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Enid News & Eagle

THIS YEAR IS ONE OF EXPECTATION FOR ENID AND NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA. IT IS A TIME OF CHANGE AS THE AREA EMERGES FROM RECESSION AND LOOKS TOWARD PROGRESSION. THE ECONOMIC DRIVERS THAT HAVE BUILT AND SUSTAINED OUR WAY OF LIFE ARE CHANGING, AND THE PEOPLE ARE TASKED WITH CREATING A DIVERSE, NEW ECONOMIC MODEL THAT PUTS THE AREA ON THE HORIZON TOWARD A BETTER WAY OF LIFE. TUCKED IN THESE PROGRESS EDITIONS ARE A FEW OF THE STORIES OF THOSE WHO ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE FOR 2012 AND BEYOND.

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WE’VE

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GOT TO BECOME MORE

efficient&effective

Enid hospitals work to navigate uncertain future in health care industry while keeping quality standards intact in their facilities

By Jeff Mullin Senior Writer

It officially is known as Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and unofficially labeled “Obamacare,” since it was the brainchild of President Barack Obama.

But no matter what you call it, the law that is in the process of changing the way America pays for health care has created a lot of uncertainty for the leaders of Enid’s two hospitals.

“I think the biggest challenge is going to be the reimbursement system,” said Stan Tatum, chief executive officer of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, “specifically the Medicare reimbursement system.”

“As a country, our appetite for health care exceeds our ability to pay for it,” said Jeff Tarrant, president of Integris Bass Baptist Health Center.

“This is a problem we have known about for years. It’s debatable whether this health reform package is actually going to fix it or not.”

‘There’s a lot of uncertainty’ “There’s a lot of uncertainty built into the legislation. The legislation was fairly incomplete in terms of offering concrete solutions of where the money is going to come from to pay for everything that was passed,” Tarrant said.

One of the biggest areas of uncertainty, Tarrant said, is the political climate in Washington and: “Are there substantive changes that are made to the legislation that was passed a couple of years ago? It depends on who you talk to.”

That uncertainty, Tarrant said, makes it more difficult for hospital administrators to plan for the future.

“We’ve taken the legislation as it was passed and are using that for planning,” Tarrant said. “In terms of the financing it probably won’t get any worse than that. We’ve planned around that worst-case scenario, and

‘Commonly referred to as cost-shifting’

Medicare reimbursement, Tatum said, is “driven more by the current federal deficit than it is really the cost of the care that we have to provide.”

The so-called Congressional “supercommittee” was charged with cutAs a country, our appetite for health care ting $1.2 trillion exceeds our ability to pay for it. This is from the federal a problem we have known about for deficit. Since it years. It’s debatable whether this health failed, that set in motion default reform package is actually going to fix it measures that take or not.” effect next year.

Jeff Tarrant, president, “Some of those Integris Bass Baptist Health Center will impact cuts in Medicare reimbursement,” Tatum said.

Currently, Taif it doesn’t pan out to be that bad we tum said, Medicare pays St. Mary’s haven’t done ourselves any dam- about 18 cents on the dollar. age.”

“Our costs to provide care run There are elements in the about 24 cents on the dollar,” he Affordable Care Act, Tatum said, said. “For every Medicare patient we that will impact future reimburse- take care of, we lose.” ment for hospitals.

Because of losses hospitals take Hospitals nationally offered up on Medicare and Medicaid patients, $155 billion in cuts to the Tatum said, rates charged those with Medicare program to help pay for private insurance must be raised to health care reform, Tatum said. offset that deficit.

But that presumed some 32 mil“That’s commonly referred to as lion people who formerly did not cost-shifting,” Tatum said. “That’s have health insurance were going not the ideal, but that is the system to have “at least some form of that we operate under today. basic health insurance,” he said.

“Any further cuts to Medicare are Payments from that insurance going to be significant problems for would thus help offset the loss of the health care providers in the U.S.” Medicare reimbursement.

In October, Medicare will imple“That all has to play out to see if ment Value-Based Purchasing. the math works,” Tatum said.

Under that program, Tatum said, A change in the Medicare reim- Medicare will pay slightly more to bursement system was needed, providers who meet high quality Tatum said, to avoid bankruptcy. standards and less to those that don’t.

