The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation is set to build a 21,000-square-foot health center in collaboration with Hartford HealthCare. This new facility aims to enhance medical services for the tribe and the wider community in southeastern Connecticut.
The center will feature two distinct operations: one, focused on Tribal Health Services for tribal members, and another, a public clinic operated by Hartford HealthCare. The tribe will own the building on their reservation land and manage the Tribal Health Services and Pequot Pharmaceutical Network.
Rodney Butler, the chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, emphasized that this venture is not just about the building itself. “It’s about reclaiming our health future,” he said. He believes this center combines modern medical care with cultural identity and will serve both tribal members and local residents.
While details on project costs are still under wraps, there’s an expectation of creating over 100 construction jobs. The existing teams will move to this new facility once it opens. Tribal law ensures that hiring preferences will be given to tribal members.
Michele Scott, a Tribal Councilor and a member of Hartford HealthCare’s East Region Board, highlighted the importance of this center. She described it as a model that merges Western medicine with tribal traditions, showcasing a vision that other tribes might emulate.
Hartford HealthCare’s CEO, Jeff Flaks, stated that this partnership will broaden access to healthcare in the region and improve health outcomes. The integration of Tribal Health Services and the pharmacy aims to enhance continuity of care for community members.
To reflect tribal traditions, the center’s design will include natural landscaping, water features, and symbolic references to cultural narratives. It will also provide space for community events.
As the tribe prepares for a groundbreaking ceremony in spring, this initiative signals a significant step towards improving health resources in southeastern Connecticut.
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