Cherokee Nation Health Services, Tahlequah, OK (2026)

05/01/2026

🌟 Celebrating 35 Years of Exceptional Service 🌟

On Thursday, Cherokee Nation Health Services employees gathered at the Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center to honor the retirement of one of our own, Nurse Practitioner Sherri Trammel.

For 35 years, Sherri has been a steady, compassionate presence in the lives of our patients, colleagues, and community. Her career has taken her across multiple clinical settings: Adult Walk-In, Primary Care, Same Day, Urgent Care, and the HELP Clinic. In every role, she showed up with the same unwavering dedication and heart.

Sherri’s service goes far beyond the care she provided at the bedside. She embodies the Cherokee values of service, compassion, and respect, uplifting everyone around her and leaving our organization and community stronger for it.

Sherri, your commitment to the health, wellness, and prosperity of the Cherokee people will not be forgotten. Thank you for 35 remarkable years. We wish you all the joy and rest you so richly deserve! 🎉

05/01/2026

Congratulations to Patricia Sumner on her well-earned retirement after 30 incredible years of service to the Cherokee Nation! 🎉

Patti’s journey with Cherokee Nation Health Services is nothing short of inspiring. After Cherokee Nation supported her through surgical technology school, she came back and made history as the first Certified Surgical Technologist hired at W.W. Hastings Hospital in 1996.

For over a decade, Patti worked full time in the operating room before joining the Cherokee Nation Surgical Technology Program in 2010 alongside Tommy Hayes. Her belief in the program's potential and her tireless commitment to accreditation helped earn it full accreditation in 2012, opening doors for every student who followed.

The numbers speak for themselves: 102 graduates. 102 students who became eligible to sit for their national certification exam. But Patti's impact goes far beyond a number. She fought for student stipends, championed improved training facilities, helped bring the newly renovated classroom and lab space to life in 2025, and played a key role in launching the associate degree pathway through OSUIT to secure the program's future.

Patti, your dedication, your vision, and your heart for students have shaped this program in ways that will be felt for generations. Thank you for giving so much of yourself to the Cherokee Nation and to the students who were lucky enough to learn from you.

Wishing you a retirement filled with everything you deserve. 💙🌟

04/10/2026

Join us for the B.E.F.A.S.T. 5K — Stroke Awareness Run on Saturday, May 16, at the Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center in Tahlequah.

In recognition of Stroke Awareness Month, Cherokee Nation Public Health, Cherokee Nation Health Services, and Regional Brain Institute are bringing our community together for this meaningful event. The B.E.F.A.S.T. 5K is open to runners, walkers, and supporters of all ages and abilities.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke. Every minute without treatment means lost brain cells, which is why recognizing the signs and acting quickly can make the difference between recovery and permanent disability.

Stroke survivors — Your presence is powerful!
Whether you walk, cheer from the sidelines, or simply attend, you are the reason this event exists. Red event t-shirts can be purchased by following the link below. If you are a stroke survivor, we would be honored to see you there in our special red shirts.

Event Details:
• 1-Mile Fun Run: 8:00 AM
• 5K Run/Walk: 8:30 AM
• Free on-site health screenings (blood pressure, glucose, and more)
• Diabetes and nutrition education
• Stroke awareness resources
• Cholesterol and hyperlipidemia information
• Smoking cessation support

You don’t have to participate in the race to be involved — all screenings and educational resources are free and open to the public, with no registration required.

Register for the race here: https://runsignup.com/Race/OK/Tahlequah/BEFAST5K

Event Shirts:
WINGS Program members: Shirts will be distributed after the race.
Non-WINGS participants (registered for the race): Shirts can be picked up the morning of the race at packet pickup.
Supporters not participating in the race: Must place a shirt order by 9 a.m. on May 4 to receive it by race day

Order here: https://befast5k26.itemorder.com/shop/product/57984636/
Shirt colors:
• Red — Stroke Survivors
• Baby Blue — Participants and Supporters

Together, we can build a healthier, stroke-aware community — one step at a time.

03/30/2026

🌹 Happy National Doctor's Day! 🌹

Today, we pause to honor the incredible physicians and healthcare professionals at Cherokee Nation Health Services who show up every day — healing, listening, and giving hope for a healthier future for Cherokee people. Your dedication to our patients and communities does not go unnoticed. Wado. 🙏

This week, that commitment extended all the way to the Oklahoma State Capitol. On Monday, CNHS Executive Medical Director Dr. Beth Harp attended DO Day in Oklahoma City — an annual advocacy event where osteopathic physicians, residents, and medical students come together to engage with state legislators and champion the needs of patients across Oklahoma.

Also representing our communities were Dr. Natasha Bray, Dean of OSU-COM at the Cherokee Nation, and Dr. Doug C. Nolan, Associate Dean of Tribal Health Affairs at OSU-COM at the Cherokee Nation. Their presence at DO Day carries special significance — the OSU-COM at the Cherokee Nation campus is shaping the next generation of physicians for Oklahoma, particularly in rural and tribal communities where the need is greatest. Being at the table ensures that the unique healthcare needs of those communities, and the importance of training physicians in those settings, are recognized and supported at the state level.

Together, Drs. Harp, Bray, and Nolan advocated for CNHS patients, our physicians, and the future of healthcare in Oklahoma — making sure lawmakers understand the real-world impact their decisions have on access, quality, and outcomes for the people we serve.

