Choctaw Nation Hugo Health Clinic Celebrates 50 Years of Serving Tribal Members

HUGO, Okla. – The Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority (CNHSA) Hugo Health Clinic celebrated 50 years of service with a ceremony with associates, health team leadership and Indian Health Services (IHS) leadership. In 1975, the Choctaw Nation acquired the clinic from the IHS and began providing for the healthcare needs of the tribal citizens on the reservation.

“I am excited to be here, where I consider to be home,” said Admiral Travis Watts of IHS. “Choctaw Nation truly has a feel as a medical home, a place to not only get physical care, but where you can get improvement in mental health, improvement in social health, and spiritual health. The Choctaw Nation really embodies whole wellness.”

Harry Belvin, Chief of the Choctaw Nation from 1948 to 1975, is the clinic’s namesake and was an integral part in acquiring the clinic. Since 1975, the clinic has undergone transitions, upgrades and additions and is now in a 13,617 square foot clinic with specialties such as behavioral health, community health nursing, Choctaw Referred Care, dental, diabetes wellness education, optometry, x-ray, medical laboratory, pharmacy, family medicine, women’s health, podiatry, benefits coordination, and speech therapy.

“Congratulations on 50 years and I look forward to seeing what the next 50 years brings,” said Watts.