Press Release Archive
Casino Patrons Served by First Aid Attendants
Friday, December 26th, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
Tens of thousands of patrons pass through WinStar Casino in a 24-hour period, giving rise to a need for emergency medical responders. Love County EMS/Fire Brigade employs the First Aid Attendants, who provide potentialy life-saving reatment and first aid until an ambulance arrives. Below, meet three of our valued First Aid Attendants at WinStar Casino.
Tyler Hundt, EMT
First Aid Attendant, WinStar Casino
"I love helping people. This is the kind of...
EMTs at Casino Summon Ambulances
Thursday, December 18th, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
Under contractual arrangement, Love County EMS/Fire Brigade employs First Aid Attendants inside WinStar Casino and Riverwind Casino. Twenty-four hours a day, they are first on the scene at medical events involving the many thousands of casino patrons or employees. Ahead of responding ambulances, they apply oxygen, check vital signs, and make patient assessments. Below, meet three of our valued First Aid Attendants at WinStar Casino.
Matthew...
Emergency Vehicles Modern & Maintained
Thursday, December 11th, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
Love County EMS/Fire Brigade vehicles are modern, well-equipped, and kept in good repair. They include:
Ambulances
4 primary ambulances, each a 2010 or newer model;2 backup ambulances, each a 2008 model;
2 reserve ambulances, each a 2002 model.
Fire Trucks
1 75-foot ladder truck, a 1992 model refurbished in 2008;
1 pumper/engine truck, a 1995 model refurbished in 2008;
1 brush truck, refurbished in 2008.
Various Utility Vehicles
View pictures of the...
EMS-Operated Fire Service is Unique
Thursday, December 4th, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
Hospital, ambulance, fire brigade -- they fit together here as in no other community. The hospital manages the ambulance service (since 1994), which in turn established (in 2008) a fire brigade that serves WinStar Casino and backs up the Thackerville and Shady Dale Volunteer Fire Departments in southern Love County.
WinStar Casino contracted for the EMS/Fire Brigade at Station 2 because they were enamored of the quality of the emergency response they...
Physical Test for Firefighters Is Intense
Friday, November 28th, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
Applicants for Fire Brigade positions are strenuously tested for strength, endurance, and physical ability. To pass, the applicant must finish in a total time of less than 16 minutes.
Run 1/2 mile (in 6 minutes or less)
Recover to a satisfactory heart rate while donning full fire gear (in 4 minutes or less). Then, within the next 6 minutes:
Climb a 20-foot extension ladder twice.
Drag a charged 1-1/2” hose for 100 feet, and drag a 185-pound dummy for 50...
Is Your 911 Address Posted on Your Home?
Friday, November 21st, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
Would ambulance, fire, or law enforcement be able to find your house in a 911 emergency?
Posting your 911 address at the driveway entrance and on your home will alleviate any confusion as to whether emergency responders have the correct location. 911 addressing replaced rural routes and box numbers and often changed house numbers and street names several years ago. Unless you use a post office mailbox, your 911 address serves a dual purpose as your...
Local Agencies Helping Enroll in 'Obamacare'
Tuesday, November 18th, 2014
Consumers are heading into the second year of the health care law. Open enrollment for 2015 coverage through the health insurance marketplace began Saturday and continues though February 15, 2015.
This is the period when uninsured adults under age 65 get enrolled or possibly face a tax penalty for not having sufficient health insurance. Consumers who were already covered by a marketplace plan this year can change plans during open enrollment.
For in-person assistance, several local...
Responders Ride Out On Top Notch Vehicles
Friday, November 14th, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
Top notch ambulances and firefighting equipment are standing by 24 hours a day to respond to 911 emergencies in their area of Love County. The trained dispatchers at the E911 center in Marietta give the orders to depart from EMS/Fire Brigade stations. The dispatchers remain in telephone contact, where possible, with the 911 caller and relay what they are learning to Paramedics and firefighters en route. Inside their emergency vehicles, the responders...
Officers Lead 48 Hour Shifts
Friday, November 7th, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
EMS/Fire Brigade crews serve in 48-hour shifts. Between emergency calls, they train, exercise, prepare their meals, rest, and perform maintenance and cleaning duties inside their station house. Station 1 is at Exit 15 of Interstate 35 on the hospital campus in Marietta. Station 2 is at Exit 1 of Interstate 35 on the WinStar Casino grounds near Thackerville. Backup ambulances move between stations as needed to keep each part of Love County optimally...
Heath and Walker Are Service's Senior Captains
Friday, October 31st, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
Captains direct the emergency medical service and fire brigade day-to-day. At emergency scenes, they act as “incident commanders,” coordinating the deployment of equipment and crews. At the EMS/Fire Brigade stations, they have overall responsibility for the crew’s daily duties and for maintaining ambulances and fire apparatus in a ready state. They file “run reports” for administrative and billing purposes. Meet two of our captains below.