“They had to make some kind of “It’s a concept that’s difficult to change,” he said, “the question is: Is argue with,” Tatum said. this the right change?”

The program defines 12 quality criteria on which the government is gathering data, Tatum said. Those criteria will be weighted 70 percent.

The other 30 percent will be provided by a patient satisfaction survey.

“Medicare is going to withhold one percent of our reimbursement starting in October of this year,” Tatum said, “and they will pay it back to us based on how well we do with our combined score in those two measures.”

High-performing hospitals, Tatum said, would not only get their 1 percent back but also could get more.

“For us, a 1 percent withhold on Medicare, equates to about $350,000,” Tatum said.

Sixty percent of St. Mary’s patients are Medicare patients, said Tatum. At Integris Bass, Tarrant said, that number is 45 percent.

“It’s typically even higher in most of the rural areas,” Tatum said. “It’s not uncommon in northwest Oklahoma for hospitals to be 75 percent Medicare. That poses some real problems in and of itself.”

“They (Medicare and Medicaid) are not a real good payer, but we welcome each and every patient that needs our services,” said Tarrant.

Jeff Tarrant, Integris Bass Baptist Health Center president, visits with Anita Luetkemeyer. “Our challenge as a hospital is to participate and, in fact, drive some of this change (in the industry),” Tarrant said. “Here we’ve been very good at doing that over the years.” (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)

a slippage in the quality of care that they can provide to their patients,” he said.

“We’ve got to become more efficient and more effective at what we do as an industry,” Tarrant said. “We have to keep moving in that direction, and maybe more quickly than we have in the past.”

Balancing the need to control costs with the desire to maintain a high standard of patient care is “a delicate tightrope,” Tatum said.

“The most important thing that we offer people who come to us that need our help is a high quality of

Stan Tatum, chief executive officer of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, said the national health care plan, as it stands now, will impact cuts in Medicare reimbursement for health care facilities. Currently, Tatum said, Medicare pays St. Mary’s about 18 cents on the dollar. “Our costs to provide care run about 24 cents on the dollar,” he said. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)

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And as the Baby Boomers continue to age themselves into Medicare eligibility, Tatum said, those numbers are only going to grow.

In coming years, Tatum said, hospitals will have to “learn to do more with less.”

“The hospitals that will be successful are the ones that can figure out how to do that without allowing

‘Single most taxing challenge’

There is a high correlation, Tatum said, between staffing levels and patient outcomes.

“To me, that is going to be the single most taxing challenge that we’ve got,” he said. “How can you maintain a safe staffing level and still meet the quality requirements that you’re going to need to attain for the future.”

Some 65 percent of a hospital’s costs, Tatum said, are salaries.

The hospitals that will be successful are “If we’re looking the ones that can figure out how to do at cutting costs, it (more with less) without allowing a usually translates slippage in the quality of care that they into numbers of employees,” he said. can provide to their patients.”

“I think that’s one of Stan Tatum, chief executive officer, the challenges the St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center government’s going to have to deal with.

They can’t demand staffing levels to be at a certain ratio and care,” Tatum said. “We’ve got to put at the same time significantly continthat as our No. 1 priority, and it starts ue to carve out our reimbursement. with making sure that you hire the Those two are just not compatible.”

Reimbursement cuts, Tatum said, right people that have a culture of compassion and want to offer a high will impact the ability of hospitals to recruit new physicians. quality service.”

“Being a physician is not nearly “It’s a given in health care you can’t sacrifice the outcome, you as attractive as it once was,” he said.

The average physician coming have to assure quality,” Tarrant said.

“If you can’t do that you shouldn’t out of residency, Tatum said, has school loans of more than $140,000. be in the business.”

Enid, Tarrant said, is “attractive Hospital care is “very expensive” and “requires a lot of resources,” for the right type of physicians.” He Tarrant said. Thus, the health care said Integris Bass has brought in industry is working to “develop seven new physicians since July. technology that can treat the illness“We look for physicians to es within our population but are not recruit who either have some as in-patient intensive. rural, Midwest orientation or were “Our challenge as a hospital is to raised not in a metro area or have participate and, in fact, drive some of a real focus on enjoying the things this change,” Tarrant said. “Here Enid has to offer,” Tarrant said. we’ve been very good at doing that “No. 1 on that list would be raising over the years.” a family.

