ADA, OK – The Chickasaw Nation recently hosted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Mandy K. Cohen to discuss mental health awareness, promoting positive childhood experiences, data modernization, immunizations and other public health initiatives. It was her first visit to a tribal nation since being appointed.
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said the Chickasaw Nation’s collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is essential to its efforts in advancing the public health of the tribe and its neighbors.
“Our partnership with the CDC is really pivotal,” said Governor Anoatubby. “It gives us regular opportunity to do the things we need to do. It enhances our capacity for effective analytics. It ensures better outcomes for our health and well-being of people in our communities. Our mission is to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people. The more we know, the better job we can do, and CDC funding supports our community outreach. These efforts are instrumental in addressing a lot of the challenges in our communities, things like substance abuse.”
“There is so much alignment of what we were trying to achieve, which is fantastic,” said Cohen. “I think the mission of the CDC to protect and improve lives is so in alignment with what the Governor mentioned about improving quality of life. I think there are ways we can continue to grow our partnership together. I think the Chickasaw Nation did a tremendous amount of important work during the pandemic. We’ve all learned a lot of lessons about how we can think about the future. Going forward, I see a lot of opportunity.”