Imagine a land flooded in sunshine, filled with red-rock cliffs, cactus, sagebrush, coyote and deer. A people and culture steeped in rich tradition. For NMS employees at the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation, this vision is an everyday reality.
NMS works side-by-side the San Carlos Apache in their unique, stunningly beautiful homelands. Led by a dedicated, onsite management team, NMS began working in partnership with San Carlos in 2014 and provides patient and retail dining services, environmental services (EVS) and security to the healthcare center campus and surrounding area, which is located within the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. The employees are a blend of NMS, Indian Health Service (IHS) and San Carlos tribal hires, all working together under NMS management to provide professional support services to patients, staff and visitors as part of a true Native-to-Native business relationship between NANA and the San Carlos Apache.
“I’m proud of our team and the job they are doing at San Carlos,” said Derrell Webb, vice president of food and facilities management. “We have a strong commitment to local hire, and the team at the healthcare center is the positive result of that commitment as they provide high-quality services to patients and visitors.”
The San Carlos Apache Healthcare campus is located just off U.S. Highway 60, near the city of Globe in southeastern Arizona. Established in 1872 as a reservation for the Chiricahua Apache tribe, as well as surrounding Yavapai and Apache bands, today, San Carlos successfully operates a chamber of commerce, the Apache Gold Casino Resort, a language preservation program, culture center, tribal college and a hospital and adjoining healthcare facilities. The healthcare campus, where we provide services, includes a hospital, dental clinic, behavioral health clinic, emergency services, staff housing and more on several acres within the reservation. A two-hour drive from Phoenix, the healthcare center is situated at the heart of the San Carlos community. The drive to the center includes a series of steep climbs along roadways that travel through spectacular scenery – jagged rock cliffs and deep valleys lined with saguaro and barrel cactus – that provides a home to diverse desert wildlife, including mountain lions, antelope, deer, coyote, javelina, rattlesnakes, scorpions and tarantulas.
For those planning to visit the area, the 1.8 million-acre reservation is a hunter’s paradise. In season, big game hunters can take down Rocky Mountain elk, black bear, pronghorn antelope, wild turkey, desert bighorn sheep, Coues white-tailed deer, javelina and mountain lion. Hunters must hire an Apache guide and have a valid license and permits, purchased through the San Carlos Apache Recreation and Wildlife Department.
For gaming of a different variety, visitors can also enjoy gambling, good food and golf at the Apache Gold Casino Resort. The resort boasts an 18-hole par, 72 high desert golf course, a 145-room, 3-star hotel and a restaurant and bar with nightly entertainment.
For naturalists, hiking and camping opportunities are plentiful in local and state parks. Bring your camera! The scenery is spectacular, especially the remarkable starry night sky, and photo opportunities abound at every turn.
For more about the San Carlos Apache and recreational opportunities in the San Carlos area, visit:
sancarlosapache.com
scatrecreation.org
apache-gold-casino.com
scahealth.org
