TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Cherokee Nation leaders gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Public Health Programs Office in Tahlequah on Monday, Aug. 24.
“Public Health and Wellness have been of utmost importance to Deputy Chief Warner and I and this building is just another investment into those efforts. This building will provide easier access for Cherokee citizens to learn more about our many public health programs and how they can better utilize them,” Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said. “I’m appreciative of our Public Health team as I know they are constantly working hard and I truly believe this building will be utilized to its fullest potential.”
The new office is located at 1930 S. Muskogee Ave. in Tahlequah.
The Public Health Programs Office will serve as a one-stop shop for the public to access Cherokee Nation Public Health programs. The building will offer on-site support like a front desk navigator, a customer service representative and Public Health Nurses and Community Health Workers will also be on-site. The facility will also serve as a place for the public to sign up for WIC program services, visit with breastfeeding advocates for support, sign up for programs like Wings and wellness centers, receive vaccinations and screenings, learn about tobacco cessation support and much more.
“What a proud day to open this building, not just for Cherokee citizens, but for our neighbors as well. Public Health impacts all and I’m excited for this building to be utilized,” Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner said. “Cherokee Nation has an incredible Public Health team that are here to always help citizens as much as they can. This department continues to do inspiring, amazing work and this building will help them continue those efforts.”
A new Public Health kiosk is also located outside of the building that can be used at all hours. The kiosk offers high-quality, reliable public health resources, such as Narcan, sunscreen, emergency blankets, first aid kits and much more, for no cost.
“This new space reflects our ongoing commitment to building a world class system of wellness, working together for the well-being of all Cherokee families,” Public Health Executive Director Lisa Pivec said. “Every program in this building supports our vision of a healthier Cherokee Nation, one driven by shared values, community partnerships and evidence-based strategies.”
In 2021, Chief Hoskin signed the Public Health and Wellness Fund Act, which dedicates 10% of the tribe’s annual third-party health insurance collected to physical and wellness programs. The act has funded the building of facilities like the Tahlequah Wellness Center, the Mary L. (Holland) Carson Wellness Center and many more public health programs and facilities.
“The Cherokee Nation believes that good public health practice is one that takes a systems approach. Health does not happen in isolation, and it is never the responsibility of one clinic, one program, or one office alone. Our public health system is made up of many partners including tribal programs, public agencies, private organizations, and community groups all working together to assure the conditions in which our citizens can be healthy,” Councilor for District 1 Sasha Blackfox-Qualls said.
The Public Health Programs Office will be open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information on the many services and programs through Cherokee Nation Public Health, visit https://www.cherokeepublichealth.org.