Drone image looking down at IHCRCs front entrance at 550

IHCRC provider listening to patient discuss medical needs.

About Us

Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, Inc. (IHCRC) is a community response to the funding and healthcare disparities of Tulsa’s urban Indian community. From a community survey to building a state-of-the-art facility, IHCRC has remained dedicated to empowering the American Indian through exceptional healthcare. Since opening in 1976, more than 300,000 individuals have walked through the doors of IHCRC.

American Indian Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

IHCRC employs over 180 staff members, nearly half of whom are American Indians, providing comprehensive care to over 14,000 American Indians. The wide array of integrated services operates through a multidisciplinary, patient-centered, medical home model of care. The long-term 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, and disease prevention and management programs. IHCRC houses the following service areas:

Family Practice
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Geriatrics
Same Day Clinic
Behavioral Health
Obstetrics
Public Health

Optometry
Dentistry
Pharmacy
Laboratory
Radiology
Mammography
Ultrasound
Physical Therapy

Diabetes Education
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Exercise and Fitness
Youth Programs
Transportation

Our Mission

To empower the American Indian through exceptional healthcare!

Our Vision

We will be the recognized leader in redefining primary healthcare for the American Indian.

Our Values

Community

Accountability

Respect

Excellence

Stewardship

IHCRC’s commitment to quality is evident in its accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) as an Ambulatory Health Clinic and a Medical and Dental Home. IHCRC hires with an Indian preference and is an “Indian-controlled business.” Incorporated as an Oklahoma nonprofit corporation in 1978, IHCRC operates as an urban Indian health center under the umbrella of the Indian Health Services (IHS) I/T/U program, independent of tribal or federal control. A Board of Trustees meets every other month to determine issues of policy and governance.

historic photo of IHCRC groundbreaking in 1990s featuring an ihcrc provider with community members in regalia with downtown tulsa in background

Our History

Since 1976, Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC) has been an important part of the local American Indian community. Our organization is the primary source of outpatient care services for American Indians living in Tulsa and the surrounding areas. IHCRC is dedicated to providing the best services possible in a way that is understanding of American Indian culture.

History Through the Years

IHCRC's previous clinic building from the 1970s which was located at 915 S. Cincinnati. This two-story, 12,000 foot building was built in the 1930s as a medical clinic.

1976: IHCRC formed after a survey revealed medical needs of Tulsa’s Indians were not being met. IHCRC was initially organized under the umbrella of the Native American Coalition of Tulsa. Beginning with a staff of four employees, the first health care services for outreach and referral services were provided via a contract with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

1977: Direct health care was first offered. IHCRC moved from 31st and Sheridan to Eighth and Denver. The WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) supplemental food and nutrition program was added via contract with the Cherokee Nation.

1978: IHCRC was incorporated as an Oklahoma non-profit organization at the recommendation of the Health Committee of the Native American Coalition Board.

1979: IHCRC moved to 915 S. Cincinnati. This two-story, 12,000 foot building was built in the 1930s as a medical clinic.

Image of 1999 ground breaking ceremony at IHCRC's current 550 S. Peoria Ave. location.

1990: After operating for many years with only a dispensary for medications, IHCRC opened an in-house, state-licensed pharmacy. Mammography services became available. IHCRC received an Administration for Native American grant to promote economic development opportunities in the Indian community.

1991: The first Dance of the Two Moons was held.

1992: IHCRC Economic Development department established the American Indian Entertainment business venture, generating revenues for IHCRC and providing jobs for local American Indians. The first of two Tallasi Winter Art Festivals was held.

1995: In cooperation with national health program initiatives, IHCRC secured a number of grants to expand childhood immunization efforts, HIV education, women’s health services, and youth leadership programs. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority launched the new SoonerCare program.

1996: IHCRC joined Tulsa’s Community HealthNet Consortium as a founding member.

1997: IHCRC received a five-year grant from the IHS to prevent, reduce, or treat the family stressors that lead to child abuse, neglect, and family violence. A full-time case manager was added to the prenatal program in a partnership program supported by Healthy Start grant.

1998: Diabetes prevention program was expanded with the benefit of a national, multi-year grant from the IHS. Construction of a new facility commenced with a groundbreaking ceremony.

1999: IHCRC moved to its current location at Sixth and Peoria. The new facility accommodated all of IHCRC’s services under one roof in a wheelchair-accessible single-story structure.

Drone image of IHCRC's most recent 530 building expansion which was completed in 2025.

2020: Winner of the 2020 Best Places to Work in Oklahoma award. IHCRC celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Dance of the Two Moons. IHCRC added telehealth services. IHCRC Dance of the Two Moons won the Tulsa People Readers Choice Award for Best Nonprofit Event.

