Press Release Archive

Frazier Retires After 34 Years With Hospital

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

 

Fond Farewell -- Charlene Frazier, with husband Jimmie, retired after 34 years with Love County Health Center and Mercy Health/Love County.
 

After 34 years, Charlene Frazier has ended her career as business office director at Mercy Health/Love County.

 
About 50 coworkers honored her at a surprise retirement party at the hospital in November.
 
The handful of coworkers who have worked longer talked about Frazier’s love for people and her quiet constancy.
 
“She has been a...

Hospital Launches Electronic Medical Record

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

 
Super Users of Epic System: Connie Graham (center) introduces registered nurses Kim Collins (l) and Katherine Miller to the Epic electronic health record system during training at Mercy Health/Love County.
 
 
Paperless Recordkeeping: Linda Dixon, health information manager, shows how the paper record of a typical hospital stay has been reduced from hundreds of pages (right) to seven. Those seven are patient signature pages. They are scanned to become part of a fully electronic...

Hospital Pharmacist Wins State Award

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

Dorothy Gourley, Registered Pharmacist

Hospital pharmacist Dorothy Gourley received the Bowl of Hygeia Award from the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association during the OPHA 2011 state convention.
 
Bowl of Hygeia is the highest award for community service from Oklahoma pharmacists. “It’s prestigious. I am extremely grateful to have been chosen by my peers,” Gourley said.
 
Gourley has been serving Mercy Health/Love County since 1984, first as resident pharmacist and presently as consultant...

School Nurse Brings Health Focus to Kids

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

 

Temp in the A Range: School nurse Sheila Nipp, R.N., take the temperature of Turner School third grader Luke O'Dell. 

Nurse Wears All School Colors: School nurse Sheila Nipp, R.N., center, visits with Marie Ross, R.N., hospital director of nursing (left) and clinic nurse Teresa Steen, R.N.

 

Mercy Health/Love County has hired Sheila Nipp, R.N., to enhance children’s health as a school nurse. 

The school nurse is a new community service of the hospital/clinic in partnership with...

Food Pantry Sets New Giving Record

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

 

At the food pantry operated by co-workers of Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic, and EMS in Marietta, a record 8,373 food packages were given out in the first six months of 2011.

The old record was 7,716 packages in the first six months of 2010.

The pantry is helping supplement the food needs of an average 1,400 households per month in 2011, compared to 1,300 in 2010, 1,100 in 2009, and 1,000 in 2008, said Ann Langston, the hospital’s pantry representative.

Clients receive one...

Clinic’s New Doctor: From Firefighter To Flight Surgeon To Family Practice

Friday, August 19th, 2011

 

Paul Nioce, M.D.

Paul Nioce, M.D., the hospital/clinic’s new physician, can be forgiven should he feel out of uniform.
 
Until now, the uniformed services have dominated his career.
 
After five years as a professional firefighter in Topeka, Kansas, and three years as a U.S. Air Force flight surgeon, in July he took his first job as a civilian doctor.
 
 “Getting dressed in the morning used to be easy. Lately, I’ve had to buy more clothing and start thinking about what to wear,”...

Hospital Gardens Beautify Entry

Friday, August 12th, 2011

 

Betty Galloway, R.N. admires a new garden at Mercy Health/Love County. She has been a coworker since 1972, the year the hospital opened.
 
 
Pretty and practical landscaping has put a finishing touch on the newly-renovated front entrance of Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic, and EMS.
 
Visitors enjoy a view of three small gardens while strolling along the glassed-in walkway leading into the hospital and clinic buildings.
 
The overall design evokes a creek bed, according...

Church Aids Hospital Food Pantry

Friday, July 29th, 2011

Food and Funds:

Hospital administrator Richard Barker (right) receives dozens of food items contributed by the Vacation Bible School youngsters of First Christian Church (Disciples), and a $500 check for pantry purchases from the Outreach Committee of the church, represented by Darlene Beardsley, also Hospital Board president; Mackenzie Hartman, church Board member; and
Rev. J. Alexander.

Hospital/EMS Offering EMT-Basic Course

Friday, July 15th, 2011

 

An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic) course will be offered by Mercy Health/Love County EMS starting August 22. Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. until February at the EMS training center at the hospital.

An entrance exam is required, according to EMS training officer Natasha West, who will teach the course. Applicants must be age 18 and have a high school diploma. Love County residents may apply for scholarships.

Information about tuition and...

Hospital Tower Boosting Ham Radio

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

Radio Chatter:

Dr. J.T. O’Connor, Jr., discusses the hospital/EMS emergency communications system with David Bond, emergency coordinator of amateur radio in Love County. Licensed ham radio operators like Dr. O’Connor use the system as backup for reaching ambulances when telephone or cellphone service is knocked out.
 

Emergency radio operations are getting a boost from a 70-foot repeater tower installed recently on the grounds of Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic, and EMS. 

The...

Desire for Clinic, ER Medicine Attracts New PA

Friday, June 10th, 2011

 
 
Manuel Flores, P.A. (Physician Assistant)
 
In his job at Mercy Health/Love County in Marietta, Manuel Flores, physician assistant, may have found the best of all worlds.
 
Days in the clinic, nights in the emergency room – the mix of medical settings satisfies the new P.A.’s background and interests.
 
“I was at a clinic in Marshall County for 15-plus years, but I like the ER a lot and wanted to get back into it. This place offered me both and I really like being here,” he...