Captain...
Public Board Governs EMS/Fire Brigade
Friday, October 24th, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
The hospital manages the day-to-day operation of the Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade on behalf of the Love County EMS Board of Control. A formal document, the “inter-local agreement,” sets forth these responsibilities, and hospital management reports quarterly to the EMS Board in their public meeting. Membership on the EMS Board consists of Marty Grisham, chair, Marcella Kirk, Jesse Kirk, Lawrence Anderson, and Dr. Stephen Hutchins. All...
Paramedic Aboard on All Ambulance Runs
Friday, October 17th, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
There are seven ambulances, and no vehicle rolls without a Paramedic on board as leader. These Paramedics are trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support. Assisting the leader is another Paramedic or an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The crews answer more than 2,000 emergency calls per year and render pre-hospital care that saves the lives of critically ill or injured patients....
Hospital's New Building Keeps DHS in County
Friday, October 10th, 2014
Social Services Building at 275 Wanda St. on the
hospital campus is keeping the Department of
Human Services in Love county, serving patients
and the public.
Eyvonna Lemons, director, (right), and Janeane
Hartman, fulltime volunteer will operate the
Love County Senior Program inside the hospital's
new Social Service Building one block south of
Mercy Health/Love County Hospital in Marietta.
Love County Senior Program moved into a brand new building at 235 Wanda St. in September.
Two...
Hospital Management Rallies Near Defunct EMS
Friday, October 10th, 2014
The County placed management of the ambulance service with the hospital 20 years ago. Facing insolvency in 1993, the EMS since has risen to become one of the state’s best-equipped and trained ambulance services and the only EMS to add a fire service. To see photos of vehicles and coworkers in action, visit the EMS website at www.lovecountyems.com.
Adam Zimmerer
Firefighter/Paramedic
Interested in emergency services
as a youth, he joined his hometown’s
volunteer fire department at
age...
Hospital Has Nation's First EMS With Fire Service
Friday, October 3rd, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
Love County EMS/Fire Brigade employs first aid attendants, Paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and firefighters to serve WinStar Casino near Thackerville.
Guests in the thousands visit the mega-complex daily and, on weekends, the “population” inside the hotels and gaming centers may rival that of a city of 15,000. In terms of gaming floor space, WinStar is said to be “world’s largest casino.”
In 2004, Mercy Health/Love County...
EMS Has Most Paramedics in Rural Oklahoma
Friday, September 26th, 2014
Emergency Medical Service/Fire Brigade
The hospital operates Love County EMS/Fire Brigade under Tad Hall, PA, emergency room manager. The service provides ambulance and fire response within Love County and, by contractual arrangement with the Chickasaw Nation, to WinStar Casino near Thackerville.
As a result, Love County has more Paramedics rendering emergency care and transport than any other rural county in Oklahoma. In addition, the Fire Brigade provides primary fire...
Proudly Presenting Our Medical Providers
Friday, September 19th, 2014
Medical Clinic Providers
Seated from Left:
Ms. Pat Owens, APRN-CNP, Family Nurse Practitioner, On staff since 1979
Dr. Stephen Hutchins, M.D., Board Certified in Family Practice, On staff since 1989
Standing from left:
Dr. Paul Nioce, M.D., Family Practice, On staff since 2011
Ms. Rhonda Mose, APRN-CNP, Adult Nurse Practtioner, On staff since March
Dr. Terry Jones, M.D. Board Certified in Family Practice, On staff since June
A primary care provider (PCP) is your main health care provider....
Clinic Director Adds Elective Office to Full Career
Friday, September 12th, 2014
Connie Barker
Medical Clinic Director
Her entire career, since age 19,
has been spent in local clinic services.
She is a certified medical coder. She has
managed the Medical Clinic
since 1990 and served simultaneously from
1990-1997 as business manager of
the hospital.
In the community, Barker is an elected
member of the Marietta Board of
Education (since 2004)
and an elected member of the
Chickasaw Tribal Legislature (since 2008).
She is the first and only chair of the
Love County 911 Board, by...
Clinic Greeters Are 'Face of Mercy'
Friday, September 5th, 2014
Medical Clinic
Customer Service Representative
clinic’s...
Lab Work/X-Rays/ Are Steps Away from Clinic
Friday, August 29th, 2014
Medical Clinic
Hospital and Other Wellness Programs Recognized
Friday, August 29th, 2014
Health Programs Recognized Statewide – Rebekah Williams,
representing Drive by Fruiting; County Clerk Shelly Russell,
representing Love County employees’ Health + Wellness Team; and Danny
Dvorak, representing the local wellness program of Mercy Health
System, celebrate their programs’ awards at the Love County Senior
Nutrition Center.
