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Woody Hansen, Cherokee Nation tribal member.

JAY, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation tribal member, Woody Hansen, earned national recognition for his outstanding work in community health. Hansen works as a community health representative (CHR) at Cherokee Nation.

The CHR program is a unique community based outreach program staffed by a group of well-trained, indigenous people who provide a variety of health services within the communities across the Cherokee Nation.

"I don’t do what I do for the recognition, pats on the back, or kudos; I do it for the people", Hansen said. "I do it because it needs to be done and I enjoy the challenge."

"Hansen is determined to enhance the unity, cohesiveness and communication between the eastern Oklahoma and western Oklahoma tribal CHR programs", said Ida Sue Gray, community health manager at the Cherokee Nation Sam Hider Jay Community Clinic.

Hansen received a medal and certificate from Indian Health Services and the national Community Health Representative (CHR) association that states "Indian Health Service and the CHR program acknowledges the outstanding contributions of Woody Hansen towards the enhancement of the community health representative program."

Hansen, the lead CHR at the Cherokee Nation Sam Hider Jay Community Clinic, is the first tribal member and the first male to be elected President of the Oklahoma Area Association of Community Health Representatives (CHR). Hansen spearheads an organization of tribal CHR programs throughout Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas.

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org