Choctaw Nation’s Commitment to Health
Published June 3, 2024By Assistant Chief Jack Austin Jr.
The Choctaw Nation is committed to the health and longevity of our tribal members. That is evident by the availability of our 13 wellness centers across the reservation, accessible to all tribal members and associates of the tribe.
Last month, we celebrated the 10-year anniversary of three of our Wellness Centers! We said Yakoke for a decade of availability to our Broken Bow and Idabel facilities on May 8 and to our Crowder Wellness Center on May 29. Coming this month, we have a 10-year anniversary on June 12 in Atoka and later in the year on Oct. 9 in Hugo. In 2023 alone, the Choctaw Nation Wellness Centers received 453,234 visits from tribal members and CNO associates.
The Choctaw Nation has several programs designed to monitor health and give tips to living a long and happy life. The Wellness Centers, along with tribal clinics, Diabetes Wellness Centers, and behavioral health centers, offer our tribal members easy access to life-saving care and wellness programs.
We all have plans and events we would like to achieve – a strong body and mind is the only way to reach those goals. Without your health, you can’t cross the finish line to accomplish your goals.
Taking care of yourself can sometimes seem like a daunting task, but all it takes is that first step to begin to prioritize your wellness and overall health. That first step could mean visiting with one of our many trainers at one of the Wellness Centers to get you on an achievable plan to take back your health. The Wellness Centers’ programs are designed for any level of fitness whether you are just getting started or are looking for a better way to achieve your fitness goals.
We have all, at some point, let our health and fitness goals take a back seat to other things going on in our lives. It can sometimes seem impossible to get to a healthy place again after we have neglected our fitness goals. All it takes is that first step and the determination to get back to a healthier lifestyle to restart your goal. Our staff of Wellness Center trainers are there to assist you in whatever fitness goals you have in mind.
I would like to give a Yakoke Chito to the wellness staff for their hard work and dedication to sustaining our tribe through improving tribal members’ overall health and well-being. Our tribe is stronger and healthier because of the efforts of these dedicated professionals.
So, I urge you to take command of your health, make an appointment with a fitness trainer on the Wellness Center webpage or drop by the Choctaw Wellness Center nearest you to see how your health can benefit from the services and workout tools available at our outstanding facilities. There is no better time to change your life and take control of your health than right now. And as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of several of our Wellness Centers in the coming months, I’m proud to say our Choctaw Nation Wellness Centers stand ready to help you achieve a healthier you.