Dr. Denise Middlebrook

Behavioral Health Specialist

Dr. Denise Middlebrook (Crow Tribe) has worked in the field of American Indian community behavioral health for nearly 25 years. After graduating with her doctorate from the University of Colorado in 1995, Denise began her career at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in the National Center for American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research. In 2000, she joined the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), where she worked closely with American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) programs within the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) branch. Denise became the Executive Director of the Intradepartmental on Native American Affairs in 2006. As the Director, she was the point of contact within the Department for coordination and consultation on health and human services issues affecting AIAN communities. She was awarded the distinguished service award by the U.S. Surgeon General and by IHS for her work with tribes. Upon leaving federal service, she has continued to focus exclusively on issues pertaining to the health and wellbeing of AIAN communities. Denise serves as the Lead Technical Assistance and Training Behavioral Health Practioner at Sister Sky Inc., where she provides assistance to the Indian Health Service, Behavioral Health 2I grantees.