NCHA Recognizes Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority for Innovative, Culturally Grounded Health Initiative
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Tribal Option‘s “Eat Well, Play Well, Stay Well Initiative,” supported by the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA), has been awarded the North Carolina Healthcare Association’s (NCHA’s) 2025 Healthier Communities Award. This award recognizes collaborative work by an NCHA member institution to promote health and well-being by addressing an identified need. CIHA received the award July 18 at NCHA’s Summer Membership Meeting.
EBCI Tribal Option is a groundbreaking managed care model available to enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who are Medicaid beneficiaries. It is the first and only Tribal-led managed care entity of its kind in the United States. At the heart of the Tribal Option’s approach is culturally centered, community-driven care designed to meet people where they are physically, culturally, and emotionally.
The Eat Well, Play Well, Stay Well campaign is Tribal Option’s signature wellness effort intended to integrate traditional values into whole-person care for enrolled members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. It’s about more than just food and exercise. It’s about reclaiming health through cultural strength.
“For members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, our identity is the foundation from where our health and success are born. For too long, the standard practice for addressing health struggles like diabetes or depression has been to leave behind cultural or traditional practices to assimilate to modern, westernized healthcare – but we believe that it shouldn’t be either or,” said Gwynneth Wildcatt, Director of Accessibility, Resources and Member Services at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority. “We shouldn’t have to give up who we are for our health to be considered whole – in fact – we can’t really be whole or healed if that happens. Not only is that the intent behind establishing EBCI Tribal Option, it is what makes campaigns like our Eat Well, Play Well, Stay Well initiative so important.”
The initiative is built on three foundational pillars:
- Eat Well: Increases access to nutritious, culturally appropriate foods through after school nutrition education, partnerships with Cherokee Choices, and food sovereignty programs.
- Play Well: Encourages physical activity with community events, youth sports, and culturally meaningful wellness opportunities such as stickball, social dances, and story walks.
- Stay Well: Promotes mental and emotional well-being through integrated behavioral health services, traditional healing practices, and long-term care management for chronic conditions.
To sustain this work, CIHA has made significant financial and resource investments. These include full-time care managers and community health workers, transportation assistance for Medicaid members, free wellness events and screenings, and culturally tailored educational materials. Support from Tribal leadership, community vendors, and program partners helps to ensure the initiative’s accessibility and long-term impact.
The Eat Well, Play Well, Stay Well initiative is the result of collaboration among EBCI Tribal Option, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority, EBCI Public Health and Human Services, Cherokee Central Schools, and countless community partners who have the shared vision of serving the community in a unique way.
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About NCHA
Founded in 1918, North Carolina Healthcare Association (NCHA) is the united voice of the North Carolina healthcare community. Representing more than 130 hospitals, health systems, physician groups and other healthcare organizations, NCHA works with our members to improve the health of North Carolina communities by advocating for sound public policies and collaborative partnerships and by providing insights, services, support, and education to expand access to high quality, efficient, affordable, and integrated health care for all North Carolinians.
For more information, contact:
Stephanie Strickland, NCHA, sstrickland@ncha.org, 919-677-4241
Brittney Lofthouse, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority, brittney.lofthouse@cherokeehospital.org, 828-497-9163 ext. 6207