Love County Receives Nutrition and Fitness Grant

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

The Love County Community Coalition (LCCC) has been awarded a “Fit Communities” grant to bring healthy food and physical activity opportunities to local communities. 

The award, $90,000, will be shared with Fit Communities partner, the Tishomingo Development Team (TDT). 
 
It will cover a 15-month period, starting July 1, for assessing the local nutrition and fitness efforts and capabilities of each county and making plans for new opportunities.
 
With success in the start-up period,...

Pancake Supper Crowd Flips Over Local Doctor's Magic Tricks

Friday, March 25th, 2011

Pick a Card: Ashton McGill draws from the deck of magic cards offered by Dr. Stephen Hutchins as Kyle Reed and Hailey Dasilva, age 8 (left), look on at the Lions Club Pancake Supper.

Magic tricks, performed by Dr. Stephen Hutchins, provided entertainment at the recent Lions Club pancake supper. 

The long-time Mercy Health/Love County physician went table-to-table with magic playing cards, disappearing coins, interlocking rings, and the mysterious toy guillotine that easily sliced through...

Healthy Foods at Marietta Homeland Made Easier to Find

Thursday, March 10th, 2011

 

Guiding Stars: Mercy Health/Love County dietary manager Valerie DeFoor, left, her daughter, Bailey Daugherty, and registered dietician Janet Charalampous look over a 3-star cereal at Homeland Grocery. Through store signage and shelf tags next to the price, the Guiding Stars system identifies healthier food products with 1, 2, or 3 stars. Items that are high in calories and low in nutrition display 0 stars.

 
Are you looking for healthy foods at Homeland Grocery?
 
Follow the...

Love County System of Care Aiding Troubled Youth, Families

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

 
Care for Love County: Ron Beach of Thackerville joined Pam Kerkstra, program manager of Love County System of Care, in an interview with KXII’s Keith Moon. They explained how local parents may call for assistance for their children, ages 0 to 21, with behavioral or mental health issues.
 
Children and youth with behavioral or mental health issues can experience success in their communities, homes, and schools.
 
Their parents and siblings can emerge from trying times and thrive.

Fitness Trainer Rolls Out Exercise Class Schedule

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

 
Talk about hoppin’ to it!
 
When a community group recommended last month that exercise classes would be welcome in Love County, Stacy Redwine came running.
 
The athletic and energetic newcomer to the Eastman community announced to the Love County Community Coalition last week that Marietta Fitness Co. will open on Feb. 28 at 304 W. Main.
 
“I’ll be offering classes for adults, seniors, and children and doing private training in personal fitness,” Redwine said.
 
Redwine has a...

Group Going for Health, Fitness Grant

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

Going for Grant: Area health administrator Mendy Spohn hears about health and fitness programs and goals for Love County during a public "brainstorming" session at Mercy Health/Love County. The hospital hosted the event with a luncheon in its new therapy building conference room.
 
About 50 local individuals and organizations already engaged or interested in helping people get fit, eat nutritiously, and reduce stress recently held a brainstorming session.
 
They are pursuing a...

New Hospital Specialist Focuses on Quality Care

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

 

Danny Dvorak, R.N.
 
Is care from the hospital pleasing to patients and major payers, such as Medicare/Medicaid?
 
A new hospital specialist, Danny Dvorak, R.N., is in charge of analyzing quality and reporting results.
 
What Patients Think
“Satisfaction surveys can really help us improve the quality of patient care and treatment and I want their honest opinion. If there’s something they dislike, I want them to feel free to write it out and remain anonymous,” Dvorak said.
 
The...

Dr. Hutchins Celebrates National Membership

Friday, January 7th, 2011

 

Dr. Stephen Hutchins

Stephen Hutchins, M.D., from Mercy/Health Love County has completed continuing medical education requirements to retain membership in the American Academy of Family Physicians, the only medical specialty organization devoted solely to primary care.
 
To be members of the AAFP, family physicians must complete 150 hours of continuing medical education every three years to learn the most up-to-date treatments, technologies, and medical research.
 
Family...

Dr. O'Connor Shifting Practice to Long-Term Care

Friday, December 10th, 2010

 

 

Dr. Vergil Smith, 80, and Dr. J.T. O'Connor, Jr., 64, join with long-time clinic director Connie Barker on one of O'Connor's last days in the Mercy Health/Love County clinic. O'Connor will transition to serving long-term care patients on January 1. Smith and O'Connor have practiced together in Marietta since 1973.
 
Starting January 1, a familiar face will be missing from Mercy Health/Love County clinic.
 
Dr. J.T. O’Connor, Jr., will no longer be reporting to the clinic every day...

Still Tooling Around at Age 97

Friday, November 19th, 2010

 

In the Pink: Callie Flanagan, 96, goes over her latest crocheting project with Don Sessions, Medicare Part D Volunteer Enroller. Open enrollment for prescription drug plans continues through December 31. Medicare beneficiaries may contact Sessions at 276-2333 for assistance.
 
Callie Flanagan will celebrate her 97th birthday on December 16. No specific plans have been announced, but if it goes like most days, she’ll likely:
 
  • Eat lunch and play dominoes at the nutrition...

Nurse Practitioner Adds Patients By Degrees

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

 

Clinic Team Attracts Kids: Sue Curry, LPN (left), and Pat Owens, ARNP, pose in front of a wall of photos provided by child patients.
 
Pat Owens, the ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) at Mercy Health/Love County clinic has a devoted following.
 
Dozens of photos of smiling youngsters, sent in by the kids or their parents, line the bulletin boards outside her office.
 
