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Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Restoration Project

Healer, Trailblazer, Warrior
One woman was all these and more to her Omaha Tribe and the community of Walthill, Nebraska.

In 1913, the physician affectionately known as Dr. Susan fulfilled her life-long dream to build a local hospital – eliminating the arduous journey patients endured to Omaha or Sioux City for care. Located in Walthill, Nebraska, it was the first hospital built on a reservation without federal funding. It had a 12-bed general ward, five private wards, maternity ward, and
an operating room.

Today, this historic building is at risk of being lost after years of neglect. As Nebraska physicians, we are called to help restore the original hospital into a community center – fulfilling Dr. Susan’s trailblazing legacy of bringing hope and health to the Omaha tribe and surrounding community.

Join us in keeping her legacy alive. Learn more about Dr. Susan by visiting the Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Restoration project website.

The Physician Campaign Brochure

Restore the Hospital and Her Mission
In 2017, the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs formed a Susan La Flesche Memorial Advisory Committee. It was comprised of Dr. Picotte’s descendants, community leaders, architects, museum professionals, other stakeholders, and subsequently, the Omaha Tribe and tribal elders. Together, the group decided the hospital restoration needed to focus on the needs of today’s local community with:

To understand current needs, focus groups and town hall meetings were held, and community-wide surveys were completed and analyzed. A master plan was then written that outlined three phases of work for restoring the historic building.

Join our Physician-led Campaign
The need for medical care in underserved communities is no less important today than it was when Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte made it her mission to build a hospital in 1913. Physicians, help us preserve Nebraska history when you support the Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Center.