Sells Indian Hospital
Mailing Address
Sells Indian Hospital
P.O. Box 548
Sells, AZ 85634
Phone: 520-383-7200
The Sells Indian Hospital is a 14-bed facility with The Joint Commission accreditation and is physically located off of Arizona State Route 86, 60 miles west of Tucson in the Sells District of the Tohono O'odham Nation.
A professional staff of physicians, physician assistants, dentists, nurses, podiatrists, optometrists, and auxiliary technical support personnel administer both inpatient and ambulatory services. Specialties include internal medicine, pediatrics, and family practice. Emergency services are provided and critical-care patients are transferred to one of several Tucson or Phoenix area hospitals.
| Department | Hours | Phone | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Clinic | M, T, Th, F 8am-5pm & W 1pm-5pm | 520-383-7200 | 24 hour ER services |
Clinical Services Available
Dental
Diabetes Vision Screening (Telemedicine)
Emergency Room
Immunization
Inpatient Care
Laboratory
Mammography
Minor Skin Procedures
Nephrology
Nutrition Counseling
Ophthalmology
Optometry
Pediatrics (includes Teens)
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Podiatry
Perinatology & Prenatal Ultrasounds
Primary Care Services (Prevention, Chronic Conditions, Prenatal, Well Child Care, Women's Health)
Prosthetics Clinic
Radiology (x-ray)
Rheumatology
Shoe Clinic
Social Work
Tuberculosis Clinic
Same Day Appointments
Patient Care Services
Phone: 520-383-7330 (Purple Team)
Phone: 520-383-7422 (Gold Team)
Benefit Coordinators
Phone: 520-383-7377/7234
Medical Records
Phone: 520-383-7204
Purchased/Referred Care (PRC)
Phone: 520-383-7246
Phone: 800-229-3044 (Toll free)
Phone: 520-383-7288 (Fax Line)
Phone: 520-383-7341
Eye Clinic
Phone: 520-383-7237
Specialty Clinic
Phone: 520-383-7253 or 7248
Pharmacy
Phone: 520-383-7480
Phone: 877-606-9301 (toll free prescription refill line - need patient chart # and prescription #)
The Chili Pepper Café (Hospital Cafeteria)
520-383-7362
STATS (Estimates)
Inpatient admission - 425 discharges annually
Outpatient care visits - 74,000
User Pop - 8,800
300 employees
History
Along about 1917 the first suggestion was made to build a hospital in Indian Oasis (Sells), as part of the plans to move the BIA agency from San Xavier. There were initial problems such as finding sufficient water source, however, construction work eventually began in 1919. By 1921, the hospital (made of adobe and wood frame) was completed and had a capacity of 20 beds. Later additional wards were added to bring the hospital to 36-bed and six bassinets.
On June 14, 1947, a fire broke out in the roof area of the hospital. There was no loss of life but the hospital, equipment and all records were destroyed. To meet the emergent healthcare needs, the San Xavier Sanitarium (built in 1931) was converted to a general hospital providing inpatient and outpatient care. By July 1, 1955, US Public Health Service took over the responsibility of heath programs and a mobile health unit brought medical care to the more isolated areas of the reservation, including a new health center at Santa Rosa in 1959.
In July 1959, ground breaking activities took place west of Sells. Dr. James R. Shaw IHS Director was on hand to turn the first shovel of dirt. The new 50-bed facility was built of concrete masonry set on reinforced concrete footings and the interior frame made of steel. The hospital, living quarters and equipment cost $2 million. By early 1960's, the hospital was open for business and has remained open for nearly 50 years!
Tribal Health Programs
Tohono O'odham Health and Human Services, 520-383-6000
Tohono O'odham Behavioral Health, 520-383-6165
Tohono O'odham Health Transportation, 520-383-6050
Tohono O'odham Health Promotion (HOPP), 520-383-6240
