Cherokee Nation Health: Cherokee Nation opened its new $470M W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, expanding care with 127 beds and services including ER, ICU, imaging, pharmacy, NICU, hospice, and a surgical center—plus plans to turn the old site into a nursing and allied health education center. Rural Hospital Watch: Nowata residents packed a meeting over Ascension St. John’s proposal to shift from a Critical Access Hospital to a Rural Emergency Hospital, which would cut inpatient services and swing beds, with a “Save Our Hospital” petition targeting state and federal officials. Medicaid Pressure: The Oklahoma State Medical Association warned Medicaid funding reductions could worsen access, citing thousands of children losing coverage and warning rural hospitals face closure risk as reimbursement cuts roll in. Food Safety: A cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to “explosive diarrhea” is prompting some restaurants to change menus and urging extra caution when dining out. Animal Health & Community Care: The Oklahoma Alliance for Animals is helping the Creek County Sheriff care for 100+ dogs near Depew, focusing on removing the most vulnerable animals and ramping up spay/neuter. Public Health & Environment: A decade-long USGS study found pesticide pollution in Midwest and Great Plains rivers is getting worse, with multiple chemicals detected at harmful levels across monitored streams. Health System Oversight: FDA inspected Oklahoma Blood Institute East Central in Ada and reported no management-operation corrections were needed.