Chickasaw Nation business purchases First Med Urgent Care

ADA, OK (Sept. 16, 2015) – Sovereign Operations Holdco, L.L.C., an enterprise of the Chickasaw Nation, has completed the purchase of First Med Urgent Care, L.L.C., and its six urgent care clinics in Oklahoma City and Edmond. The ownership change was effective August 7, 2015.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said the purchase is another milestone in the tribe’s efforts to build a thriving commercial health care operation.

“This acquisition offers another opportunity to build on our successful experience providing high quality health care services,” said Gov. Anoatubby. “Healthcare offers a unique opportunity to operate a business that enhances the quality of life of local residents by offering a needed service and providing employment opportunities which help support the local economy.”

First Med CEO Todd S. Lechtenberger said the sale will provide a foundation for future growth.

“This is a great development for the future of First Med Urgent Care,” Lechtenberger said. “First Med now has a long-term ownership group with the financial resources to grow our clinic base and build a foundation on which we can thrive and continue providing the highest-quality medical care and customer service to our patients.”

Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Commerce Bill Lance said First Med is a good fit for the tribe’s business development efforts.

“Our expansion into the healthcare industry has proven to be a very successful method of diversifying our business operations,” said Lance. “We believe First Med will be a profitable business which will offer great long-term returns on our investment.”

Sovereign Operations Holdco, L.L.C., operates Sovereign Family Practice Clinic and Pharmacy in Ada, and Sovereign Medical Clinic and Pharmacy in Norman. Each location offers a range of non-emergency medical services such as treating illnesses and minor injuries, as well as laboratory and radiology services, and on-site pharmacy.

“We are excited to leverage our experience and expertise in healthcare services to expand into new markets to strengthen and diversify our health care business portfolio,” said Chris Anoatubby, Under Secretary of Tribal and Commercial Health for the Chickasaw Nation Department of Commerce. “It is an honor that the Chickasaw Nation has the opportunity to serve more Oklahomans in new communities in central Oklahoma.”

First Med Urgent Care was founded in Oklahoman City and has been providing quality medical care for more than 25 years. The company employs nearly 100 people and offers non-emergency medical services, including lab and radiology, at five clinics throughout the Oklahoma City metro area, including:

· 13420 N Pennsylvania Ave.

· 4510 NW 39th Expressway

· 7807 S Walker Ave.

· 1140 SW 104

· 1221 N Kelly Ave., in Edmond.

A sixth First Med location will open this fall at 13401 N. MacArthur Blvd.

The First Med Urgent Care clinics will continue to operate under the First Med Urgent Care name and as a subsidiary of Sovereign Operations Holdco, L.L.C.

About Sovereign Medical Solutions

Established in 2010, Sovereign Medical Solutions is a group of programs and services designed to offer patients and medical providers a unique blend of cutting-edge technology, skilled and attentive medical care, and pharmacy expertise. Sovereign Medical Solutions is made up of three distinct operating units: Sovereign Technology Solutions, Sovereign Medical Clinics and Sovereign Pharmacy Solutions.

About the Chickasaw Nation

With more than 60,000 citizens, the Chickasaw Nation is the 12th largest federally-recognized Indian tribe in the United States. The Chickasaw Nation has an annual economic impact of more than $2.4 billion in Oklahoma. The tribe has nearly 13,000 employees. A democratic republic with executive, legislative and judicial departments, the tribe's jurisdictional territory includes all or part of 13 counties in south-central Oklahoma.