Chickasaw Nation Breaks Ground on Largest IHS Hospital in History

Historic buildings still need clinicians inside them.

A Groundbreaking Draws Federal Leadership to Newcastle

At 9:30 a.m. on July 31, 2026, The Chickasaw Nation broke ground at State Highway 62 and 16th Street on the Chickasaw Nation Health Newcastle Medical Center. Governor Bill Anoatubby was joined by CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and Congressman Tom Cole. The Indian Health Service sent a deep bench: Deputy Director Benjamin Smith, Chief of Staff Clayton Fulton, Director of Strategic Initiatives Dr. Kim Hartwig, and Rear Adm. Travis Watts, Oklahoma City Area Director. Watts credited thousands of hours of work between the two partners. Phase 1 spans 700,000 square feet with 50 inpatient beds, an emergency department, labor and delivery, pediatrics, and behavioral health. Read more at OKC.

A Billion-Dollar First Phase Across Twelve Years of Construction

Newcastle Mayor Karl Nail said Phase 1 alone will cost a little more than a billion dollars, with construction running twelve years across three phases. Room count grows from roughly 50 to about 150 at completion. The Newcastle Joint Venture Project sits under Section 818 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, giving the IHS a 20-year lease at no cost. A Native American research center and residency programs are planned.

Workforce Demand Arrives Long Before the Ribbon Cutting

More than 5,500 staff members are projected once the campus is fully operational, and 10 to 20 babies are anticipated daily. Meanwhile, GAO documented a 25 percent average provider vacancy rate across IHS areas. Physician vacancies reached 29 percent in direct-care areas. Native populations cannot wait. Elders traveling from across Indian Country deserve continuity, and culture awareness belongs at every bedside.

Ellsworth Places Clinicians Who Understand Our Relatives

Ellsworth is a Navajo-owned, ISBEE-certified Native owned small business staffing IHS and Tribal 638 facilities. Therefore, we recruit culturally competent clinicians and Native practitioners who strengthen native health outcomes. Newcastle deserves a full roster on day one!