In fact , the AST Health System prides itself on offering culturally sensitive healthcare . “ Healthcare is healthcare , whether it is in Indian Country or mainstream facilities ,” Rogers said . “ The secret in our sauce is our patient care and our customer service , where we emphasize the internal and external . We don ’ t push patients through their time with the doctor like you see in the private sector . We allow more time , as it is expected to get to know your provider and build a trust relationship , and we do not rush someone out the door , so to speak , for the greater good of quick profits . We want patients and their families to come back , again and again , and allow our providers to spend time visiting with their patients to build the long-term trust desired by our tribal peoples and our tribal elders .”
For the past six years , the AST Little Axe Clinic has earned the highest professional recognition possible -- accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care . Its staff of 350 employees includes more than 100 professional staff members from across Central Oklahoma , Rogers said , and approximately 12,000 patient visits occur each month .
Those statistics should be doubling once the current building expansion is completed . The project , designed by Childers Architects , will remodel and repurpose the existing 76,000-square-foot facility , while increasing it to 150,000 total square feet .
Two mobile medical units , purchased in December 2021 , also are being used to provide public health assistance to tribal members who aren ’ t able to easily access the clinic . The units can be converted to serve as a regular health clinic , dental clinic or to provide public health services related to Covid / flu testing , vaccinations , nutrition , diabetes , home health , dementia care and general wellness .
“ I will put our team up against any institution , anywhere . We have the best of the best ,” Rogers said . “ We consistently score 9.7 % out of 10 on our patient care and satisfaction scores , and a Google score at or around 5 stars .”
He noted that while Native Americans face unique health challenges in general , with diabetes being one of the most well known , the past two years have presented even greater challenges . “ Covid had a huge impact on our tribe . We lost cultural leaders , Native speakers and elected leadership , as well as many irreplaceable family members , just like in the mainstream population ,” Rogers said . “ What most people do not know is that we never closed or ceased operations . Had we done so , it would have pushed 23,000 patients – many high-risk elders and those with complicating health issues – into the area ERs , thus exposing them even more and delaying care and overcrowding those other hospitals .”
In addition to medical care , AST staff were lifesavers in another way during the pandemic , Rogers added . Through the tribe ’ s Title 6 food program staff prepared and delivered nearly 50,000 carryout meals which were taken to tribal members and other Native Americans who were homebound or otherwise at risk .
“ For many of these folks , especially those who were homebound or had limited caretaker support , this program literally made the difference between life and death ,” he said .
Rogers said he takes pride in knowing that the clinic team ’ s efforts are improving the lives of future generations , not just individual lives .
“ We have patients from every tribe in Oklahoma , as well as Navajo and Alaskan natives who use our facilities ,” Rogers said . “ We are growing , reinvesting in our infrastructure and employing more tribal members than ever in our history . This also keeps younger tribal members local , which keeps families together and allows for ongoing growth of the tribe , both culturally with language , customers and ceremonies , plus members remaining active within their tribe politically and as civil servants . As the ( AST Health System ) grows more prosperous and successful , thus does the tribe overall !”
NormanMagazine . com | MAY / JUNE 2022 17