Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center

The Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation, located just outside of Pendleton, needed to replace their aging healthcare facilities, which were dispersed across five structures. The new health center needed to double the size of the previous clinic, consolidate services into one building with the latest technologies, and allow space for additional services such as optometry, audiology, and physical therapy. Additionally, the project aimed to maximize the Oregon Energy Trust’s rebate program by achieving a design performance at least 40% better than code.

The new Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center was designed and constructed to respect the Tribe’s history, culture, and values. The 60,000 square foot Medical Clinic includes medical, dental, pharmacy, lab, optometry, and imaging services, centered around a team approach to improve communication between healthcare providers and provde patient-centered care. The project was the first in Eastern Oregon and the first tribal building in Oregon to enroll in Energy Trust’s Path to Net Zero, meeting the 40% savings requirement and earning a $450,000 Energy Trust grant. Sustainable elements include a high-performing mechanical system using variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology, low flow plumbing fixtures, the latest LED lighting technology, a dedicated outside air system with heat recovery, a high-performance building envelope, and a 100-kilowatt solar array.

The new Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center helps meet the tribe’s goal of providing integrated and high-quality medical care to its members. By consolidating services into a technically advanced space, communication between healthcare providers has improved, allowing for the integration of services such as medical and dental. The building is on track to achieve NetZero, reflecting community values and generating as much energy as it uses in a year, saving nearly $58,000 on utilities annually.