Indianz.Com > News > Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation works toward cure for arthritis
ARPA-H: NITRO Program Kickoff at Cherokee Nation
Cherokee Nation hosts launch of ambitious push for arthritis cure
Monday, April 15, 2024
By Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr.
Cherokee Nation
cherokee.org

Cherokee Nation is on the leading edge of health care for Native peoples. Thanks to our investments in world class care, we operate the largest tribal health system in the United States. Cherokees and other Native Americans come from across the country to get medical care at our facilities.

Still, we know that treating sickness is not enough. At Cherokee Nation Health Services and throughout our tribal government, we are guided by the goal of helping Cherokees have healthier, more fulfilling lives. To make that happen, all of our patients deserve access to the latest treatments and models of care.

Recently, we were glad to host representatives from the federal Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to kick off their Novel Innovations for Tissue Regeneration in Osteoarthritis (NITRO) program. The program’s goal is to eradicate osteoarthritis, a common condition affecting bones and joints. Osteoarthritis often brings debilitating pain and loss of functional movement, and it can require costly reconstructive surgery.

Cherokee Nation
From left: ARPA-H NITRO Program Manager Dr. Ross Uhrich, ARPA-H Health Science Futures Director Dr. Amy Jenkins, ARPA-H Director Dr. Renee Wegrzyn, Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner, Cherokee Nation Health Services Executive Medical Director Dr. Beth Harp, and Cherokee Nation Health Services Deputy Executive Director Brian Hail take part in the ARPA-H NITRO kickoff event at the Chota Center in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on April 3, 2024. Photo: Cherokee Nation

Osteoarthritis affects millions of people nationwide, and unfortunately American Indians have among the highest prevalence in the country. The cost of this disease is measured not only in pain suffered by patients, but a loss of capacity that can make it harder to participate in cultural and family life. That’s why improving treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis has the potential to strengthen our entire nation.

The kickoff event brought together teams of researchers from leading institutions across the United States, including Duke University, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Colorado Boulder, Columbia University, and Case Western Reserve University. These teams shared visions for revolutionizing the treatment of osteoarthritis through innovative regenerative therapies that prevent the need for surgery, as well as better replacement joints. They were joined by ARPA-H Director Dr. Renee Wegrzyn and others from her team.

ARPA-H specifically chose Cherokee Nation for the launch of this program out of a commitment to putting the needs of diverse populations at the forefront of their work. The visitors heard from Cherokee Nation Health Services providers, who shared firsthand how osteoarthritis is affecting our people and the challenges of treating it in a tribal health care setting. They toured our facilities and learned about Cherokee history and culture.

Our work with ARPA-H is not a one-off event. Cherokee Nation is a member of the agency’s Investor Catalyst hub, which connects researchers, entrepreneurs and investors to the people who can most benefit from their work. Through this collaboration, we can make sure tribes have a strong voice in the development of advanced research programs.

Together, we are working toward a day when arthritis is an easily treatable condition that does not get in the way of Cherokees living their best lives.

Chuck Hoskin Jr
Chuck Hoskin Jr. is the 18th elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the largest Indian tribe in the United States. He is only the second elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from Vinita, the first being Thomas Buffington, who served from 1899-1903. Prior to being elected Principal Chief, Hoskin served as the tribe’s Secretary of State. He also formerly served as a member of the Council of the Cherokee Nation, representing District 11 for six years.
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