The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma cut the ribbon on an $8.5 million project to increase space and update the Choctaw Nation Health Care Center’s Residency and Specialty Clinics. The project expanded the Residency Clinic to include 10 additional exam rooms and four new treatment rooms. The Specialty Clinic was remodeled, and more workspace added.

“When I’m in Talihina, I think back to the 1990’s when we desperately needed a place for our tribal members to get emergency and tertiary care and that’s what we started building,” said Chief Gary Batton. “Back then, we provided about 200,000 visits a year and today we’re over a million patient visits, growing each year. Being able to provide the services in the Specialty Clinic so our people don’t have to drive further for care is great for our tribal members.”

The additional space will open more appointment times for patients, decreasing the wait time for both clinics. The additional treatment rooms will provide services not previously offered, reducing the referrals to outside facilities.

“We’re proud of the care we provide our patients,” said Todd Hallmark, executive officer for Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA). “The additional space will provide opportunities for parents and children to be seen the same day, reducing travel time for our families. It’s also a beautiful, modern space for our physicians to work, collaborate and learn.”

More info on the Residency Clinic can be found on the Choctaw Nation’s website. The Specialty Clinic houses ENT (ear, nose, and throat), cardiology, pulmonary and our Cancer Survivorship Clinic.