Cherokee County Health Services
The Cherokee County Health Department is pleased to offer a wide variety of medical services and programs to men, women, and children at little to no cost. To make an appointment, or to inquire about program eligibility and services, please call the Health Department: 918-456-8826.
Consumer Health Services
The mission of the Consumer Health Service is to protect the health of consumers and prevent disease through the licensing, inspecting, and monitoring of multiple professional, occupational and business programs. Some of the more frequently requested programs are listed below:
- Food Service (oklahoma.gov)
- Hotels, Motels, Lodging (oklahoma.gov)
- Public Pools, Spas, Splash Pads (oklahoma.gov)
Emergency Protocols
In Oklahoma, disasters are known to strike at any time. As a licensed establishment that sells food to the general public it’s important to plan and prepare ahead of time to ensure food sold during times of emergency are safe. Lodging establishments should also be aware of emergency food practices. This not only protects public health but also the establishment.
Links to services provided by others:
- Wells, septic tanks, drinking water or air quality contact Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
- Search for city municipal codes to learn about code enforcement for private homes
- Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma assistance with landlord repair concerns
- Oklahoma food service establishment inspection results
View more OSDH Licensing and Inspection information.
For questions or concerns related to Cherokee County Consumer Health, call 918-456-8826.
- Recognize and prevent communicable disease outbreaks such as food and waterborne illness, tuberculosis, and childhood diseases.
- Report a disease-related issue locally by calling 918-756-1883. After hours, call (405) 426-8710 to speak with an Acute Disease Service epidemiologist.
Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are infections that can be passed on from one person to another during sexual contact. They are caused by a variety of organisms including bacteria, viruses, protozoans and parasites.
In order to eliminate and prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, the Cherokee County Health Department provides no-cost and confidential testing, evaluation, health education and treatment of the following STI's:
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
The Cherokee County Health Department also performs visual examinations, health education and referral services at no charge for the following STI's:
- Pubic Lice (Crabs)
- Genital Warts
- Genital Herpes
If you have symptoms of an STI or suspect you may have been exposed, please visit the Cherokee County Health Department. For more information please call 918-456-8826.
Everyone who has been sexually active is encouraged to get tested routinely.
Test results are always confidential.
Fees are on a sliding scale and insurance may be billed at patient’s discretion. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.
Call 918-756-1883 to schedule an appointment for:
Fast Track STD/STI clinic (no nurse exam, short wait time, self-collection lab test for gonorrhea & chlamydia, blood draw for syphilis and HIV).
Those with current symptoms or a known contact will see a nurse for a physical exam with a blood draw to test for HIV and syphilis and urine test or swab for gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Sexual Health and Harm Reduction Service - Learn more about screening, diagnosing, educating, treating, individual case management, and referral services for those at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections.
No-cost condoms are available at the health department, just ask for a “brown bag.”
A variety of immunizations are available for infants, children and adults; most at no cost. We provide immunizations required for school attendance and childcare centers in Oklahoma, as well as immunization training and consultation for providers. For more information about fees and immunization availability, please call the Cherokee County Health Department: 918-456-8826.
Immunization records from clinics that participate in the OSIIS system can be found by visiting the OSIIS Public Portal.
Health Department Staff identify and treat tuberculosis patients and ensure appropriate measures are taken to prevent the occurrence and transmission of tuberculosis. Skin testing is provided at no charge for those with a doctor’s order, at the request of a rehab facility, or for a known contact to an active TB case. Others may receive skin testing for a charge of $20. Call 918-456-8826 to schedule an appointment.
The Emergency Preparedness and Response Services (EPRS) division of the Oklahoma State Department of Health protects and promotes the health and safety of Oklahomans through mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery from public health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism.
For the latest updates on emergency response from the Health Department,
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Child Guidance is a public health program offered through county health departments. Its purpose is to promote optimal development, healthy behavior, and effective interaction for families and children.
Child Guidance staff includes a behavioral health clinician, speech-language pathologist, and a child development specialist. Services are offered in these specialty areas: behavioral health, speech and language, and early childhood development and parent education.
Services are provided for children ages birth through age 12 and their parents.
The Child Guidance Clinic is dedicated to providing services to the entire community. Services are provided at no cost or low cost, and charges are based on your family size and income. SoonerCare and some private insurances are accepted. You won’t be refused services are you are unable to pay.
For more information, contact the District 7 Child Guidance Hub in Muskogee by calling (918) 683-0321.
Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat.
Nationally certified child passenger safety technicians are available to check/install car seats and teach caregivers how to properly install car seats.
No-cost car seats/booster seats available
A limited number of no cost car seats and booster seats are available to those who qualify. Service available by appointment only. Applicant must provide proof of government assistance (i.e., WIC, SNAP, SoonerCare, etc.) The child, parent/legal guardian of the child, and vehicle MUST be present at appointment to receive a seat.
