Indian Health Liaison, Utah Department of Public Health
Melissa is a registered nurse with 28 years extensive experience in critical care nursing, emergency department nursing, and community health nursing, emphasizing ethnic health. Ms. Zito has worked with the American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) community for the last 17 years. Ms. Zito’s current role at the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) is Indian health liaison/health policy consultant. Ms. Zito’s role is to work with state, tribal, and federal agencies on policy reform impacting tribes, facilitate the Utah Indian Health Advisory Board, provide technical assistance where needed for the development of tribal health systems, and advise, as directed, the Governor’s Office, Utah Legislature, and Utah Congressional members regarding public health policy and its implications for AI/AN’s in Utah. In addition, her role includes facilitating working relationships between the UDOH, tribal health programs, local health departments, and private sector providers.