Mon, Dec 01 2008
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Published August 29, 2008 12:16 pm - Cherokee Nation moves to assume Hastings Hospital The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council voted 13 to 4 to assume operations of W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah during a special meeting Thursday in Tahlequah.
All tribal council members were present for the vote. Councilors Bill John Baker and Tina Glory-Jordan, representing Cherokee County, and Councilors Jodie Fishinghawk and Joe Crittenden, representing Adair County, voted against the expanded health care measure. Though members of the local media are typically notified of such special meetings, that wasn’t the case this time. The Cherokee Nation is scheduled to officially assume operations of the hospital Oct. 1. “This is an exciting opportunity for not only Cherokees, but for all Native Americans who use this hospital,” said Chad Smith, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. “By the council and administration working together, we can now begin to build the best health care system in northeastern Oklahoma.” In July, the Cherokee Nation announced its plan to construct several new buildings in the coming years as part of a comprehensive health care center that would include a new 200,000 square-foot health care facility, a new surgery center, and new buildings for doctors, medical storage and health care programs and would incorporate W.W. Hastings Hospital as well. The buildings are planned for a 45-acre site next to the hospital. Last year, the hospital recorded approximately 244,000 patient visits in a space meant to accommodate approximately 60,000 patient visits, resulting in nearly four-times the number of patient visits per year than was planned for the existing space. “I think it’s going to be good. I just hope this means we will get some more pediatric doctors here at the hospital,” said Valerie Maher of Tahlequah. Maher’s hope for a pediatrician could come to pass. It is anticipated that assumption of services by the Cherokee Nation will greatly increase the amount of funding available for health care services. In addition to the amounts transferred from Indian Health Service, new funding will become available to the Nation that is not available to the hospital. This additional funding would provide opportunities for more health care professionals in all programs, including pediatrics. 
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