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Harrah’s donates $1.2 million to Cherokee Hospital
By Rose Hooper
In a move to “give back to the community” and to “strengthen partnerships,” Carlos Tolosa, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. Eastern division president, presented the Eastern Band of Cherokee a check for $1.2 million.
Principal Chief Michell Hicks and Cherokee Indian Hospital Director Casey Cooper accepted the donation during a luncheon Monday (May 24) at Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel.
Carlos Tolosa, left, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. Eastern division president, presented the Eastern Band of the Cherokee a check for $1.2 million. Principal Chief Michell Hicks, center, and Cherokee Indian Hospital Director Casey Cooper, right, accepted the donation, which will be used to purchase a CT scan machine and upgrade the radiology department. – Herald photo by Rose Hooper
The contribution will assist the tribally-owned hospital in purchasing a CT Scan machine, upgrading their radiology department and developing an electronic records storage system.
“Our tribe has long suffered with sub-standard health care, remote access to facilities and the inconvenience of extended waiting times between initial diagnosis and treatment, “ said Hicks.
“We struggled, but we couldn’t do it ourselves. But now, in partnership with Harrah’s, we can better serve our tribe at a critical time in our history. As we face the 21st century, we have a newfound strength in our sovereignty,” the chief said.”
With the new radiology department, patients won’t have to travel great distances for testing, Cooper said.
Previously tribal members who needed the diagnostic testing had to travel as far as 50 miles for testing and then wait several days for results to be returned, he said.
“Now patients can remain in the community, with their support system,” Cooper said.
While patients can remain in Cherokee, the new digital imaging and storing will allow images to be electronically transferred to other medical facilities.
“Not only will the CT scan be purchased, but we will be able to expand into the digital imaging and conferencing arena. The tribe’s commitment to the regional broadband initiative will allow us to access medical records electronically as well as participate in telemedicine with providers around the globe,” Cooper said.
The Eastern Band recently assumed control of the former Indian Health Service facility.
“We, as a corporation, have the responsibility to influence change in our partners’ communities. This donation will strengthen this community, and by strengthening our partner communities, we, in essence, enhance our business,” Tolosa said, noting that when employees miss work due to health reasons, the work force is impacted.
Chief Hicks said in recent weeks the tribe has “celebrated a lot of good things – the land exchange with the Park service, this $1.2 million gift and a new 7-year management agreement between Harrah’s and the Eastern Band.”
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