She typically sees 15-20 patients a day, most of them children or adolescents, some of them...

Food Assistance Reaches Record Levels

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

Filling Needs:
Volunteers Rosa Jackson (left), Ella Toles, and Lula Finch filled and distributed over 300 food packages on a typical Tuesday at the hospital pantry. More volunteers are needed.

These are tough times for many families in Love County.  

In the last year, the number of households getting food assistance has increased nearly every month, setting all-time records for usage of food stamps and charitable “grocery relief.”
 
At the food pantry operated by co-workers of...

Newest Paramedics Learn On the Job With Hospital/EMS

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

Paramedics Ready to Roll

Chance Weger (l), Chase Weger, and Teresa Tow, Mercy Health/Love County EMS/fire brigade, are the service’s latest paramedic graduates. Chance Weger was co-salutatorian of the class of 23.
 
Three more emergency medical technicians (EMT-Basics) have completed their paramedic education with Mercy Health/Love County EMS.
Teresa Tow, Chase Weger, and Chance Weger graduated in July, the second class of the only EMS-based paramedic education program in Oklahoma.

Outpatient Therapy Moving Into New Building

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Therapy Plus: Hospital Board of Control president Darlene Beardsley, front row center, is joined by the physical therapy unit’s Brenda Beard (l) and Latronda Lornes, and (back) respiratory therapists Ron Kimery and Carolyn Garner in the doorway of the planned conference room segment of the new 3,500 square foot building. The therapy module is being lowered to the foundation on the right. The units will be joined and acquire a brick façade prior to opening in August.
 
Outpatient therapy...

Emergency Med Tech-Basic Course Being Offered

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic) course will be offered by Mercy Health/Love County EMS starting August 10.

Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until mid-November at the Emergency Services building on Merle Wolfe Road near the WinStar Golf Course.

Seating is limited and an entrance exam is required, according to EMS training officer Natasha West, who will teach the course.

Applicants must be age 18 and have a high school diploma.

Tuition is $450....

Hospital, EMS, Trust Work Together On Ambulance Purchase

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

A shiny new ambulance is scheduled for delivery at Mercy Health/Love County EMS in August. 

The vehicle, which will replace an older model, will keep the fleet at five modern, full life support ambulances. Three will be on duty daily to speed paramedics to the aid of seriously injured or ill residents and visitors to the county, and two will be on standby.
 
All of the vehicles are equipped with diesel engines and none has more than 100,000 miles of usage, an enviable distinction for the...

Nurse Returns to Hospital as a Volunteer

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Lady in Pink: Retired registered nurse Paulette Manning shows scarves from the Hospital Auxiliary gift store in the Mercy Health/Love County lobby.
 
The Hospital Auxiliary’s newest volunteer is no stranger to the institution. Paulette Manning retired as a registered nurse 12 years ago.
 
But she felt pulled back out of gratitude for care rendered to her late husband, Ronald Manning. He passed away last December.
 
“He was in and out of the hospital every two or three months the last...

Mercy Health/Love County Hosting Area Training in Emergency Medicine

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

 
Hitting the Books: Dr. Larry D. Powell, center, examines the 12-pound course manual for an advanced life support course Mercy Health/Love County will be co-sponsoring next week. Richard Barker, hospital administrator, (left), and Rod Hargrave, flex program coordinator of the Oklahoma Office of Rural Health, will host the training for area rural hospitals at the Winstar Events Center.
 
Armed with a 12-pound course manual, a team from Mercy Health/Love County will undergo advanced...

High School Puppeteers Have a Heart for Children

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Child Abuse Prevention Puppeteers: Holding hand puppets, speech students Erika Agpawa, Karli Plunkett, Brenton Brown, Lauren Navarro, and Trysta Kershner enjoy a light moment during rehearsal, as speech teacher Donna Plunkett, and Community Children’s Shelter counselor Stacey Letkeiwicz look on.

Four years as a puppeteer hasn’t diminished the satisfaction Brenton Brown takes as one of the unseen stars of the annual Child Abuse Prevention Month puppet show.
 
Brown and 17 of his fellow...

Poker Run Benefiting Abused Children to Stop at Mercy Health/Love County

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

For two reasons, the Poker Run for Children raising money for the Child Advocacy Center (Sara’s House) on April 10 will make five stops, including at Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic and EMS.

First, there are five counties – Love, Carter, Johnston, Marshall, and Murray – using the center on 16 NW in Ardmore.

But five was also the average number of interviews child victims of rape or serious physical abuse -- the type of assault likely to result in criminal charges – formerly...

Burge To Speak on Child Abuse Prevention

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

 

 
Sissy Burge of Marietta will speak on child abuse prevention efforts in the area to the Love County Community Coalition at a noon luncheon at the Love County Library on April 5.
 
She will be recognized for leadership as executive director of the C/SARA Foundation in Ardmore.
 
Her appearance is part of Child Abuse Prevention Month activities in Love County. The Community Coalition has actively supported the prevention, reporting, and treatment of child abuse and neglect for 20...

Away from Patients, the Medical Coder's Work Is Critical

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

 

 
Coding Detective: Linda Dixon, manager of the health information management department of Mercy Health/Love County, has coded thousands of medical records for reimbursement by Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance providers.
 
 
Some of the most important work in healthcare takes place away from patients.
 
Coding, for instance. 
 
Assigning the correct code to each medical diagnosis and procedure is especially critical.
 
Proper coding ensures that Medicare, Medicaid, or...

