UKB acquires healthcare administration building in Tahlequah

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians completed the acquisition of a healthcare administration building on Dec. 16, expanding the tribe’s health infrastructure and reorganizing how its health programs are managed in the Tahlequah area.

United Keetoowah Band Chief Jeff Wacoche signs documents finalizing the Tribe’s acquisition of a healthcare administration building in Tahlequah on Dec. 16, 2025. (Courtesy photo)

Tribal officials said the real estate transaction strengthens the tribe’s capacity to administer healthcare services and reflects ongoing efforts to improve access and coordination for UKB citizens.

The newly acquired building will serve as a centralized administrative hub for the tribe’s healthcare programs, allowing staff and services previously spread across multiple locations to operate more efficiently. Tribal leaders said the move is expected to streamline operations and support long-term planning for health services.

The acquisition marks another step in the tribe’s broader efforts to invest in physical infrastructure and self-governed systems that serve its citizens. Health services remain a critical priority for many tribes as they work to address disparities in access, staffing, and facilities, particularly in rural areas of eastern Oklahoma.

The United Keetoowah Band is headquartered in Tahlequah, the historic capital of the Cherokee Nation, and operates a range of governmental, cultural, and community programs for its members.

Tribal officials have not yet announced whether additional health services or staffing expansions will accompany the administrative reorganization.