2012 IHCRC Board of Trustees
OFFICERS
Janice Edmiston, President, Choctaw and Sac & Fox
Jim Cameron, Vice President, Cherokee
Bob Bitting, Secretary, Cherokee
Herbert P. Haschke, Jr., Treasurer
Madeline Teague, At-Large Executive Committee member, Cherokee
Mary Ann Vassar, At-Large Executive Committee member, Cherokee
Jay Anderson, DDS, Choctaw
Bobby Jones, Cherokee
Charles Knife Chief, MD, Pawnee
David D. Moon, DO, Choctaw
Goldie Phillips, Comanche
Ed Pierce, Citizen Nation Potawatomi
Carmelita Wamego Skeeter, IHCRC CEO, Citizen Nation Potawatomi
Board Composition Note: The Board of Directors is required by federal guidelines to be consumer controlled (at least 51 percent American Indian). Additional Bylaw requirements stipulate that the three members of the Board are to be providers representing the medical/behavioral health fields. The Bylaws also provide for three At-Large members that represent the general community. Directors serve two year staggered terms. Directors may be appointed to fill vacancies, but all Directors are elected to serve two-year full terms. The Board elects its own officers.
Organizational Overview
Patients without health insurance are provided health care at no personal cost; IHCRC bills applicable governmental and private insurance plans.
Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, Inc., (IHCRC), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, comprehensive health care facility, governed by a local volunteer Board of Trustees. IHCRC provides medical, health education, dental, optometry, behavioral health, chemical dependency and pharmacy services to the Tulsa Indian community. Members of any federally recognized tribe and their children under the age of 18 are eligible to receive care.
Indian Health Care promotes quality health care by providing culturally sensitive access to comprehensive medical care. Comprehensive health care includes acute and preventive care, chronic disease management, health education, outreach and therapeutic services.
The organization is strongly committed to maintaining continuity of care and addressing individual health care needs. The family is recognized as the traditional and most important basic social unit in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Our providers are sensitive to cultural beliefs and practices.
Mission
The mission of the Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, Inc. (IHCRC) is to provide quality, comprehensive health care to Tulsa area Indian people in a culturally sensitive manner that promotes good health, well being and harmony.
Vision
The vision of IHCRC is to eliminate health disparities, expand innovative family-focused practices and promote an embracing approach to care that strengthens physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness within the Indian community.
Health Prevention Goal
The long-term health prevention goal of IHCRC is to improve general health status and reduce the incidence and severity of chronic disease by engaging the Indian community in ongoing health promotion, prevention and disease management programs.
2011 IHCRC Annual Report available for download. Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa gathered for the historic 35th Annual Meeting of the organization. The 2011 IHCRC annual report was distributed which highlights the accomplishments of the past year, including the long-awaited completion of the major facility expansion and remodeling construction project. Pam Iron, Executive Director of the National Indian Women's Resource Center and former Executive Director of Indian Health Care Resource Center, presented a history of the early days of IHCRC and her perspective on the health care needs of American Indians. The IHCRC Annual Meeting closed with the traditional presentation of honorary awards to community supporters, families, board members and staff members. Read more in the Winter 2011-12 Healthy Spirit IHCRC Healthy Winter 2011 or see 2011 Awards page...
IHCRC Employees receive IHS Awards
The Eighth Annual Oklahoma City Area Office Indian Health Service (IHS) Director's Awards Ceremony and Banquet was held on July 21, 2011 in Oklahoma City. This annual event recognizes individuals and health teams who have helped advance the goal of the Indian Health Service to ensure comprehensive health services are provided in a culturally competent manner to American Indian and Alaskan Native people. Individuals working at federal Indian health, tribal health and urban health (I/T/U) facilities within Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma were recognized at the awards ceremony for excellence in job performance. Read more: 2011 Indian Health Services awards.