The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 1 for the new Red Water Clinic. The ceremony, held 16 months after the groundbreaking, featured remarks by Tribal Chief Phyliss J. Anderson, Indian Health Service Nashville Area Executive Officer Mark Skinner, Choctaw Health Department Director Tina Scott and Red Water Clinic Project Manager James Denson.

The clinic, part of the Choctaw Tribal health care system, opened for business on Feb. 4. The 10,794-square-foot clinic is four times larger than its predecessor and houses a primary care area that includes four exam rooms, a waiting area, lab services, pharmacy and staff offices; a four exam/care chair dental area with waiting room; three auxiliary rooms for use by the Women, Infants & Children program, Public Health, Behavioral Health, and any other visiting program; and a Resource Room for health programs to use for training classes or informational sessions. The clinic also features an ambulatory bay for patient pick up; however, no emergency services are provided at the clinic.

“Today marks a wonderful milestone in the history of our Tribe’s healthcare efforts,” said Tribal Chief Phyliss J. Anderson in a new release. “We are continuing to make great strides in providing the best facilities and resources possible for our Tribal members.”

The $2.6 million building was funded by Choctaw Health Center program revenue. An Indian Health Service grant was also received for the purchase of dental equipment. The Choctaw Tribal health care system consists of Choctaw Health Center and other outlying clinics in the Bogue Chitto and Conehatta communities. The Red Water Clinic currently services nearly 1,500 Tribal members, primarily in the Red Water and Standing Pine communities.

The new Red Water Clinic entrance features a ceramic tile decorative wall with diamond design, which is culturally important to the Choctaw. The building will also display photographs and pieces created by Choctaw artisans.