ADA, OK – Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby recently led groundbreaking ceremonies to begin construction on expansions to the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center (CNMC), which are designed to enhance health care services for First Americans.
Governor Anoatubby said the expansion is part of a continued investment in health care opportunities and positive outcomes for CNMC patients and providers.
“It is part of our mission to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “A mission that extends to the many First Americans and communities we serve here in Oklahoma and beyond.”
The construction project includes an expansion of the surgery department, a new parking garage, an administration building and employee gym. A sky pedestrian bridge will connect the new structures to the main hospital building.
“For years, the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center has been fundamental to the phenomenal improvements we have made in meeting the health care needs of the people,” said Anoatubby. “We celebrate the progress and another step in our health care evolution.”
Chickasaw Nation Medical Center represents the culmination of decades of learning and preparation that began with the tribe’s first hospital, the Carl Albert Indian Health Facility. Since opening in 2010, CNMC has built an international reputation for compassionate, quality health care, logging more than 1.2 million patient interactions last year.
“We have continued to progress in the volume of care and the types of services offered,” said Anoatubby. “We have continued to evolve to ensure we are meeting the specific needs of those we serve, and today is another important step in that effort.”
The 12,000 sq. ft. surgery addition will create two new operating rooms, which will increase the capability to serve additional patients and reduce wait times for procedures. The new parking garage will add nearly 400 parking spaces and will connect to the medical center with a pedestrian sky bridge, allowing visitors and patients protected access. Adjacent to the parking garage, the 19,000 sq. ft. administration building includes an employee gym. The gym will provide the appropriately 800 employees who work on the CNMC campus a dedicated space to meet their wellness needs.
“We gather here today to celebrate – to celebrate our commitment to providing the best health care possible for Chickasaw citizens and other First Americans we serve and to commemorate an expansion to our facilities that will have a positive impact on our patients, providers and health care administrators for years to come,” said Anoatubby.
Since 2010, the CNMC campus has expanded to include several service-centered facilities including: the Chikasha House, Apila Center, Veterans Lodge, pharmacy expansion, alternative care site and others.