June 4

June 4 2019

The healthcare system in Cherokee North Carolina is run for the people and by the people.  The tribal council works hand in hand with the governing body at the hospital to provide the best care for the registered Eastern Band of Cherokee members.  The members of the healthcare team in the primary care setting at Cherokee Hospital involve pods and in each pod there is a physician, CMA, Nurse/Case Manager, and secretary.  The inpatient healthcare team and ER involve RNs, LPNs, Physicians, CNAs, and social workers.  Anyone can go to the Emergency Room at Cherokee Hospital, but in order to be admitted the patient must be a registered Alaskan Native or Native American.  The tribe pays the healthcare costs for all registered members of the tribe and therefore there is never a charge for the patient, talk about patient centered care!  The culture of the Cherokee Indian does focus on using herbal remedies, but it is said that only specific elders know the exact art of doing it correctly and then they pass it on to the next generation to someone in their family.  For instance, there is a bull nettle root that is used to make teething necklaces for infants that stop them from salivating constantly.  I admire that the Cherokee take care of their own people.