Tulsa World: Cherokees take charge of hospital

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Cherokees take charge of hospital
The Indian medical center had been run by the U.S. government.

By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer
Published: 10/2/2008 2:07 AM
Last Modified: 10/2/2008 2:07 AM

The Indian medical center had been run by the U.S. government.

TAHLEQUAH — As the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services flag outside the W.W. Hastings Indian Clinic was lowered Wednesday morning and a Cherokee Nation flag was raised, it became official — the Cherokee Nation was operating the hospital.

W.W. Hastings has served many American Indians of all tribes over the years, and officials expressed confidence that patients would continue to receive quality care.

Dignitaries from the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole nations, as well as Indian Health Services, tribal citizens and medical personnel attended the ceremony.

But not everyone was happy to see the Cherokees take control of the hospital. The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against several top government officials, alleging that they broke the law by not consulting with the UKB about the contract.

The Cherokee Nation began looking at Hastings in January, and the tribe's council recently approved a compact to operate it.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith said, "We are very anxious to show that this partnership will bring better health care to Indian Country here in the Cherokee Nation.

"I've been in office now for several years, and the greatest blessing I've had is to see something go from the back of a napkin to reality."

The tribe also owns 45 acres adjacent to the hospital and has plans to build an outpatient surgery center, a separate urgent care facility, a medical support building and a doctors building.

Muscogee (Creek) Nation Chief A.D. Ellis said that about 11,000 Creek citizens live near the hospital.

"We're going to work with the Cherokee Nation and any other Indian tribe that provides better health care to our citizens," he said.

Dr. Gloria Grim, the medical director for Cherokee Nation Health Services, said the changeover would enable Hastings to grow in ways it could not before.

" They will now have the tools they need, the equipment they need and then some of the niceties that you as patients need," she said.

Hickory Starr, the acting area director for the Indian Health Service, said that the hospital would be in good hands.

"I know there are questions, and one of those questions has to be 'is this a good thing?' " Starr said. "It is."

Clifton Adcock 581-8462
clifton.adcock@tulsaworld.com By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer

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	Report Comment Bullhead, Stilwell (10/2/2008 8:42:49 AM) Yes, this is a good thing. I'm in hopes that some of the policies will be changed and more focused on the patient and not a federal government workers rights. I'm also hoping some of the horror stories that have been told about the care at Hastings Indian Hospital will be few and far between. I believe under the direction of Dr. Grim and Ms. Gower, good things will happen.. especially when it comes to emergency care and the pharmacy.
	Report Comment John BA, Broken Arrow (10/2/2008 9:31:51 AM) I think this is a good move. I am confident it will improve healthcare.
	Report Comment Ramirez, Tulsa (10/2/2008 10:44:33 AM) Yeah, we'll see how the takeover changes the hospital. I hope they get better, caring doctors. It's pretty bad, when you don't even want to go to your own hospital in case of an emergency. Like I said, they need to get Doctors that care about their patients!!!
	Report Comment WHAT???, Tulsa (10/2/2008 10:53:15 AM) I am sooo happy about this change. If you have ever been to the clinics in Jay, Nowata, or Bartlesville you know how great the staff at tribally run clinics are. I have every faith that the standard of care at Hastings will improve.
	Report Comment crystal, (10/2/2008 3:25:35 PM) It all comes down to money, IHS has not increased funding for CIH or Hastings in a long time. Good luck to the Cherokees! Put that casino money to work for the good of your people!

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