Cherokee Nation building new health center in Jay

JAY, Okla. (AP) – The Cherokee Nation is constructing a new health center in Jay for tribal members.

The center will be the third of four health centers and one hospital slated for expansion or replacement under the tribe’s $100 million health care improvement plan.

The new 42,000-square-foot health center will accommodate a variety of services, including primary care, dental, optometry, radiology, behavioral health and public health nursing. The projected cost of construction is $13.5 million.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker says the current clinic in Jay was one of the first health centers operated by the Cherokee Nation. He says the 26,000-sqaure-foot facility has served tribal members well for 30 years, but it’s time for an upgrade.

Tribal officials broke ground on the new facility on Monday.