Cherokee Nation Health Services

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.

01/23/2026

💙 Celebrating a Legacy of Care: Claudine Arney Retires After 42 Years 💙

Please join us in honoring Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center LPN Claudine Arney as she retires after an incredible 42 years of dedicated service to Cherokee Nation!

Claudine began her nursing career in 1983 at just 18 years old in the postpartum department, caring for new mothers and babies. She later transitioned to the Women's outpatient department, where she has supported expectant mothers — remarkably, she has now cared for the grandchildren of women she helped all those years ago. Known for her ever-present smile and positive attitude, patients frequently approach her in public to thank her for the care she provided years earlier. She has also mentored countless new nurses, worked tirelessly through COVID-19, and showed up every day excited to serve.

Claudine truly embodies the mission of Cherokee Nation Health Services. Wado for your 42 years of compassionate care and unwavering dedication to our community. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement! 🎉

01/23/2026

📌 NOTICE: Cherokee Nation’s W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex and satellite offices, along with Cherokee Nation health centers, will maintain normal operations Friday, Jan. 23, but will transition to a “skeleton crew” workforce at noon. This may mean some services to citizens could be impacted. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this period of inclement winter weather.

W.W. Hastings Hospital, the Emergency Department at Cherokee Nation Claremore Outpatient and Emergency Health Center, and Cherokee Nation Emergency Medical Services and other emergency operations will remain open and fully operational during this time.

Stay tuned to our Cherokee Nation page for updates on operational impacts caused by the winter weather.

01/22/2026

🎉 Celebrating Excellence in Healthcare! 🎉

We're proud to announce that the Cooweescoowee Health Center laboratory has received the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation Laboratory Excellence Award for the second time! This prestigious recognition reflects the outstanding dedication, precision, and professionalism of our lab team.

This achievement demonstrates CHC Lab's commitment to providing the highest quality laboratory services to our patients and community. Congratulations to our incredible lab staff for this well-deserved honor! 👏

01/21/2026

01/21/2026

Now Accepting Applications: NARCH Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Since 2004, Cherokee Nation, in partnership with the University of Oklahoma, has proudly hosted the Native American Research Center for Health (NARCH) Student Development Program.

This nine-week paid summer research program offers Native American undergraduate students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on research experience and one-on-one mentorship in areas such as:

🔬 Basic laboratory science

💊 Clinical and translational research

🏥 Public and community health

Participants will conduct meaningful research alongside experienced mentors and share their findings at the conclusion of the program.

📅 Program Dates: May 26 – July 24, 2026

📍 Location: Oklahoma City

🗓️ Application Deadline: January 31

Don’t miss this opportunity to grow as a Native scholar and researcher while making an impact in Native health!

👉 Learn more and apply today: https://graduate.ouhsc.edu/Faculty-Research/SURP/NARCH

01/14/2026

Don't forget about our hiring event this Friday! We will see you there!

We're hiring! Join our team at the new W.W. Hastings Hospital.

We're hosting a hiring event on January 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center (conference rooms B & C).

We have openings for RNs, LPNs, pharmacy techs, patient advocates, dietary staff, security officers, and many more positions!

Bring your resume (if available) and Tribal Citizenship Card (if applicable). Must be 18+. While our focus is primarily on Cherokee Nation applicants, all Native and non-Native applicants are welcome.

This event is for W.W. Hastings Hospital hiring only. We look forward to meeting you!

01/02/2026

🎉 Celebrating Two Amazing Milestones! 🎉

We're excited to share that baby boy Elio Lennox Lara has arrived as the first baby born at W.W. Hastings Hospital in 2026! Congratulations to proud parents Tara Rogers and Roberto Lara on welcoming their precious New Year bundle of joy! 🎊👶

And the celebrations continue! We are thrilled to announce that Hastings Hospital welcomed its 1,000th baby delivery of the year in late November! Please join us in congratulating proud parents Jadrian Cooper and Patricia Willis on the arrival of beautiful baby girl Nova Cooper. 👶💕

These incredible milestones reflect the dedication of our amazing labor and delivery team and the trust our community places in Cherokee Nation Health Services. Each birth is a precious moment, and we are honored to be part of these families' journeys.

As we celebrate these special achievements, we're also excited to share that construction of our new state-of-the-art W.W. Hastings Hospital continues on schedule! The 400,000-square-foot, six-story facility with 127 beds will open later this year, offering expanded services including a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, modern labor and delivery suites, and much more for Cherokee citizens and Native people across the region.

The new hospital represents our commitment to providing world-class health care for generations to come. From delivering babies to caring for our elders, we're here for you at every stage of life.

Congratulations to the Rogers-Lara family and the Cooper-Willis family, and to all the families who have trusted us with their care! ❤️

12/30/2025

We're hiring! Join our team at the new W.W. Hastings Hospital.

We're hosting a hiring event on January 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center (conference rooms B & C).

We have openings for RNs, LPNs, pharmacy techs, patient advocates, dietary staff, security officers, and many more positions!

Bring your resume (if available) and Tribal Citizenship Card (if applicable). Must be 18+. While our focus is primarily on Cherokee Nation applicants, all Native and non-Native applicants are welcome.

This event is for W.W. Hastings Hospital hiring only. We look forward to meeting you!