For more information, call 918-456-8826.
Children First is a no-cost program for first-time mothers in Oklahoma that provides personal visits with specially trained nurses beginning early in the pregnancy and continuing through the child’s second birthday.
To be eligible, participants must meet the following requirements:
- First-time mother.
- Monthly household income at or below 185% of federal poverty level.
- Less than 29 weeks pregnant at enrollment.
For your convenience, visits take place in your home. Visits begin while you are pregnant and continue until your child's second birthday. The visit schedule is tailored to meet the client's need. For additional information or to schedule a Children First visit, contact the Cherokee County Health Department at 918-456-8826.
Children First Nurse
Cinda Baird, RN
The Cherokee County Health Department offers close to home maternity care for expectant mothers, and is currently welcoming new clients to the program. The Maternal Health Program is open to women with private insurance, SoonerCare, or no insurance, and there is no out of pocket costs for services. Additionally, 3D and 4D ultrasounds are offered to ensure a more personalized and in-depth prenatal experience. To schedule your appointment, please call: 918-456-8826.
Fluoride varnish is provided to those 18 years of age and younger. Fluoride varnish is a dental treatment that can help prevent and slow tooth decay. Call the Cherokee County Health Department to schedule your appointment.
Family Planning helps prevent unplanned pregnancies. We help families and individuals to plan and space their children. These services are available to both men and women.
The Health Department provides Newborn Screening, Newborn Hearing Screen, Lead Screening and follow-up services for eligible County infants, children and their family.
SoonerStart is Oklahoma's early intervention program designed to meet the needs of infants and toddlers with disabilities and/or developmental delays.
For more information call (918) 683-0321 and ask for the SoonerStart program.
WIC provides nutritious foods to supplement the diets of women, infants and children. WIC foods are specifically chosen to provide the nutrients you and your children need.
WIC promotes healthy eating, active lifestyles and nutrition education through online nutrition education, interactive nutrition & fitness group classes, and/or private consultations with WIC staff. View more on how to apply for WIC, WIC foods/formula, breastfeeding, and health & nutrition information. To talk to a clerk for an individual appointment, class information or other questions, please call 918-456-8826.
The Cherokee County Health Department offers rash and head lice checks. Please call ahead to ensure that the appropriate staff are available for this exam.
Community Health Workers (CHWs) connect residents to available services and resources. The goal of the CHW program is to improve the health of individuals and the community. CHWs can help individuals meet health goals and assist with applications and referrals for services such as health insurance, housing, state and federal benefits and more.
To speak with the Community Health Worker for the Cherokee County Health Department, call 918-456-8826.
Health education is an integral part of public health. Health educators provide information and resources to individuals and communities in an effort to promote, maintain and improve health lifestyles.
Important issues addressed by Health Educators include:
- Health Department Services
- Healthy Lifestyle Promotion
- Physical activity/nutrition
- Adolescent hygiene
- Sexual health/HIV
- Injury prevention
- Bullying prevention
- Chronic Disease prevention and management
Health educators are responsible for collecting and analyzing data for the purpose of researching, designing and presenting preventative health care programs. These individuals are involved in local coalitions in order to create partnerships to address concerns and issues that affect the health of communities. They specialize in various areas that include clinical health, public health, community health, workplace wellness and school health. Health education presentations and available publications are offered free of charge to the public.
The population of Cherokee County Health Department services for Medicaid (SoonerCare) is Pregnant Women, Children under the age of 19, Parents/guardians of children under the age of 19, and SoonerPlan (family planning) for age 19 and older for prevention of pregnancy. Income requirement and household size differ depending on the benefit. Household members are determined according to who could be, or may be included on the same tax filing form.
SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) is a health coverage program jointly funded by the federal and state government. This program helps pay some or all medical bills for many people who can't afford them. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) is the state agency that administers the program and determines financial eligibility for the program.
SoonerPlan is Oklahoma’s family planning program for women and men who are not enrolled in regular SoonerCare services.
Health Department staff provide assistance in filling out the application for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program (Oklahoma Cares). Oklahoma Cares provides SoonerCare benefits to uninsured women under 65, who need treatment for breast or cervical cancer (including pre-cancerous conditions and early-stage cancer).
Oklahoma Health Care Authority offers several free publications that feature SoonerCare and Insure Oklahoma programs. These publications may be downloaded individually to obtain more information about the many programs available to offer assistance to those in need.
Contact Information
Cherokee County Health Department
1298 W. 4th St.
Tahlequah, OK 74464
Phone: 918-456-8826
Fax: 918-458-6582
TO REPORT A PUBLIC HEALTH DISEASE OR OUTBREAK
CALL (405) 426-8710, ANSWERED 24 HOURS/7 DAYS A WEEK.
