Support Services for Veterans at the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority
Support Services for Veterans at the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority
CIHA partners with the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System to employ a dedicated Case Manager specifically assigned to assist our patients who once served in the Military. Veterans receiving care through the CIHA have direct access to specialized support through the on-site services of Tina Hendricks, BSN, RN, who serves as the Cherokee Veteran Affairs Liaison and Case Manager.
Hendricks, a seasoned nurse and advocate for veterans, is available at CIHA every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the remaining weekdays, she can be found in the community, including the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville or in Franklin, where she continues her outreach efforts to support American Indian veterans across Western North Carolina.
Her position was made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2003 between CIHA and the Western North Carolina VA Health Care System (WNCVAHCS). The agreement was created to jointly improve access to quality healthcare and services for American Indian veterans residing in the region.
This partnership between CIHA and the VA is rooted in five mutual goals:
–Improving access to quality healthcare for veterans
–Enhancing communication among the VA, tribal governments, and American Indian veterans
–Encouraging collaboration and resource-sharing among healthcare systems
–Supporting programs tailored to the needs of American Indian populations
–Expanding health promotion and disease prevention services
Tina Hendricks serves as a vital link between the VA and CIHA, offering assistance with a wide range of services:
–Navigating VA healthcare systems
–Coordinating care between VA and CIHA providers
–Ensuring electronic health records are shared appropriately
–Connecting veterans with Veteran Service Officers
–Assisting with community care and referred services
–Ensuring veterans are receiving all available benefits
However, Hendricks is not authorized to assist with filing VA disability claims. Veterans seeking assistance with those matters should contact Tribal Veteran Service Officer Gerard Ball.
Enrolled Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Veterans or their families with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Tina Hendricks directly by email at tina.hendricks@va.gov or by phone at 828-497-9163, extension 6224.
With this ongoing collaboration, CIHA reaffirms its commitment to supporting those who served by ensuring that American Indian veterans receive the care, coordination, and respect they’ve earned.