole family. Tradition reminds us that in order to heal, every part of a human being must be addressed: The mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Our team strives to improve the essential health, peace and well-being of those that reside in the metropolitan Milwaukee area.
Your treatment encompasses the whole family, including the community. Located in the heart of Milwaukee’s near South Side, at 930 W. Historic Mitchell St., your urban Indian health center’s medical, wellness, cultural, spiritual and social services are available for people of all tribes, races, and ethnicities.
The Mission
To improve the health, peace and well-being of urban Indians in the Greater Milwaukee Area.
Our Vision
That American Indians residing in Southeastern Wisconsin will recognize the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center as their first choice for receiving high-quality, culturally appropriate and accessible health services.
Our Values
Respect, Diversity, Teamwork, Accountability, Honesty, Family, and Helpfulness.
Our History
The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center (GLIIHC) was established in 1999 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) in Milwaukee. The Great Lakes region American Indian Health Clinic was created to meet the health care service needs by many tribal members from the surrounding 11 Wisconsin tribes. Many of the tribal members expressed concern about the lack of access to direct health care services in the greater Milwaukee Area.
In the state of Wisconsin, GLIIHC is one of 18 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which serve to improve the health of underserved and vulnerable populations. In 2016, GLIIHC moved from a 4,200 sq./ft health care facility to a new 32,000 sq./ft. facility located on Historic Mitchell Street. The area is racially and culturally diverse, with a primarily low-income community that lives on Milwaukee’s south side. The area is rich in culture and pride.