The Cherokee Nation plans to turn the W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, into a major health complex.

The tribe is going to take over control of the hospital from the Indian Health Service. Plans call for separate outpatient clinic, a new outpatient surgery center, a new facility for doctors' offices, a new medical support building and a new center for future programs.

Chief Chad Smith said the project could take five to 10 years to complete. "We have the opportunity to create the best health care center in northeastern Oklahoma," he said in a statement.

Get the Story:
Cherokees plan new health centers at hospital site (The Tulsa World 7/29)
Cherokee Nation proposes hospital expansion (The Journal Record 7/29)

Related Stories:
Questions over Cherokee Nation IHS takeover (4/24)
Cherokee Nation to manage IHS hospital (4/16)
Editorial: Keep Oklahoma hospital in hands of IHS (1/18)
Cherokee Nation ridicules UKB bid for IHS contract (1/17)
Oklahoma tribes compete for IHS contract (1/16)