Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Chickasaw Nation Caring Van Unveiled

ADA, Okla. – Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby and Oklahoma Caring Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Paula Huck unveiled the Chickasaw Nation Caring Van Friday, June 26, at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center.

The van is a collaborative effort between the Chickasaw Nation and the Oklahoma Caring Foundation designed to provide local communities and rural areas with access to preventive health services.

The Oklahoma Caring Foundation provides the customized van at no cost, while the Chickasaw Nation provides staffing for health services and operation of the van.

Gov. Anoatubby said the van offers another way to offer preventive healthcare services to citizens in rural areas.

"Improving access to health care has always been a high priority for the Chickasaw people," said Gov. Anoatubby.

"Using this van to bring these services to young people in rural areas will be a great service to families who may find it difficult and time consuming to travel to one of our clinics or the medical center. We appreciate the Oklahoma Caring Foundation helping us deliver these vital health services to our young people. That is very important, because these young people are the future leaders of our tribe and our state."

The Chickasaw Nation Caring Van will focus on children's health, but be open to all ages, providing immunizations, preventative screenings, dental screenings and health and wellness educational activities.

"Chickasaw Nation Department of Health statics demonstrate a need to expand preventative dental services in remote, rural areas of the Chickasaw Nation and through the partnership with Oklahoma Caring Foundation; we have the opportunity to provide these services."

Staffed by a public health nurse, the Chickasaw Nation Caring Van will be located in Tishomingo and will travel to other locations, such as Chickasaw Senior Centers, Community Centers and Chickasaw Nation events and activities.

About the Oklahoma Caring Van Program

The Oklahoma Caring Van program, operated by Oklahoma Caring Foundation, Inc., provides immunizations and preventive health services to children in families who encounter barriers in accessing care. The Oklahoma Caring Vans partner with child care facilities, community organizations and school districts to provide vaccinations and help reduce the risk of disease in communities across the state.

Since the program began in October 1999, more than 140,000 Oklahoma children have received immunizations from registered immunization nurses aboard the Caring Vans.

Established in 1994, the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization funded by community contributions and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma as an in-kind donation.

For more information about the Chickasaw Nation Caring Van, call the Chickasaw Medical Center at 580-436-3980. For more information about the Oklahoma Caring Foundation and Oklahoma Caring Van Program visit http://oklahomacaringfoundation.org.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/24/2024 20:29