Paramedic Training Back on Track

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

 

Back on Task:  Training captain John Gilliam holds a 2009 award for dedicated service and teaching from Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic and EMS. Following back surgery, he has resumed training paramedics.
  
Paramedic training at Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic and EMS is back on track . . . because the trainer has his back on track.
 
Instead of starting the institution’s second paramedic class as planned last September, EMS training captain John Gilliam found...

Top PA Graduate Joins Clinic

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

 

Tamra Morrow 
 
Drop-in patients have a new option at Mercy Health/Love County clinic.
 
A physician assistant has joined the clinic specifically for sick people who are unable to obtain a same-day appointment with their regular practitioner.
 
“We welcome walk-in patients. They can now be seen in the clinic instead of going to the emergency room most weekdays,” said clinic director Connie Barker.
 
For most convenience, patients can arrange a same-day appointment with the new...

Doctors Draw from Lab Tests Most of All

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Testing Daily: Medical technologists in the laboratory of Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic, and EMS include (front) Gay Galano, Olivia Sunga, Elmer Denoso, and (back) Carolene Thompson, laboratory services director Kelvin McMillan, and Dunhill Casipong. Not pictured: Richard Acayan, medical technologist, Tad Hall, PA, and Dr. Ron Fattor.

Laboratory tests are the most frequently-performed procedures at Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic and EMS. 

More than 100,000 exams...

Love County Division Exceeds United Way Goal

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

 
Drive Tops Goal: United Way chair Daren Flanagan (right) celebrates results with (left) Don Sessions, assistant drive chair; Greg Winchester, Red River Valley REA; Linda Briggs, Chickasaw Nation legislator; and Richard Barker, Mercy Health/Love County.
 
 
For the fourth autumn in a row, Daren Flanagan of Flanagan/Watts Funeral Home, has overseen a goal-busting United Way drive.
 
The Love County division contributed a total of $13,531, surpassing its target of $12,500.
 

Film X-rays Made To Disappear At Hospital Radiology Department

Friday, December 11th, 2009

 
Speedy X-Ray: Elijah Churchill, 3, has a chest x-ray with assistance from his mother, Jamie Churchill. Elijah was one of the first patients to benefit when imaging plates replaced film in the creation of x-rays at Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic and EMS. He is the great-grandson of the late Sue Cavitt of the hospital staff.
 
 
The radiology department at the hospital recently switched from film x-rays to digital x-rays, and that’s been just fine with Elijah Churchill.
 

Ambulance Delay Heightens Tragedy of Child's Death

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

 

 
 
Carol and Rick Sommers of Leon display a picture of their three-month old son, Michael Richard Sommers. His death gave them a sense of urgency to improve emrgency response with E911.
 
Editor's Note: See related video for this story: 
 
Few understand the meaning of urgent response like Carol and Rick Sommers.
 
The couple waited more than 35 minutes for an ambulance to arrive from a station only 2.5 miles away while...

Dedicated Officer to Investigate Domestic Violence Crimes

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

 

Marietta city leaders have announced a grant to employ a fulltime domestic violence officer for the city and county starting January 1.
 
“We are very pleased. Domestic violence is a paramount issue, not just in Marietta but in Love County and elsewhere. To add an officer with that sole responsibility will make an impact in this community and benefit the entire county,” said Marietta Mayor Michelle Porter.
 
The grant, for almost $50,000, has been awarded under the federal S.T.O.P...

Public Meetings Bring Out 911 Appeals and Questions

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

 SOS for 911: Love County dispatcher Billy Bob Ball appealed for a Yes vote for enhanced 911 services at a public meeting at Turner School. The countywide election is Dec. 8.

An emergency dispatcher and a county sheriff made moving appeals for enhanced 911 at recent public meetings held to explain the election issue to Love County voters.

The final public meetings, both beginning at 7 p.m., will take place at Enville Community Building on Monday, Nov. 30, and Marietta School Cafeteria...

Letter to Editor from Deer Attack Victim

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Nov. 23, 2009

To the Editor,
Marietta Monitor:
 
No, I did not try to pet Bambi, nor did I take him on in my back yard. 
 
We had a deer circling our house. He kept circling and each time he passed the back yard he eyed the swimming pool. I thought maybe he was thirsty and if I put out a pan of water he wouldn’t jump our fence and mess up the pool. 
 
I put a pan of water outside and joined my husband inside the garage. The deer came around the corner into the garage and charged. He...

'Best Rural Ambulance' Hampered By Outdated 911

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Tad Hall, P.A., manager of Mercy Health/Love County Emergency Department and Love County EMS, and Dr. Vergil Smith pause in the emergency department to talk about what E911 will mean.

 
Love County offers arguably the best rural ambulance service in Oklahoma – 28 paramedics and EMTs, two stations, five ambulances, a rescue unit, and advanced life-support capabilities for adults and children.
 
Too bad they don’t know where they’re going.
 
But 911 calls for medical assistance don’t...

Emergency Responders Calling for Public Meetings

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

 

 
 
Caption:
Priceless: Marietta Police Chief Linda Johnson wore a campaign shirt to the E911 planning meeting Monday night. It reads, “E-911 user fee per cell phone – 50¢. E-911 user fee per landline – $2.50. 911 Responder saving your life – PRICELESS.”
 
 
A series of five public meetings will help Love County voters determine whether to pass an approximate $2.50 per month fee on landline telephones and a $.50 per month fee on cell phones to fund a modern emergency...

Hospital Helping with Medicare Part D Open Enrollment

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

 

 
Open enrollment for Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans is from November 15 through December 31.
 
