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TAHLEQUAH, OK - Two Cherokee Nation employees recently earned prestigious national awards for quality health care.

Patricia Hawk received the "Nurse Administrator of the Year" award and Debra King received the "Nursing Assistant of the Year" award from the Indian Health Service during the Annual Conference of the Indian Health Service (IHS) National Council of Nurse Administrators.

"These awards speak volumes about the quality of care provided by the Cherokee Nation," said Principal Chief Chad Smith. "Even though we are still drastically underfunded by the Indian Health Service, our dedicated employees are recognized as the best in their profession."

Hawk is bilingual in both English and Cherokee and has been with the Cherokee Nation Health Services for 12 years.

"Until I came to work for the Cherokee Nation I felt the statement 'getting paid for doing something I enjoy doing' was just a statement, but now I fully realize it is possible," Hawk said. Hawk is the director of the Cherokee Nation EMS department and director/advisor for Cherokee Nation's community health nurses and community health representatives

"We are very fortunate to have Patricia on our team," said Rick Kelly, senior director of contracts and budgets for Cherokee Nation Health Services. "She brings with her a genuine understanding of our communities and their health care needs. She has a deep compassion for our patients and can easily relate to their health care issues. She has developed into an effective leader and is up to the task of improving the health status of our people."

Debra King, public health nurse assistant at Claremore Indian Hospital, received the "Nursing Assistant of the Year" award at the same conference. King has worked with the Cherokee Nation, Claremore Service Unit, since 1985. King is involved with the HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, is a certified counselor by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and is a member of the Rogers County Safe Kids Coalition Board.

"Debra King is the most dependable, caring and awesome nursing assistant that I have ever worked with," said Melinda Teehee, Chief Nurse Executive at Claremore Indian Hospital. "Through her efforts our childhood immunization rate is improving which improves the health of the children we serve. She assists the Nursing Department at the Claremore Indian Hospital to teach CPR to our employees and patient's families if needed. She is a patient advocate, always working for the best interest of the patient."