1 Million Donation

Octllber 15, 2007
.4l1li1..
EM curtain Memorial Hospital
'II1II1"
Idabel, Oklahoma
landscapes and Portraits In Health
SI MILLION DONATION
McCurtain Memorial Medical Management. Inc.. the
operator of the McCurtain
Memorial Hospital in Idabel. Oklahoma donated
11.000.00010 Ih. McCurtain County Hospital Authority Board to supplement the countywide sales
tax revenue controlled and
managed by the Authority
BoaN:!, The Authority
Board and the Management Board are embarking
on a $14 million renovation
and construction program
designed to update the
hospital facility and equipment. The two boards
have pledged to work
together on the project
using tax money and
money from operations of
the hospital to finance the
systems and remodel the
entire facility, '1he systems of the hospital are
simply worn out", according to John Grugan. Chief
Engineer and Director of
Plant Operations. '1here
has been no major upgrade for 34 years", he
said.
In addition to upgrading
the infrastructurf and
remodeling. the hospital
also plans on constructing
a new rehabilitation unit
complete with an exercise pool that will house
physical therapy. occupational therapy, speech
therapy, respiriilory
therapy. and cardiac
rehabilitation services,
The new departments will
also offer exerdse programs that will be open
to the public. This is part
of the new 'wellness
focus' of the hospital.
114.000.000 project.
M~Curtain "lemerial Medical
The project is designed to
upgrade the infrastructure of the hospital including the electrical. mechanical, air and heating
"lanayement Inc, danates nDDD.DDD te the
Hospital Authcrity,
Ldt to RiBIrt: Front ROl'I: James J. Campbell. DudlCl' Pars~ns. both AiJ·
t~mrity Buord Iotembers, Billie r~m1insiln, Chillrwilm~n. McCurtain Iotem~­
rial "ledicallotanaQement Inc_ Donald R. ShlM, Chairman HaSlJitai Autllarity. Pat Ba9Bs, HeSl)ital Authority
Bod Row:Julene CunninBham, 4uthcrity Board. Jared Johnsen. and l!'Iin
Jones. bath "lanagement Board members.
Workingfor a lIealthier Community
Inside this issue:
2
Independent Audit Results 2
The Price of Tea in China
Strategic Plan Retreat
3
Employee of the Month
3
Did You Know
4
Health Fair 2007
People and Places
4
5
To Your Health
6
Annual Picnic
6
Current Events
7
In the Spotlight
7
® Page 2
Landscapes and Portraits In Health
The Price of Tea in China
pound loaf of whole wheat bread last
month was up 24% compared to one
year ago according to the Bureau 01
labor Statistics. Whole milk was up
26% lor the same period at $3.81 a
gallon. The most disturbing aspect of
this trend is that the economists expect it to last as long as a decade or
longer.
When I was grtlwing up in rural
America. I clearly remember the old
adage. 'What does that have to do
with the price 01 tea in China?' This
was usually used to rebuff an argumentthat had no bearing on the topic
being discussed. Well. today most
everything has to do with prices in
This rally in grain prices started about
China.
ayear ago when the government anWhile doing some research for a talk nounced huge subsidies to alternative
I recently gave, I ran across an arti- fuel producers. The rest is history.
cle in the Wall Street Journal that Ethanol was supposed to be an answer
gave me pause and also made me to the shortage in world luel supplies
angry. The article NSoaring Demand and energy dependence on rogue
for Grain Roils Global Mar- regimes around the world. Well,
kets," (Scott Kilman. Wall Street maybe it is but the price may be too
Journal, September 29, 2007) states high. We now not only have record
that rising prices and surging de- fuel prices but record food prices.
mand for the crops that supply hall
the world calories are altering the ~ow. what does China have to do with
this? Over hall of the world's hogs live
economic landscape.
in China and their dairy herd has inAmerican families spend almost 10% creased three fold in the last six years
of their diSjlosable income on food
according to the Department of Agriaccording to the Department of Agri- culture.
culture, These lamilies are now
The Chinese government is one of the
lacing the fastest rising food prices
biggest importers of all grains from
in 17 years according to Mr. Kilman.
