Susan Crowe’s journey at the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority began at a pivotal moment as the eye clinic transitioned from private ownership to integration within the CIHA network. Over her career, Susan has been instrumental in shaping the evolution of the eye clinic, working tirelessly with opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and the Hospital’s Executive Board to establish a state-of-the-art facility that serves the community with excellence.

Her commitment to professional development is exemplified by her achievements, including membership in the American Board of Optometry, securing a special national license for contact lenses, and attaining fellowship status in the National Association of Opticians.

Beyond her professional accolades, Susan’s dedication to her patients is unparalleled. She routinely goes above and beyond, sacrificing personal breaks and lunches to provide comfort and compassion in the clinic’s lobby. For over a decade, she has improved access to eye care services for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, embodying selflessness and dedication to community wellness.

In the 1920s, Lula Leta Owl (later Lula Owl Gloyne) worked in a small clinic in the basement of the Agency’s administration building, serving the community with distinction. She became the first registered nurse of the EBCI and was later honored as a Beloved Woman of the Cherokee Tribe.

Over the years, healthcare facilities evolved to meet the needs of the Cherokee community, culminating in the establishment of the Cherokee Indian Hospital, which stands today as a state-of-the-art facility providing world-class healthcare services in a Cherokee-infused environment.

In the early 1930s, Lula Owl Gloyne traveled with Tribal officials to Washington, DC, to advocate for a fully functioning hospital on the Qualla Boundary. Their efforts resulted in Congress funding the construction of the Cherokee Indian Hospital in 1936.

Since then, the hospital has undergone multiple expansions, including a new outpatient clinic in 1973 and a state-of-the-art $83 million facility in 2015. The Tribe’s commitment to healthcare continues with ongoing renovations and new facilities to serve future generations.