As an example, he cited Integris “Enid is not difficult to recruit to for the right type of people.”

Bass’ cardiology program.

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‘Learn to do more with less’

“A lot of what we do in cardiology anymore is not as invasive as it used to be years ago,” Tarrant said.

“This decreases cost and you achieve the needed outcome and you do it in a less expensive setting.”

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Enid News & Eagle

Sunday, February 26, 2012

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o c t o r AD

is there

in the house?

Integris Bass determines areas of physician needs in northwest Oklahoma, works to fill them

St. Mary’s offers health-related incentive packages

By Robert Barron Staff Writer

Residents in Enid and Garfield County, along with the rest of Oklahoma, do not Staff Writer exercise enough and use too much tobacco, according to national health statistics.

Recruiting physicians is a constant process for Integris Bass Baptist Health “There are high rates of diabetes and Center and administrator Jeff Tarrant. heart disease (in the state), which is an “It’s based on the needs of the community,” Tarrant said. “We’ve brought seven exacerbation of that lifestyle,” said Stan physicians in since last July.

Tatum, St. Mary’s Regional Medical CenThe hospital recruits physicians within identified specialties needed in Enid. ter administrator chief executive officer.

Physicians are recruited based on a hospital survey of Enid and Garfield County Health care representatives are not demographics that show those needs. Tarrant said there is a large bulge of baby excluded from those numbers. boomers reaching ages at which they will need increasing medical attention.

St. Mary’s offers its employees health“We can look 20 years in front and see the demand growing at a level it is hard to keep up with. That’s a good problem to have, and there are opportunities there,” related incentives, such as a group rate he said. membership to The Enid area shows more primary care and internal Denny Price Fammedicine specialists are needed now. ily YMCA and The problem becomes more complicated as health Finer Physiques, care professionals age, creating a declining work force, he contests for said. weight control, education on diaINTEGRIS BASS BAPTIST HEALTH CENTER ‘Something else drives them’ betes and counLeadership Team seling about diet One of the areas considered during recruitment is Jeff Tarrant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . president and lifestyle, Taoffering quality of life.

Becky Tucker. . . . . . chief financial officer tum said.

Being a physician is a demanding profession requiring Garen Ohliger. . . . . . chief nursing officer Quality-of-life years of education and hundreds of thousands of dollars of programs not only expense just to be licensed. Once physicians are licensed ST. MARY’S REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER benefit employees they work “huge” numbers of hours and sacrifice time Leadership Team but employers as away from their families.

Stan Tatum . . . . . . chief executive officer well, as lifestyle “The opportunities are few and far between to be away perks have beKrista Roberts . . . chief operating officer from work, and the money doesn’t offset it,” Tarrant said. come a trend in The number of women in medical schools is fueling a David Jamin . . . . . . chief financial officer recruitment, a quality-of-life trend. Tarrant said about 50 percent of medDoug Coffey. . . . . . . chief nursing officer major focus in a ical school students are now female, which is a good sign, field fraught with but they want to spend more time with their families. change.

Physician income is not increasing, either, he said.

It is added inWhen inflation is considered, physician salaries are flat. centive as most But being a caregiver is not always dollars and cents. hospitals are tightening their belts, waiting “Something else drives them, and that is the motivation to care for others,” to see what will happen with coming Tarrant said. changes in national health care laws and ‘We are here to improve health’ current economic woes.

People are delaying elective medicine Development of preventive care — part of the new national health reform plan because of an uncertain economy and — also is on the hospital’s radar. Tarrant said hospitals should provide preventabecause they must pay a large portions of tive care to their communities. their health care bills, even if they have “We are here to improve health. It’s an obligation for all of us,” he said. “We insurance. are here to save a very unhealthy populace. It covers a multitude of generations People also are not performing prevenand is probably cultural.” tive procedures like annual physicals, There needs to be more focus on lifestyles, he said, as Oklahoma ranks 48th colonoscopy and mammogram procedures out of 50 states when it comes to healthy living. as they should, he said.