America. Agriculture Department
The average rclail price of aone-
economists expect exports to hit a record
S79 billion in the fiscal year ending September 30, up 15% frtlm last year,
Why does this bother me? Icertainly do not
begrudge a rising middle class in developing
countries having a beller diet. (I am concerned about the worlds poorest having
access to food at these prices) and I'm glad
the fanners in Kansas and Iowa are making
some money. My concern is when I see
unemployment in McCurtain County higher
than any other county in the state and our
per capita income among the lowest in the
nation; when we have among the highest
rates of children and adults without health
insurance in the state and the highest death
rates frtlm diseases that could be prevented and when we have 100% of the students in some school districts eligible lor
Iree or reduced lunches and when many of
our children go to school hungr)'- why do
we subsidize huge grain fanns with our tax
money only to have them export it to China?
We already suffer under the burden 01 high
oil prices; why do we need this added burden? It is a tax an those who can least
affoN:! it. It makes me angry. But then.
what does that have to do with the price of
tea in China?
-By Brit Messer. CEll
Annual Independent Audit Results Received
The hospital recently received the results 01 our outside independent audit conducted by EideBailly, Inc.. a national accounting
firm. As in past years the hospital was given an unqualified opinion leiter stating that the audit firm found that the financial
statements present fairly the linancial position of the hospital, The final net income was adjusted upward to $761.000 which
was significantly above the budget for year end 6/30/07 and well above last year. -By Ray Whitmore. CFO
Page 3
Strategic Planning Retreat
McCurtain Memurial Huspital held
its annual Strategic Planning Retreat
at the forest Heritage Center ul
Beavers Bend Resurt north uf Broken Buw. Dklahoma un Saturday.
September 291k. The meeting.
hosted by the hospital, had participants lrom the McCurtain Cuunty
Hospital Authority: the McCurtain
Memorial Medical Management Inc.
Board representative 01 the McCurtain Memorial Medical Staff; Huspital
Department Managers and Seniur
Management 01 the huspital.
The purpose of the annual meeting is
to review the progress made over
the proceeding year on the goals
established in the strategic plan and
to evaluate the overall direction 01
the hOSlJital in light of changes that
have occurred in our marketplace and
to louk at future trends that might
have an impact un the strategic plan.
evaluates changes and trends in
demographic and SlIcioeconorric
cunditions in their man.:et place.
"The Management BoaN:! adopted a
'gNlwth strategy' some thM!e years
ago," said Brit Messer. CEO. "This
strategy lit out market conditions at
the time and means that the hospital
will devote its resuurces toward establishing new services. expanding
existing unes and capturing additional
man.:et share." The annual strategic planning retreat is designed tu
see if market conditions have
changed enough to warrant a
change in our growth strategy. he
said.
Dver the last three years the hospital has been evaluating six
'bellwether topics' that impact the
hospital planning process. These
include population. education. health
status. income, payment source and
medical stafl analysis,
In making this detennination.
Messer said the hospital thoroughly
Strat~gic
Phmning M~~ling
King, An::hil~ct
for~ground-Matl
Employee Of The Month-Cassie Davis
Althuugh Cassie has only
been an RN lor afew short
months. (she won:ed here as
an tPN) she is very conscientious and strives to make her
department agood place to
work. Cassie works in
Women's Services. She is
invulved in the Duality Improvement Project that is
unguing. Cassie is becuming
more familiar with all the
areas 01 her department and
she will be able tu work all uf
them equally well. Cassie
always has asmile on her face
and ahelping hand for whoever needs one. »1 would love
to have mOM! nurses 01 her
caliber!" said Pam Johnson,
RN. eND.
Currently. Cassie lives in the
Valliant area where she was
born and raised.
Cassie will receive SIOD for
being selected as employee 01
the munth.
Congratulations Cassie!!
Cassie Davis, RN
Employee of the Month
® Pag.4
Landscapes and Portraits In Health
Oid You Know?
l~ura
Educational Opportunities
Muck. RT ( R) pass~d h~r
Kryslal Keisler. Cassie Davis and
Radiology Registry on 8/30/07
Carrie Taylor recently attended a
Neonatal Resuscitation Prugram
Jeanne Parnell. Physical Therapy
Department. will be attending a2
day seminar on Functional Assessments 10 Exercise Prtlgram.
MargaM!! Lappin. NM ER. will attend
a seminar on Key Concepts in the
Emergen~ Department.
Ashley Downing (laboralol)') has
I'tlsigned as a day shift phlebotomist. She is moving 10 Florida.
Her lasl day with us will be
taught here by Leslie King. RN and
Julie Stansbury, RT
The Autism Spectrum Disorders
support group meets in the private
dining mom the 2nd Monday of
each month al 6pm.
The Alzheimer Support GrtlUp
meets in the private dining room
the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each
month at 8:30 pm.
Radiology Department:
Mammography Seminar Oct. 8th 8 7tl1.
