Capt. Charles Q. North, MD, MS, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provides medical advice and guidance to the Office of the Director and staff on American Indian and Alaska Native health care policies and issues. He is the primary liaison and advocate for IHS field clinical programs and community-based health professionals. Dr. North began his career with the IHS in 1977 as a family physician and Director of Community Health Services in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Among his numerous honors and awards are the Lifetime Achievement Award from the IHS National Council of Clinical Directors; Physician Executive of the Year from the Surgeon General Physicians Professional Advisory Committee; and HHS Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service.