Cherokee Nation invests $16M to improve access to cancer care

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation is investing $16 million in two area hospitals earmarked to provide critical cancer care closer to home for Cherokee Nation citizens and others in the region.

Cherokee Nation operates the largest tribal health care system in the country, with more than 2 million patient visits annually.

American Indian and Alaska Native populations in Oklahoma experience a 36% higher cancer incidence rate and a 73% higher cancer mortality rate compared to the general U.S. population. Limited access to diagnostic services and treatments has historically been a significant challenge for many patients. By partnering with leading healthcare institutions, the Cherokee Nation is taking meaningful steps to tackle these disparities head-on, according to Cherokee Nation data.

“Cherokee Nation Health Services diagnoses nearly 400 new cancer cases per year, and we know that having treatment facilities within 60 miles of our citizens significantly increases their chances of survival,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “This investment ensures more hope and opportunity for our tribal citizens who need cancer care.”

“These facilities represent more than health care infrastructure – they are a beacon of hope for our families and communities who have long struggled with the devastating effects of cancer,” said Cherokee Nation Health Services CEO and Executive Director Dr. R. Stephen Jones. “We are proud to lead in advancing health care equity.”

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center Partnership

Cherokee Nation’s $8 million investment in OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center will support the development of its new facility in Tulsa. This expansion will extend the advanced, research-driven care provided at the National Cancer Institute-designated center to residents of northeastern Oklahoma, where cancer mortality rates are among the highest in the state.

Patients at the new center will have access to hundreds of clinical trials and innovative cancer treatments, which will significantly improve their outcomes.

Since its opening, OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center has collaborated with the Cherokee Nation on initiatives such as lung cancer screenings, which provide early detection for high-risk patients. This new partnership will expand on those existing efforts and help address cancer disparities within tribal communities.

Mercy Fort Smith Partnership

Mercy Fort Smith Oncology facilitates more than 25,000 patient visits annually. More than 5,000 residents in the hospital's service area are newly diagnosed with cancer each year.

Mercy’s expansion of cancer services in Fort Smith will provide high-quality care to thousands of Cherokee Nation citizens in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley. The tribe’s $8 million contribution will support Mercy’s capital campaign to create expanded patient access to screenings, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The hospital will more than double the number of oncology and radiation oncology providers, add surgical oncology specialists, incorporate essential technology, and expand patient access.

“These new facilities will be a lifeline for families who want to stay close to their communities while receiving care,” said Cherokee Nation Deputy Chief Bryan Warner.

He said more treatment options on or near our reservation would benefit Cherokee citizens and the surrounding rural communities.