Clinic Specialists Handle Your Insurance Claims
Friday, August 22nd, 2014
Medical Clinic
Misti Kirk
Business Office Coordinator
Since 1998, has been the clinic's billing and
insurance specialist. After each patient visit,
she compiles the medical charges and transmits
a claim for payment to the patient or his or her
insurance...
Medical Clinic Had Noble Start in 1990
Friday, August 15th, 2014
Teresa Steen Landreth, LPN,
Nurse for Rhonda Mose
“I love what I do. It’s not
a job,” says Steen Landreth,
LPN, who finds joy in serving
the public. She has been
a clinic nurse since 2003,
with prior experience dating
to 1995 as a hospital nurse.
She has been a member of
the county’s search and rescue
operation and a volunteer
firefighter and first responder.
had an early career as a horse trainer.
Kim McCage
Medical Assistant for Dr. Hutchins
Joined Mercy...
Medical Clinic Nurses Earn Patients' Trust
Friday, August 8th, 2014
Medical Clinic Nurses
A physician's office nurse is someone patients learn to trust as much as the doctor, PA, or nurse practitioner.
These professionals escort the patient to the exam room, take "vital" signs, and hear and assess the patient's medical need. They assist the clinic physician in treatments and administer injections. They arrange for lab work, x-rays, prescription refills, and specialist consultations. They contact the insurance companies for prior authorization for testing,...
Barker Nears 25th Anniversary As Administrator/CEO
Friday, August 1st, 2014
Richard Barker, FACHE
Administrator/CEO
been managing the organization since 1990.
the American College of Healthcare
Executives (FACHE) in 2012. Is licensed in
long-term care administration
and respiratory therapy (RRT).
administration (University of Minnesota) and
business administration (Ottawa University, Kansas).
Hospital Has Its Own Computer Doctor
Friday, July 25th, 2014
James Riggs, Director,
Information Technology
His A+ certification demonstrates his competency
as a computer technician, but Riggs’ education has
gone on a lifetime. “My father, Bob Riggs, is in his
45th year as director of data processing at Mercy
Memorial, Ardmore. He brought in their first computer
system, in the late 1960s. I grew up in their server
room and worked there for seven years before
joining Mercy Health/LoveCounty.” A stint as manager
of Staples’ electronics department while...
Maintenance Engineer on Top of Upkeep and Repair
Friday, July 18th, 2014
the upkeep and repair of hospital buildings.
He oversees the work of local carpenters,
electricians, and other tradesmen when
their services are needed. Hallum’s
prior experience includes metal building
construction and road construction. For
five years he represented the people of
District 3 on the Board of Love County
Commissioners. Hallum’s wife, Melissa,
is an RN at Mercy Hospital, Ardmore.
They...
ER Expansion and Renovation is Underway
Friday, July 18th, 2014
Richard Barker, Administrator (right) and Clancy Hallum,
Maintenance Engineer, look over blueprint drawings for the hospital’s
enhanced Emergency Department.
A major enhancement of Mercy Health/Love County’s emergency department is underway. The hospital’s administrator Richard Barker outlined the exciting changes.
Renovation to Existing 1,200 Square Feet
- The current waiting room is being replaced with a patient holding room (for a patient whose symptoms are being observed).
- The...
Stephens Purchases Hospital Supplies, Equipment
Friday, July 11th, 2014
managing all materials Mercy Health/
Love County uses, except furniture and
large medical equipment. She joined
the hospital in 1981 and was trained
in physical therapy. Stephens provided
patient care for more than 10 years
before moving to her current position.
"I like the fulfillment of working for the
community and being of service to
coworkers."
Meet the Hospital's Longest-Serving Coworker
Friday, July 4th, 2014
Information Services
Your Hospital Medical Record Available Here
Friday, June 27th, 2014
Medical Bill Woes? See Our Financial Counselor
Friday, June 20th, 2014
Clinic Welcomes Adult Nurse Practitioner
Friday, June 20th, 2014
Rhonda Mose, Adult Nurse Practitioner
2 New Coworkers Join Business Office
Friday, June 13th, 2014
Paulina Robles
Customer Service Specialist II
desk in the hospital's front office: She is
Paulina Robles, an experienced customer
service specialist, who is fluent in both
English and Spanish. "I have been
interested in joining the Mercy system for
sometime," said Robles, who started work
in May following six years with a
medical clinic in...
Customer Service Face to Face and Behind Scenes
Friday, June 6th, 2014
Angela "Angie' Lange,
Charge Entry Specialst
verifying that the record of medical
services and supplies ("charges") used
in treating a hospital patient is complete
and correct before the hospital
requests reimbursement from Medicare,
Medicaid, insurance companies, or
the patient.
