OKLAHOMA CITY INDIAN CLINIC WELLNESS CENTER

Living a healthy lifestyle is something the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic is proud to promote. To be proactive in this feat, the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Wellness Center is available to all registered patients looking to become physically active. The Wellness Center offers patients the use of exercise equipment and instruction for total body fitness. Consistency and dedication are the keys to achieving physical fitness, and following a structured physical activity program helps in reaching those goals. The wellness center services include blood-pressure checks, weight loss programs, strength training, education and individualized guidance. The 2,500 square foot facility is located at 210 Quadrum Drive, about a mile east of the Clinic. The hours of operation are Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

The OKCIC Wellness Center opened its doors on July 8, 2004 holding a Grand Opening event, with Board of Directors President, Rufus (Buddy) Cox speaking to the attendees.

The Wellness Center is located at 210 Quadrum Drive in Oklahoma City, near the intersections of Portland and Reno, in the Reno Design Center, just east of Bob Mills Furniture.

The 2500 square foot facility houses the Clinic’s fitness equipment and functions as a physical activities education and training center.

Oklahoma City Indian Clinic CEO Terry Hunter said, “This will meet a need that the Clinic has long had to help our patients battle diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and to generally move toward adopting healthier lifestyles.”

 

“Our patients,” continued Hunter, “will now have a fully equipped place to be more physically active.”

The Wellness Center is a part of the OKCIC’s Health Promotion and Disease Prevention department and is open only to the Clinic’s nearly 16,000 patients.

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. After the 1976 Indian Health Care Improvement Act the Clinic enjoyed recognition and support of the federal government and the resources that followed. The 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 the OKCIC serves approximately 16,000 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.

 

$5 million dollar plus annual operating budget is managed using a computerized fund accounting system. 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.

The time to start exercising is now! No matter your age or your previous activity level, you can become physically fit! To the doctors who study exercise and its effects on the body, achieving “physical fitness” means being able to do medium-to-difficult daily activities, such as raking leaves, cleaning the house, shoveling snow, washing the car -without becoming fatigued, and being able to maintain this ability throughout life. Becoming fit requires improving the function of your heart and lungs; keeping your muscles strong and your joints flexible; and maintaining an appropriate body weight.

Consistency and moderation are the keys to achieving physical fitness, and following a structured physical activity program will help you reach goals. The hardest part of exercise is getting started, but once you begin to feel the positive effects of exercise- feeling and looking good- you will want to stay with it!

Why begin exercising now? When the body ages, it undergoes many changes that unfortunately can increase the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. By starting a regular exercise routine, you may help reduce your risk from these diseases, improve your health, and perhaps increase your lifespan. Fitness has many benefits and you can experience them right away if you decide to start exercising.

The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Wellness Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 7:00pm for patients at the clinic who want to participate in a physical fitness program. There is no fee, just call Steve Daugherty at 405-605-8203 to set an appointment time or stop by the center at 210 Quadrum Drive, Reno Design Center to see for yourself. With a little effort, you can get on the road to achieving physical fitness!

 

These services are available for our “Registered Patients” only. Patients who already have heart disease, diabetes, hypertension or arthritis, will need a medical clearance from a clinic physician.

 

* Wellness Center Hours:

Monday-Thursday 8:00am- 7:00pm.

Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm.

Wednesday-closed 11:30am- 1:00pm.

You must be 12 years of age or older to participate, unless authorized by a provider at the OKCIC.