Our History

From Tent Medicine to Tribal Leadership: The Evolution of Tohono O’odham Health Care

Since the establishment of the Tohono O’odham reservation, the federal government has either directly provided or supported health services to the Tohono O’odham. Although contact between doctors and the O’odham in the San Xavier area occurred as early as 1884, western medicine was slow to arrive to the Tohono. In 1911, Dr. J. G. Janney came to Indian Oasis, as Sells was previously called, to serve the Tohono O’odham. Dr. Janney lived in a tent and rode out to the villages on a horse with his medical gear.

The first organized medical care for the O’odham was provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the early 1920’s when the old Sells Hospital was constructed. The Sells Hospital later burned down in 1947. Care was transferred to San Xavier, which was a regional Tuberculosis hospital built in 1931, until its closure in 1947. San Xavier served as an inpatient facility until 1961 when the Sells Hospital was built.

On July 1, 1955, the U. S. Public Health Service became responsible for the health program. A mobile health unit brought medical care to the more isolated villages on the reservation. A new health center at Santa Rosa was completed in 1959.

On July 1, 2016, the Tohono O’odham Nation assumed the authority to provide health services previously delivered by the Indian Health Services, pursuant to a Self-Governance Compact. The Nation established Tohono O’odham Nation Health Care (TONHC) to administer health services for the Nation’s members.

The Nation also established a Governing Body to oversee TONHC. The Governing Body is legally responsible for the conduct of TONHC and has fiduciary oversight of TONHC’s operations. The Governing Body also appoints TONHC’s Chief Executive Officer who is responsible for leading and managing the day-to-day operations, programs, services, and personnel of TONHC.

Since 2016, TONHC has continued to meet The Joint Commission standards to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value which improves patient outcomes.