Involved is a review...
Business & Admin Sustaining Patient Services
Friday, May 30th, 2014
For Better Breathing: Respiratory Therapy
Friday, May 23rd, 2014
Physical Therapy Arises For War Injuries
Friday, May 16th, 2014
Occupational Therapy Aids Independent Living
Friday, May 9th, 2014
Laboratory Director Likes Career More and More
Friday, May 2nd, 2014
Laboratory Services Director
Laboratory Professionals Celebrate 'CSI' Skills
Friday, April 25th, 2014
'We are the Laboratory of the County'
Friday, April 18th, 2014
Nursing Director Gave Life To Health Care Early
Friday, April 11th, 2014
Nursing as Profession Dates to Wartime Sisters
Friday, April 4th, 2014
5 Nursing Schools in Local Area
Friday, March 28th, 2014
Monday the Deadline to Buy Health Insurance
Tuesday, March 25th, 2014
Original Hospital Nursing Staff, 1972, Remembered
Friday, March 21st, 2014
Denise Trivett, LPN
Was ready in 1992 to leave her long-
time job assembling tires at...
Job Outlook for Registered Nurses Is Bright
Friday, March 14th, 2014
Lindsey Stilley, CNA
The newly trained
Certified Nurse’s Aide
grew up in...
Nurses Our First Lines of Communication
Wednesday, March 5th, 2014
"Nurses serve their patients in the most important capacities. We know that they serve as our first lines of communication when something goes wrong or when we are concerned about health." -- Lois Capps, Nurse and Member of Congress
Elaine Polizzo, LPN
Has 16 years in nursing, 13 at Baylor
Hospital and 3 as medication clerk
here. She is enjoying the profession
she spent years pursuing. "I stopped
and re-started training twice, once to
care for my mother, and again to spend
time...
100 RNs and LPNs Live in Love County
Friday, February 28th, 2014
Of the two nursing credentials, RN and LPN, RNs have more academic and clinical education and their duties are broader in scope. Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are licensed by the State of Oklahoma and regulated for competency by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (OBN). OBN statistics for 2013 show a total of 100 RNs and LPNs residing in Love County.
Diana Delgado, RN (left) Was a Marietta High School senior when she began her
quest to become a Registered...
Funeral Services Set for Dr. John Hester
Monday, February 24th, 2014
Funeral services for John W. Hester, DO, will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2014, at Craddock Funeral Home, 525 S. Commerce St., Ardmore.
Dr. Hester, a physician in the clinic and hospital died February 22.
Nursing Rated Most Trusted Profession
Friday, February 14th, 2014
The public continues to rate nurses as the most trusted profession, according to Gallup’s annual survey. Nurses have ranked at the top 12 years in a row. In 2013, 82 percent of Americans rated nurses’ honesty and ethical standards as “very high” or “high,” a full 12 percentage points above any other profession.
Luann Embry Locke, R.N.
Entered the profession in mid-life,
after her children were grown, but has
since practiced for 30 years. She
retired from the hospital in Ardmore
Affordable Insurance Available at healthcare.gov
Thursday, February 6th, 2014
We're Honored!
Wednesday, February 5th, 2014
TOP 3 HOSPITAL
Readers of the Ardmoreite voted us third favorite hospital -- behind Mercy Hospital Ardmore and Norman Regional Hospital -- in the newspaper's Readers Choice Survey published on Sunday, February 2.
Thank you, Ardmoreites, for choosing Love County for physician and nursing care, outpatient therapy, laboratory services, emergency room,and adult day care!
WORKPLACE EXCELLENCE
In January, the state awarded an "excellence" certification lauding our hospital's efforts to...
Nursing Department Works 'Round the Clock
Thursday, January 30th, 2014
The nursing department works around the clock to care for and comfort patients and their family members. Every patient in the hospital or emergency room receives professional nursing services, whether their stay is for minutes or weeks. Marie Ross, R.N., Director of Nursing, supervises this department, which has 20 coworkers. Meet three of them:
Kathryn Porter Miller, R.N.
Has 12 years in the department, and leads
the nursing floor as Charge Nurse. Spent 13
prior years in emergency...
Adult Day Center Opens January 6!
Friday, January 3rd, 2014
Mercy Love County Adult Day Center & Family Services (foreground) at 200 Wanda St., Marietta, OK, is one block south of its parent organization, Mercy Health/Love County Hospital & Clinic (background). The Adult Day Center will furnish social activities in a medically-supervised setting during weekdays for adults with dementia or physical challenges. The Family Services department will bring Marietta-based Licensed Professional Counseling services back to Love County individuals and...