Chickasaw Nation breaks ground on medical center patient, family “house”

ADA, Okla. – The Chickasaw Nation broke ground Tuesday, July 31 in Ada, Okla. on Chikasha House, which will offer temporary living quarters for family members of some medical patients.

The 2,342 square-foot facility, located just south of the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center, 1921 Stonecipher Blvd., will be available for family members of patients experiencing extended hospital stays.

“We understand the worry patients and family members have with the high costs of travel and locating lodging,” Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said. “This innovative facility will benefit our patients and their family members by offering affordable, convenient and relaxing lodging for family members of a patient experiencing an extended stay in the medical center.”

The Chikasha House is expected to be complete in January 2013 and will be comprised of two units. Each unit will offer four bedrooms equipped with a queen-sized bed, sitting area and a private bathroom.

Amenities will also include a shared kitchen, dining and living room areas, laundry facilities, an outside patio, and a state-of-the art security, surveillance system and safe room.

A grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Indian Community Development Block Grant program and matching tribal funds will be used to construct the facility.

The Chickasaw Nation Division of Health serves more than 450,000 patients each year in the new state-of-the-art 370,000 square foot Medical Center in Ada, Okla. and health clinics in Ada, Ardmore, Tishomingo, Durant and Purcell. The CNDH also operates three nutrition centers, three wellness centers and a diabetes care center.

Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby, seventh from left, is joined by tribal officials and guests during the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Chikasha House Tuesday, July 31. Joining Gov. Anoatubby are, from left; Wayne Sims, administrator of the southern plains office for Native American programs with HUD, hospital board member Tommie Richardson, tribal legislators Katie Case, Shana Tate Hammond, Nancy Elliott, Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel, Gov. Anoatubby, Chickasaw Nation Division of Health Administrator Dr. Judy Goforth-Parker, tribal legislators Mary Jo Green, Connie Barker, Toby Perkins, Harris Construction contractors Richard Harris and Robert Park. Photo by Mike McKee.