"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Cherokees Honored With Two State Health Recognitions

"Tribal Council Member Jack Baker, representing the At-Large District, is all smiles as he addresses the annual meeting of the Oklahoma Alliance on Health or Tobacco in Oklahoma City. Baker accepted a special recognition on behalf of the Cherokee Nation from the group."

TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Cherokee Nation was the recipient of two major health recognitions this week, the Oklahoma Champions of Health Minority Health Champion Award and special recognition from the Oklahoma Alliance on Health or Tobacco.

“The Cherokee Nation is committed to working within our communities to make the health of our citizens and others living in our boundaries a priority,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “Both of these awards show that we are reaching our goals of a healthier Cherokee Nation.”

The Champions of Health Awards were presented during a special banquet held on Monday, September 29, in Oklahoma City. The awards were created to recognize individuals, health care professionals, legislators and for-profit and non-profit organizations that are working to make a difference in the health of their communities, and to facilitate community partnerships to work toward improving Oklahoma’s health status. Cherokee Nation Health Partners was selected for the award because of its effort to fight the growing epidemic of heart disease among Native Americans.

Reports from the Oklahoma State Department of Health between the years 2001 – 2003 showed heart disease as the leading cause of death in Cherokee County. In 2004, Cherokee Nation partnered with Tahlequah City Hospital to form Cherokee Health Partners, bringing heart care to the area. Cherokee Health Partners teamed with cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons to create an entire center specializing in heart care and targeting Native Americans suffering from heart disease in Cherokee County.

“It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of Cherokee Nation,” Smith said. “These efforts have helped many Native Americans in this area improve their health and their quality of life.”

The Champion of Health awards are sponsored by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Hospital Association, the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, the Oklahoma State Medical Association and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

On Thursday, October 2, the Nation was presented with a special award from the Oklahoma Alliance on Health or Tobacco at a ceremony during the group’s annual meeting in Oklahoma City. The award was presented in special recognition to the Cherokee Nation for making all Cherokee Nation government buildings tobacco free. Wes Glinsmann, Chair of the OAHT, presented the award to Jack Baker, Tribal Council Member for the At-Large District, which includes areas outside of the tribe’s jurisdictional boundaries.

"The Cherokee Nation is committed to providing for the health and well-being of its citizens, employees, and the community at large," Baker said.

The Oklahoma Alliance on Health or Tobacco is a statewide alliance created in the mid-1990's comprised of more than 40 pro-health groups that includes the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Oklahoma State Medical Association, Oklahoma Hospital Association, Oklahoma Institute for Child advocacy, Oklahoma Parent Teacher Association, AARP and others.