Cherokee Nation Principal Chief signs Hepatitis C awareness proclamation, announces grant to Tulsa CARES

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed a proclamation Tuesday declaring May 2026 as Hepatitis C Awareness Month and May 19, 2026 as the Cherokee Nation National Day of Testing. The signing took place at the Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center in Tahlequah, marking more than a decade of progress under the Cherokee Nation Hepatitis C Virus Elimination Program.

The proclamation calls on Cherokee citizens, tribal employees, health professionals, and community partners to engage in HCV education, outreach, screening, and support activities across the Reservation throughout the month of May.

Since its launch in 2015 as the first tribally operated HCV elimination program in the United States, the Cherokee Nation HCV Elimination Program has screened more than 92,000 individuals, diagnosed 2,180 with the virus, and achieved a 99.4% cure rate among those completing treatment. The program's 86% test acceptance rate is more than five times the national average.

"Hepatitis C is a serious but curable disease, and Cherokee Nation has proven that with the right tools, the right partnerships, and a commitment to our people, we can eliminate it," said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. "This proclamation is a reflection of our values as Cherokee people. We look out for one another, we invest in each other's health, and we refuse to accept that any citizen should go without testing or treatment. I am proud of what our health team has built and even more proud of what we will continue to achieve together."

The Cherokee Nation HCV Elimination Program has grown into a nationally recognized model, integrating universal screening, point-of-care diagnostics, direct-acting antiviral treatments, harm reduction and behavioral health collaborations, and mobile community outreach. In 2026, the program became the first tribal health system in the United States to implement community-based point-of-care HCV RNA testing and same-day treatment initiation, a milestone recognized in JAMA Network Open in April 2026.

"This program is a testament to what Cherokee Nation can do when we bring our full resources and our full heart to a public health challenge," said Deputy Chief Bryan Warner. "The numbers speak for themselves - tens of thousands screened, a cure rate that is among the best in the nation, and a model that other communities across the country are now looking to replicate. We are not done, and we will keep pushing until Hepatitis C is no longer a burden our people have to carry."

The program continues to expand its reach through mobile outreach at peer recovery organizations, a harm reduction program, a men's shelter, and additional community sites serving high-risk populations across the Reservation. A new partnership with AbbVie supports HCV testing and treatment for all detainees at Adair County Jail, and a pilot program in the Cherokee Nation Emergency Department is currently being evaluated for broader expansion.

"For the past 11 years, Cherokee Nation Health Services has been at the forefront of combating Hepatitis C through a comprehensive approach that emphasizes awareness, education, testing, and treatment," said District 1 Councilor Sasha Blackfox-Qualls, Chair of the Council of the Cherokee Nation's Health Committee. "The commitment of CNHS to raising awareness, providing testing opportunities, and ensuring access to treatment for Hepatitis C has had a significant impact on public health within the reservation and serves as a model for similar initiatives nationwide."

Tuesday's proclamation signing also featured remarks from Carly Wignarajah, CEO of Tulsa CARES, a nonprofit that provides comprehensive care coordination and support for people living with Hepatitis C and HIV. Tulsa CARES is a partner to the Cherokee Nation in efforts to eliminate Hepatitis C by providing community outreach and education, testing, linkage to medical care, hands-on care coordination and supportive services like transportation, food, and prescription assistance - all free of charge and in an effort to help individuals successfully navigate treatment and achieve cure.

Tulsa CARES was also selected as a 2026 recipient of the tribe's Public Health and Wellness Partners Grant, receiving $25,000 to support the implementation of public health vending machines.

"Cherokee Nation's leadership and investment in Hepatitis C testing and elimination efforts are truly impressive, and the work is making a real difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities across Oklahoma," said Wignarajah. "National Hepatitis C Testing Day is also a reminder that Hepatitis C is curable, and early testing and treatment change lives. Together, we can continue reducing stigma, increasing access, and moving closer to a future where Hepatitis C is no longer a public health threat in our state."

Community members are encouraged to take advantage of HCV screening services available at Cherokee Nation health facilities and community outreach sites throughout May. Services include point-of-care screening for HCV, HIV, syphilis, A1C, and lipid panels, along with linkage to care, patient navigation, and same-day treatment initiation where eligible.

"Our citizens deserve to know that help is available and that testing is accessible wherever they are," said Dr. R. Stephen Jones, Cherokee Nation Health Services CEO and Executive Director. "Whether someone walks into a clinic or connects with our mobile outreach team in their community, we want every Cherokee citizen to have the opportunity to get tested and, if needed, to get treated. Today's proclamation sends a clear message that this Nation stands behind that commitment."

For more information about the Cherokee Nation HCV Elimination Program or to find a testing location near you, call 539-234-2183.