Chinle Indian Health Service

08/26/2025

08/25/2025

Public Service Announcement

Chinle Respiratory Care Clinic Drive-Through:

Closure and Alternative Care Options
Chinle, AZ - The Chinle Respiratory Care Clinic drive-through will close its doors on August 25, 2025. We want to assure you that alternative care options are available. Patients who need to
be seen for respiratory illnesses should make an appointment with primary care clinic or come to the Chinle Emergency Department if it is an emergency. If you have non-emergency medical questions, you can call the Nurse Advice call line at 1-800-242-9271.
For more information, contact Ryan Goldtooth, Public Information Officer at (928) 674-7802

08/21/2025

COVID Cases on the Rise

Chinle, AZ - COVID cases are currently high in our community. Please consider taking extra precautions to protect yourself, your family, and those around you.
Protect Yourself and Others
• Consider wearing a mask in indoor public spaces, especially crowded areas.
• Stay up to date on COVID vaccines. You may be due for a COVID vaccine if:
 You did not get one during this past fall/winter,
 You are ≥ 65 years old or have a weakened immune system and have not had a COVID vaccine in 6 months or more.
Do You Have Respiratory Symptoms?
Such as a Cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, body aches
Most mild respiratory infections (like colds, flu, and COVID) can be managed at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medicines. Most people do not need to get a test when they are sick.
When You Might Need a Test
Testing is most useful if results could change what you do next.
You may benefit from a test if you:
• Are age 50 or older
• Have chronic medical conditions (heart disease, lung disease, weakened immune system)
Why?
Because if you test positive, you may be eligible for treatments that work best when started early.
What To Do If You’re Sick
• Stay home and rest
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Wear a mask if around others
• Seek medical care if symptoms are severe (trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, dehydration)

For more information, contact Ryan Goldtooth, public information officer at (928) 674-7802 or go to www.facebook.com/ChinleHealthCare for the latest updates.

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08/12/2025

***NOTICE***
Just Move It
Event Schedule UPDATES

08/12/2025

Chinle Service Unit’s “Just Move It (JMI)” Event Schedule Updates

Chinle, AZ -The remaining Chinle Service Unit’s Just Move It (JMI) events will have a modified schedule. Please see below for the specific start and end times for the remaining JMI events.


• 08/13/25 – Chinle Chapter
o Registration & Health Fair Start Time: 4:00 pm
o Walk/Run Start & Duration: 5:00-6:30 pm
o Health Fair Close: 5:30 pm
o Registration Close: 6:30 pm

• 08/21/25- Dine College
o Registration & Health Fair Start Time: 4:00 pm
o Walk/Run Start: 6:00 pm
o Health Fair Close: 5:30 pm
o Registration Close: 6:30 pm

• 09/09/25 – Nazlini Chapter
o Registration & Health Fair Start Time: 4:00 pm
o Walk/Run Start & Duration: 5:00-6:30 pm
o Health Fair Close: 5:30 pm
o Registration Close: 6:30 pm

• 09/18/25 – Rough Rock Chapter
o Registration & Health Fair Start Time: 4:00 pm
o Walk/Run Start & Duration: 5:00-6:30 pm
o Health Fair Close: 5:30 pm
o Registration Close: 6:30 pm


To avoid heat exhaustion, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water and electrolytes, and avoid drinks with caffeine. Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty, and consider drinks with electrolytes for longer durations. Avoid sugary, caffeinated beverages, which can dehydrate you. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and be mindful of the heat index.

If you have any questions or need further information, please call Tatyannia Johnson at 928-674-7661 or 928-674-7178. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have cause and appreciate your understanding.

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08/07/2025

Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility Respiratory Care Clinic Drive-through Re-Opens

Chinle, Arizona – The Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility Respiratory Care Clinic (RCC) Drive-through re-opened on Monday, August 4, 2025. The clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The RCC will remain open during the lunch hour (12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.). The RCC drive-through offers respiratory viral testing and COVID/Influenza/RSV vaccines (when they become available for the 2025-2026 season).
Testing: Patients can be tested for respiratory viruses. Those with a positive test will be contacted about treatment options.
Vaccines: When the 2025-2026 vaccines become available, we will offer the following:
• COVID vaccine (for ages six months and older),
• Influenza (flu) vaccine (for ages six months and older),
• RSV vaccine for older adults (ages 50-74 with risk factors for severe RSV and everyone 75 years and older).
We will notify patients when the vaccines become available through public service announcements. As a reminder, Chinle Service Unit no longer provides return-to-work or return-to-school clearance letters after a positive COVID diagnosis.
If you have any questions, please call (928) 674-7994.
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08/05/2025