Participants may change plans now for 2010. Changes generally cannot be made again until the next open enrollment a year from now.
 
Volunteer enroller Don Sessions, Falconhead, recommends that all participants go through a new plan search every year at this time.
 
The reason: “Certain insurance companies may be charging more for premiums and co-pays and dropping coverage of...

Installing Enhanced 911 May Take 3 Years

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

 

Getting Started

Pending approval of E-911 service fees by voters on Dec. 8, fully installing an enhanced emergency answering system will take up to three years. 

 Equipment will not be purchased and operational until the 18-24 month mark.
 
Mapping and Addressing Takes Months
The most time-consuming stage comes first – mapping and addressing every structure in the county. The fieldwork alone will consume 12-18 months, mapping experts say.
 
In the end, residents will have a 911...

Dr. O'Connor Named Physician of Year

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Tad Hall, PA, Cassie Sallee, PA, Dr. J.T. O’Connor, Jr., Kari Cochran, PA, Richard Barker, Mercy Health/Love County CEO, and Connie Barker, clinic manager, celebrate Dr. O’Connor’s award as Physician of the Year from the Oklahoma Academy of Physician Assistants.

 
Dr. J.T. O’Connor, Jr., D.O., of Marietta was honored as Physician of the Year by the Oklahoma Academy of Physician Assistants at the OAPA annual conference in Norman on Oct. 22.
The family practitioner was recognized...

Love County Lagging in Life-Saving 911 Response

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Love County is one of only 17 counties in Oklahoma that has not implemented telephone service fees in any community to upgrade its 911 system, according to the statewide 911 advisory board.

Put another way, the risk to life and property is relatively greater here than in the other 60 counties because of the added time it takes fire, police, and ambulance to find emergency scenes.

A remedy is the one Love County voters will address on December 8. Adopting telephone service fees is the means...

Emergency Responders 'Hurry Up and Wait'

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Paramedic Teresa Tow (back to camera) and other Love County medical, law enforcement, and fire responders share stories of delays in response time to 911 calls that can be overcome if voters will approve system improvements.
 
“Please hurry!” is often the urgent plea of callers to the 911 emergency dispatcher.
 
But responders say Love County’s outdated 911 answering system costs them valuable minutes in reaching the site of medical, fire, and law enforcement emergencies.
 
They...

Family Shelter's New Director To Attend Local Candlelight Vigil

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

The new director of the Family Shelter of Southern Oklahoma will be attending her first Candlelight Vigil on October 8. 

But Sara Bell is no stranger to the area. The daughter of Vanesa Harper Ramsey and Charles A. Roberts grew up in Marietta. She and her husband, Dillon Bell, graduated with the Marietta class of 1998.
 
Sara Bell earned a bachelor’s degree in human resources counseling with a minor in psychology at East Central University.
 
Prior to joining the Family Shelter in July...

Left for Dead, Shooting Victim Lives To Help Others Survive Domestic Violence

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Patricia Dewbre has something to say about the deadly nature of domestic violence, and she hopes lots of acquaintances from her youth in Love County will come out to hear her keynote speech at the second annual Candlelight Vigil at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 at Marietta School Auditorium.

“I survived an incident meant to leave me dead. I want to help other people stop keeping their own situation a dark, dirty secret in the closet and understand they can get help and get out of it,” she...

Hospital Trains Ham Radio Operators

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

 

Radio Test: Kevin O’Dell, instructor, points out features of a ham radio set to (back) Charlie Garner, Carolyn Garner, Dusty Michael, Tad Hall; and (front) Jeff Hicks, Obie Heath, and Tracy Walker.

Eight more medical staff and volunteers have joined the ranks of amateur (ham) radio operators to serve Love County in public health emergencies or other disasters. 

Carolyn Garner, Charlie Garner, Tad Hall, Jonathan Hall, Jeff Hicks, Dusty Michael, Obie Heath, and Tracy Walker completed a...

Domestic Violence Event Set for Oct. 8

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Victim advocate Yolanda Gay is asking the public to mark their calendars for an event Marietta School Auditorium to honor the memory of  Love County residents who have lost their lives to crimes of domestic violence. 

The second annual Candlelight Vigil is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, October 8. Guest speaker will be Patricia Dewbre, a survivor of domestic violence. Gay will also give her survivor testimony.
 
Music will be by Pemberton & Langley, a Southern gospel performing group. John...

City/County Offering Phone Text Alerts

Friday, September 11th, 2009

The city/county office of emergency management has begun offering a free service that allows residents to receive phone text messages or emails concerning public safety emergencies in the county. 

“It’s possible for me to send alerts for weather, missing kids and adults, advisories, pretty much any emergency that affects this area, plus community information,” said Tracey Smithwick, agency director.
 
Residents sign up through a website, www.nixle.com. The service requires either a...

Area's Newest Paramedics Are Tops in Their Class

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Dan McLeod, SOAS; Richard Barker, Mercy Health/Love County Administrator; Alex Scott, SOAS; and Brandon Mathews, William Heath, and John Gilliam, Love County EMS, participated in paramedic graduation at Kiamichi Technology Center. (Photo by Connie Barker)

Go to the head of the class, Love County EMS and Mercy Health/Love County! 

The only EMS in Oklahoma to offer Paramedic and Basic EMT education to the public graduated its first paramedics in July. 

William "Obie" Heath and Brandon...

