American Idol Pediatric Mobile Clinic to make its "Grand Entry" at Ho-Chunk Powwow

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Health. Discussion »

BLACK RIVER FALLS, WISCONSIN – The Ho-Chunk Nation Labor Day Powwow will have a unique participant on Saturday. The Tribe's new pediatric mobile health clinic will make its "grand entry" into history when it becomes the first such vehicle in Indian country.

Health concerns in Indian country, such as childhood obesity, will be addressed by health personnel who will staff the bus.

The clinic was funded by the Idol Gives Back Foundation, a philanthropic organization established by producers of the television program American Idol.

Children's Health Fund Co-founder and President Irwin Redlener, MD, will join Ho-Chunk Nation President Jon Greendeer, Vice President Greg Blackdeer, and Executive Director of Historic Preservation Robert Mann in dedicating the mobile health clinic on Saturday, September 1 at 1:00 pm cdt during the Ho-Chunk Nation Labor Day Powwow at the Andrew Blackhawk Memorial Powwow Grounds.

“We are pretty excited about the new pediatric mobile clinic,”

commented Ho-Chunk Nation President Jon Greendeer to the Native News Network late last Friday afternoon.

“You know anytime an elected tribal official sticks around to grant an interview on a Friday afternoon, you know I am excited,”

said President Greendeer with a laugh.

“Our Nation has a very unique land base. We are spread over 16 counties. As fractionalized as our land base is, we have to make sure we have latitude to provide services. The mobile clinic helps to level the playing field for us,”

stated President Greendeer.

The pediatric health clinic is for children. The mobile health clinic will emphasize awareness and prevention. Health concerns in Indian country, such as childhood obesity, will be addressed by health personnel who will staff the bus.

Beginning in September, the mobile health clinic will make a tour throughout the Ho-Chunk Nation so that children will become aware of it.

“We will map out where are needs are,”

explained President Greendeer.

posted August 30, 2012 7:59 am edt