Recently, the Northeastern State University’s Oklahoma College of Optometry officially opened its new 78,000-square-foot, close-to $40 million facility, with a $5 million contribution from the Cherokee Nation.

“The $5 million dollar investment Cherokee Nation contributed to NSU’s new College of Optometry is one of the most impactful contributions we’ve ever made in health care education,” points out Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., in a school press release. “It supports hundreds of future optometrists and gives them hands-on training experience through the Cherokee Nation Health Services, where more than 40,000 annual patient encounters transpire.”

Chief Hoskin Jr. adds that the collaboration ensures Cherokee families will receive the “critical eye care” they need. The new facility offers a refractive surgery clinic, more contact lens and primary care clinics, and a new aesthetics clinic, explained Dr. Nate Lighthizer, dean of the College of Optometry.

“This new facility will enhance our ability to perform more laser procedures including YAG capsulotomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty, and YAG laser vitreolysis, as well as in office eyelid procedures, such as chalazion management, eyelid lesion biopsy and removal, and botulinum toxin injections, among many other procedures," explains Dr. Nate Lighthizer, dean of the College of Optometry, to Optometric Management. "There are exciting days ahead for Oklahoma optometry and our patients!" OM