Among the long-term goals of the people and the leadership of the Oneida Indian Nation is to help Members receive the best in physical and mental health services.

Since 1989, the Nation’s Health Department has been an integral part of that mission. Located on Nation lands, the center serves as the medical facility for more than 2,600 American Indians living in Central New York.

The department has come a long way since registering its first client in 1990 – Richard “Dick” Chrisjohn (Wolf Clan, 1921-1991), former Nation representative.

“Slowly and surely, we are making a difference in our clients’ lives,” Charmaine Frederick (Turtle Clan), health and human services director, said. “The staff members work extremely hard and invest a lot of time and energy on providing quality health care to our patients.”

One such effort includes participating as a pilot site for Improving Patient Care (Chronic Care Initiative or CCI) through the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. The Oneidas are among 39 tribes, one of just three tribes east of the Mississippi, involved in this program.

The initiative strives to effectively address chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and depression. The goal is to create a health care system that is practical and supportive and that heavily promotes interactive relationships between patients and the health care team.

The department has already received praise for performance. In 2009, the center was lauded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for “exemplary performance” in providing quality care to its patients and undertaking proper documentation to “benefit patients and improve overall quality of care to patients.” The award, based on the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), measures performance in 21 different clinical areas – from cancer screening to dental care to diabetes management.

Finally, in December, Frederick graduated from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) Ladder to Leadership Program. Ladder to Leadership: Developing the Next Generation of Community Health Leaders is a national program of the RWJF, created in collaboration with the Center for Creative Leadership. Central New York was one of nine areas targeted by the program.

The department offers public health, medical, dental, mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, and case management services to its clients.

Dr. R. Seelan Newton is the medical director. Assisting Dr. Newton are Valerie Scott (Turtle Clan), FNP, Vicki Greene (Turtle Clan), FNP, Heidi Vernold, nurse manager, and Melanie Loveric, RN Triage and Community Health Outreach Coordinator. Among the medical services provided are:

• Routine health care visits
• Annual physicals
• Basic lab tests
• Comprehensive diabetes care and education
• First aid
• Family planning and routine gynecology

Dr. John Ottesen oversees the dental program, which includes cleaning, simple extractions, and restorations. Other dental services include:

• Athletic mouth guards
• Biopsy and excision of oral lesions
• Deep gum pocket therapy
• Education and examinations
• Emergencies
• Relines
• Sealants
• X-Rays
• Fluoride treatments

Karen Peruzi is the behavioral health manager. Counseling and mental health services are provided by the Nation’s Behavioral Health staff. Services include mental health counseling, alcohol/substance abuse counseling, clinical case management, and referral services as needed.

The department also has an array of community health services that cover topics from bicycle safety to nutrition counseling and information. Clients are also eligible for pharmacy services.

To become a registered patient, individuals must contact Health Office Manager Tamra Rood (Turtle Clan) for the Oneida Nation at (315) 829-8700 or (315) 829-8701 to schedule an appointment. Eligible federally recognized American Indians need to bring with two forms of identification (Social Security card and birth certificate), proof of current address, proof of tribal enrollment, and personal insurance documentation.