'Excited To Be Here' As Clinic Reopens
Posted on Tuesday, June 11th, 2024
No matter whom you asked on June 11, they were elated to have the Mercy Health Love County medical clinic reopen.
“We were all here at 7:30 this morning, just excited,” Clinic Director Misti Kirk told Channel XII.
“I’ve been a patient here for 18 months and need an appointment regularly, so this means a lot to me,” said Lola Reed of Burneyville, as she accepted the assistance of the hospital’s Angie Lang at the east door of the clinic -- the new entry.
The clinic building is the first of a half-dozen businesses damaged or destroyed in the EF 4 tornado that struck around 10:45 p.m. on April 27 at Exit 15 of Interstate 35.
Still to be addressed through repair or reconstruction: the rest of the hospital campus, the Homeland grocery, the Dollar General store, the Lake Country Nursing Center, the Carl’s Jr., the Valero Gas Station and Convenience Store, and the Dollar Tree Regional Distribution Center.
The Love County Health Department building also was a total loss, but the service is due to reopen in a city building at 101 W. Main St. in Marietta.
Miraculously, with the millions of dollars of havoc to structures, no one employed or visiting in them died or was seriously injured in the powerful tornado.
Kirk invited anyone needing medical services to come to the clinic, which is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, at 301 Wanda St.
Advance or same-day appointments may be made by calling (580) 276-2400.
"We also welcome drop-ins," Kirk added.
The medical staff consists of physicians Stephen Hutchins, Terry Jones, Jordan Paslay, and Stacy Goode; and nurse practitioners Nikki Barker and Patricia Owens.
Kirk told Channel XII a temporary emergency room is a service "in progress."
According to Hospital Administrator Scott Callender, the Therapy Building will be the next to reopen.
Outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy will resume there.
NEW CHAIRS ordered before the April 27 tornado,
spruced up the clinic waiting room at Mercy Health
Love County as it reopened June 11. Clinic Director
Misti Kirk expressed "thanks to the public for their
support, patience, and grace."