From the exam room to the Capitol steps, our team never stops fighting for Cherokee health. Thank you to every CNHS employee on the front lines — today and every day. 💙

03/30/2026

✨ Celebrating Excellence at the 2026 Med Gala! ✨

This past Saturday, Cherokee Nation Health Services gathered at the Tulsa Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for our 2026 Med Gala — an evening dedicated to honoring the extraordinary individuals who make our mission possible every single day.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Beth Harp opened the evening with a warm welcome, followed by a blessing from Deputy Secretary of State Canaan Duncan and special remarks from Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner. Chief Operating Officers Brian Hail and Wayne Coldwell had the honor of presenting the evening's awards, and Chief Executive Officer Dr. R. Stephen Jones offered heartfelt closing remarks.

Please join us in congratulating this year's incredible award recipients! 🎉

🌟 Emerging Leader Award
Recognizing exceptional promise and innovation early in a healthcare career:
• Dr. Tyler Snyder – Physician & Associate Director of Residency Program, CNOHC
• Dr. Roy Ward – Medical Director, W.W. Hastings Hospital

🤝 Gadugi Award
Honoring those who exemplify collaboration and support their team in delivering exceptional patient care:
• Grady Bivins – Pharmacy Supervisor, Claremore Outpatient and Emergency Health Center
• Jason Brown – Primary Care APRN, CNOHC

🏆 Executive Leadership Award
Presented to outstanding individuals advancing the mission, vision, and values of CNHS:
• Christie Harris – Clinic Administrator, Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center
• Dr. Jake Whitener – Chief of Surgery & Director of Orthopedics, CNOHC

🌿 Lifetime Achievement Award
Honoring a career marked by exceptional dedication and lasting impact on healthcare and our tribe:
• Dr. Brett Gray – Deputy Executive Medical Director & Medical Director, Amo Health Center

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. The work you do for the health and well-being of Cherokee Nation citizens and our communities is a true gift. Wado! 🙏

03/26/2026

🔴 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

Now recruiting for the Wayfinder program which will include assisting visitors at the new W.W. Hastings Hospital, opening mid-2026!
Must be 18 years or older and a Cherokee citizen!

See more information below ⬇️

03/25/2026

📢 We're hiring! Join us at the Amo Health Center in Salina for a hiring event this Tuesday, March 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the second-floor conference room!

We're looking for motivated individuals to fill the following positions:
✅ Patient Access Representative
✅ Environmental Services Technicians
✅ Clerks
✅ Phlebotomist

Don't miss this opportunity to join the Cherokee Nation Health Services team and make a difference in the health and wellness of our community. Come ready to interview!

03/10/2026

🏆 Congratulations to the W.W. Hastings Hospital Inpatient Dialysis Team on receiving the 2024 IHS Director’s Award — one of the highest national honors presented by the Indian Health Service!

This prestigious recognition is a testament to the extraordinary dedication and collective efforts of our dialysis team in advancing the IHS mission and improving the health and well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native people.

🏅 Award Citation: For establishing the first IHS inpatient dialysis program in the lower 48 states, expanding lifesaving access for patients.

This milestone achievement directly supports the core goals of the IHS Agency Mission — expanding access to care, improving quality, enhancing patient safety, and strengthening operations. By building this program from the ground up, our team has not only transformed care for Cherokee Nation community members, but has set a national standard for what's possible in Indian health care.

We are incredibly proud of each and every member of this team. Thank you for your commitment, your compassion, and your relentless pursuit of better health outcomes for our people. 💙

02/20/2026

💙 A big wado to the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma for visiting us this week!

On Thursday, AFO Training Specialist Duane Howell delivered a powerful presentation to Cherokee Nation leadership, Cherokee Nation Health Services employees, and members of the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. The presentation highlighted the importance of supporting Oklahomans with autism in reaching their full potential and thriving in our communities.

Cherokee Nation also purchased 160 sensory kits from AFO, which help individuals with autism regulate their nervous system, manage anxiety, and improve focus.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. joined the event and closed with remarks on the importance of building a community where every person with autism is included, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.

We are proud to partner with organizations like the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma to make that vision a reality.

Learn more about AFO and their programs at www.autismfoundationok.org.

02/05/2026

🌿 Prevention That Works

We are proud to share groundbreaking results from a major research partnership between Cherokee Nation Behavioral Health and Emory University. The NIH HEAL Initiative® (Helping to End Addiction Long-term®) Cherokee Nation Prevention Trial II studied students across 20 rural high schools on the Reservation, testing a combined family and school-based approach to prevent substance misuse among our youth.

The results speak for themselves. By the end of 12th grade, students who participated in the intervention showed dramatically lower rates of substance use: cannabis use decreased 44%, alcohol use decreased 45%, binge drinking decreased 49%, and prescription opioid misuse decreased 57% compared to students in the control group.

This multi-year study proves that culturally informed prevention programs can create real, measurable change in our communities. We extend our gratitude to Juli Skinner, MSW, LMSW, Senior Director of Behavioral Health at CNHS, whose leadership was instrumental in this achievement, and to all the families, students, and school partners who made this work possible.

This research, published as "Primary Prevention of Drug Overdoses in Rural Low-Resource and Tribal Communities: A Cluster Randomized Trial," represents hope and a path forward for protecting our young people.

01/30/2026

Celebrating 40 Years of Dedication and Care 💙

Today, we honor the retirement of Youlanda Cain, LPN, who has devoted four decades to serving our community at the Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center in Stilwell.

Since November 18, 1985, Youlanda has been a pillar of compassionate care at our health center. For many years, she has served as our Women's Health Case Manager, touching countless lives with her expertise, kindness, and unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of Cherokee Nation families.

Forty years of service is a remarkable milestone — one that reflects not just a career, but a true calling to serve. Youlanda's dedication has made a lasting impact on our patients, our staff, and our community.

Please join us in thanking Youlanda for her incredible service and wishing her a well-deserved and joyful retirement!

Wado, Youlanda! 🧡

01/26/2026

All Cherokee Nation Health Centers will return to normal operating hours beginning Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Cherokee Nation Health Services

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