Chief addresses concerns over new clinic

The Osage Chief and Health Division Leader visit with seniors to answer questions

By ON Communications

PAWHUSKA, Okla. (August 25, 2015) — Lunch with seniors followed by a question and answer session was in order to address concerns about the Osage Nation compacting the Indian Health Services clinic, to be named the Wah-Zha-Zhi Health Center, beginning Oct. 1. Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear and Health Division Leader Manon Tillman spent the afternoon at the Osage Nation Title VI on Tuesday to address these concerns, in person.

“I understand there are a lot of concerns and I want to assure you, right now, our main concern is health and education,” said Chief Standing Bear to the crowd of elders about transitioning to a health clinic completely managed by the Nation.

Tribal self-governance allows Native sovereign nations to determine the types of services they want to offer and full management and quality control. According to the Indian Health Services (IHS) self-governance website, “…tribal leaders and members are in the best position to understand the health care needs and priorities of their communities.”

“Most people don’t like change, especially elders,” said Sandra Jamison, Osage elder, jokingly but also aware of the truth in her words. Jamison attended the Aug. 20 Osage Nation Health Authority (ONHA) board meeting. “I wanted to let the board know about the concerns of the elders [at Title VI] and to build a bridge of communication between the elders and the Chief’s office. We don’t like being over here and not know what’s going on and only hear things second or third hand.”

The IHS Transition team and the ONHA board are addressing concerns and maintaining valuable momentum as opening day nears. Assistant Principal Chief Raymond Red Corn is a Transition team member on behalf of the Osage Nation Executive Office. He supported the board issuing a formal statement to address worries in the community about the status of the transition.

“We need to be the ones telling the truth and we have a board empowered by law to take care of this situation,” said Red Corn about issuing a formal statement and providing a basic question and answer sheet for patients, staff and community members.

The official statement from the ONHA was delivered by Chief Standing Bear and Tillman and handed out to more than fifty Osages and other Native American seniors. It states, “all services you now receive will continue after Oct. 1, including pharmacy delivery of medications…you can continue to see the primary care provider you know…the clinic will continue to provide services to you and your family with the same hours and schedule.”

Tillman, who has more than thirty years of healthcare experience, introduced herself and talked about her role in the transition. She spoke to the concerns of the seniors, “no one will have to worry about getting their medicine. Our hope is to have more providers on hand to see more people and reduce wait time. We will still offer our services to everyone who is Native American, it is not true about only seeing Osages.”

Osage Congressman Otto Hamilton also attended the presentation. He said, “As a member of our Congress I will always support the needs of our elders. I feel good about being able to hear what they want directly from them. The Chief has the right idea. Show up and get the information right from the source and vice versa.”

Many of the seniors concerns were about losing current services or about improving services. Some asked about improving dental services, having a podiatrist, transportation, dialysis for diabetes management, and a shorter wait time for medicines to be delivered.

Jamison has been managing her diabetes for more than forty years. She said waiting on medicine is stressful for elders. “Getting medicine on time is important, getting insulin is important. When it starts running low you start to worry.”

She said as a cancer survivor she has seen a range of quality in healthcare. She said the Cancer Center of America provided the best healthcare she has ever received. “They have a mission to treat patients with the same level of comfort and care you would your own mother. This is what I want for [Osages].”

After seeing the quick response from the Chief and Health Division Leader, Jamison felt hopeful this is the direction the Osage Nation is heading. “I’m happy that the Chief and Manon came and today and answered questions because that did open the communication line between the elders the Chief’s office.”

For more information about the IHS transition please visit the Osage Nation website at https://www.osagenationpnsn.gov/who-we-are/health-authority-board or call Osage Nation Constituent Services at 918-287-5555.

For Media Inquiries: Osage Nation Communications 918-287-5599communications@osagenation-nsn.gov