Cherokee Nation moves to assume Claremore Indian Hospital staff amid employee uncertainty and a federal HR impasse

Cherokee Nation health officials said they have begun outreach to Claremore Indian Hospital employees as the tribe moves to assume services and offer positions, but several questions remain about compensation, federal personnel agreements and next steps.

Tony Decker, chief operating officer for Claremore Indian Hospital, told the Cherokee Nation Health Committee that hospital and Cherokee Nation leadership have spent time walking through departments and talking with employees since the announcement, and that Cherokee Nation executive leadership has been on site to answer questions. "I make myself present to everybody as well as the rest of the leadership team," Decker said.

Doctor Steve Jones of Cherokee Nation Health Services said Cherokee Nation teams have been at Claremore and are prepared to answer questions that staff raise, but many of the immediate…