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By Chuck Hoskin Jr

May 12, 2024

Guest Opinion. Cherokee Nation leads in growing the economy, creating jobs, and improving the well-being not just for our citizens — but for all of northeast Oklahoma. We are constantly seeking ways to support and increase access to health care, education opportunities and economic development, among other top Cherokee Nation priorities. 

Cherokee Nation’s latest move toward these goals is a partnership with Rogers State University to further the Claremore institution’s growth in STEM education and allied health programs. Our $4 million commitment will support construction of RSU’s proposed Center for Science and Technology where students can train for careers in health, technology and other science-related fields.  

The center will become RSU’s new home for programs in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology, featuring about 52,000 square feet of lab, classroom and office space. The partnership to build the facility includes a 10-year provision for up to 10 Cherokee Nation citizens to have tuition and mandatory fees covered by the Rogers State University Foundation. 

The new program will support health professionals and beyond, ensuring students are well-prepared for taking skilled jobs with growing opportunities and pay. Much like our collaborations with the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation, Northeastern State University’s College of Optometry and the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center in Tulsa, we are creating great educational opportunities that meet critical health needs for Cherokee Nation priorities and all of Oklahoma. 

We see stacking success in every investment into Cherokee Nation Health Services. Our Cherokee health program is the largest tribally operated health care system in the United States, with about 220 full-time providers and more than 2,700 health service employees, receiving almost 2 million patient visits annually. 

The foundation of health and well-being built by our health system leads to greater prosperity for future Cherokee generations. We have dramatically expanded our health care capacity, yet demand is still great, with appointments filling up rapidly every time we add providers. As our services and world-class facilities continue to grow, we need highly trained nurses and specialized health care professionals to make the most out of our investments. 

Just as we need skilled professionals to fill facility expansions, the state of Oklahoma has health care workforce shortages that started before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, the current number of nurses is insufficient to meet demand, which will only increase through 2030. The study shows registered nurses – already near the most pressing need for Oklahoma health care – will become the top health care staffing need by 2030. 

Oklahoma is not alone. A national workforce shortage leaves 75 million Americans without adequate care in health professional shortage areas, according to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. 

In the truest spirit of Gadugi, investments into nursing programs and health care workforce training not only lead to Cherokee prosperity but also support the needs of our neighbors. At the Cherokee Nation and our partners at RSU and other schools, we are pairing excellent education and career opportunities with chances to heal and provide great care for one another.

Chuck Hoskin, Jr. is the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

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MELISSA, Texas — Gunnar Wilson has entered his linebacker era.

Since first playing football at the age of 6, Wilson has played nearly every position on the field.

But his experience at linebacker was minimal when college coaches like Oklahoma State assistant Joe Bob Clements suddenly began recruiting him to be one.

Set to enroll at OSU in June with the remaining newcomers of the 2024 recruiting class, Wilson’s future became quite clear as his 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame was developing late in his junior season at Melissa High School.

But the journey to get there was far from direct.

For a couple years in elementary school, Wilson was so much bigger than his teammates that he found himself on the offensive line. By junior high, he was still one of the bigger kids for his age, but this time, he landed on the defensive line. At other times, he’s been a quarterback, a running back and a defensive back.

As a sophomore and junior at Melissa, Wilson earned various all-state honors as a tight end, even though he was a bit undersized for the position at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds. In his junior season, he also played five games at safety, totaling 40 tackles and two interceptions — but more importantly, providing game tape as a defensive player.

“I guess they saw my length and my ability to run sideline-to-sideline from the safety position, and that’s what they liked,” Wilson said of the OSU coaches, who extended an offer before Wilson had ever played a game at linebacker. “OSU didn’t even come see me play linebacker in spring because I was hurt.”

More: Life ‘coming full circle’ as Oklahoma State football recruits former star Tatum Bell’s son

The Cowboys weren’t the only ones to offer Wilson a scholarship without seeing him play the position. By the time he committed to OSU last June, he had 13 offers, with only one — from Texas-San Antonio — as a tight end.

Wilson finished his senior season with 88 tackles in 12 games, but piled up multiple double-digit tackle games late in the season as he began to really settle into the new position.

Playing closer to the line of scrimmage, he combined the physicality he learned playing tight end, and the field vision he gained at safety to be a wrecking ball at outside linebacker. 

Though his experience as a linebacker isn’t deep, Wilson believes the knowledge he has gained playing so many different positions is a bigger benefit.

“I can see the whole field and anticipate what’s about to happen,” he said. “I pay attention to the down and distance every play and I can put myself in the right situation.

“My football IQ allows me to be in the right spot to make the right plays.”

Because of the way he has grown into his body, Wilson’s speed stands out. 

He played baseball and ran track previously in high school, but is focused on adding muscle this spring. Following the training plan provided by the OSU strength staff, he says he’s added more than 10 pounds since the end of football season.

“I’ve focused on a lot of skills training and in the weight room instead of running on the track,” he said. “But I’m fine showing up like this in June, because they’ll probably cut 5 pounds off me then add 10 back.

“I’m just excited to get there. They’re always competing to go to the Big 12 Championship, and now, hopefully, the playoff.”

More: Oklahoma State football recruiting tracker: Which players are committed to 2025 class?

The Dallas Mavericks sent a defensive message on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 105-101. They took a 2-1 series lead in the second-round playoff matchup. Following the game, Josh Bowe and I break down the effort.

This was a pretty incredible game for Dallas where in the first half, they just could not hit a shot, shooting under 40% from the field and around 25% from three. The only bright spot was P.J. Washington staying red hot and pouring in the points. The Dallas defense was so good though, they hung around and stayed within a point of the Thunder for halftime despite their poor shooting.

We record a postgame show every Dallas game Live on YouTube! Click and Subscribe!

At the start of the second half it seemed like things might slip away from the Mavericks as the Thunder put together an impressive 11-0 run. Dallas answered right back with a 16-0 run of their own. The Mavericks would control the game from that point on, but it was a very tense finish, which involved Hack-a-Lively and some strong defensive stands from the Mavericks. Dallas walked away with an impressive win.

We also talk about the efforts of PJ Washington, the strong play from Josh Green, and more. After this show, I held a secondary podcast where fans joined to give their opinion on the game. This was an awesome time, you should join next time!

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