The Chickasaw Nation Division of Health (CNDH) continues to provide Native Americans with health services that promote healing and wellness.
The Chickasaw Nation Diabetes Care Center provides medical, educational, nutritional and exercise services to individuals affected by diabetes. During FY 2009, more than 5,500 patients received services through the specialized programs offered by the diabetes care center.
The nutrition services department provides healthy educational opportunities to citizens and community members throughout the year. This year, more than 10,000 meals were served to youth participating in various camps and other participating sites through the summer food service program.
In addition, the farmers’ market nutrition program provides many possibilities for improved nutrition for seniors and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program participants.
Through this program, more than 3,000 WIC participants and more than 3,400 seniors received vouchers for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets and farm stands. In addition, the WIC program implemented a new food package on August 1, 2009. For the first time in 20 years, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and soy products have been added. The new food options combined with interactive nutrition education opportunities will encourage and teach both parents and children how to prevent life-altering diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
Providing opportunities for overall wellness and increased physical activity is important to the Chickasaw Nation. The wellness centers located in Ada, Ardmore and Tishomingo have seen a significant amount of activity this year. These facilities provide a range of diverse opportunities including exercise equipment, wellness classes, walking tracks, pools and gymnasiums. Combined, the three wellness centers have more than 10,000 active members who made more than 96,000 visits during FY 2009. New and exciting opportunities will soon be available at the Ardmore and Tishomingo wellness centers with the addition of a pool at each location. The pools will allow for structured water aerobic classes and specialty classes including aquatic exercise activities for those with arthritis. In addition to classes conducted by qualified trainers, unstructured lap swim times will also be offered to allow participants to exercise at their own pace.
The pharmacy department has also achieved much success over the past year. The department filled more than 940,000 prescriptions during FY 2009, an overall increase of eight percent over the previous year. In addition, the services at‑large prescription volume has doubled compared to last year. During FY 2008, the automated telephone refill system and Internet refill system became fully functional. Both systems have been successful and have proven to be very popular with patients. During the past year, more than 6,600 calls were received through the automated telephone refill system, and more than 8,800 prescriptions were processed. In addition, the pharmacy refill feature on the Chickasaw Nation website has been accessed more than 10,500 times.
Tribal health programs also experienced much growth over the past year. The services at-large health spending account participation has grown to include more than 450 clients per month, with reimbursements exceeding $346,000 during FY 2009.
As a major provider of health care in communities across the Chickasaw Nation, CNDH is committed to creating a healthy environment for patients, visitors, employees and volunteers. As a result of this effort, on May 11, 2009, all CNDH campuses became tobacco free. To help ease the transition, CNDH offers tobacco cessation classes and a variety of other tools to assist patients and employees.
Other accomplishments:
- In FY 2009, CNDH had more than 395,000 patient visits.
- The dental clinic had more than 14,400 visits.
- Throughout the year, 610 babies were delivered at the Carl Albert Indian Health Facility.
- Optometry in Ada, Ardmore and Tishomingo had more than 7,900 visits during FY 2009.
- More than 2,400 clients were served through the services at-large eye glasses program.
- The food distribution program served an average of 1,713 households comprised of 4,514 household members each month during FY 2009.
- The Get Fresh! program expanded school-based youth nutrition education initiatives to reach more than 25 school districts during FY 2009.
Chickasaw Nation Medical Center
Progress continues on the new medical facility
Ground was broken for the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center on November 9, 2007 and construction commenced on November 12, 2007. Since that time, progress has been remarkable.
The new 370,000 square foot facility will feature a 72-bed hospital, level 3 emergency department, ambulatory care facility, diabetes care center, dental clinic, diagnostic imaging center and women’s health center, all on one campus.
The last of 442 concrete underground piers were installed in July 2008. A massive 2,800 tons of steel have been erected at the site. In addition, 750,000 square feet of concrete paving is near completion. Roofing on the hospital, clinic and central plant is complete. Interior wall framing and mechanical work including plumbing, installation of sprinklers and medical gasses are progressing and near completion. In addition, exterior windows and curtain walls are being installed. Installation of beautiful Oklahoma stone is also well underway and can be seen from the front of the facility.
Over time, CNDH expects to add 300 new positions, to include doctors, nurses and support staff.
The new facility will see an increase of staff for many areas of service including family practice, dental, obstetrical/gynecological and optometry. Imaging will also expand to cover an extensive range of services. New equipment will include CT scan, MRI and women’s imaging with digital mammography, ultrasound and bone scan. This new state-of-the-art facility will allow the Chickasaw Nation to provide the highest quality patient care for generations to come.
