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Members of the Cherokee Nation EMS department, the first federally recognized tribe to receive national accreditation, is dedicated to providing higher quality of care.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation Emergency Medical Services (EMS) recently became the first federally recognized tribe to receive national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS).

CAAS awarded a three-year accreditation with no deficiencies to Cherokee Nation's EMS.

"Accreditation signifies that Cherokee Nation EMS has met the ‘gold standard' determined by the ambulance industry," said Ginger Glory, quality improvement specialist with the Cherokee Nation. "These standards often exceed those established by state and local regulation."

"The Cherokee Nation EMS is a better organization for having gone through the rigorous accreditation process," Glory said.

"This is an outstanding achievement for our EMS department," said Melissa Gower, group leader for Cherokee Nation Health Services. "This type of national accreditation illustrates to the public that we are providing a higher quality of care, right here in Cherokee Nation."

"The staff does an excellent job and they worked very hard to qualify for this accreditation," Gower said. "They were eager to do their best as representatives of the Cherokee Nation during the review process. They went far beyond my expectations."

The process for accreditation includes a comprehensive self-assessment and an independent outside review of the EMS organization. According to CAAS this process provides verification to the Cherokee Nation, city council, the medical community and others that quality care is provided to the community.

"This effort required a lot of hard work, teamwork and cooperation, with many people and departments working together to achieve this goal," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Related Cherokee Nation 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