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Covering the entire northwest quadrant of Oklahoma is the Clinton Service Unit. The area includes the state's panhandle, known before statehood as No Man's Land. It also incorporates much of the "short grass" territory assigned to plains Indians when they were relocated by the U.S. Government in the late 19th century -- the Cheyenne from their homes on the great plains, the Arapaho from Colorado -- because their lands were standing in the way of the white man's westward expansion.
One of the most infamous battles between federal troops and Indian tribes took place within the boundaries of this service unit in 1868, when General Custer led cavalry forces to the banks of the Washita River where Black Kettle, Chief of the Cheyenne, had made his winter camp. Attacking at dawn, Custer destroyed the village of peaceful Indians and killed most of the inhabitants. It was this atrocity that eventually united and mobilized all the tribes that converged at the Battle of Big Horn to eradicate Custer and all his men.
The service unit takes in 18 counties with an Indian population of approximately 7,000, most of whom are Cheyenne. A small remnant -- perhaps only 500 people -- remain from the once-mighty Arapaho tribe.
Both of these tribes have retained their ancestral religions and cultures.
This population is served by the Clinton Indian Hospital, the Watonga Health Center, and the Concho Health Center at Concho Indian School near El Reno.
The Clinton Indian Hospital
Located in the town of Clinton, 70 miles west of Oklahoma City on Interstate 40, the Clinton Indian Hospital is JCAHO-accredited. Although it contains only 14 beds, the four physicians on staff provide general medical, pediatric, minor surgical, and postoperative convalescent care. This facility performs no inpatient surgical procedures or obstetrics/gynecology services.
The facility logs about 600 admissions each year, with about 30,000 outpatient visits -- 20,000 of them attended by the four physicians.
Weekly outpatient clinics are devoted to prenatal and well- baby care, diabetes, orthopedics, pediatrics, ENT, and ophthalmology.
The hospital furnishes a very modern and professionally administered dental clinic.
Ambulatory minor surgery is performed, and psychiatric services are available.
A social services program featuring summer camps and retreats helps Indian youths learn to cope with contemporary problems and adjust to modern life.
The building itself is over 50 years old. Its architecture has historical significance, for within its compound-like configuration are buildings meant to house medical staff -- a memento of an earlier way of life in the Public Health Service. It sits picturesquely atop a knoll on the otherwise flat terrain, giving meaning to the image of being able to "see forever."
The town of Clinton offers good housing, shopping, and schools. Its proximity to Oklahoma City and to Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Weatherford puts the quality of life there on a par with most small towns in America. Lake Foss, 15 miles to the west, and the Washita River afford excellent recreational activities for those who enjoy fishing, camping, and water skiing.
Watonga Health Center
Sixty miles northwest of Oklahoma City in a small rural community of 4,500 is the new, up-to-date, busy health center at Watonga. The one physician on staff attends to 4,000 outpatient visits each year. Another 4,000 visits are taken by support personnel. The center makes available primary health care services in medicine, dentistry, nursing, community health, pharmacy, laboratory, and social services.
The town of Watonga is located just nine miles from the ruggedly beautiful Roman Nose State Park and lodge. Lake Canton and the North Canadian River both offer good fishing, water skiing, camping, and other outdoor activities.
Concho Health Center
El Reno, a suburb of Oklahoma City, is home to the Concho Health Center, which provides the usual primary services to the Indian population of Canadian County and part of Oklahoma County. There is one physician on staff to attend 5,000 outpatient visits each year. Nearly 5,000 more visits are handled by other staff members.
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