Mold Problem Closes Portion Of Cherokee Nation's Sallisaw Health Clinic

The Cherokee Nation has temporarily closed a portion of the Redbird Smith Health Center in Sallisaw, due to the discovery of mold.

Officials say an environmental assessment is currently underway to determine the extent of the mold.

The news release says a number of services are being shifted to the Redbird Smith Health Center Annex which will reopen by Monday, August 13, 2012.

"The health of our employees and patients is our utmost concern, so we wasted no time in closing the affected portion of the facility," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker. "In the meantime, we are working quickly to reroute patients with existing appointments to other clinics. We are also preparing the annex to provide limited medical care. We understand this is an inconvenience to our citizens, so we are working diligently to resolve this issue and reopen as soon as we are able."

Officials say dental services at the Redbird Smith Health Center will be unavailable during the closure.

The length of closure will be determined after a thorough assessment of the affected building. Patients with previously scheduled appointments will be contacted to reschedule.

The Cherokee Nation says those who would normally utilize the Redbird Smith Clinic should go to the Wilma P. Mankiller facility in Stilwell, Three Rivers facility in Muskogee or W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah. Citizens can refill prescriptions at these facilities as well.

The news release says the exposure to any suspected mold is thought to be minimal for employees and patients.