Verni Harrison-Yazza

Verni Harrison-Yazza serves as a key procurement lead within the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, overseeing acquisitions critical to sustaining healthcare delivery across remote Indigenous communities. Responsible for managing a diverse portfolio of contracts, they ensure timely procurement of clinical supplies, diagnostic equipment, and operational support services that align with the agency’s mission of equitable, culturally competent care. Their work directly supports preventive health initiatives, surgical readiness, laboratory diagnostics, and facility infrastructure needs, with a strong emphasis on compliance with federal procurement regulations and tribal sovereignty principles. Their primary contractor relationship is with Regency Consulting Inc., a trusted vendor providing temporary staffing and administrative support services essential to maintaining clinical operations. Harrison-Yazza consistently engages with vendors capable of delivering flexible, on-demand workforce solutions, fostering long-term partnerships grounded in reliability and cultural competency. These relationships are cultivated to meet the dynamic staffing demands of rural health clinics and mobile medical units serving the Navajo Nation. Set-aside preferences reflect a deep commitment to Indian-owned economic enterprises, with nearly half of all acquisitions designated under the Buy Indian Act, prioritizing Native-owned businesses in alignment with federal mandates for tribal self-determination. While the majority of contracts utilize the Buy Indian set-aside, a significant portion remains open to general competition, demonstrating a balanced approach that supports both tribal economic development and operational scalability. The procurement portfolio is overwhelmingly focused on NAICS 561320 (Temporary Help Services), underscoring a strategic reliance on flexible staffing to address workforce gaps in underserved areas. Secondary focus areas include surgical and medical instrument manufacturing, reflecting targeted investments in clinical infrastructure. Harrison-Yazza’s expertise lies in aligning procurement strategy with the unique logistical and cultural challenges of delivering healthcare in remote tribal communities.