Record Numbers Seeking Food Assistance from Hospital Pantry

Monday, June 29th, 2009

 

Hunger and food insecurity are taking an increased toll on people in Love County and the rest of Oklahoma.
 
Record numbers are seeking food assistance.
 
Hospital Pantry Food Drive Is Continuous
The food pantry offered by employees of Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic, and EMS in Marietta serves the largest number of clients.
 
“We are seeing an increasing number of new applicants, people that have not needed food before,” said Ann Langston, pantry representative.
 
The...

Hospital Revamping Computer Technology

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

 

Caption: James Riggs

A specialist at keeping up with the “next best thing” in computer technology has joined Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic, and EMS.

 James Riggs is the first manager of information systems. He will be exploring and implementing ways to use computers to serve patients faster and safer throughout the institution. 

“I’m thrilled that James has the desire to come here and help enhance the quality of services to our patients and practitioners,” said Richard...

Marietta Hospital Launches New Website

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic has recently launched a new Web site. The health care site provides information about hospital/clinic/ER programs, services, history, news, and more.

 
Features include:
·        Hospital services
·        Clinic services
·        Emergency services
·        Health and wellness
·        Employment opportunities
·        Press releases – This section is a...

Puppet Show Concludes Child Abuse Prevention Month

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

For the 16th year, a Child Abuse Prevention Month puppet show will make its way to all Love County Elementary Schools, April 27-29. 

The program was developed by the Love County Task Force on Child Abuse Prevention in 1994. Marietta High School speech and drama students act as the puppeteers.
 
In the performances, the puppets tell about abuse and what they did about it. The purpose is to make it clear to young children that when personal safety or discomfort is involved, the child can...

125 Motorcyclists Expected For Benefit

Monday, March 30th, 2009

Up to 125 motorcyclists are expected to thunder through Marietta Saturday morning on a benefit ride for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

They will stop briefly at the pavilion on the east side of Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic, with the first wave expected around 10:20 a.m. 

“A Real Reason to Ride Poker Run” is sponsored by the C/SARA Foundation, whose work in crisis intervention benefits children from Love County and four surrounding counties, according to Sissy Burge of...

National Doctors' Day Salute

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

On March 30, the hospital recognizes National Doctors' Day.

 

 

 

 

Hospital EMS Fire Brigade Serving Casino and County

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

 

That One’s Mine: Scott Neu, Paramedic (left) is first out on ambulance calls and Adam Zimmerer, EMT is first out on fire calls from the WinStar station. They are members of the hospital-managed EMS and Fire Brigade serving WinStar casino properties and southern Love County.
 
EMS Manager Tad Hall, PA and Training Officer Dusty Michael
 
Fire and Ambulance: Some of the members of the new hospital-managed EMS and Fire Brigade at WinStar Casino include Ryan Weger, Bobby Sharp,...

Clinic Welcomes New Physician Assistant

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

 

 
 
 Nathan Murray
 
A new physician’s assistant has joined Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic and EMS.
 
Nathan Murray feels right at home, he said, seeing 15-20 patients per day, mostly children, since coming on duty in January at the clinic.
 
“The community has been more than welcoming to me. I’m a pretty big country boy. I like to hunt and fish and I wanted a small-town setting,” he said.
 
Murray, 25, is a recent graduate of the PA Program at the OU Health...

Love County EMS, Hospital Respond To Lone Grove Tornado

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

Love County EMS sent ambulances and rescue units to the scene of the Lone Grove tornado last Tuesday evening. 

Local paramedics transported injured patients, engaged in search and rescue for victims trapped in fallen buildings and debris, and supplied radio relays when normal medical communications in the area went down.
 
The first and last patients taken to hospitals rode in Love County ambulances, said EMS manager Tad Hall, PA.
 
Several, including priority one trauma patients, were...

O'Connor Chairing Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

Dr. J.T. O'Connor, Jr., a physician with Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic, is chairman of the state board that regulates administrators of Oklahoma's 350 nursing homes.

O'Connor has served on the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators since 2005. He was appointed by Governor Brad Henry.

The board licenses and disciplines more than 800 nursing home administrators.

O'Connor has been a family practitioner in Marietta for 35 years. He also serves as...

Extended Clinic Becoming 'Emergency Room Lite'

Monday, December 29th, 2008

Seeing a medical practitioner after hours in the local emergency room will no longer be available as an “extended clinic” visit. As of January 1, Medicare regulators say, all care rendered in the emergency room must be regarded as emergency care.

But the emergency room of Mercy Health/Love County Hospital is adjusting its fees to keep rates for “non-emergency patients” comparable to what they were under the extended clinic.

“We have dropped the “extended clinic” name for services rendered...

Recovery Experts Prep Community For Methamphetamine TV Program

Friday, December 26th, 2008

 
Love County EMS medics Teresa Tow and Justin Cheek  ready the hospital’s portable decontamination shower for an educational panel/demonstration on methamphetamine.
 
 
The subject happened to be methamphetamine but the underlying message from panelists at Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, Clinic and EMS recently was the same: addiction to any drug or alcohol is a terrible thing.
 
The panel was preparing local leaders for what the public will see when all Oklahoma television...

Time To Search for a Different Medicare Part D Plan

Monday, November 10th, 2008

 

Open enrollment for Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans is from November 15 through December 31.
 
Participants may change plans for 2009. Changes generally cannot be made again until the next open enrollment at the end of 2009.
 
Volunteer enroller Don Sessions, Falconhead, recommends that all participants go through a new plan search every year at this time.
 
