Honoring America’s First Native American Physician by restoring her 1913 hospital to create a community center and wellness clinic for the Omaha Tribe and the residents of the Walthill area.

Black and white Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Portrait

DR. SUSAN LA FLESCHE PICOTTE

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

In 1913, Dr. Susan fulfilled her lifelong dream of building a local hospital – after raising over $9,000. Today, Dr. Susan’s hospital building is at risk. It is empty and in need of restoration.

Currently, great strides are underway in raising funds and restoring the site to a place that honors its history and addresses the needs of today’s community. Once the restoration is complete, the building will provide a place to learn and celebrate culture, pursue business opportunities, and offer health and social services. The restoration project will save and repurpose the structure, and serve as a modern-day community center helping to meet the needs of the Omaha Nation and Walthill community. 

Join us in keeping Dr. Susan’s legacy alive.

We are currently undergoing interior restoration with an expected completion date in early 2025.

A corridor of the Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Center with large windows showing the landscape
The present day exterior of the Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte hospital
Black and white image of the exterior of the Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte's hospital from the past

Follow Our Journey

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❣️ Happy Valentine’s Day! Today, we celebrate the unique love shared by Dr. Susan and Henry Picotte. The two met and married in 1894. Although their union was unexpected, Dr. Susan followed her heart and embraced a love that defied convention
#February in #Nebraska continues Máthe's (winter’s) chill! ❄️ As we bundle up with modern coziness, our appreciation deepens for Dr. Susan's winter medical journeys. Dr Susan would travel up to 450 miles with only primitive options like
In honor of Black History Month and embracing the stories of resilience, triumph, and historical contributions that have enriched our present day, we wanted to share this archived picture of Dr. Susan at Hampton University. Hampton University was es
🎊February, or Míxa toⁿga mí agthíi-kʰe, marks the second month of our New Year's resolution to honor the Umóⁿhoⁿ (Omaha) language! 🦢 Míxa toⁿga mí agthíi-kʰe translates to "the moon when the ge
📣 Big News Picotte Center Family! 🌟 After a robust selection process, we're excited to announce Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Lovejoy Brown as our new Executive Director. 🤝As a distinguished member of the Inkesabe Clan of the Omaha Tribe, Liz brin
Omaha ➡️ Umonhon: What’s in a name? 🔍 Discover the fascinating connection between Omaha, Nebraska, and the remarkable Omaha (or Umóⁿhoⁿ) Tribe, of which Dr. Susan proudly belonged! The Omaha people speak a Siouan language, breathing life in
🎇 Tis the season of resolutions! Ours? ⭐ To spotlight the Omaha language all year! Each month, we'll proudly name the month in Dr. Susan’s native Umonhon language. 📅 Starting with "Wasi'c̣hige Wį" for January. Wasi'c̣hige refers
🌟 Happy New Year! It’s going to be an exciting year for The Picotte Center! 🌐 Check out our refreshed website – link in bio. 🛠️ The final phase of restoration begins, concluding in December 2024. Witness history revived! 📅 Opening

A Video of Our Story

Discover more about the inspiring journey and noteworthy achievements of Dr. Susan.

A black and white image of exterior of The Picotte Center

ENDANGERED HISTORIC PLACES

A member of the Omaha tribe speaking into a microphone at the Omaha Powwow

THE COMMUNITY OF WALTHILL

A black and white feather with colorful beadwork on the shaft

NATIVE SONG

LEARN ABOUT THE RICH HISTORY OF DR. SUSAN FROM RESOURCES WHO HAVE SHARED HER STORY.

A black and white portrait of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, the first Native American Physician

“WE WHO ARE EDUCATED HAVE TO BE PIONEERS OF INDIAN CIVILIZATION. THE WHITE PEOPLE HAVE REACHED A HIGH STANDARD OF CIVILIZATION, BUT HOW MANY YEARS HAS IT TAKEN THEM? WE ARE ONLY BEGINNING: SO DO NOT TRY TO PUT US DOWN, BUT HELP US TO CLIMB HIGHER. GIVE US A CHANCE.”

— DR. SUSAN La FLESCHE PICOTTE —