Health center to serve 11,000

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — It took nearly 27 years for the Four Corners Regional Health Center to become a reality, and now it's time to celebrate.

On April 4, tribal leaders, along with officials from the main Indian Health Service office in Rockville, Ma., will celebrate with a grand opening ceremony.

The $64.1 million facility, located in Red Mesa, Ariz., opened its doors in late January this year, replacing the Teec Nos Pos Clinic. The 118,000 square foot center replaced the 513 foot center that was built in the early 70's.

Since its opening in January, the center has had 57 staff members and limited hours, but starting next week, a staff of 225 will provide services. Hospital officials anticipate serving around 11,000 Native people, including members of the Navajo, Ute Mountain, and Southern Ute tribes.

Anslem Roanhorse, executive director for the Navajo Division of Health said the Nation has made the construction of health care facilities a top budget priority for the past four years because of the long distance families have to travel to receive care.

"The average age of current Indian Health Service facilities is 32 years compared to nine years of private sector facilities," he said. "Lack of space to serve patients caused crowded waiting rooms and ultimately patient dissatisfaction ... "

The facility includes 93 housing units, six sub-acute beds, and a 24-hour emergency department. It will also house eight of the Nation's tribal health programs. Even after just two months of its opening, officials said there has been some weight alleviated off the Shiprock hospital staff.

Roanhorse said that a number of groups and individuals people made the center a reality, including the Steering Committee, council delegates, and Indian Health Services.

The lunch celebration is open to the public and will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The center is located at the junction of U.S. Highway 160 and Navajo Route 35.