Access to timely, high-quality specialty care continues to grow at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA). This summer, we’re making significant progress toward our goal of increasing access to locally available specialty care in one our most in-demand areas: Gastroenterology (GI).
With 157 pending consults and 186 patients already scheduled, the demand for GI care in our community continues to climb. Too often, patients in rural and Tribal areas are forced to wait weeks—or even months—for specialty appointments elsewhere. CIHA is working hard to change that.
This summer, we will welcome Nurse Practitioner Gwen Abdulafid to our GI team. Gwen is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with more than eight years of experience in gastroenterology. She holds a Master of Public Health in Applied Epidemiology from Emory University and completed her FNP training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her experience and dedication to patient care will allow CIHA to increase clinic availability, reduce wait times, and deliver more consistent care—all within the hospital’s trusted environment.
GI care is more than consultations. It touches nearly every aspect of health—from managing chronic digestive conditions to screening for serious illness and supporting long-term treatment plans. Thanks to strategic hiring and planning, CIHA’s Procedure Suite is now closer to being fully staffed for the first time since it opened—a key step in building long-term stability for GI services on the Qualla Boundary.
Gwen’s clinical expertise will help CIHA:
- Increase clinic availability
- Reduce patient wait times
- Expand access to GI consultations and follow-up care—all right here in Cherokee
In addition to her clinic days, Gwen’s presence allows Dr. Savell to increase the number of procedures he performs in our locally available endoscopy suite, while CIHA continues work to credential additional CRNA coverage. These expansions ensure patients get the right care, at the right time, without having to leave Cherokee.
“CIHA remains committed to building the specialty services the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians need and deserve,” said Kelly Hooper, BSN, RN, CCRN, CEN, Specialty Services Nurse Manager. “This expansion in GI care is just one example of how we’re moving forward together.”
While Gwen is currently going through the onboarding process at CIHA, her first priority will be getting through the GI clinics regular screenings schedule. Once that is complete, she will be able to switch her focus to expanding specific services within the clinic.