EL RENO, OK – The Indian Health Service (IHS), in partnership with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, held a grand opening ceremony for the expansion of the El Reno Indian Health Center in Oklahoma. The 16,000 sq. ft. expansion allows for additional primary care, pediatrics, pharmacy, and laboratory services, along with new services that include dental, physical therapy, optometry, radiology, audiology and podiatry services.
“IHS has worked in partnership with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes to ensure that tribal members continue to have access to a wide range of critical health care services,” said IHS Director Roselyn Tso. “We remain committed to providing quality health care services to all direct service tribes throughout the Indian health system.”
This project has been in the works for several years after the original El Reno Indian Health Center building closed as a result of damage from a tornado in 2013. A portion of services provided at the original facility were reopened at a new location in 2014, but were limited due to the size of the new facility. A groundbreaking was then held in 2020 for the expansion of the facility that would resume the services that were limited, while also adding additional services. The expanded facility opened in April 2022 while construction continued to finish on phase two of the project. A planned phase three will also include additional behavioral health services and expanded primary care, dental, audiology, physical therapy and radiology services.
“This collaborative project marks a significant investment for improving access to care in El Reno and its surrounding communities,” said IHS Oklahoma City Area Director Rear Adm., Travis Watts. “We look forward to continuing to work with our tribal partners as we expand on the services we are able to provide.”
Located in the Oklahoma City suburb of El Reno, the center is part of the Clinton Service Unit and provides primary services to more than 13,500 tribal members. The center is accredited by the Joint Commission and is a Certified Primary Care Medical Home.
The IHS worked in partnership with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe to ensure that the facility upholds and honors their cultural history, with rich cultural colors, language and artwork throughout. The inside of the facility also includes a mural that was painted by Cheyenne Chief Gordon Yellowman.
The IHS Oklahoma City Area serves the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, and portions of Texas. The Area consists of eight service units with federally operated hospitals, clinics and smaller health stations.
