Hartford HealthCare And Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Break Ground On New Modern Community Health Center

Mashantucket, Conn. [April 20, 2026]— Hartford Healthcare (HHC) and The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) held a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction to build a new 21,000-square-foot health center next summer. 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.

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“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, ensuring Tribal citizens and our neighbors have access to the care they deserve.”

“We are incredibly honored to partner with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation on a truly transformative journey to expand access to exceptional healthcare across Connecticut,” said Jeff Flaks, President and CEO of Hartford HealthCare.

“This partnership represents a new model of collaboration, one that will create a world-class health center deeply rooted in Tribal traditions and guided by our shared commitment to culturally affirming care. This new health center will enhance access to high-quality care in southeastern Connecticut that will broadly improve health outcomes for communities throughout our state.”

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. 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.