The Cherokee Nation's new health facility is the largest in the nation.
TAHLEQUAH, Okla.-The Cherokee Nation's new four-story, 469,000 square foot outpatient health center opened its optometry, audiology, physical rehabilitation, behavioral health, radiology, lab and pharmacy services Oct. 7.
The new facility is the largest tribal outpatient health center in the country and is opening in phases in October.
"The Cherokee Nation is excited to open this beautiful new facility that allows us to serve more of our citizens, and offer more services than they ever had before," Chief Hoskin said. "This facility is a real game changer that will improve our overall health system and is a huge investment in our local economy."
The Cherokee Nation invested about $200 million of its general fund dollars into the facility's construction and the purchase of equipment. Indian Health Service is funding $100 million per year in staffing and operating costs as part of the historic joint venture agreement with the tribe.
Following the opening of the health center's first phase, primary care, dental and resident clinic services will open to patients in late October, and a grand opening ceremony is being planned for November 14.
Cherokee Nation operates the largest tribal health system in the country with more than 1.3 million patient visits per year.
