Demolition Begins Before Construction of Osage Nation Healthcare Facility
KTUL - January 9, 2023 6:27 am
Demolition has begun in Pawhuska for Osage Nation healthcare facility.
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — Demolition has begun in downtown Pawhuska in preparation for the construction of a new 64,800-square-foot health center.
Crews are demolishing an old Safeway building to put in the new Wahzhazhe Health Center, which will span two blocks.
“This is a monumental step in the right direction for holistic healthcare for Osages and Osage community members,” said Osage Nation Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear. “The property is owned by the Osage Nation. After demolition, we will confidently pass the project along to the Si-Si A-Pe-Txa Board of Directors and Osage Nation Health System Leadership to keep the progress moving forward with our full support.”
The new building will be over six times bigger than the former health center that was 9,800 square feet.
Demolition begins before construction of Osage Nation healthcare facility. (Courtesy Osage Nation)
“The Osage Nation Health System going from an I.H.S. legacy facility of 9,800 sq. ft. to 64,800 sq. ft. is an enormously huge investment and commitment in our ability to service the Osage people, our patients from other Tribes, as well as their families,” said Osage Nation Health System CEO Mark Rogers. “As the Health System embarks upon its new identify with Title VI and Elder Care programs spooling up, the Residential Treatment Crisis Counseling Center preparing to break ground with its five facilities, and the Mobile Medical Units being readied and staffed up for coverage of the Osage Reservation, we are in unprecedented times of opportunity and growth.”