“We spend too much money in treatment, and one way to save money is in preNorthwest Oklahoma’s medical hub vention,” he said. “It takes a different approach than where we’ve been the last 200 has been bucking that trend, however. years.”

“Enid has had a steady, slow growth, Preventative medicine was a consideration when it came to the hospital’s new which is good,” Tatum said. $8 million cardiac center and its rehabilitation unit. In that unit, medical profesA lot of attention is being focused on sionals teach those with heart problems how to get back to normal activity levels. national health care delivery changes and While there are significant changes in store for the population and the nation, probable reductions in Medicare reimTarrant said the nation never has been without challenges. As long as there is a bursement at a time when Medicare recipneed for what physicians and hospitals do, they will rise to meet those challenges. ients are the fastest-growing part of the population.

“We’re going to be asked to do a lot more for significantly less,” Tatum said.

“In Enid, 60 percent of our volume is Medicare-age patients.”

The biggest cut in social programs by the budget bill will come from Medicare and social security, he said.

“Hospitals and physicians alike are waiting for additional cuts, and the uncertainty makes everyone concerned.

By Robert Barron

Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON

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Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON

“It will totally redesign our approach to health care,” Tatum said of the health care laws.

The new health care system will not be like that seen in Canada or Europe, Tatum said, as he believes it will have limited results on the community and will change the expectations consumers have about medical treatment. But, he warned of longer waiting lines in doctors offices and in hospitals.

Those lines go back to the health industry’s ongoing problem: There are not enough primary care physicians to treat everyone who needs to be treated. And the situation is getting worse. The majority of young physicians have large school loans to pay back, and because of the declining reimbursement, medicine is not as attractive as it once was, he said.

“The average graduating physician has $140,000 in school loans,” Tatum said.

“That could mean in the future we have to do more with less, and the care model and ratio of nurse to patient could increase.”

Medical school enrollment is not sufficient to meet the demand, which ties into the aging population.

Oklahoma is listed as the No. 1 state in the nation when it comes to a shortage of primary care physicians, a problem Gov. Mary Fallin is examining.

“We must find a way to incentivize students to go into medicine, especially in rural areas. Enid is fortunate it has more successes than more remote counties in northwest Oklahoma,” Tatum said.

He said physicians today have a keen interest in lifestyle and family but have to take emergency room calls. If there are only two specialists in a specific discipline, they are on duty every other night.

Because of that, many specialists look for larger metropolitan areas where there are more specialists so they can spend more time with their families.

“The challenge will be recruiting new physicians,” Tatum said. “That will be more of a problem for remote communities.”

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Enid News & Eagle

home NURSING

SWEET

HOME

Enid care facilities focus on creating welcoming, independent residences

By Bridget Nash Staff Writer

Moving to a nursing home at one time may have felt like the last step in someone’s life — an end, a final destination.

The past several years have transformed nursing homes into what they are for many today, and that is far from the last steps but rather a transition into another, happy era. In fact, becoming a resident of a nursing home doesn’t even have to be a permanent situation.

The Commons, one of Enid’s nursing facilities, has a program that allows temporary residents a time for respite care.

“We do a lot of rehabilitation,” said Suzanne Jenlink, director of resident services.

“People can actually come for a short time.”

In addition, Enid facilities have adopted a new way of providing a real home to residents, eliminating the institution atmosphere that plagued many homes in the past.

“We work work with a ‘welcome home’ model. It definitely takes away from the institutionalized setting,” said Brittany Conner, community relations director at Greenbrier, a family owned and operated nursing facility and assisted living center.

Three of Enid’s care facilities — The Commons, Greenbrier and Golden Oaks — have changed the oncecommon nursing home set-

assisted living and nursing home care.

“If people decide to come here when they are young and independent, they are already home (when they transition to nursing home care),” Stutchman said.

Golden Oaks also has rooms available for nightly rental for visiting family members and a wide variety of activities for residents and visitors.

“We are on 110 acres,” said Stutchman. “We like to call it a cruise ship in the middle of a wheat field.”

Greenbrier offers a 10 percent discount for some of its living options to veterans and is a contracted VA facility.

Changes in nursing home care have led some to believe such services are unaffordable, but nursing home care has changed more than cost.

“People have the misconception that we are too expensive,” Stutchman said. “We are actually one of the most affordable.”

