Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Is Quietly Rewriting Native Healthcare

Good healthcare reaches people where they are — and Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC) is proving exactly that.

We Visited OKCIC During the SPTHB Tribal Public Health Conference

Ellsworth attended the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board Tribal Public Health Conference in Oklahoma City, and we made a point to stop by Oklahoma City Indian Clinic in person. Walking through the campus, the immediate comparison that comes to mind is the Gallup Indian Medical Center in Gallup, New Mexico — a familiar model of comprehensive, community-rooted Native health infrastructure. OKCIC reminded us of what Indian Country healthcare can and should look like at its best.

The clinic publishes a standout community publication called Horizons, with both 2025 and 2026 volumes documenting milestones, certifications, patient stories, and program expansions across every department. Oklahoma City Indian Clinic has served American Indians in central Oklahoma since 1974, growing from a volunteer-run clinic operating five hours a week into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit employing nearly 500 staff across multiple campuses.

Today, OKCIC serves more than 24,000 patients representing over 200 tribes, functioning as a contractor of the Indian Health Service with an explicit mission: to be the national model for American Indian health care.

OKCIC’s 2025 Milestones Set a National Standard

The expansion in 2025 alone is remarkable. On June 27, OKCIC opened a dedicated Behavioral Health building and became the first urban American Indian organization in the country to offer in-house mail order pharmacy services. A new Mobile Health Unit launched to bring vaccinations, screenings, and education directly into Native communities. Their Wellness Center, supporting an average of 2,500 patient encounters monthly, became the first American Indian facility and the first in Oklahoma certified by the Medical Fitness Association. In December 2025, OKCIC earned full Joint Commission accreditation — the Gold Seal of Approval in healthcare quality — for both Ambulatory and Behavioral Health services. The clinic’s STAR diabetes prevention program has delivered 1,043 lifestyle change sessions to 455 participants, yielding an average 4.7% weight loss and 164 minutes of weekly physical activity!

Native Health Infrastructure That Indian Country Needs

According to the Indian Health Service, Native populations face disproportionately higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic liver disease compared to the general population — disparities that demand culture-aware, Indigenous-centered solutions. OKCIC’s model integrates behavioral health, dental, optometry, nutrition, pediatrics, pharmacy, and culturally grounded wellness programming under one umbrella.

Programs like Coffee & Culture for elders aged 55 and older and the Build & Bring cultural creation circle reflect what the National Institutes of Health confirms: cultural connectedness directly protects Native populations’ mental and physical health.

OKCIC fills over 450,000 prescriptions annually and has earned recognition as one of Oklahoma’s Best Places to Work for 15 consecutive years — a signal that a strong internal culture produces better patient outcomes for Our Relatives across Indian Country.

Ellsworth Stands Beside Every Native Health Institution Serving Our Relatives

At Ellsworth, a 100% Navajo-owned, ISBEE-certified Native-owned small business specializing in medical staffing for IHS facilities and tribal health programs, we recognize institutions like OKCIC as the backbone of Indian Country’s health infrastructure. Facilities of this caliber require clinical professionals who understand culturally sensitive care — and that is exactly what we deliver. If your Native health program needs qualified, mission-aligned medical staff, connect with Ellsworth today at ellsworth.solutions.