Pinon Health Center Pharmacy Change in Services

Pinon, Arizona – Due to unforeseen staffing challenges at the Pinon Health Center (PHC) Pharmacy Department, we are implementing temporary changes that will be effective Tuesday, August 5, 2025:
• Pharmacy same-day services will be reserved only for patients seen by a Provider that same day. Please check with pharmacy by phone or in person before leaving Pinon Health Center after each appointment to get your medication as soon as possible.
• Requests for medications after clinic visits from the previous day(s) will be ready in 24 hours. There may be instances the medication(s) will be ready on the same day depending on the workload of the pharmacists. Please check with the pharmacy staff to receive an estimated time when medications will be ready.
• All other phone or in-person refill requests (not seen by a provider) will require a minimum of 24 hours to be completed.
• Please note that our pharmacy hours will remain unchanged, providing you with the same reliable service. We will continue to be open from 8 am-4 pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and from 1 pm-4 pm on Thursdays (with a lunch break from 12-1 pm, Monday-Friday).
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for understanding as we strive to provide safe and timely service for all our patients. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities. If you have further questions, please call our Pharmacy Department (928) 725-9514, and speak with a pharmacy team member who can help with Pinon Pharmacy’s change in services. Pinon Health Center will alert the public if any more changes are made by releasing a public service announcement.
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07/09/2025

Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility Pod B Hours

Chinle, AZ - Effective July 10, 2025, the Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility (CCHCF) will implement new operation hours for Pod B (formerly known as Urgent Care). Pod B will be open from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., 7-days a week. The purpose of this is due to staff shortages, however, the CHCCF will ensure we maintain safety for our patients and staff at all times.

If you have questions for POD B, please call (928) 674-7578 or (928) 674-7579. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

For more information, please contact Ryan Goldtooth, Public Information Officer for Chinle Comprehensive Health Care at 928-674-7802.

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07/02/2025

Chinle Service Unit Just Move It (JMI) Rescheduled Dates

Chinle, AZ—Due to air quality concerns stemming from the Oak Ridge fire, the Rock Point Chapter and Diné College Just Move It (JMI) walk/run events will be postponed due to the safety and well-being of all participants and staff in mind.
The Rock Point Chapter will still host a Health Fair on July 8, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. We welcome everyone to come by for health information and education.
Tentative JMI Reschedule Dates* (will include walk/run & health fair):
• Round Rock Chapter – 07/15/2025
• Lukachukai Chapter – 07/24/2025
• Rock Point Chapter – 07/29/2025
• Diné College – 08/21/2025
*Dependent upon the status of the fire and air quality. Safety will be reassessed as event dates draw closer
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Matthew Werito at (928) 724-3725 or (928) 622-1557. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
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07/01/2025

Lukachukai Just Move It (JMI) Postponement

Lukachukai, AZ—Due to air quality concerns stemming from the Oak Ridge fire, the Lukachukai Chapter Just Move It (JMI) Walk/Run, scheduled for 07/01/2025, will be postponed.

The health fair will still take place as planned from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. We welcome everyone to come by for health information and education.

In collaboration with the Lukachukai Chapter, the JMI walk/run event will be rescheduled. Details will be released upon confirmation of the new date and time.

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Matthew Werito at 928-724-3725 or 928-622-1557. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your understanding.
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06/26/2025

Chinle Service Unit Scheduled Telecommunications Outage

Chinle, AZ—On Saturday, June 28th, the Chinle Service Unit will be conducting an upgrade to its Information Technology systems. All telecommunication systems (telephone, Internet, and e-mail) will not be available from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm MDT. The telecommunication outage will affect Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility, Tsaile and Pinon Health Centers, and Chinle & Pinon EMS facilities. The IT upgrade will replace all outdated equipment. Chinle Service Unit will provide additional notification if the telecommunications outage extends beyond 7:00 pm MDT.

For inpatient discharges that occur on June 28th, Chinle Inpatient staff will contact the patient’s next of kin or emergency contact identified in the patient’s health record for any patient being discharged. It is highly recommended that family members of inpatients verify accurate contact information (i.e., telephone number) is available in the patient’s health record.

The telephone service number for medication refill requests on June 28th will not be available. We encourage patients to make medication refill requests on Friday, June 27th, or Sunday, June 29th, when the telephone system is in normal operational status.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please report to the nearest Emergency Room. Chinle Healthcare Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Chinle Hospital Emergency Room can be reached at 928-674-2822 during this time.

If you need assistance or service from Chinle or Pinon EMS, please call the Chinle Police Department Dispatch at 928-674-2111. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Our highest priority is the safety of our patients, community members, and staff, and your support is invaluable. Please share this information with others in the community.

For any questions or more information, please contact Pamela Etsitty, Public Information Officer 928-814-0462.
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06/20/2025

Limited Services for Pinon Health Center Pharmacy

Pinon, Arizona – Due to staffing challenges, the Pinon Health Center Pharmacy Department will have limited services today, June 20th. The pharmacy will provide ambulatory care, dental, and acute emergency medications which will be available today. Medication refill and medication renewal requests will be completed within 24 hours. We will resume normal services on Monday, June 23rd.

If you have questions or need further information regarding Pinon Health Center Pharmacy services, please call (928)725-9514. A medical support assistant will be available to answer your questions. Pinon Health Center management apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates your understanding on this matter.

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