The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic at 5208 W Reno. Photo from OKCIC

The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic celebrated the grand opening of its new medical building on Friday.

The facility is dedicated to Dr. Everett R. Rhoades, a member of the Kiowa Tribe. He was the first Indian director of the Indian Health Service.

"Dr. Rhoades has made a profound impact in Indian health care not just in Oklahoma, but across the nation,” Robyn Sunday-Allen, the CEO of OKCIC, said in a press release. “For the last 40 years, he’s helped shape our clinic to be the leading health facility for urban Indians. This gesture is the least we can do for someone as deserving as him.”

The dedication ceremony featured the presentation of colors by the Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society. Leonard Cozad, Jr., Kiowa, provided a flag and honor song.

An invocation was given by Kiowa tribal member Lonnie Emhoolah. Attendees included tribal leaders, representatives of the IHS, community leaders and Rhoades’s friends and family.

Dr. Everett R. Rhoades, OKCIC Chairman of the Board, and Robyn Sunday-Allen, CEO of OKCIC, stand in front of the new building. Photo from OKCIC

“I have to thank the board for the extraordinary honor of putting my name on this building,” Rhoades said. “But it’s not my name that makes this so special, it’s the individuals who work here and their dedication to serving the community. One of the most gratifying experiences throughout my time here is recognizing how unsurpassed our staff is.”

The facility at 5208 W Reno houses a pediatric clinic, a physical therapy clinic, a wellness center, an optometry department, a public health department, a Health Promotion/Disease Prevention department, a behavioral health department as well as administration and businesses offices.

In related news, the clinic informed 6,044 patients that their names, email addresses and patient numbers were inadvertently disclosed in an email message. No Social Security numbers or medical information was released.

“Oklahoma City Indian Clinic understands the importance of safeguarding our patients’ personal information and regret that this incident occurred,” Lysa Ross, the COO of OKCIC, said in a press release. “We have notified our patients of the breach and are taking steps to prevent this from happening again. We encourage patients to call with any questions or concerns.”

Patients can call toll free 1-844-MYOKCIC Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm with any questions.