SALINA, Okla. — Cherokee Nation leaders joined members of the Salina community Tuesday to celebrate the grand opening of the new Amo Health Center, a state-of-the-art health care facility that will significantly expand access to comprehensive medical services in the area.
The 109,000-square-foot, $85 million outpatient health care center replaces the existing 29,000-square-foot outpatient health center in Salina and offers a comprehensive range of services, including medical care, pediatrics, public health nursing, laboratory services, pharmacy, community nutrition, radiology, WIC, optometry, behavioral health, dental, and a wellness center – all designed to serve the community. The facility also features a multi-lane pharmacy drive-through, a full-service dock, a ground helipad, a covered ambulance pickup area, and a covered drive-through testing area.
“This new health center represents a transformative investment in the health and wellness of our people,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “The new Amo Health Center will serve as a beacon of hope and healing for Cherokee families in Salina and surrounding communities, providing world-class health care in a facility that honors our values and traditions.”
The replacement health center includes, for the first time, a 15,000-square-foot wellness center with a cardio and strength training room, group fitness classes, physical therapy services, and an outdoor half-mile walking trail.
“Our commitment to Cherokee health extends beyond treating illness to promoting overall wellness and prevention,” said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. “This wellness center embodies our vision of empowering our citizens to live healthier, more active lives while strengthening our community bonds.”
The wellness center is part of Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner’s Public Health and Wellness Fund Act of 2021, created to bolster more community wellness centers and fitness programs for citizens across the reservation.
“This wellness center and health center will benefit so many Cherokee citizens across the reservation. This building offers so many resources for citizens’ health care and physical health,” said Cherokee Nation Public Health Executive Director Lisa Pivec. “Public Health is thrilled to be a part of this magnificent building.”
The site embraces sustainable strategies using regional plant materials and landscape design that complement the building’s architecture. The site also incorporates a wellness trail to promote health and well-being. The design is inspired by Lake Hudson, featuring curvilinear forms, colors inspired by nature, and natural daylight – all of which were designed to provide a relaxing environment for patients, families, and staff.
“The Amo Health Center sets a new standard for rural health care excellence,” said Dr. R. Stephen Jones, Cherokee Nation Health Services CEO. “With its advanced capabilities and comprehensive services, this facility ensures our citizens receive the highest quality care without having to travel great distances.”
In December 2021, Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner signed legislation investing hundreds of millions into health care capital improvement projects. Aside from the new replacement W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, the investment also included the replacement health center in Salina and several million toward the Northeastern State University College of Optometry.
The health center in Salina was established in the mid-1980s in a strip mall with about 25 employees. The most recent facility opened in 1996 with fewer than 50 staff and has undergone several improvement projects to accommodate for growth. The space on the south side of the facility was added in 2005 for optometry, a larger pharmacy, additional exam rooms and offices. A dental clinic was added on the north end of the building in 2010.
Amo Health Center currently employs about 150 employees. In the past year, the health center had over 120,000 patient visits.
“This new health center gives everyone in the area an opportunity to be taken care of,” said District 15 Tribal Councilor Danny Callison. “As I’ve said before, the health staff in Salina has always been terrific. And now we have a state-of-the-art facility to go with it. I could not be more excited for this community and the surrounding area.”
Amo Health Center is part of Cherokee Nation Health Services, which operates the largest tribal health system in the United States. The Cherokee Nation continues to invest in health care infrastructure and services, ensuring that quality medical care remains accessible and affordable for Cherokee citizens and their families.
For more information about services available at the Amo Health Center or to schedule an appointment, call 918-434-8500 or visit https://health.cherokee.org/health-center-and-hospital-locations/outpatient-care/.