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| Volume XXV, Number 4 | March 19, 2004 |
By Iretta Tiger
HOLLYWOOD — On Tuesday March 2, Deputy Secretary Claude Allen, of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, spent the day visiting with the Seminole Tribe. Accompanying Allen were Amanda Robinson, representing the Regional Director of Region IV of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Constantinos Miskis, Lance Leggitt, Counselor to the Deputy Secretary, Richie Grinnell, Acting Area Director of Indian Health Services, Captain B. Kevin Molloy, special assistant to the director, and Pelagie “Mike” Snesrud, Senior Tribal Liason for Policy and Evaluation.
The visit began with a meeting between Chairman Mitchell Cypress, Vice Chairman Moses Osceola, Health Director Connie Whidden, and the HHS delegation. Chairman Cypress expressed his belief on the importance of health care.
“ Health is more important than money. You’ve got to be healthy to spend money or somebody else will spend it” joked Cypress.
Introductions were made and Whidden described all the services of the Seminole Health Department, and its future plans.
Suzanne Davis, the Seminole Allied Health Program Manager, explained the Diabetes Prevention Program. Davis commended Cypress’ success in managing his weight and diabetes.
After the meeting, the delegation toured the Health Complex. Hollywood Council Representative Max Osceola Jr. greeted them and informed them about some of the details in building the complex.
The delegation took the time to tour the departments in detail. Allen asked many questions and listened closely as Family Services, Dental and the Clinic described their programs.
Chairman Cypress met up with the delegation at childcare. Cypress and Allen sat with the children for lunch and talked with them. The children welcomed Allen with several gifts each class had made, including a card that read “Welcome to our world” on the cover and the children’s handprints on the inside. Allen talked with the children to let them know why he was visiting.
“ I come from a long way,” he said. “I’ve come to see how your school is. You get to eat very well, you’re learning a lot and you get to do arts and crafts. These [the gifts] are beautiful, thank you very much.”
After Childcare, the group next toured the Dorothy Scott Osceola (DSO) building. Mike Tiger, Treasurer of the Seminole Tribe, lead the tour. As with the Health Complex, the delegation visited every department at the DSO.
Jo North, the Language Coordinator, gave Allen a Miccosukee counting book. Herbert Jim, a language teacher, gave Allen an impromptu Miccosukee language lesson.
Following the tour of the DSO, the delegation had lunch with the seniors at the Senior Center. Chairman Cypress rejoined the group for lunch. Allen addressed the seniors and spoke of possible plans.
“ I’m here to honor to you, the elders, he said. “We hope to find ways that we can partner together with the Seminole Tribe. In terms of partnership with the tribe, we can improve health care to improve the lives of the Seminole people.”
The visit concluded with a tour of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The delegation explored one the completed hotel rooms and walked through the nearly-complete casino.
Overall, Allen and his colleagues seemed to enjoy their time with the tribe. Their questions conveyed a genuine interest in the services the tribal citizens are receiving. We hope Mr. Allen and his associates will visit again soon.
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