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TULSA, OK - The Cherokee Nation's dental clinics and clinic staff were given top recognition by the Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service during the area's annual dental meeting.

Dr. Robert Partak, chief dental officer for the Cherokee Nation, accepted an award for clinical productivity on behalf of the Redbird Smith Health Center in Sallisaw. The Sam Hider Jay Community Clinic was cited for clinical efficiency and Joan McCarty was recognized as the Outstanding Dental Assistant Supervisor. Dr. Bob Crittenden, Dr. Matt Warlick, Patsy Vann, Candace Roof, Tonya Dearman and Jamie Rose of the Wilma P. Mankiller Health Center in Stilwell were given awards for outstanding efforts in data collection for an oral health dental survey.

All awards were for performance in fiscal year 1999, and were based on analysis of data collected from over twenty dental clinics operating in I.H.S. funded facilities throughout the Oklahoma City Area.

Partak, who joined the CNHS after retiring from the Indian Health Service, worked with the Cherokee Nation for years through his assignment to W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah. "Receiving these awards indicates that the Cherokee Nation dental program is recognized as an exceptional health care provider with exceptional employees," Partak said.