The endowment for CIHF was established in honor of EBCI Beloved Woman Dr. Carmaleta Monteith (pictured), who has played a pivotal role in the Hospital Foundation since its establishment in 2006. Monteith, driven by her commitment to the community, has set an ambitious goal of raising $1 million for the new endowment.

Specifically created to provide essential financial aid to hospital employees aspiring to excel in the medical profession, the Carmaleta Monteith Endowment for Cherokee Hospital Foundation will offer scholarships and funding opportunities for continuing education and professional development.  

“We are immensely grateful to Carmaleta Monteith for her exceptional dedication to the Cherokee Indian Hospital and her leadership in driving our fundraising efforts with the foundation,” said Brittney Lofthouse, Executive Director of Development & Community Relations for Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority.

Monteith, 89, was a founding member of the Cherokee Indian Hospital Foundation Board and chairs the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority’s Governing Board, a role she has held since the board’s inception in 2002. When Monteith graduated from Western Carolina University in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in science education she was among the 5.8% of graduates identified as women, and was one of the only 2,000 Native Americans enrolled in college. She later graduated from Emory University with a master’s in education and secured a Ph.D. Her academic publications have advanced research and understanding of indigenous health care around the country.