Tribe opens new health clinic in Salem

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals editor

SALEM -- The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde is adding to its health care options with a new primary care clinic.

An open house was held for the facility Monday, July 20, which is located in the same building as Great Circle Recovery in Salem, at 1011 Commercial St. NE.

“We have many Tribal members who live in Salem and Marion County,” Tribal Executive Director of Health Services Kelly Rowe said. “To be able to provide care here really helps us to expand our services, which is something that Tribal Council has long been supportive of.”

The clinic will serve Grand Ronde Tribal members and other Natives.

“It’s amazing and an honor to be able to expand our reach and services to broader than just the reservation area,” Rowe said. “People who can’t travel out to Grand Ronde will have easier access. Our membership is everywhere and we need to provide them services.”

The new facility has a separate entrance from Great Circle Recovery and is on the top floor, above behavioral health services. Clinic construction was funded by grants. It includes four exam rooms, offices, storage areas, reception and a shared lab.

Tajia Ulestad serves as the clinic administrator and said a soft opening was held for the clinic last month.

“We have been seeing people since the week of June 15,” she said. “We’re still getting the word out about it and have seen about 10 people so far.”

Ulestad noted that part of the time the clinic has been open has been devoted to figuring out office space and stocking up on needed medical supplies.

She said that being a Tribal member makes opening the new clinic very meaningful on both a personal and professional level.

“It’s amazing,” Ulestad said. “When I started working for the Tribe, I just fell in love with it. It’s a really cool thing being able to serve my Tribe and other Natives.”

Those who want to establish patient care at the new clinic are asked to call the Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center at 503-879-2002. The Salem primary care clinic is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday.

The last Tribal health care facility to open was the Cheryle A. Kennedy Public Health Clinic on the Tribal campus in Grand Ronde, which began services in May 2024. The building has six examination rooms, two dental rooms, a dental lab and community room. It is used to meet the public health needs of the Tribal community.