U wa shv u da nv te lv (the one who helps you from the heart), To hi (a state of peace and balance), Ni hi tsa tse li (it belongs to you), Di qwa tse li I yu s di (like family to me). These are the guiding principles held by the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority as they work to fulfill the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ goal to create a continuum of care for tribe members in need. These guiding principles significantly shape how they give care, and what we held close to our hearts as we helped them design the Cherokee Indian Hospital’s new Behavioral Health Unit. The new hospital will provide behavioral health and rehabilitation departments that serve both adult inpatients and outpatients. The project also included the completion of the new 18-bed Crisis Stabilization Unit (with potential to grow to 28 beds) and the relocation of the Analenisgi Outpatient Clinic and Recovery Center.
Read our article in Medical Construction & Design to learn more about our process of designing a stigma-free model of care for the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority.