Every decision made at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA), from the way we design our spaces to the way we deliver care, begins with one simple question:
What is best for our patients, families, and community?
This October, during Patient-Centered Care Month, we want to recognize the people and practices that make our approach to healthcare unique. Our system is built on relationships and on knowing those we serve not just as patients, but as relatives, friends, and neighbors. This philosophy is deeply reflected in the model of care we use: the Nuka System of Care, developed by Southcentral Foundation in Alaska.
The Nuka System of Care transforms the traditional healthcare model by putting the relationship between patients and care teams at the center of everything. The word Nuka comes from the Alaska Native Sugpiaq language, meaning strong, giant structures and living things. At CIHA, that strength is reflected in the connections we build between individuals, families, providers, and our broader community.
Through this model, we recognize that true wellness comes from To-Hi (a state of peace and balance) which is why it is one of our four Guiding Principles. We believe that the ultimate state of peace is achieved when all things are in balance and as they should be, which is why we are dedicated to caring for the mind, body, and spirit together. Our patients, whom are the owners of this healthcare system, play an active role in shaping the care they receive. Ni-hi-tsa-tse-li (It belongs to you) is another one of our Guiding Principles and reflects that Cherokees, like most Native American tribes, enjoy the first pre-purchased healthcare in this country and that all healthcare services we provide belong to the people. CIHA is simply the steward of this inheritance, charged with safeguarding and providing healthcare to patients when and how they need it, which is why their feedback drives improvements, their stories shape our understanding, and their trust fuels our success.
Adopting and deploying the Nuka model over the last decade has guided our transformation into a relationship-based healthcare system. Teams work collaboratively, care plans are personalized, and decision-making includes the voices of those we serve. From our Primary Care and Behavioral Health integration to the creation of spaces that promote comfort, culture, and belonging, CIHA continues to grow in ways that honor Cherokee values of community, balance, and respect. Every improvement, whether it’s a new service, a process change, or a facility update, is built on the principle that healthcare should belong to the people it serves.
As we celebrate Patient Centered Care Month, we express deep gratitude to our patients, families, and staff who remind us daily that healing is a shared journey. The Nuka model not only drives how we deliver care, it also changes how we listen to story and shapes how we see one another to forge a true understanding. With the help of our patients, CIHA endeavors to continue to be the Provider of Choice for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians by building a new generation of care that reflects the best of who we are — compassionate, connected, and patient-centered.