Sovereign clinics serve non-Chickasaw employees, families

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

In 2010, officials with the Chickasaw Nation dedicated efforts to realizing a long-established goal: To serve our hardworking and dedicated non-Chickasaw employees by providing quality health care for both employees and employees’ immediate families at conveniently located medical clinics. That goal is being realized with the opening of two locations - Sovereign Family Practice Clinic, Ada, opened in 2011 and Sovereign Medical Clinic, Norman, opened in 2014.

Chris Anoatubby serves as Chickasaw Nation Department of Commerce Under Secretary of Tribal and Commercial Health. Mr. Anoatubby answers questions about the clinics below.

Q. What are Sovereign Medical Clinics and whom do they serve?

Mr. Anoatubby: Sovereign Medical Clinics provide medical care and pharmacy services for non-Chickasaw employees and their immediate family members as well as the general public. The clinics accept most major insurance plans or private pay. These clinics are not affiliated with Indian Health Service and do not offer free services to Chickasaw citizens like Chickasaw Nation Health Clinics in Ardmore, Purcell, Tishomingo and other areas. However, a Chickasaw citizen who has insurance with an accepted provider or who chooses to use private pay options may use the clinic and pharmacy.

The on-site pharmacies at Sovereign Medical Clinics also serve non-Chickasaw employees, their immediate family members and the general public. They are not affiliated with Indian Health Service and are not meant to replace the Chickasaw Nation Refill Center or Online Pharmacy Refill Center for Chickasaw citizens. Instead, both SFPC and SMC are meant to extend our services as we continue to expand and diversify.

Q. Why is the Ada location called Sovereign Family Practice Clinic and the Norman location Sovereign Medical Clinic?

Mr. Anoatubby: Currently, SFPC and SMC offer different services and have different operating hours. SMC in Norman offers medical care and extended operating hours seven days per week as well as an on-site laboratory and radiology services. SFPC in Ada does not have an on-site laboratory and radiology capabilities at this time, nor do they have extended operating hours seven days per week. However, in the coming year, we have plans to expand services at the Ada location to include lab and radiology capabilities as well as extended operating hours. Once we are able to put those changes into place, the name will change to Sovereign Medical Clinic since all services and hours at the two clinics will be parallel.

Q. If the clinics are not affiliated with Indian Health Service, how do they benefit Chickasaw Nation citizens?

Mr. Anoatubby: The Chickasaw Nation owns and operates more than 60 businesses, the revenues of which support programs and services for tribal citizens. The Nation’s businesses include Bedré Fine Chocolate, several radio stations, a luxury hotel and many, many others. Sovereign Medical Clinics also are included in the list of Nation-owned businesses.

The clinics are an investment in completing the circle. Not only will the clinics generate revenues to support programs and services for Chickasaw citizens, they will also help Nation employees and their families live life well through quality medical care. Quality medical care results in healthier employees, which means an increase in productivity. Increased productivity results in increased revenues which will return to support programs and services for Chickasaw citizens.

We are here to serve the Chickasaw people, our dedicated employees and their families, and the general public. It is our honor to invite you to become Sovereign and live life well.

About Chris Anoatubby

Chris Anoatubby serves as Under Secretary of Tribal and Commercial Health for the Chickasaw Nation Department of Commerce. Previously, Mr. Anoatubby served nine years as the Chief of Pharmacy Services for the Chickasaw Nation Division of Health. As Under Secretary, Mr. Anoatubby serves as the administrative leader for all pharmacy and health care related services within the Chickasaw Nation Department of Commerce.