Cherokee Nation hosting health enrollment fairs for Veterans
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Cherokee Nation and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hosts a series of enrollment fairs starting this month for Native American veterans to sign up for health benefits.
The fairs are being held in January and February at the Cherokee Nation’s eight health centers and W.W. Hastings Hospital.
“We’re working with the VA to ensure that Native American men and women who dutifully served this country have access to medical care,” said Rhonda Cochran, senior director of ambulatory services at the tribe. “Some veterans may not have signed up for medical benefits through the VA or may wish to establish charts at one of our Cherokee Nation health centers, which may be closer to home for some services.”
Eligible Native American veterans can enroll for VA benefits and get treatment from Cherokee Nation Health Services. VA officials will also be available to assist veterans with health care claims or DD 214 filings.
Cherokee Nation Health Services and VA representatives will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:
- Jan. 15 – Redbird Smith Health Center, 301 JT Stites Blvd., Sallisaw
- Jan. 16 – Three Rivers Health Center, 1001 S. 41st St. East, Muskogee
- Jan. 21 – Vinita Health Center, 27371 S. 4410 Rd., Vinita
- Jan. 23 – W.W. Hastings Hospital, 100 S. Bliss Ave., Tahlequah
- Jan. 29 – Sam Hider Health Center, 1015 Washbourne St., Jay
- Jan. 30 – Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center, Hwy 51 East, Stilwell
- Feb. 6 – Will Rogers Health Center, 1020 Lenape Dr., Nowata
- Feb. 7 – A-Mo Health Center, 900 N. Owen Walters Blvd., Salina
- Feb. 13 – Bartlesville Health Center, 501 E. 5th St., Bartlesville
Enrollees must bring copies of their DD Form 214 and CDIB card. For more information, contact Gordon Watkins at 918-316-9913, John Alley at 918-577-4261 or Bunner Gray at 918-577-3977.
