Tishomingo Health Clinic expands staff, services


This article appeared in the October 2014 edition of the Chickasaw Times

TISHOMINGO, Okla. - The Tishomingo Health Clinic is a full-service clinic offering primary care, optometry, dental, lab, imaging, audiology, a drive-thru pharmacy, physical therapy, nutrition counseling and behavioral therapy.

The new clinic opened in February 2013, expanding the square footage to offer more in-house departments. The clinic expanded both programs and staff to offer more services to Chickasaw and other Indian patients.

Diabetic group gisits are now offered twice monthly with a physician/provider-led team. The visits bring diabetics together as a group to understand the challenges and therapies.

The diabetic group team consists of a dietitian, nurse and therapist. The team offers support and encouragement to patients. Patients are encouraged to take on leadership roles in their own care and set goals to control their diabetes. Group visits include presentations and patient-led discussions regarding diabetes, nutrition, labs and exercise. Groups meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first Thursday of each month, and the third Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m.

New Medical Team Members

In September, Dr. Roderic Smith and Michael Reyes, PA-C, joined the Tishomingo Health Clinic team. Prior to joining the Tishomingo Health Clinic, Dr. Smith and Mr. Reyes provided services at the jointly operated Chickasaw and Choctaw Durant Indian Clinic.

Dr. Smith, a Chickasaw Nation Department of Health employee for five years, completed his medical training at St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed a family practice residency at Baylor University School of Medicine. He was in private practice for several years prior to working at the Durant Clinic and is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Mr. Reyes has been a Chickasaw Nation Department of Health employee for the past three years. He graduated from Midwestern University with an M.S./P.A. He is certified by the National Commission on Certification on Physician’s Assistants.

Both Dr. Smith and Mr. Reyes are now family practice providers at the Tishomingo Health Clinic and are accepting new patients.

Endocrinology Services

Also offering services through contract referred care at the Tishomingo, Purcell and Ardmore Chickasaw Nation Health Clinics is endocrinologist Dr. Curtis Harris, M.S., M.D., JD. Patients previously commuted to Ada for appointments with Dr. Harris, but he now travels to all three Chickasaw Nation satellite health clinics to meet patient needs.

Pediatric Services

Dr. Angela Torres leads the medical team at Tishomingo Health Clinic. She has been a provider of care at the clinic for three years. She completed her medical training at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, and residency training at Swedish/Providence Family Medicine in Seattle.  Dr. Torres was in private practice for 10 years prior to joining the Chickasaw Nation. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Torres is now taking new pediatric patients offering well child exams, immunizations and acute care visits.

Behavioral Health Services

Over the next few months, the Tishomingo Health Clinic will expand behavioral health services to include medical family therapy into primary care. This expansion will include additional staff that will be integrated into the medical team.

Treatment is based on the bio psychosocial-spiritual model of health care and takes into consideration the patient’s biological systems, as well as psychological factors, relational issues, family histories, social support and spiritual health. This care features a team approach. It assesses patients’ emotional, psychological and medical interactions and responds as a team to patients’ needs.

To join the Diabetic Group or to schedule an individual appointment with a Tishomingo Health Clinic primary care provider, call (580) 387-2722.