PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2018
OKEMAH, Okla. – The Muscogee (Creek) Nation held the ribbon cutting of the new 118,075 square-foot Okemah Creek Nation Community Hospital and dedicated the facility to all tribal citizens, as well as the community of Okemah and surrounding areas on March 2, 2018.
The facility is only one of two Indian-owned hospitals in Oklahoma that serves the general public with the other being the MCN Medical Center in Okmulgee, Okla.
The state of the art facility is a landmark for the Nation as it replaces the previous community hospital, which was purchased by the MCN in 1977 as the first tribal-owned hospital in the U.S. through the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and through partnership with Okfuskee County.
MCN Principal Chief James R. Floyd spoke on the investment of the new facility and the journey leading up to this event.
“I think the most important thing is that this investment is in an area of the most under-served healthcare area that you would probably find in the state of Oklahoma,” Floyd said. “We chose this one very carefully because we knew that this investment had to work. Just gauging the size of the crowd this morning, I don’t think we have to worry about that in the future.”
Floyd, along with MCN Department of Health Secretary Shawn Terry, thanked former and present MCN National Council Members, Indian Health Services, the city of Okemah, as well as state elected officials and other dignitaries present.
Okemah Chamber of Commerce President Alan Oatsvall thanked the Nation for its partnership and investment to the community.
“I’ve never stood in front of such a dignified crowd of people and I can feel the pride that you all have for your nation and for this facility, for your community,” Oatsvall said. As the chamber president, it is my job to help grow the community and having a partner like the Creek Nation is really big… The people, whether they are part of the tribe or not, are able to utilize some of these facilities and for us that is a big deal. We don’t take it lightly.”
The event offered tours to attendees to view the hospital amenities and Mvskoke culture referenced throughout one last time before the grand opening.
The replacement facility has 14 total treatment rooms in the Emergency Department versus the three rooms at the previous location. Along with a Wellness Center equipped with a demonstration kitchen that will also house Diabetes Prevention and Physical Therapy in the future.
The hospital was constructed economically friendly with future sustainability and growth of the facility in mind ranging from recycled material to LED lighting and Geothermal Climate Control.
The Mvskoke designs are present throughout the building down to the smallest details including maternal features reflecting Mvskoke’s maternal society, as well as traditional symbol styles shown in art and an earth-inspired color scheme.
The new location, which is more accessible for patients, is located at 1800 E. Coplin Rd. Okemah, Okla. 74859.
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