The reason: “Certain insurance companies may be charging more for premiums and co-pays and dropping coverage of some...

CT and Bone Density Scans Offered at Hospital

Monday, June 30th, 2008

 There’s a new answer to the old riddle, “What’s black and white and “read” all over?” Not just the newspaper anymore.

Now there are CT and bone density scans. These are high-resolution black and white images of the body that reveal more about what’s going on inside than a simple x-ray.
 
The best news of all: Scans are being taken and read for patients at Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic.
 
The two scanners, installed over the winter, have broadened the scope of the...

Hospital Pantry Adds Fresh Foods

Monday, June 23rd, 2008

(from left) Charlene Frazier, Ella Toles, Lula Finch, and Rose Jackson gather fresh vegetables from the new walk-in refrigerator at the Mercy Health/Love County food pantry in Marietta.

Fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy products are being offered for the first time at the emergency food pantry operated by employees of Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic.

 “This is a God-send. We are thrilled that we now have fresh foods for the families we serve,” said Lula Finch, a longtime...

Love County EMS Offering Paramedic Training

Friday, May 9th, 2008

 

Caption:
 Advanced Life Support: Love County EMS is one of few rural counties to have attained paramedic status and able to provide the most extensive pre-hospital care. Kneeling from left are Richard Barker, Mercy Health/Love County administrator; Tad Hall, PA, EMS manager; Obie Heath, EMT; and James Hicks, paramedic.

 Young people take note: A career path in healthcare has opened in Marietta.

Love County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and Mercy Health/Love County Hospital now...

Dr. Smith Celebrating 45 Years of Practice in Marietta

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

 

Dr. Vergil Smith

In 1963, a brand-new doctor moved to Marietta and opened a clinic on SW 3 St. It was a risky move as three other physicians were in town already.
 
But Dr. Vergil Smith won instant and enduring acceptance – “ten people the first day and it never stopped. Busy, busy, busy, busy, busy,” he recalled recently.
 
The open and friendly general practitioner will turn age 78 this year and celebrate his 45th year in Marietta. He sees patients Monday-Thursday in the clinic...

Hospital Patients, Staff Tuned In To Dietary Plans

Thursday, February 7th, 2008

 

 
Caption:
Patient Cooking: Dietary Manager Valerie DeFoor pulls a food tray from the new cold/hot serving cart at Mercy Health/Love County Hospital.
 
Hospital patients eat meals prepared from a “dietary plan” appropriate for their illness. But what does the medical staff eat?
 
For the next 17 weeks, at least, many Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic employees will be preparing their personal meals under Weight Watchers® guidelines. The goal is to shed extra pounds, and...

Medicare Part D Volunteer Finds That Most Switch Plans

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008

 

Almost three out of four people enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan would probably be better off in a different Part D plan, says the volunteer enroller in Love County.
 
Don Sessions arrived at his conclusion based on results for 83 Love County participants during the open enrollment period that ended last December 31.
 
All had sought assistance in comparing their 2007 Part D enrollment with the plan choices available for 2008.
 
Sixty-one of the 83 participants,...

Schools Receive Life-Saving Equipment

Thursday, January 3rd, 2008

 

 
Heart Shocker: Clinic manager Connie Barker and EMS trainer John Gilliam apply AED electrode pads to a training mannikin. An AED uses an electric shock to restart a stopped heart. All Love County schools have been given AEDs through a donation arranged by Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic.
 
 
 
Life-saving equipment to treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest is being placed in Love County schools this month.
 
The device, an Automated External Defibrillator...

Hospital Automates Drug Dispensing

Friday, December 7th, 2007

 

 
Safety from Medication Errors: Hospital pharmacist Dorothy Gourley (l) looks on as Megan Yow, R.N., extracts a patient’s drug from the new dispensing system cabinet.
 
 
Mercy Health/Love County installed a computerized drug dispensing system in the hospital in November.
 
The system adds a layer of protection and accountability to dispensing, stocking, and tracking medications.
 
“Our fundamental concern is patient safety – to keep patients safe from medication errors,”...

Hospital Hosts Regional Trauma Team Training

Friday, September 28th, 2007

 

 
 
Rural Trauma: At the trauma team training in Marietta were (clockwise from lower right) Lee Martin, Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Trauma Division; Darin Farrell, administrator of Arbuckle Memorial Hospital in Sulphur; Dale Adkerson, OSDH Trauma Division; Dr. Timothy Cathey, instructor, director of OSDH Trauma Division; Dr. Roxie Albrecht, instructor, director of trauma and surgical critical care of OU Medical School; A. Alex Garcia and Cassie Sallee, physician...

Hospital Recognized for Support of 8th Grade Health Conference

Monday, January 8th, 2007

 

Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic received the thanks of the Love County Health Department recently for long-time support of the Love County Teen Conference.
 
For more than a dozen years, the hospital has been the major financial backer of the annual event in the fall that brings all of the county’s eighth graders together for a day-long series of workshops and presentations on physical and mental health.
 
The workshops cover topics such as drugs, tobacco, drinking,...

Hospital Trains Decontamination Teams

Tuesday, November 14th, 2006

 

Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic trained two dozen nurses and emergency medical technicians as “first receivers” Thursday.
 
They will be equipped to handle persons who arrive at the hospital after being exposed to decontaminants.
 
The training took place outside the emergency room, where the hospital had previously installed a decontamination shower.
 
The workers formed three-person teams and practiced donning and moving around in the protective gear they will need in...