2007
Nursing:
CPR Recertification: 101m
9am-12 pm 2nd floor classroom.
IV Refresher CourSll10/25 9 am-l pm
2nd floor classroom.
10/17/07.
Health Fair 2007
TheM! were over 500 participants at this years fair according the Brit Messer. CEO of McCurtain Memorial Hospital. ~We
were very gratified with the turnout. This was our Wrr( of saying thank-you to the community that has supported the hospital
over the years". said Messer. 1he fair also gave the community a chance to see the CUlling-edge technology that has been
purchased by their tax money and it provided the participants a chance to experience the real-life. personal benefits of such
technology.u
The results of many of the diagnostic tests perfonned at the health
fair will be mailed out to the participants this week. The hospital
performed lIVer 150 EKG's (electrocardiograph): 58 PSA's (prostate):
374 bone mineral density tests (osteoporosis): and 391 cardiac
calcium storing exams. Other tests performed included cholesterol.
glucose, PFT (pulmonary function test) and blood preSSUM! exams.
The hospital also plans on offering 'specials' throughout the coming
year to further acquaint the public with the capabilities of McCurtain
Memorial Hospital. "Most residents don't M!alize how much McCur·
tain Memorial Hospital has progressed over the last few years". said Messer.
'-Iealth Fair 2007
Page 5
People and Places
New Hires:
Health Information Systems:
Virginia Chappell
EmeNlency Department:
LeAnn Gastolt RN,
Mary Real, RN.
Paula Kn(]x. RN
James Smith ER Tech.
November 7th-13th
Anniversaries:
Mike and LeAnn Gaston-!O/24
Cheryl and Lyle Lester-9/18-25 years
Phyllis and David Newman. 10/16-3 years
Sterile Processing,
Central Services and
Materials Management
Week
October 7th-13th
Emergency Roam
Nurses Week
Pam J(]hnson was honored Friday, Oc!(]ber 5, 2007 as the first ever
Kiamichi Technology Center Champion. Ms. Johnson was honored with
a luncheon before a dining room CNlwd of her co-workers, peers. and
alumni.
Eddie Coleman. Interim Superintendent of the center and Johnny Meredith. Kiamichi Technology Center Director. presented this award to her.
The Champion Award is presented to outstanding individuals who have
overcome adversities in their lives to obtain their formal education.
October 21st-27th
Pam Johnson, RN, CND
Respiratory Care Week
Births:
Donna Grammer (Health Information Systems) is the proud grandmother of Kylie Lynlt born 9/26/07
November 5th-9th
Marcella 68illy Jones (Imaging) are the proud grandparents of
Jaymon Shay Poor8uffalo. born 9/10/07
Radiology Week
Sherrie Anderson (Physical Therapy) is the proud "NeNe" and Leah
...
Morgan (Med Surg) is the proud grandmother of 8rody Shane Mor- ~
gan, born 10/3/07 wt71bs 15oz, 191/t long.
Myra Christine CNlwelt born 9/12/07. 71bs 7oz. Most beautiful
baby in the world-looks just like her grandmother. Pam Fredman
( Nursing),
o
Contact lnfonnation:
Phone: 580-208-3100
Fa" 580·108·3188
E-mail: adm~mmhok.com
Website: MMHok,com
® Pag. S
Landscapes and Portraits In Health
To Your Health- The Best Medicine Discovered by McCurtain Memorial Hospital
McCurtain Memorial HCSlJilal announced today the discovery 01 a
new medication that many call a
miracle drug. Just some 01 the
benefits of this medication include:
managing your WElight controlling
your blood pressure: decreasing
your risk of heart attach: lowering
your risk of slrokll; boosting good
cholesterol: reducing your risk of
breast caner: rfducing the risk 01
type
2 diabetes;
avoiding the need
for gall slone surgery; and protecting you against hip fracture.
The list goes on and on. Much of the
reseilrt:h on this new medication
announced today also can help:
•
*
*
*
*
Prfvenl depression. colon
cancer. constipation. oslEmpo-
msls. impotence.
lengthen life span
lower stress levels
Relieve arthritis and back pain
Strengthen muscles bones and
joints
•
•
Improve sleep
Elevate overall mood and sense of
well being
The new medication has other attributes that far exceed any medication on
the mark~ today. First. there is no
prescription necessary and secondly
there is no cos! for this medication.
