The Indian Health Service (IHS) and the University at Buffalo have agreed to work together to improve the health of Native Americans in New York State and Southern Ontario.

Susan V. Karol, chief medical officer for IHS, and Michael Cain, UB vice president for health sciences, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that formally established a collaborative relationship between UB and IHS.

Under the MOU, UB will work with IHS to develop an alliance of regional public health and medical institutions to serve the priority needs of Native American communities in the areas of education, research, consultation and technical assistance, capacity building and direct services.