2021: Received a multi-million dollar grant from the United Health Foundation to start a Geriatric program. Celebrated the 45th work anniversary of our CEO, Carmelita Skeeter. Expanded our Youth Programming. Launched the IHCRC App for easy access to information.

2022: Winner of the 2022 Best Places to Work in Oklahoma award. IHCRC moved our annual Powwow location and had the largest attendance ever at over 1500 people. IHCRC won the Tulsa People Readers Choice Awards for Best Non-Profit Event, Dance of the Two Moons, and the Best Wellness Programming. Reaccredited by AAAHC.

2024: Winner of the 2024 Best Places to Work in Oklahoma award.

2025: Standards for Excellence earned through the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits. IHCRC Dance of the Two Moons wins the Tulsa People Readers Choice Award for Best Nonprofit Event for a fifth time.

Image from the 1980s of one of IHCRC's original doctors seeing a Native patient in an exam room.

1980: Indian Family Services (Indian Child Welfare), “family break-up” prevention services, and mental health services were first offered.

1981: Dental care was added to the health care scope as was a Community Gardening program, emphasizing nutrition education and economic self-sufficiency.

1982: Computerization arrived and quality assurance programs were initiated.

1983: An adolescent component was added to Indian Family Services. Visual acuity screenings were offered for the first time.

1984: Early Childhood Development program was added to Indian Family Services. Diabetes education classes began and a volunteer program was established. Outpatient alcoholism counseling began.

1985: Mental health services became a full-time program. IHCRC developed a national model program for high-risk Indian adolescents. A substance abuse group began meeting on a weekly basis.

1986: Radiology equipment was installed to allow X-ray services on-site.

1987: Optometry and hearing services were added. Fetal alcohol syndrome counseling and prevention services were added and the Indian Family Services program was expanded to include a Child Court Advocate.

1988: Behavioral Health Department added outpatient chemical dependency counseling, temporary child placement, and adolescent self-esteem programs.

1989: HIV counseling and community education program was added, and the adolescent self-esteem model was selected as a State model program.

Image of banner outside of IHCRC's clinic announcing a building expansion that happened in the 2010s.

2010: Converted diagnostic imaging equipment from film-based system to a fully digital X-ray and mammography system. Re-accredited by AAAHC.

2011: Completed expansion and renovation project, doubling the size of facility, and integrating all services back to the main campus. IHCRC began implementation of Electronic Health Records.

2012: “The Healer” sculpture was installed at the facility entrance. IHCRC launched the Drive-Thru Flu Clinic. Pharmacy added a second robotic automation dispensing system.

2013: “Games Along the Way,” a sister sculpture piece to “The Healer,” was installed. Medicine Wheel Park was dedicated. Implemented the Patient Centered Medical Home model of care called Improving Patient Care Made Simple (IPCMS). Re-accredited by AAAHC and received our Medical Home Accreditation from AAAHC.

2014: Remodel of the Medical Services area to accommodate “pods” for a more efficient and effective use of our IPC care teams.

2015: Celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Dance of the Two Moons. IHCRC purchased additional property adjacent to our current property to plan for future expansion.

2016: IHCRC celebrated 40 years of service for Tulsa's Native American community. Re-accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

2018: IHCRC Dance of the Two Moons won the 2018 Tulsa People Readers Choice Award for Best Nonprofit Event.

2019: Reaccredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Winner of the 2019 Best Places to Work in Oklahoma award. IHCRC Dance of the Two Moons won the Tulsa People Readers Choice Award for Best Nonprofit Event.

Image of IHCRC's completed clinic in 2000 at the current 550 S. Peoria Ave. location.

2000: REACH physical education program began.

2001: Health Education and Wellness Department established. IHCRC celebrates its 25th anniversary.

2002: Achieved accreditation from Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

2003: IHCRC began acquiring property to the west for future campus expansion.

2004: Pharmacy added a robotic automation dispensing system. Indian Youth Program was established. IHCRC was re-accredited by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

2005: “Heart Savers” cardiovascular disease risk reduction demonstration project began. IHCRC’s satellite office on Main Street was opened to accommodate overflow of services due to shortage of space in main clinic.

2006: Dental department upgraded to utilize electronic medical records and digital imaging systems.

2007: Completed Phase I (Part 1) of campus expansion with construction of Employee Parking lot to the west of the clinic. The first Annual Restoring Harmony Powwow was held. We were again re-accredited by AAAHC.

2008: Medical Department became “Reach Out and Read” partners to promote early childhood reading. Facility Expansion Team completed design for future building expansion. The first Annual Teddy Bear Clinic was held.

2009: Phase I (Part 2) Expansion of campus began with groundbreaking ceremony for major facility expansion and renovation project. Health Education and Wellness Department began “Tulsa Healthy Lifestyles” program.