By Tony Choate, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
ADA, Okla. - The Chickasaw Nation Health System (CNHS) was selected Oct. 17, 2007 to receive millions in additional annual funding under the Indian Health Service Joint Venture program.
Selection of the CNHS for inclusion in the program is based on plans to construct a $135 million state-of-the-art health facility in Ada. Construction of the new facility is slated to begin in November of this year.
The new, 370,000 square foot facility will almost triple the size of the Carl Albert Indian Health Facility.
Joint Venture funding will provide millions of dollars in annual funding for staff and operational needs of the new facility for a minimum of 20 years.
Dr. Charles Grim, Indian Health Service (IHS) Director of policy Review, was present to commemorate the groundbreaking and stated, "we are very proud to be a partner with you."
Over time, the CNHS expects to add 300 new positions, which include doctors, nurses and other workers, to staff the facility. Through the unique joint venture partnership with IHS, the Joint Venture funds will enable CNHS to fully staff the new facility much more quickly than would have been possible otherwise.
Plans for the new facility include a 70-bed hospital, level 3 emergency department, ambulatory care facility, diabetes care center, dental clinic, pharmacy refill center, diagnostic imaging center and women's health center, all located on a single campus.
The Joint Venture construction program was established to develop partnerships between tribes and the Indian Health Service.
Under the program, tribes who acquire or construct a tribally-owned health care facility may be selected to participate.
In exchange for purchasing or constructing a health care facility with tribal funds, the Indian Health Service provides funding for certain staffing and operational costs.
Selection for the award was a highly competitive process, with 71 tribes voicing interest.
The Chickasaw Nation was one of only two tribes in the U.S. selected this year for the program.
The Absentee Shawnee tribe in Oklahoma was also selected to receive joint venture funds.