Marietta Doctor and D.A. Started Out as Band Directors

Thursday, February 23rd, 2006

 

 
 
Strike Up the Band: Attorney Gary Brown (with saxophone) and physician Larry D. Powell (with euphonium) value their experiences in music education. They posed on the steps of the Love County Courthouse in Marietta. Photo by Barbara Sessions
 
 
(Marietta, OK)--          Here’s a key question: Do music students make better doctors and lawyers?
 
Take note: Two of Marietta’s leading professionals started their careers as band directors.
 
Gary Brown, the Love County...

In Case of Emergency, ICE Your Cell Phone

Monday, August 15th, 2005

 

The emergency room staff at Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic is urging cell users to “ICE your cell phone.”
 
That doesn’t mean stick the phone in the freezer or beneath an icepack. ICE refers to a simple initiative to make medics’ job easier when aiding an unconscious or disoriented patient.
 
Under ICE, cell users would put the letters I-C-E, meaning “In Case of Emergency -- before the names of people they want to designate as next of kin in their cell address book. For...

Ambulance Service to WinStar Casino Nets New Staff, Vehicles

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2005

 

 
Off-Road Emergency Service: Medics Jeff Hicks and Obie Heath, EMS Director Tad Hall, and Hospital Administrator Richard Barker are pictured with the recently-acquired four-wheel drive vehicle that takes medics and first responders to places ambulances cannot reach. Hicks is one of six new medics hired as a result of a contract to provide services to Winstar Casinos.
 
Love County has strengthened its emergency response capability, thanks to a contract with Chickasaw Enterprises...

First Graders Get No Smoking Message

Monday, February 21st, 2005

 

 
Sixty-four first graders at Marietta Elementary drew posters to express their thoughts about the liabilities associated with smoking, following a recent presentation by respiratory therapists Sue Cavitt and Carolyn Garner of Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic.
 
The therapists performed table-top experiments to illustrate what prolonged smoking can do to lungs and the capacity to breathe. The kids’ posters showed they picked up on the anti-smoking themes.
 
“Smokng can...

Hospital Grant To Fund Victim Advocate Office

Thursday, December 9th, 2004

Funding for Victim Advocate Office: Hospital Administrator Richard Barker, Family Shelter Executive Jessie Nance, Mercy Memorial Health Center CEO Bob Thompson, and Sister of Mercy Carolyn Stoutz gathered to announce the Catherine's Legacy Grant to Mercy Health/Love County.

Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault will have a new ally in Love County starting in January.
 
With a $100,000 grant awarded to Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic by the Sisters of Mercy - St....

Crash Survivor Meets Love County Rescuers

Monday, September 13th, 2004

 

 
Flowers and Smiles: Sarah Allison Flores meets critical care paramedic Mike Langford, who treated Flores for 45 minutes while rescuers freed the Keller, TX woman from an I-35 wreck.
 
 
 
Crash Site: Sarah Allison Flores was pinned in the driver-side floorboard of the SUV (left) after her vehicle was struck from behind by this semi-trailer truck at mile marker 11 of I-35. (OHP photo)
 
 
 
A 29-year-old woman who survived a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 35 in June...

Washburn Recognized for Service to Brannan Trust and Hospital

Wednesday, April 28th, 2004

 

 
In 1974, when brothers Bill and Claude Brannan sought advice for establishing a family trust to benefit the then-new Love County Hospital, they turned to their banker.
 
L.E. “Gene” Washburn and his wife Willis Anne and their children had moved to Marietta in 1971, when Gene Washburn and his partners Melvin Hatley and John Hastie purchased First National Bank of Marietta. Washburn served as president and chairman of the board for the reopened bank, known as First Bank, for the next...

Pink Ladies Receive Top State Volunteer Award

Wednesday, April 14th, 2004

 

The Love County Health Center Auxiliary was recognized Wednesday as one of the state’s “top volunteer organizations.”
 
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services awarded OKDHS Volunteer Awards to a total of 18 individuals and 10 groups.
 
A convoy of auxiliary members and hospital staffers traveled to the Capitol to witness the presentation and attend a special reception for the honorees and guests. An estimated 700 persons from around the state were expected to participate in the...

Hospital Foundation Honors Brannan

Tuesday, February 10th, 2004

 

The Love County Health Center Foundation paid special recognition at its annual meeting Monday night to Claude Brannan for long-time support of Mercy Health/Love County Hospital.
 
Brannan, 83, is a co-founder of the Brannan Trust, which has been giving to the hospital for over 30 years. He and his late brother, Bill, both Loves Valley ranchers, established the trust “for the purpose of keeping the hospital open and as good as it can be,” Claude Brannan said.
 
Over the years, the...

Hospital/Clinic Receive High Approval Ratings

Saturday, November 2nd, 2002

 

When it comes to health care in Love County, there’s more than meets the eye of the casual observer, members of a community health needs assessment group has found. After spending the past six months compiling information about health services and conducting a random telephone survey of 201 citizens, the group has put together a summary of its findings.
 
·        The health sector is a major employer in Love County. A total of 162 workers draw a payroll of $3.9 million per year from...

Employees Cut Ribbon on Hospital Food Pantry

Friday, July 19th, 2002

 
Employees of Mercy Health/Love County Hospital and Clinic will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Wednesday to officially open the emergency food pantry they have established.
 
The public is invited to the event, which will take place in the 24’ x 30’ building constructed on the north side of the clinic at 300 Wanda. Guest speaker will be Debbie Bell, coordinator of Kids Cafes for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.
 
The ceremony will be followed by a meeting of the...
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