IHCRC's 530 Ribbon Cutting Celebration
- IHCRC
- Jul 22
- 7 min read
Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC) had the honor of hosting hundreds, including tribal and local dignitaries, IHCRC Board of Trustees, local business partners, and staff at our Wednesday, July 2 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony showcasing the recently completed IHCRC 530 facility. The completion of this facility adds over 62,000 sq. ft. of space, offering expanded capacity for Dental, Optometry, Pharmacy, and Fitness services while introducing Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy services for IHCRC patients.
“Today, we celebrate more than just a new building. We celebrate expanding access of care, deeper cultural connections, and a renewed commitment to the health and well-being of our American Indian community here in Tulsa.” —Robert Anquoe, IHCRC Board of Trustees President
From a door-to-door community survey of 579 American Indian homes in 1976, to building a state-of-the-art facility, expanding access to care is central to IHCRC. Our Dental Department underwent a significant expansion, increasing from four operatories to ten, utilizing both open spaces and private rooms to accommodate patient preferences. Additionally, the new facility is equipped with state-of-the-art sterilization equipment, ensuring the highest standards of safety and hygiene for all dental procedures.
“It’s a special day today, whenever we can expand the services to our citizens. What that tells me is that we’re not going anywhere. We’re actually getting stronger. We’re getting bigger and our numbers are growing, and so that is what today is about. It’s about the celebration of meeting the services of our citizens and that somebody cares for our citizens.” —Muscogee Nation Second Chief Del Beaver
We're actually getting stronger. Second Chief Del Beaver said it, and we couldn't agree more. With a new Fitness center, IHCRC patients can overcome health barriers by utilizing new high-end equipment that rivals what is found in many professional gyms. The area includes a dedicated group workout zone with the Echelon Reflect guided workout system, offering live and on-demand classes. Patients can also participate in chair-based exercise, yoga, Tai Chi, and more. Fitness Educators are available to provide personalized guidance and custom workout plans to help individuals meet their wellness goals safely and effectively.
"Indian Health Service has been associated with Indian Health Care Resource Center before it was named that, back in the 70s, and we continue to grow together... At a time when urban and rural healthcare systems fail in many areas, this healthcare system is growing. This system’s expanding and increasing access to care." —Rear Admiral Travis Watts, Director of the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service
"We have expanded our Pharmacy. We do over 1,200 scripts a day. We had two drive-through lanes - we've expanded it to five drive-through lanes. The first day it opened, they did 2,000 prescriptions." —Carmelita Wamego Skeeter, IHCRC Chief Executive Officer
One of the clearest signs of IHCRC's growth through the years has been our Pharmacy. After functioning for many years with only a dispensary for medications, IHCRC first opened its in-house, state-licensed Pharmacy in 1990, and introduced IHCRC 530's expanded five-lane drive-thru services this past May. IHCRC's Pharmacy now features three dispensing robots, eight medication storage units, and two private rooms for medication counseling. This expanded space significantly increases capacity of our previous Pharmacy, enabling more efficient, high-quality service to meet the growing needs of the community.
"We’re so pleased to be here, because improving relationships with tribes has been a cornerstone of our administration. And that is because we understand the responsibility of the city, whose origin starts with Indian Country... And so, for us and for me, I'm just grateful. I'm grateful because we have these strong partnerships. We have this commitment, this 49-year commitment to providing first-class care to Indian Country right here in Tulsa." —Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols
One of the major parts of IHCRC's 49-year commitment to providing first-class care is expanding existing services to meet patient needs. In the case of Optometry, IHCRC services began in 1987 with only 12 hours of services per month available. Now, through IHCRC 530, Optometry features six exam rooms, doubling the number available in IHCRC 550. This updated space now includes dedicated rooms for specialized testing and is equipped with the latest technology, making it easier to deliver efficient and high-quality eye care to patients.
"We were talking about the fact that we were sitting out in the heat two years ago at the groundbreaking that may have been the hottest groundbreaking for any Chamber event I've ever had in my life! But now, to look back and look forward two years later, now for the grand opening of this event, and to see how beautiful this facility is, and the services, and to hear her describe the services that are being offered here, and to go tour and see these facilities. The citizens in our community are blessed." —Mike Neal, Tulsa Regional Chamber President and CEO
This celebration is the culmination of more than a decade of planning and construction work that broke ground in June 2023. Two companies with longtime local ties, general contractor Flintco and designer Childers Architect, worked with IHCRC on this expansion project.
