By Sharmina Manandhar, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
CNMC dedication ceremony photo gallery
From left (with scissors) are IHS Officer Mitch Baroff, IHS Officer Gary Hartz, Chickasaw Chief Justice Barbara Smith, Justice Cheri Bellefeuille-Gordon, Chickasaw Nation legislator Holly Easterling, Choctaw Chief Gregory Pyle, 2007 Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame Inductee Pauline Brown, Gov. Bill Anoatubby, Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel, Indian Health Service Director Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, IHS Oklahoma City Area Director Rear Adm. Kevin Meeks (second row), Chickasaw Nation Division of Health Administrator Dr. Judy Goforth Parker, Chickasaw Nation legislator Mary Jo Green and Chickasaw Nation Legislator Steven Woods.
ADA, Okla. - Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby was joined by more than 1,000 tribal officials, citizens, employees and guests in a dedication ceremony 11:30 a.m., Monday, July 19 for the new Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada, Okla.
The 370,000 square-foot state-of-the-art health care facility is almost triple the size of the Carl Albert Indian Health Facility. Features include a 72-bed hospital, level 3 emergency department, ambulatory care facility, diabetes care center, dental clinic, diagnostic imaging center, women's health center, administrative offices, tribal health programs as well as a centrally located "town center" bridging the centers of patient care.
"This facility will enable us to better meet the needs of Chickasaws and other Native Americans," said Gov. Anoatubby. "When we ask Chickasaws about their priorities, health care is at the top of the list. This medical center is designed and equipped to empower our staff to offer the highest level of health care."
Unique to the new medical center is the region's only 256 slice CAT scan, which will enable health care providers to detect blockage in the heart early. The imaging department will also provide mammography, ultrasound, bone scan, CT scan and MRI services.
"Technology is the cornerstone of this new facility. We have all of the latest digital technologies available for patient care," said Bill Lance, division administrator for commerce and former division administrator for health. "For example, the 256 slice CT scan technology is so good that we may be able to prevent patients from undergoing a very invasive cardiac procedure."
Over time, the $145 million Medical Center will add about 250 new jobs to the Ada area, including doctors, nurses and support staff, thanks to the unique joint venture partnership with Indian Health Service. Awarded in 2007, the grant enables the Chickasaw Nation Division of Health to fully staff the new 230-acre campus.
"We are extremely pleased to be the first hospital replacement facility to receive the Joint Venture Funding Construction Award," said Gov. Anoatubby. "This program will provide up to $25 million per year for staffing and operation costs for the next 20 years. This will be of great benefit to the Chickasaw Nation, but more importantly, our patients will reap tremendous rewards from our investment in this facility."
Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, director of the Indian Health Service, described the new Medical Center as an "incredibly important milestone in the Chickasaw and Indian Health Service history."
"Altogether, this joint venture between the IHS and the Chickasaw Nation is a model – it is the model how to build a beautiful hospital, Medical Center, how tribes can leverage their resources for much needed facilities to provide and maintain the health of the citizens," she said. "I am so pleased that we have this beautiful new Medical Center that's a testament to the success and forward thinking and test planning of the Chickasaw Nation."
A great respect and appreciation for nature and Chickasaw culture can be seen throughout the picturesque 230-acre campus, designed for tranquility and healing, according to Dr. Judy Goforth Parker, administrator of the Chickasaw Nation Division of Health.
"If you think about our culture -- we talk about our culture, how it's important from our very young to our elderly. What we have right now is a place to take care of people across the lifespan," said Dr. Parker. "I had the opportunity in June of 1980 to go to the opening of Carl Albert Indian Health facility. Now -- to think -- it's 30 years later. We're doing it again -- it's a better facility."
The transition into the new facility will take place in late July. Patients with appointments scheduled after July 31, will be seen at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center. This location change is only for clinics located on the CAIHF campus, including Family Practice. Appointments at Chickasaw Nation satellite clinics in Purcell, Durant, Ardmore and Tishomingo will not change.
In addition, if you utilize the Pharmacy Refill Center to pick-up prescriptions, you will begin picking-up your medications at the new Chickasaw Nation Medical Center Pharmacy after July 30. The Pharmacy Refill Center will not be open to the public after this date. Also, MAPS prescriptions can only be filled Monday-Friday. Please remember to call in all prescriptions 24 hours in advance.
Patients residing within the Chickasaw Nation can also have their prescriptions delivered through Transportation Services Program. The program also provides medical transportation and requires 24-hour advance notice (72-hour notice for out-of-service area appointments). Appointments can be made between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. by calling 580-310-6453 or 1-800-492-2115.
All main phone numbers, as well as clinic listings will remain the same.
"Everything we do is central to the patient because we are here to serve the patients," said Dr. Parker. "We are here to make their lives better by improving their health and this new facility will help us achieve that goal."
For additional information about the facility move, please call (580) 421-4556 or visit www.Chickasaw.net/ChickasawNationMedicalCenter.
