The mission of the Health Program is to "provide high quality patient-centered health care that is responsive, courteous, and sensitive to individual, family, community and cultural needs with an emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion."

Vision of the Health Program

Our vision for health care delivery is to plan and develop a comprehensive, integrated community based health care delivery system with maximum input and participation by all Tribal members. This includes timely, appropriate and efficient access to care.

Programs

Community Health Program

Provides comprehensive health promotion and disease prevention and community based health services to Tribal members and their families throughout the life span, from infants to elders. Staff members include Community Health Nurses, Nutritionists, Community Health Technicians, Health Educator, Diabetes Program Manager, HIV Prevention Counselor and support staff. The Community Health Program seeks to improve the health status of Native Americans with an emphasis on the following health area: (1) diabetes, (2) cancer, (3) heart disease, (4) the health of pregnant women and children, (5) communicable diseases, and (6) School Health.

Availability

• Tribal Health and Human Services Building
• Hessel Tribal Center - Community Health
• Lambert Health Clinic - Community Health

Diabetes Program

Members of the Diabetes Program work with the entire health care team to provide quality diabetes care. In addition, the Diabetes Program offers diabetes education group classes and individual counseling at our various sites. Diabetes education provides you with the knowledge and skills that can help you achieve good control. Good blood sugar control can help you feel better and live a healthier life with fewer complications. All persons and families with diabetes are encouraged to contact our diabetes team.

Availability

• Tribal Health and Human Services Building

Health Advisory Program

Health Advisory Program is the Tribal HIV prevention program. It is a grant funded program that provides HIV prevention services to the seven county area in the E.U.P. The services provided include: HIV awareness/prevention presentations to the area residents, counseling and HIV testing (using the new convenient OraSure device), informational displays, health fairs and finally case management services for those individuals who have the disease. All these services are provided free upon request. The hours of service are adjustable based upon clients' needs (after hours and weekend appointments are scheduled).

Availability

• Tribal Health and Human Services Building

Environmental Health

The Environmental Health program is similar to the county Environmental Health program by providing water sampling, radon sampling, and well and septic approval on reservation lands. In addition to these, it acts similar to the State Department of Environmental Quality and the US EPA. The State DEQ does not have jurisdiction on reservation land and the US EPA does not have the staff to act on the reservation. The Tribal Environmental Department works to ensure the spirit and intend of the environmental law are complied with on the reservation. Federal statues and regulations are the law. State and County regulations are used as guidance for they are well intended and are the standard off reservation. With the assistance of the US EPA Tribal regulations are being developed that must be at least as stringent as federal regulations.

Availability

• Tribal Health and Human Services Building

Contract Health Service

Contract Health Service's (CHS) mission is to provide appropriate access for Sault Tribe Members to achieve high quality care beyond what is available through Tribal health facilities. CHS will work within the financial resources available and will clearly communicate programs and services to Tribal members. CHS is NOT an insurance and it cannot be considered replacement for insurance.
Who is Eligible? Sault Tribe Members residing in seven county service area (Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Schoolcraft).

Availability

• Tribal Health and Human Services Building

Tribal Health Division administration is located at the Sault Tribal Health Center and provides direction, assistance and support services to all Division Program Managers.

Tribal Health and Human Services Building - Health Division
2864 Ashmun Street
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone: (906) 632-5200
Toll Free: (877) 256-0009
Fax: (906) 632-5276

Please click on our directory link for more locations and contact information.

Christine McPherson
Acting Health Division Director The Sault Tribal Health Center "Mish Keke Gamig" Sault Ste. Marie

The Sault Tribal Health Center (STHC) provides a variety of direct health care services to Sault Tribe members and other individuals based on our established eligibility policy at our Health Center located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Our facility is open for services Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on tribally designated holidays. We provide a comprehensive list of health services to individuals of all ages, which include, but are not limited to the following:

• Medical Services
• Pre-school & Well Child Screening
• Teen & Adolescent Clinics
• Urgent Care Services
• General Medical Care & Treatment
• Preventive Care (history & physicals, screening exams, etc.)
• Minor Surgical Clinic
• Specialty Care Referral & Follow-up
• Family Planning
• Well Women Care & Screening
• Foot Clinics
• Diabetic Care & Education\
• Health Education & Counseling
• Immunizations
• HIV Counseling & Testing
• Obstetrics & Prenatal
• Dental Services
• Preventive Screening & Education
• Cleaning & Sealants
• Treatments to include Fillings, Root Canals, Crowns & Extractions

Medical Imaging Services

• Radiology (routine x-ray exams)
• Mammography Exams
• Bone Density
• Ultrasound

Pharmacy Services

• Prescription Medicines
• Non-prescription Medicines
• Medication Counseling

Optometry Services

• Vision Screening & Exam
• Eye Glasses Dispensing
• Frame Repairs
• Audiology (Hearing) Services
• Hearing Exams
• Hearing Aides

Clinical Nursing Services

• Urgent Care Telephone & Walk-in Triage
• Patient Education & Counseling
• Routine Injections, Follow-up, etc.

Laboratory Services

• Full Array of Laboratory Services
• Coordination of Reference Lab Services

Services are available on an appointment or arranged follow-up basis, as each patient's needs dictates. For an appointment, please call the appropriate telephone number listed below:

• General Information - 632-5200
• Medical Appointments (providers, nurses, x-ray or audiology) - 632-5230
• Dental Appointments - 632-5260
• Pharmacy Services (medication refills, questions, etc.) - 632-5226
• Optical Appointments & Services - 632-5218

Our Tribal Health Centers & Clinics are committed to our mission of providing high quality, patient centered health care for our patients. In order to meet this mission, our patients must have continuous and responsive access to needed health care providers and services. While no organization can provide for all the health needs, we can strive to maximize our current services, address areas where improvements can be made and to look for acceptable alternatives when the needs cannot be met by our organization.