Mashantucket, Conn. (December 15, 2025) — The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) today announced plans to build a new 21,000-square-foot health center in partnership with Hartford Healthcare (HHC). The facility will expand access to modern, patient-centered care for both Tribal members and the greater community, while reflecting the values, history, and culture of the Mashantucket Pequot people.
The facility will include two distinct but connected spaces: Tribal Health Services (THS), which will exclusively serve members of federally recognized Tribes, and a Hartford Healthcare clinic that will be open to the public. Together, the two sides will create a shared resource that strengthens the community’s access to care.
“This project is about more than bricks and mortar; it is about reclaiming our health future,” said Rodney Butler, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. “We are proud to create a space that combines modern medical care with cultural affirmation, one that serves not only Tribal citizens, but our neighbors throughout Southeastern Connecticut. True wellness comes when the entire community has access to the care and support they need.”
“We are creating an innovative model of care that honors Tribal heritage and delivers world-class services close to home. This collaboration will expand access to exceptional, culturally affirming care in southeastern Connecticut and, ultimately, improve health outcomes for communities across our state,” said Jeff Flaks, President and CEO of Hartford HealthCare. “We are deeply grateful to partner with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. This is an extraordinary privilege and a meaningful opportunity to work together to make health care more accessible, more affordable, and more equitable for everyone.”
The design, rooted in Tribal traditions, incorporates natural landscaping with native plantings, water elements, and symbolic references such as the Whale’s Tail and Turtle Island. In addition to clinical care, the new facility will provide welcoming spaces for community gatherings and support.
“This health facility reflects the vision, land, and investment of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation,” said Tribal Councilor Michele Scott, a member of Hartford Healthcare’s East Region Board of Directors. “We are honored to partner with an outstanding health system, and this center represents a new model of care, one that blends Western medicine with Tribal traditions, and sets an example that can be replicated across Indian Country. It demonstrates what is possible when Tribal sovereignty and healthcare innovation come together.”
The culturally affirming facility positions the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation at the forefront of Tribal-led innovative health care, while providing Hartford Healthcare an opportunity to further serve the health needs of patients in New London County.
A groundbreaking event is planned for the spring. Details on the date and additional updates will be shared at upcoming Tribal meetings and information sessions.