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BY JAMI CUSTER
Reporter

SALLISAW, Okla. – The Cherokee Nation and Tahlequah Hospital Foundation are teaming to open the Renal and Hypertension Institute of Northeast Oklahoma, a dialysis center, on Aug. 6.

“The Nation provided the land through a lease and the Hospital Foundation is providing the building and the equipment,” Brian Woodliff, Tahlequah City Hospital CEO, said. 

Woodliff said the RHINO would provide dialysis services to end-stage renal disease patients.

“The clinician at the center will provide and coordinate chronic care nephrology clinics, vascular access, and outpatient dialysis to the area patients,” he said. 

Woodliff said more than 40 residents in Sequoyah County currently suffer with end-stage renal disease. Having a center locally would assist those patients and allow them less travel time.

“These patients are traveling to surrounding counties and to Fort Smith, Ark., to receive care. Local services will allow better access for patients and families,” he said. 

Both the tribe and THF have planned, developed and constructed the center during the past 18 to 24 months, Woodliff said. 

The center is nearly 4,000 square feet and the space includes 12 patient treatment areas, an education space, social service office and waiting area. 

“Comfortable for treating up to 72 patients, if needed,” Woodliff said. “At least 12 employees, including biomedical engineering, doctors, physician assistants, nursing, social services and office personnel will serve the center.”

The RHINO is expected to open to the public on Aug. 6. Medicare recipients will be allowed to use the facility once its Medicare certification is granted. Certification can take up to six to eight weeks once a facility opens due to an on-site survey by the state health department.


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