Cherokee, Osage, Muscogee Nations plan major healthcare investments

Tribal leaders from the Cherokee, Osage and Muscogee (Creek) Nations say healthcare will be their top investment priority as they continue expanding their economic impact across northeast Oklahoma.

Wednesday, April 16th 2025, 4:19 am

By: Brooke Cox

Leaders from three of northeast Oklahoma’s largest tribal nations say healthcare will be the focus of major investments in the coming year.

Principal chiefs from the Cherokee Nation, Osage Nation and Muscogee (Creek) Nation addressed the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, highlighting the tribes’ growing economic impact and shared commitment to improving health outcomes for their citizens.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. emphasized the success of the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, which is adjacent to the tribe’s largest hospital and outpatient clinic.

“People have seen the Oklahoma State College of Osteopathic Medicine,” Hoskin said. “They'll see their second graduating class in about a month. We'll set another record for the number of Native Americans who are becoming doctors. OSU is the number one producer of Native doctors in the country — in the country.”