Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians Celebrates Grand Opening of Its Health Center

DOWAGIAC, MI--(Marketwired - Nov 21, 2014) - The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is pleased to announce the grand opening of its newly completed Pokagon Health Center. The health center will serve Pokagon Citizens as well as thousands of Native Americans. The 35,000 square foot building features a medical clinic, dental suite, pharmacy, traditional healing area, and behavioral health services.

"The completion of the Pokagon Health Center is a historic milestone for the Pokagon Band as we are now able to deliver high quality healthcare services to our Citizens," said John P. Warren, Chairman, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. "The opening of this state-of-the-art facility represents years of hard work and perseverance. This day would not be possible without the help of our Pokagon Council Members, Elders and Citizens who have all have supported making this dream a reality. We look forward to more initiatives like these as we work towards providing more needed resources and services for our Citizens."

The Pokagon Health Center provides direct patient care in the areas of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of acute and chronic illness, with an emphasis on health and wellness. The medical clinic is designed for three doctors, each with an exam room. The dental suite accommodates two dentists and four dental chairs. The physical therapy area has a therapy pool that has room for six people at a time and will also have resistance machines allowing people to swim against the current. An exercise area includes fitness machines, restrooms, lockers and showers.

The building is expected to be LEED Gold Certified, which means that it is an environmentally friendly, energy efficient building. Additionally, all materials and colors of the health center reflect the Pokagon Band's culture, similar to its administration building. Several Pokagon Citizens who are part of its Apprenticeship Program helped build the Pokagon Health Center. It is located at 58620 Sink Road in Dowagiac, which is just west of the existing administration building. More information is available at www.pokagon.com/government/departments/health-services.

About The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians' sovereignty was reaffirmed under legislation signed into law by President Clinton in September of 1994. The Pokagon Band is dedicated to providing community development initiatives such as housing, education, family services, medical care and cultural preservation for its approximately 4,800 citizens. The Pokagon Band's ten county service area includes four counties in Southwestern Michigan and six in Northern Indiana. Its main administrative offices are located in Dowagiac, Mich., with a satellite office in South Bend, Ind. In 2007, it opened Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., followed by Four Winds Hartford in 2011 and Four Winds Dowagiac in 2013. More information is available at www.pokagonband-nsn.gov.