The Swinomish Medical Clinic offers a full spectrum of healthcare services for all ages, from infants to elders, and is available to serve all enrolled Native Americans from federally recognized tribes. The Clinic treats many acute and chronic medical problems. The Clinic offers longer same-day appointments for chronic or more complicated medical issues. The Clinic can handle most medical needs onsite including vaccinations, blood tests, cuts requiring stitches, biopsies and general medical issues. The Clinic also has tests and procedures that can be done onsite as well as offering a nutritionist and fitness coordinator on the Clinic staff. The Clinic encourages healthy lifestyles so we to help with diet and exercise needs. The Clinic also offers nicotine replacement supplies and counseling to help people stop smoking.
The Swinomish Tribal Health Center is located at 17400 Reservation Road, La Conner, WA. It has 6,575 sq. ft. and includes 4 exam rooms, one procedure room and support staff offices. The basement of the clinic houses the Diabetes Program and a Fitness Center. This facility was opened in January of 2000.
Primary ambulatory care is provided by a doctor four days per week, two nurse practitioners, five days per week, and additional half day of physician services. The Health Center had 2,564 primary care visits in FY 1997. A RN provides prenatal case management, and a weekly WIC nutrition clinic is also available. The Medical Clinic can serve both direct and contract eligible clients or can bill DSHS or private insurance. The Swinomish Dental Clinic is located across the street from the Medical Clinic, at 17395 Reservation Road, LaConner, WA. The facility is a state-of-the-art four operatory clinic, completed and opened in May of 1997. The staff consists of a US Commissioned Corps dentist, a part-time hygienist, two assistants and a receptionist. The facility that houses the Dental Clinic also provides space for Vocational Rehab, Enrollment Office and Mental Health. One level also houses the Senior Citizen Center. After the Washington legislature didn’t pass a law that would have allowed dental health therapists – similar to nurse practitioners – to provide basic dental care, Swinomish initiated its own program to train and employ dental health therapists to improve the availability of dental care on the reservation.
The Swinomish Tribe is part of the Northwest Washington Service Unit Health Board (NWSUHB), that also includes Lummi, Nooksack and Upper Skagit. The NWSUHB is a nonprofit organization established in the early 1980’s. The Health Board contracts for Sanitarian services, under a P.L. 93-638, Title I consortium agreement. One full-time position is funded and the Sanitarian provides services one day per week at Swinomish. Services include supervision of contaminated waste handling, food handling permits, health inspections of tribal facilities, water quality and sewage management, vector control and solid waste disposal, and other duties assigned by the tribal health department. The Tribes Contract Health Service Delivery Area (CHSDA) is Skagit County. CHS funding includes the Swinomish Tribes. The CHS program for the tribe is administered at Swinomish. The Swinomish Dental Clinic provides a range of dental services to patients that include cleanings, fillings, crowns, and dentures.
Swinomish Counseling Services provides individual therapy and psychiatric services to promote mental health wellness for adults and youth within the Swinomish Community. The department also provides group counseling for teens. Psychiatric medication assessment and monitoring is also available for adults.
Founded in 1977 by Joe Dunn, the Wellness Program is a Washington State Certified Chemical Dependency Provider outpatient treatment facility.
The Fitness Center provides a variety of equipment for a full body workout that includes cardio machines, free weights, universal gym, Smith machine and fitness DVDs. The Fitness coordinator can work with you to design a program fitted to your needs. Various fitness programs are offered. Swinomish Medical Clinic offers a full spectrum of healthcare services for all ages, from infants to elders, and is available to serve all enrolled Native Americans from federally recognized tribes.
The enrolled population is 778 and the Indian population living on or near the reservation is about 1,000. There were 1051 users in 2002.