OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Tribal Diagnostics CEO, Cory Littlepage was recognized with the National Indian Health Board’s (NIHB) Next Generation Award at its annual National Tribal Health Conference in early September. Awarded to a young American Indian or Alaska Native, the Next Generation Award commends the leadership and outstanding efforts to increase healthcare quality or awareness of health issues within their peer group or community on a local or national level. 

NIHB’s Next Generation Award is part of the national organization’s annual Heroes in Health gala and recognition. Every year, NIHB honors changemakers – individuals, programs, and organizations – that demonstrate excellence and commitment to tribal healthcare in advocacy, policy, education, and care.

Tribal Diagnostics Director of Tribal Relations, Bailey Walker, nominated Cory for the award, stating, “As a visionary CEO and dedicated citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Cory Littlepage is leading a transformative movement in Native-owned healthcare innovation, setting a bold example for future generations of Indigenous leaders. Through his leadership of a Native-owned diagnostic laboratory, Cory has redefined what’s possible in tribal health systems.”

Cory Littlepage founded Tribal Diagnostics, a Native American-owned leading full-service CAP-accredited clinical laboratory, in October 2015. Dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable laboratory tests, Tribal Diagnostics also supports healthcare providers with a focus on tribal and rural communities. As the Chief Executive Officer, Cory is responsible for the strategic growth and operations of the company.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be recognized by my distinguished peers for this award. Thank you to the National Indian Health Board for their partnership over the years and all their amazing work advancing the tribal health agenda in Washington, DC and across tribal communities. In tribal health, we are a community. We collectively work for better health outcomes for our Native people. This award recognizes my work in the field, but it is truly a shared effort and love by the entire staff and board of Tribal Diagnostics,” said Cory, who has two decades of experience in the healthcare field including work at Pfizer and Expert Global Solutions. “So many people forgo care because the cost, especially in underserved areas. Tribal Diagnostics was created to be a part of the solution. We strive to keep healthcare simple and provide high quality lab tests at transparent prices that people can afford.”

Bailey said working with Cory over the last seven years has taught him a lot, adding in his nomination that, “I watched Cory build a business model that blends cutting-edge science with cultural respect, community engagement, and equity-focused outcomes. I have observed, listened to, and learned from these traits in my role with Cory. Cory represents the best of the next generation—leaders who honor our traditions while pushing forward with purpose, technology, and strategic vision. His dedication to improving access to diagnostic services for tribal nations and underserved populations has already changed lives, and his forward-thinking approach ensures that the impact will be long-lasting. He is not only building infrastructure, but also hope—hope for stronger tribal public health systems, for healthier futures, and for the rise of Native excellence in all areas of healthcare.

In April 2025, Cory – alongside staff, board members, and special guests – opened to the doors to a new state-of-the-art facility. The move from a 5,000 square foot lab to a nearly 25,000 square foot space, marked a vital milestone in Tribal Diagnostics’ mission to enhance laboratory services for underserved and Native American communities. The new facility expands the lab’s diagnostic capabilities and increases staff capacity, allowing for Tribal to meet the healthcare needs of the community.

Tribal Diagnostics key achievements include:

• Partnerships with 28 tribal health systems
• Supports 697 healthcare clinics and thousands of healthcare providers across the region
• Offers over 1,000 laboratory tests to meet diverse diagnostic needs
• Operate a fleet of vehicles dedicated to timely sample pick-up across Texas and Oklahoma, ensuring efficient transport of patient samples for lab processing
• Maintains CAP accreditation, demonstrating commitment to the highest compliance and quality standards in laboratory services
• Employs a dedicated Compliance and Privacy Officer to uphold regulatory compliance and protect patient information
• Current nationwide contracts with major healthcare providers including United Healthcare, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, 23 Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans, various Medicaid and Medicare plans and hundred of regional plans

“At Tribal Diagnostics, we believe that with the right people, the right partners and the right purpose, you can build something special that expands access, delivers excellence and does it without driving up the cost of healthcare. We truly believe that this is the future of healthcare, and we’re proud to lead the way.”

About Tribal Diagnostics

Founded in 2015, Tribal Diagnostics is a full-service CAP accredited clinical laboratory that offers a wide range of laboratory tests to healthcare providers, with a special focus on serving underserved areas, particularly the Native American community. Based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma the company is dedicated to ensuring that high-quality laboratory tests are affordable and accessible to all, supporting the detection and management of critical disease states such as diabetes, heart disease, infectious disease, and substance abuse. For more information, visit www.tribaldiagnostics.com.