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First year group picture in front of building

The Nation's Only Tribally Affiliated Medical School

Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and the Cherokee Nation have partnered together to establish the nation’s only tribally affiliated medical school. The medical school is located in the capital of the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, OK. 
Chief Hoskin

I believe that this partnership will advance quality health care for all by allowing us to teach a new generation of medical professionals to serve our communities for years to come. I wish each and every student the best as they begin this journey. They have our full support.

- Chuck Hoskin, Jr.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief

Learning Environment

The 85,000-square-foot medical school includes anatomy, clinical skills, osteopathic manipulative medicine and standardized patient labs. It also features a simulation center with computer programmable manikins. The facility also includes lecture halls, classrooms, faculty offices, study carrels, break room and a wellness center.

COM at Cherokee NationBy the Numbers


107
Students

 
>11
Federally recognized tribes represented in student body

 
31
Of Oklahoma counties represented

 

About Tahlequah

The historic town of Tahlequah was established by the Cherokee people before Oklahoma statehood. It is the oldest municipality in the state by virtue of an incorporation act by the Cherokee National Council of 1843. 
From hiking and paddle sports to historic attractions and camping, the Tahlequah area has opportunities for any interest that gets you moving. Because of its unique location near Tenkiller Lake, the Illinois River and halfway between Tulsa and Fayetteville, AR, residents are never far from adventure.

Osiyo!

Osiyo, that's the way to say hello in Cherokee. The Cherokee Nation is a sovereign tribal government. Today, the Cherokee Nation is one of the largest tribes in the United States with more than 413,000 tribal citizens worldwide. With 140,000 Cherokee Nation citizens residing within the tribe’s reservation in northeastern Oklahoma, it’s more important than ever to educate future doctors in the area.
The importance of education has been a guiding philosophy of the Cherokees in Tahlequah since the establishment of the Cherokee Male and Female Seminaries in 1851. Since that time, the Cherokee Nation has made a deep investment in educating the next generation of educators and is now furthering that investment to better the health of all on the Cherokee Reservation.

Rural, Tribal, Ready

Training in Tahlequah provides the perfect incubator for primary care physicians to practice in rural Oklahoma. With a significant rural and tribal population in the state, understanding the unique social determinants of health that exist in Tahlequah translates into better care for all Oklahomans and members of all Oklahoma tribal members.

Tribal Medical Track

The Tribal Medical Track prepares medical students for a primary care residency at tribal facilities and a successful practice in tribal, rural and underserved Oklahoma. The tribal medical track offers unique learning opportunities for motivated students to fully develop their skills, knowledge and abilities to succeed in a challenging practice environment while learning about the rich cultures of American Indians.
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