UKB acquires Tahlequah healthcare building, reorganizes tribal health administration
By Staff Reports
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 programs are administered in the Tahlequah area.
The tribe acquired a 3.88-acre property with a 7,700-square-foot building that will serve as the UKB Healthcare Administration Building. Financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed. The facility will house the UKB Health Administration Team and Prevention Team, centralizing administrative, care coordination and planning functions currently spread across multiple locations.
Principal Chief Jeff Wacoche said the acquisition gives the tribe direct control over its health programs and facilities.
“By completing this acquisition, we are not only expanding our physical presence — we are asserting our sovereignty and taking direct responsibility for administering healthcare for our members,” Wacoche said.
The purchase enables a reorganization of the tribe’s existing health properties. Behavioral health services are expected to relocate from Echota West, a 4,000-square-foot building on 40 acres west of Tahlequah, which would then be repurposed as the UKB Health Clinic focused on direct patient care. UKB officials said separating administrative functions from treatment spaces will increase clinical capacity.
Tribal attorney Bryan Shade, a partner at Lippes Mathias, said the location was a factor in the decision.
“It’s the third-busiest intersection in the county,” Shade said. “It is just shy of 4 acres and really is the best property location-wise that we could hope to purchase.”
Jennifer Leep, director of Echota Behavioral Health, said the transition establishes clearer operational lines between administration and care delivery.
“For the first time, we will have dedicated facilities designed to support both administration and care delivery,” Leep said.
The tribe said renovation schedules, relocation timelines and the opening date of the repurposed UKB Health Clinic at Echota West will be announced as planning is finalized.