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

Jun 04, 2025
Northeastern Health System (NHS) is highlighted as a client in a case study by e4health, detailing the health system's use of e4health's AI-enabled model for medical coding. According to the case study, NHS, which includes 6 hospitals and handles 1.4 million outpatient visits annually, is projected to achieve $2 million in annual savings by utilizing this technology. The implementation of e4health's blended shore model for coding has also reportedly reduced labor dependency for Northeastern Health System. The case study emphasizes how e4health's approach aims to provide real results in medical coding through tactical automation and clinical integrity, addressing issues of potential inaccuracies and lack of efficiency with some AI tools in the market. This partnership focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and achieving cost savings and compliance.
Jun 01, 2025
The air medical transport base located in Tahlequah, operating at Northeastern Health System, has been rebranded from EagleMed to First Flight and is now managed by Med-Trans Corporation. This service is part of a joint venture designed to serve both Northeastern Health System and the Cherokee Nation. The base continues to utilize the same experienced medical and flight personnel, including pilots, a mechanic, nursing staff, and paramedics who work under physician oversight. A Bell 407GXP helicopter, equipped for medical transport, is stationed at Northeastern Health System to provide services to communities in northern, central, and southeastern Oklahoma, as well as parts of northern and central-southern Arkansas.
Feb 04, 2025
A bill introduced in the Oklahoma Senate (SB 193) during the 2025-2026 legislative session proposes significant changes to the state's Medicaid program, specifically transitioning from a managed care model back to a fee-for-service delivery model. If federal approval is obtained, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) would resume direct coverage of all Medicaid members currently under contract with managed care entities. The bill mandates the termination of existing managed care contracts once the transition is complete and would require OHCA to establish necessary contracts directly with healthcare providers to ensure network adequacy. The legislation also grants OHCA the authority to implement value-based payment arrangements with providers. This bill includes the repeal of several sections of Oklahoma Statutes related to the managed care framework, aiming to eliminate outdated regulations in favor of the proposed fee-for-service model. The act is slated to take effect on November 1, 2025.
Dec 27, 2024
Northeastern Health System announced they were awarded a $3.9 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for their Addiction Resource Center. This funding is intended to support initiatives aimed at addressing addiction within the community served by NHS. Additionally, NHS recently launched the TeamBirth initiative, a program designed to enhance communication and collaboration between patients and their healthcare teams during the labor and delivery process. The health system also shared positive updates regarding their Internal Medicine Residency program, including the return of Dr. Galdamez as a new Resident Clinic Attending Physician, highlighting their commitment to medical education and training. Furthermore, the NHS Internal Medicine Residency program received its annual accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, indicating compliance with educational standards.
Dec 27, 2024
Northeastern Health System (NHS) announced several updates from December 27, 2024. The NHS Addiction Resource Center was awarded a $3.9 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Additionally, NHS launched the TeamBirth initiative, which aims to enhance communication and collaboration between patients, their support systems, and healthcare providers during labor and delivery to promote shared decision-making. In educational news, the NHS Internal Medicine Residency program welcomed back Dr. Galdamez as the new Resident Clinic Attending Physician, noting his previous instrumental role in the program. The residency program also received its annual accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

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