Van delivers care to young Chickasaws
This article appeared in the July 2015 edition of the Chickasaw Times
ADA, Okla. – Young Chickasaws who live in rural and small communities throughout the Chickasaw Nation just received some great news regarding their access to preventive health care.
Governor Bill Anoatubby and Oklahoma Caring Foundation, Inc. Executive Director Paula Huck unveiled the Chickasaw Nation Caring Van June 26, at the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center.
The van is a collaborative effort between the Chickasaw Nation and the Oklahoma Caring Foundation. It will provide local communities and rural areas with access to preventive health services.
The Oklahoma Caring Foundation provides the customized van at no cost, and the Chickasaw Nation provides staffing for health services and operation of the van.
Gov. Anoatubby said the van offered another way to deliver preventive health care services to citizens in rural areas.
“Improving access to health care has always been a high priority for the Chickasaw people, Gov. Anoatubby said.
“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 statistics demonstrate a need to expand preventative dental services in remote, rural areas of the Chickasaw Nation,” Gov. Anoatubby said. “Through the partnership with Oklahoma Caring Foundation we have the opportunity to provide these services.”
The van is staffed by a public health nurse. The van will be located in Tishomingo and will travel to other locations, including 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 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 Oklahoma Caring Foundation and Oklahoma Caring Van Program visit http://oklahomacaringfoundation.org.