Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

First time helipad was put to
use was on December 18th.

SALLISAW, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation can now add one more service provided at the Redbird Smith Community Health Center to their extensive list, access to an air ambulance.

"We were utilizing a field behind us for air ambulances to use," said Mike Pruitt, clinical director at the Sallisaw Clinic. "We had to cut down the fence to the pasture, sometimes even mow the area down before the air ambulance arrived, load the patient, let them leave, and then rewire the fence, this became quite a chore."

The Sallisaw facility utilizes air ambulance services on an average of 3 to 4 times per month and decided it was time they had an official landing pad for air ambulances. Utilizing their own funds and help from Cherokee Nation construction workers, the helipad was constructed in a month's time.

"We are really proud to have this helipad now," said Jennifer Scoggins, health operations manager for the clinic. "This will be excellent for the community to now have two helipads in case emergency response of this type is needed."

Cherokee Nation also has helipads at their Stilwell and Jay clinics.

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org