TAHLEQUAH, OK – Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner have proposed to earmark $30 million for a satellite nursing school campus in Tahlequah through a partnership with the University of Oklahoma (OU). The proposed legislation also aims to invest millions of dollars annually to train more nurses and other health professionals for jobs in the Cherokee Nation and rural Oklahoma.
“We cannot create a world-class system of wellness if we do not maximize our healthcare workforce,” said Chief Hoskin. “The package sent to the Council to consider is a generational investment to ensure we have Cherokees entering the health profession in record numbers now and deep into the 21st century.”
Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner proposed several measures under their “21st Century Cherokee Healthcare Workforce” plan, including:
- $30 million for a new University of Oklahoma College of Nursing satellite campus at the “Cherokee Nation Nursing and Allied Health Education Center” through a remodel of the current W.W. Hastings Hospital facility, which will be replaced by a new hospital by mid-2026.
- More than $5 million for a “Cherokee Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship” endowment to fund into perpetuity substantial student aid to Cherokee Nation citizens on a pay back basis through employment in the tribe’s health system.
- $1 million annually for new health field college scholarships and youth career exploration programs through the tribe’s Education Services Department.
- $1 million annually for non-degree health career training grants through the tribe’s Career Services Department.
“This plan is a win for the entire region, and a great near-term and long-term health workforce strategy for Cherokee Nation,” said Deputy Chief Warner. “Partnering with OU means we will bring world-class nursing education to everyone, generate nursing graduates to serve everyone in the region and put more Cherokees than ever in a position to find a career path in the health field.”
The Cherokee Nation Nursing and Allied Health Education Center and Endowment Act authorizes Cherokee Nation to agree with a third-party provider of collegiate-level education in nursing and other health fields. Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner announced that the tribe is in talks with OU to operate the new center.
“We deeply value the Cherokee Nation’s leadership and vision in strengthening the healthcare workforce in Oklahoma,” said University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr. “Strengthening Oklahoma’s healthcare workforce is a core pillar of the University of Oklahoma’s Strategic Plan. The university has made a sustained commitment to educating and advancing nurses into the healthcare workforce as a critical part of improving health across our state. As the state’s flagship university, we are proud to collaborate with tribal nations to expand access to high-quality nursing education. We look forward to working with the Cherokee Nation to advance nursing education and a strengthened workforce for the Cherokee Nation and the communities it supports.”
The proposed law would provide $5.15 million in an endowment for nursing and allied health education through the tribally affiliated Cherokee Nation Foundation. Eligibility for the scholarships will be open to Cherokees across the United States, but students who aim to join Cherokee Nation’s health workforce will receive a preference.
“The main goal with the new endowment is to create a perpetual source of funds to send Cherokees, no matter where they live, to get their education at low or no cost and pay the tribe back by joining our amazing healthcare workforce,” said Cherokee Nation Chief of Staff Dr. Corey Bunch.
Chief Hoskin and Deputy Chief Warner propose tapping $2 million annually from the tribe’s Public Health and Wellness Fund Act to fund more health career education and training.