The final steel beam of W.W. Hastings' 469,000-square-foot outpatient health facility in Tahlequah, Okla., was put in place March 9, the Muskogee Phoenix reports.
Here's what you should know.
1. Cherokee Nation celebrated the facility's progress with a topping out ceremony. More than 300 prominent tribal, federal and state health officials attended.
2. The center is expected to open in 2019. It'll be the largest health center operated by Cherokee Nation, and the largest tribal health center in the U.S.
3. More than 30 departments will be housed in the center. The center will have 240 exam rooms, an ASC with five surgical suites and two endoscopy suites, a specialty clinic, a dental clinic, three audiology testing booths and imaging services.
4. The center will create more than 850 jobs.
5. Cherokee Nation Health Services Acting Executive Director Charles Grim, MD, said, "This state-of-the-art medical facility will allow us to offer an even higher level of care. The project could not have taken place without the partnership of Indian Health Service, our tribal administration and council, Cherokee Nation Businesses, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, contractors and many dedicated health employees."