| |
History of the
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
In the late 1960’s, urban Indian community leaders began
advocating at the local, state and federal levels for
culturally appropriate health programs addressing the unique
social, cultural and health needs of Native Americans
residing in urban settings. These community-based grassroots
efforts resulted in programs targeting health and outreach
services to the Indian community. Programs that were
developed at that time were in many cases staffed by
volunteers, offering outreach and referral-type services,
limited primary care and maintaining programs in storefront
settings with limited budgets.
In response to the efforts of the urban Indian community
leaders in the 1960’s, Congress appropriated funds in 1966,
through the IHS for a pilot urban Indian clinic in Rapid
City. In 1973, Congress appropriated funds to study unmet
urban Indian health needs in Minneapolis. The findings of
this study documented cultural, economic, and access
barriers to healthcare and led to congressional
appropriations under the Snyder Act to support emerging
Urban Indian clinics in several BIA. relocation cities.
The awareness of poor health status of all Indian people
continued to grow, and in 1976, Congress passed the Indian
Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). This law is considered
healthcare reform legislation to improve the health and well
being of all Native Americans. Title V targets specific
funding for the development of programs for Native Americans
who live in urban areas. Since passage of this landmark
legislation, amendments to Title V have strengthened urban
programs to expand medical services, HIV services, health
promotion, and disease prevention services, and, as should
be noted for the purposes of this proposal, mental health
services, alcohol and substance abuse services.
 It is from the this richly complex environment that the
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic was established in 1974 as an
Indian-controlled, nonprofit corporation with the sole
purpose of serving the healthcare needs of Native Americans
in central Oklahoma. In the beginning, the Clinic operated
in cramped, antiquated facilities, and was initially staffed
by volunteer physicians and nurses, operating with donated
medical supplies and equipment. But after the 1976 Indian
Health Care Improvement Act the Clinic enjoyed recognition
and support of the federal government and the resources that
followed.
 In 1995 the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic began serving
patients from its new 27,000 square foot Corinne Y. Halfmoon
Medical Facility. OKCIC delivers a wide range of services,
including medical, prenatal, dental, pharmacy, optometry, as
well as family, behavioral and substance abuse counseling
and treatment. OKCIC provides x-ray, ultrasound, lab and
mammography services. Clinic patients make use of diabetes
and cardiovascular treatment and services, in addition to
health and nutrition education and preventative care
services. Because OKCIC serves over 15,000 patients from
more than 220 federally recognized tribes, its schedule
reflects a fulltime commitment to healthcare by providing
urgent care and other specialty clinics designed for
pediatrics, internal medicine, gynecology and podiatry. An
evening clinic is available for patients with daytime
scheduling difficulties.
The successful delivery of wide-ranging healthcare requires
efficient, well-managed administration and support. The
Clinic adheres to IHS’s Indian preference hiring policy,
resulting in a diverse staff of 90 employees directed by the
Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer and
overseen by a five-member board of directors. There are 18
distinct departments, each fulfilling separate aspects of
the Clinic’s mission.
A $5 million dollar plus annual operating budget is managed
using a computerized fund accounting system and the Clinic
sustains a stable fiscal stature, operating within its
revenue resources.
For more information on
Indian Health Care, visit the following links:
|
