The Oklahoma Caring Foundation is celebrating a 10-year partnership with the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority. Since 2012, the Choctaw Nation Caring Van has provided more than 17,000 children and nearly 12,000 adults with more than 33,000 immunizations.
Established in 1994, the Foundation is dedicated to providing Oklahomans access to preventive health services. The Foundation’s nine Oklahoma Caring Vans travel the state and meet Oklahomans where they are to help eliminate barriers to care like transportation, time, and cost.
For the past decade, the Choctaw Nation’s Caring Van has provided preventive health services, including routine immunizations, annual flu shots, and health screenings at no cost to Oklahomans who qualify.
“This partnership is critical in rural communities because the mobile model brings preventive health services to where children and families spend their days,” explained Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority Executive Officer Todd Hallmark. “Children that live in these areas often go without these services. Making these services available allows the Choctaw Nation to help keep our rural communities in southeast Oklahoma healthier.”
The partnership was highlighted at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma's (BCBSOK) Tribal Roundtable, where more than 100 people attended to discuss health policies and health care issues related to American Indian populations in Oklahoma. The roundtable was founded in 2012 and brings together tribal partners, including BCBSOK leadership, department directors and representatives from Indian Health Services, tribal and urban Indian clinics in Oklahoma.
"We’re proud to celebrate our long-standing relationship with the Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority," said Brooke Townsend, Oklahoma Caring Foundation executive director. "With their support, we’re providing access to preventive services to more children in our state and improving the health of Oklahomans, one child at a time."
For more information about the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, visit oklahomacaringfoundation.org.