Northeastern Health System

Health System with 2 hospitals across 1 state

Health System Overview

Health SystemNortheastern Health System
Total Hospitals2
Commercial/Acute Hospitals2
Total Beds139
Commercial/Acute Beds139
HeadquartersTahlequah, OK
Websitealwaysnhs.org

Hospitals by Type

Acute Care Hospital
2 hospitals
100% of health system

Teaching Status

100%
Teaching
Teaching Hospitals: 2
Non-Teaching Hospitals:
Teaching hospitals serve as educational institutions for medical professionals while providing patient care.

Hospital Locations

Hospitals in this Health System

HospitalTypeBedsTeachingRecently Joined
Northeastern Health SystemAcute Care Hospital98YesNo
NHS SequoyahAcute Care Hospital41YesNo

Recent News

2025-05-15
The former EagleMed air medical transport base in Tahlequah, OK, serving Northeastern Health Systems and the Cherokee Nation, has been renamed First Flight and is now operated by Med-Trans Corporation [6]. The base is staffed by flight crews, including pilots and a mechanic, along with nursing and paramedic staff backed by physician oversight [6]. Med-Trans bases a medically equipped Bell 407GXP helicopter at Northeastern Health System that serves the citizens of north, mid and southeast Oklahoma as well as north and mid-south Arkansas [6]. According to Patrick Barkley, Med-Trans program manager in Tahlequah, the same medical and flight crews remain on the job [6].
2025-05-15
The former EagleMed air medical transport base in Tahlequah, OK, has been renamed First Flight and is operated by Med-Trans Corporation [5]. Med-Trans' service in the area is a joint venture to serve Northeastern Health Systems and the Cherokee Nation [5]. The base has flight crews, nursing and paramedic staff, and physician oversight [5]. Med-Trans bases a Bell 407GXP helicopter at Northeastern Health System, serving citizens in Oklahoma and Arkansas [5].
2025-05-12
Contract disputes between insurers and health systems have decreased in 2025 compared to the latter half of 2024 [16]. According to FTI Consulting, there were 133 disputes in 2024, 86 in 2023, and 51 in 2022 [16]. In the first quarter of 2025, 26 disputes were recorded, compared to 50 in Q4 2024 and 37 in Q3 2024 [16]. Network breaks between Medicare Advantage plans and health systems tripled from 2022 to 2024 [16]. FTI Consulting has been monitoring media reports about reimbursement rate negotiations between provider organizations and insurance companies since early 2022 [16].

Executive Leadership

Stephen Highers

Chair City Council Trustee

Connie Davis

Vice-Chair

Mark Herrin

Secretary/Treasurer

Doug Nolan, D.O.

Physician Trustee

Phyllis Smith

Trustee

Mark Smith, DDS

Trustee

Kent Davis

Trustee

Tim Baker

Legal Counsel