You've probably figured out by now that
the new medication is walking. Our
new Garden Meadows Walking Trail is
becoming more and more popular with
the public and is no doubt making an
impact on the Quality of life of those
who use it
McCurtain Memorial Hospital encourages anyone in the community to take
advantage of our walking track, The
track has easy access with easy parking
and is lighted lor nighttime walking also,
It is also in a safe location with security
prtlvided at night
That pretty well eliminates all the ex·
cuses you want to use except the
weather. At times there are even people ignoring that and using an umbrella
while walking on our track.
Any amount 01 walking is good, but the
experts recommend that we walk for
30 minutes at least 5 times aweek at a
bricl. pace to get the best health results, AJso a steady routine is probably
the most important factor in getting
the most out of your walking program.
It is all too easy to slump back into old
habits which Quickly overtake the bene-
Employee Family Picnic
The hospital's annual Employee Family
Picnic will be held on Saturday. October
13.2007 fmm 4 pm to 7:30 pm at the
GaNlen Meadows Walking Trail in fmnt
of the hospital. This will be the first
time the picnic will be held in this location, The picnic will not only host a
volley balltournamenl. but will also
fits that you may have gained by walking.
Garden Meadows Walking Trail
leature the give-away to employees
present of over $1.000 in beautiful.
useful gifts including outdoor grills
and sturdy outdoor furniture.
Games will be available for children
present and as usual. hot dogs and
hamburgers and all the side dishes
will be available,
You are asked to bring your own
lawn chair if possible so you can
position yourself under one of the
shade trees available. The
weather is guaranteed to be perfect so please join us on SatuNlay.
Page 7
Current and Upcoming Events
An article written by Or.
Holden Metical Director of
New Directions and Betsy
Dew. Quality IfTVllVement
entitled Telemedicine in a
Rural Gero-Psychiatric
Inpatient Iklit: I:omparison
of PerceptionlSatisfaction
to Onsite Psychiatric Care'
has been aplX"U¥ed I...
pOOIication in 'e1emelicine
... eII,,'h "" off<;~
journal of the American
131h 4pm-IJO pm.
'elemedicine Association.
Halloween Coslume ConOr. Holden has been
test and Pu~in Decorating Coolest 00 Friday.
asked to lecture at the
National Convention of
October 26th.
Geriatric Care Millagers
Annual McClI'tain Merroin Santa Fe. New Mexico
rial Hospital Elf1Iloyee
on Octooer 26. 2DD7.
Cm~mas P,...,. friday.
Anooal McClI'tain Merro- Oecermer 7th.
rial Hospital FaTi~ Picric. SatlJ'day. October
IN THE SPOTlIGHT: Billie Tomlinson. 'Madam Chairma"
Ms. Tomlinson. better
know as Billie by those
who know her, first
came to the Board of
Directors 01 McCurtain
Memorial Medical Management.lnc. in August
of 2002 to fill an unexpired vacancy created
by a resignation. She
was also appointed as
Secretary to the Board
at that time. She was
then elected President
of the Board in January,
2008 and has served in
that capacity since.
"Billie has brought leadership and continuity to
the Board" said Brit
Messer. CEO. "Sh. han- works lireless~ for Ihe
dles delicale and conlro- benefit of others. Billie
versial issues with skill
has two daughters and
and most 01 all brings
!:Wo sons, all of whom
the board together as a live in Texas.
team. The meetings are
MI am very excited about
productive and lun he
our Strategic Plan and
said.
the progress we are
making. Our end objecBillie has resided in
tive is to develop the
Broken Bow. Oklahoma
for over 23 years where hospital into a regional
she has been active in
referral center that will
civic affairs. Her career allow the residents of
has spanned building.
our area to obtain
real estate, and manage- needed medical care
locally without the travel
ment. She also worked
for a lime for Texas
to distant facilities". said
Billie. ''I'm glad to be
Instruments.
involved in this growth"
She enjoys traveling and
she said,
civic activities and
M
,
U.S. Adults Spent More on Lipitor
in 2IJD4 than Any other Drug.
With a total nearly S5 billion.
Lipitor, a choiestel"'lll-reducing
dMlg. ranked tim Ul tems of total
spending on prescription
medicinES by adults ages 18-64 in
2IJ04. and amrther cholesternlfighting drug.locor, ranked forth
at S2.3 billion. according tu the
latest News and Numbers from the
A!lency for Healthcare Research
and Duality. Rounding out the top
fIVe prescribed dMlgs for adults
were second-and third- ranked
Nexium (S2.7 billion) and Prevacid
(S2.4) • prulonilump inhibitor
drugs that reduce stomach acidand loloft an antidepressant (S1.B
billion), which ranked fihh.
Billie Tomlinson