Lawton Indian Hospital to Celebrate Centennial Anniversary

Though founded by Kiowa Chief Ahpeahtone, the key to the Lawton Indian Hospital's longevity has always been the cooperation among all 7 of the regions tribes. Now preparing to mark it's 100th anniversary, the hospital is hosting its "Centennial 2016: Celebrating 100 years of Caring, 1916-2016" at 10 a.m. Wednesday on the front lawn of the hospital, located at 1515 NE Lawrie Tatum Road.

Since opening its doors in 1916, the hospital has partnered with all seven of Southwest Oklahoma's native tribes: Apache, Fort Sill Apache, Caddo, Comanche, Kiowa, Wichita and Delaware. It has also worked closely with the Veterans Administration, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Bureau of Indian Education and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to offer services to the Native American community.

photo by Seth Coburn

The last chief of the Kiowa people recognized by the Federal government, Ahpeatone helped his people adopt a democratic system of tribal government and develop the idea of a committee to transact tribal business. His vision for his people's transition into the Western culture included the need for a hospital. That hospital has tripled in size in its century serving the regions indigenous population.

Originally located adjacent to the Ft. Sill Indian School, by 1967 the Kiowa Indian Hospital had outgrown it's original location. Under the auspices of the Indian Health Service the hospital, the hospital relocated to its current location and was renamed the Lawton Indian Hospital.Since the move, an additional has been added, housing outpatient services, offices and a conference room, while renovations in the last few years has added space for nursing and dental services.

Joining in the celebration on Wednesday will be the the areas two other SW Oklahoma Indian health clinics, the clinics in Anadarko and Carngie. Collectively, the three locations are known as the Lawton Service Unit, providing health care for over 500 students in Anadarko and many more patients throughout Southwest Oklahoma.