“IHCRC’s mission to provide compassionate, culturally centered care aligns with our commitment to serve communities in meaningful ways. This clinic will improve lives and broaden access to essential healthcare for Native families across the Tulsa area.” —Brett Venable, Flintco Vice President and Area Manager
"We've worked with IHCRC between 25-30 years... We really appreciate that relationship that's been established, and IHCRC continuing to ask us to come in and use our services." —Laura Morrison, Childers Architect Senior Healthcare Planner, Principal of Bentonville Office
"I would like for my board members to please stand and let everyone see our leadership of Indian Health Care Resource Center. It’s with their leadership that we have what we have today. And one special leader that is not able to be here today is Mr. Jim Cameron. We had everything to overcome, and Mr. Cameron never gave up" —Carmelita Wamego Skeeter, IHCRC Chief Executive Officer
IHCRC faced obstacles at every corner when acquiring the original property at 550 S. Peoria Ave, as well as with securing land to the north for the 530 expansion. "And one of the big obstacles that we had to overcome was to close the street. And so, you think that's not a job to work with the City of Tulsa in closing the street? But he did that, and we can’t thank him enough," stated Mrs. Skeeter.
Through the dedication of our Board of Trustees and leaders, IHCRC continues to seek to offer new services to patients. Thanks to the space available through IHCRC 530, the newest available service now is Physical Therapy. These services help patients recover from injuries, improve mobility, and manage chronic pain. With personalized treatment plans and one-on-one guidance, this addition strengthens the clinic’s commitment to long-term recovery and physical health.
"We are going to be able to expand the services that we offer. We've had waiting lists for Dental care. We have waiting lists for Optometry. We have waiting lists for Physical Fitness. Each month, we refer out 600 patients for specialty care. And a lot of that specialty care is Physical Fitness and for primary care, and we hope we will be able to now bring on-site." "We have plans to hire another dentist, another optometrist. We plan on having Speech Therapy. And so, a lot of the money that we have spent referring our patients out for specialty care, we are going to be able to bring those specialists in-house to offer the service for us." —Carmelita Wamego Skeeter, IHCRC Chief Executive Officer
One of the most important aspects of facility expansion is being able to offer as many services and programs as possible at one location. As IHCRC CEO Carmelita Wamego Skeeter said, IHCRC 530 will feature services that the clinic used to have to refer patients elsewhere.
Occupational Therapy (planned for 2026) will help patients build or regain the skills needed for daily living and independence. Services will support those recovering from injury, living with disability, or managing chronic health conditions, particularly those that affect fine motor function, coordination, and self-care.
Speech Therapy (also planned for 2026) will support patients of all ages with communication disorders, speech delays, and swallowing difficulties. This service will further expand IHCRC’s ability to deliver comprehensive rehabilitative care.
Looking Forward
As services settle into their new space, progress will continue to shape our campus. IHCRC 550 will be reconfigured to accommodate a same-day clinic and more exam rooms.
"As we move the Dental department and Optometry department out of the south clinic, that will be redesigned into more exam rooms. We're going to expand our maternal child health program, and then, of course, have more specialists," said Mrs. Skeeter. "Pediatrics is a big need in the city. Mental Health is a big need. But there's still a waiting list."
Above all, the success of this expansion reflects the power of collaboration between tribal leadership, local officials, business partners, and the IHCRC community. That collaboration, and the spirit of service behind it, is what has carried us through the past 49 years and will continue to carry us forward as we serve Tulsa-area American Indians.
"We have been so fortunate with all of the support to be able to move forward on this. I appreciate everything that the board has done, everything that the community has done, all your support, and the foundations, the business world. Thank you very much. I have been here, like they said, 49 years, and I loved every minute of it. And I may be here longer. Thank you very much." —Carmelita Wamego Skeeter, IHCRC Chief Executive Officer
Media Coverage
KOTV Channel 6: Indian Health Care Resource Center opens expanded clinic in Tulsa, offering services for all tribal citizens
Tulsa World: Indian Health Care Resource Center opens clinic expansion
KOKI Fox 23: Indian Health Care Resource Center opens new facility expansion
KTUL Channel 8: Tulsa's Indian Health Care Center unveils new 62,000 sq ft expansion to enhance services
Tulsa People: Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa opens 62,000-square-foot facility expansion
VNN: Indian Health Care Resource Center to celebrate major expansion
The Journal Record: New IHCRC clinic opens in Tulsa, adds specialty care services
Native News Online: Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa Announces Ribbon Cutting for Its Expansion on July 2
Native Oklahoma Magazine: Hundreds Expected to Attend Wednesday’s Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa Facility Expansion Event