In 1977, NTHS, formally known as Miami Indian Clinic, broke ground at the corner of Steve Owens (Hwy 10) and Mushroom Farm Road (Hwy 69A). The first 'Miami Indian Clinic' employee onsite was Mr. Ted Bearden. Since the building was not finished at the time of Mr. Beardens arrival, he was placed in a small clinic at the Seneca Indian School in Wyandotte for several months.
When the building was finished in February 1978, Mr. Bearden with keys in hand stepped into an empty building. Medical equipment and furniture started arriving in crates and boxes. Dental chairs and equipment, optometry equipment, wall mounted blood pressure and temperature units, shelving for Medical Records, etc. Everything that the clinic needed to start seeing patients and fulfilling our mission.
Mr. Bearden placed a call to Claremore Indian Hospital (we were a satellite clinic for them) to request assistance in assembling all of that equipment. Unfortunately, Claremore could not send help so he went home and got his toolbox. He opened the dozens of crates and boxes and used the enclosed assembly instructions to put the entire clinic together. Mr. Bearden could not bear the thought of the employees and patients coming into a brand new clinic and things not being ready. Little did Mr. Bearden know, he started a culture that day that stills exists. Employees and patients come first, be willing to sacrifice your needs for the needs of others, and be ready.
In 2012, NTHS moved to its current location. The clinic has grown from 60 employees to now approximately 130 employees since it first opened its doors in 1978. We offer an array of services and continue to make plans to grow in order to serve our patients needs.