South Dakota native Dr. Yvette Roubideaux was confirmed unanimously Wednesday evening by the U.S. Senate to become the next head of Indian Health Service.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today welcomed Roubideaux and HHS Deputy Secretary Bill Corr, who was also confirmed on Wednesday.

"Dr. Roubideaux has spent her life working to improve health care for Native Americans," said Sebelius. "She has seen the Indian Health Service (IHS) through the eyes of a patient and a doctor, and I know she is the leader we need to strengthen IHS and ensure we keep our promise to provide quality health care to Native Americans."

Roubideaux was born in Pierre, graduated from high school in Rapid City, practiced internal medicine at IHS facilities and has worked at several IHS-run hospitals.

About 1.9 million Native Americans get care through tribally operated health programs or the Indian Health Service, which is responsible to offer federal health care services to Native Americans.

She served most recently as an assistant professor in the Department of Family & Community Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. She has conducted extensive research on Native American health issues, with a focus on diabetes in Native Americans/Alaska Natives and Indian health policy.

Roubideaux previously worked in the Indian Health Service as a medical officer and clinical director on the San Carlos Indian Reservation and in the Gila River Indian Community.

Roubideaux, 46, is a member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe. She received her M.D. from Harvard Medical School and her M.P.H. from the Harvard School of Public Health.