About WIHCC
Winslow Indian Health Care Center is an ambulatory health center that serves an estimated 17,000 Native Americans - mostly Navajo.
A Brief History
The main clinic building in Winslow was originally constructed in 1932 as a tuberculosis sanatorium. In 1948 it was converted to a hospital.
In 1977 the in-patient wing was closed and the facility was converted to an ambulatory health center.
Inpatient care of some Winslow area patients is now performed at Winslow Memorial Hospital by WIHCC doctors. In 1980, infants were once again
delivered at Winslow Memorial Hospital by IHS staff. In 1986 patients began to be admitted once again under the care of Winslow Indian
Health Service physicians.
In 1981, the service unit received its first accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. Accreditation
continues every three years and in 1998, Winslow Service Unit (now WIHCC) received a score of "99" - the highest in the Navajo Area Indian
Health Service. Currently WIHCC maintains its accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).
There were extensive renovations to the main building in 1994 - 1995.
In 1982, Winslow IHS had 36,000 patient visits, with five physicians on staff. By 2002 the number of patient visits had doubled to 64,000, with
11 physicians on staff. The total number of staff members in 1985 was 56. Today the staff numbers over 200.
WIHCC operates two outlying clinics - one in Dilkon, the other in Leupp. A mobile van was purchased and outfitted to reach out the entire
Winslow service area in 2001.
In 1988 the total operating budget of Winslow IHS was $3 million. Today it is well over $25 million.
With the signing of a contract between Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Winslow Indian Health Care Center (WIHCC) on Friday, August 16,
2002, in the Navajo Nation capital of Window Rock, AZ, WIHCC became an independent corporation - The Winslow Indian Health Care Center,
Incorporated.
The process and opportunities created by self -governance and local control spawns a brighter future with many improvements in health care,
especially in the outlying areas and clinics.
