March 31, 2023 – Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation held a ribbon cutting ceremony today, on an expansion of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Health Center at 11400 158 Rd, Mayetta. The project adds space and increases services for Tribal Members.
This project includes an expansion adding approximately 15,000 square feet to the existing 36,000 square foot structure and a remodel of the current structure. Dental space has more than doubled with the completion of seven dental stations increasing patient capacity and expanded space allowing for improved patient privacy.
PBPN Chairman Joseph Rupnick, said, “This expansion will allow us to increase our capacity to meet the needs of our members. And it was designed to allow for changes in an ever-growing environment.”
The expansion also includes the installation of additional office space and conference areas for building use, with PBPN Health Center administrative offices being relocated into the new addition. A reconditioning of the vacated offices spaces and remodel of the former dental space will allow those areas to be used by the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and provide room for future Health Center programming.
The completed project includes space for data and document storage. The area is storm rated and has a dry fire suppression system to protect the contents in the event of most any emergency.
The project includes more efficient use of the parking area with a new paved driveway, additional parking, and an MRI specific pad to accommodate additional radiology services with mobile CT and MRI units used for patients as needed.
The $13.9 million cost of the project was funded through federal dollars received from the Indian Health Service, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, which is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Members of the Tribal Council, PBPN Management, and Mar Lan Construction pose in front of an image of one of the dental rooms in the new expansion. From left to right, PBPN General Manager Jonathan Roberts, PBPN Health Center Administrator Jay Mooney, PBPN Assistant General Manager Michelle Simon, Tribal Council Chairman Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick, Council Member Member Ronald “Tony” Wahweotten, Jr., Vice-Chairman Zach Pahmahmie, Secretary Lorrie Melchior, Treasurer Wade Pahmahmie, PBPN Construction Manager Shawn Kelly, Mar Lan Construction Superintendent Randy Frahm, and Mar Lan Construction Vice President Field Operations Brian Lantis.