Caring for each other has always been a priority for our people.
Caring for each other has always been a priority for our people. In response to health care concerns in the early 1930s, we sent a delegation to Washington D.C. to petition Congress for funds to build the first Cherokee Indian Hospital on the Qualla Boundary. Since that time, with public and private assistance, we have continued to improve on the hospital, expand services, and implement new programs including an innovative substance abuse and rehabilitation program.
In 1985, a new hospital was constructed to meet the growing demand for services. As demand continued to grow so did commitment to allocating the resources necessary for making significant improvements to healthcare in the area. These aspirations became reality when on October 15, 2015, a state-of-the-art facility was completed and dedicated. Much thought was put into the design, understanding that a commitment to care and the overall patient experience could go a long way in improving health in the community. Design and development of programs and services was a collaborative effort among the tribe. The final outcome not only serves many healthcare needs that were previously unmet or underserved, but also provides quality care and serves as a source of pride for our people.
A number of outpatient clinics and supplemental programs have also been added, and expansions to the existing facility are already underway. A particular program of note is the substance abuse and rehabilitation clinic – the Snowbird Residential Treatment Center, or Kanvwotiyi, which opened in December of 2017. This program was developed in response to the growing opioid epidemic that has spread throughout the U.S., as well as to other substance abuse and mental health issues. This residential treatment center provides support and healing patients and their families, and shines as an example of we are proactively responding to the needs of our community and the region in which we reside.
"Good health underlies every endeavor we undertake and provides the foundation from which are able to continue doing great things for and as a people."
In an effort to make quality health care a reality for all of our people, through the revenue generated by our hotels and casinos, we are able to provide free health care and access to the services outlined above to members of our tribe. Good health underlies every endeavor we undertake and provides the foundation from which are able to continue doing great things for and as a people, and as a key community within the state of North Carolina.