Enid’s nursing home are staffed with caring caretakers who enjoy their jobs and take them seriously, representatives said. In fact, Greenbrier even goes to lengths to make sure the residents are cared by the same staff members as much as possible, rather than seeing new faces every day.

The residents’ power to make their own choices, the activities available and the encouragement of families to visit has made a drastic change in the way nursing home residents live their lives and a drastic change in the way the staff enjoy their jobs.

“It’s like heaven to work here,” Stutchman said.

ting by offering residents choices in their lives, like when and what to eat and when to wake, bathe and attend activities.

“It gives them more control,” Jenlink said. “Part of the trepidation of moving into a nursing home facility was the loss of control. Residents are (now) independent as they can be and still get the help they need.”

Residents at The Commons have access to a spa room where they can have their hair, makeup and nails done, and residents of Greenbrier soon will reap the benefits of a new staff program called Triple Crown, in which staff members receive incentives to provide not just tolerable but excellent service to the residents.

Enid facilities also offer the opportunity of providing homes for residents who do not yet need living or medical assistance.

“You can come in as an independent living resident,” said Shelley Stutchman, Golden Oaks marketing representative. “You can come out here healthy and well and stay here.”

Stutchman said the independent living opportunity is a remedy for the trauma some feel by moving into a nursing home. Healthy, independent individuals can move into Golden Oaks, for example, and stay for the rest of their lives, easily transitioning from independent living to

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David Lyons leads Bible study at The Commons. Three of Enid’s care facilities — The Commons, Greenbrier and Golden Oaks (at right, from top) — have changed their settings by offering choices. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON / Photos provided)

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Enid News & Eagle

Sunday, February 26, 2012

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Make every s e i t i l i c a f e c i p s o Local h e day count ... r a c f o l e v e l n o focusing

By Cass Rains Staff Writer

Several area agencies provide hospice services to ensure quality of life for patients who are terminally ill or at the end of their lives.

Hospice service offers an alternative to aggressive treatments and provides emotional, and sometimes spiritual, support for patients and their families.

Hospice Circle of Love One of the state’s longest standing providers of hospice care, Hospice Circle of Love is a non-profit agency that served its first patient in 1983.

“Our goal is to improve the quality of life at the end of life,” said Julie Nelson, community relations director. “We want to help make every day count.”

Nelson said Circle of Love has a team of caregivers, both paid and volunteer, who can go to a patient’s home or nursing home to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support.

The care team consists of nurses, nurses’ aides, social workers, a chaplain and a music therapist.

They serve the Enid area and also

have an office in Fairview.

“We have volunteers who sit with patients and provide respite for family members in the home and also provide a listening ear and companionship for patients,” Nelson said. “It’s all designed to help someone with a terminal illness to be comfortable in their final days and to live the rest of their life to the fullest.”

The board-run agency can charge services to Medicare if the patient is afforded the benefit.

“Hospice Circle of Love never charges patients or family for service,” Nelson said. We use funds from our fundraisers and memorials to pay for the services.”

Circle of Love hosts two books sales, in April and October; has a Tree of Life Celebration in December; a pancake supper in February; a Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Jubilee in May at Oakwood County Club; and a clay shooting event in Ringwood in the fall.

All funds raised at those events are used to serve patients.

Those wishing to make a donation can stop by the Hospice Circle of Love office, 314 S. 3rd, or go to www.hospicecircleoflove.com.

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Ross Health Care

Ross Health Care is one of the state’s largest home-care organizations, with offices in Enid, Oklahoma City, Chickasha and Lawton.

President Hank Ross said Ross Health Care has been in Enid for about seven years and offers hospice services.

“We offer hospice care seven days a week, 24 hours a day,” he said.

Ross said hospice care can last anywhere from a few days to years, depending on the patient.

He said those who typically receive hospice care are those who are terminally ill and have a life expectancy of six months or less.

“The biggest complaints we get in hospice care is people said we wish we’d known about it earlier,” he said. “Hospice care is not about giving up, it’s just a different level of care. We address a vast majority of issues not just for the patient but for the family.”

He said hospice care is a benefit covered 100 percent by Medicare but only about two thirds of people use it.

“Only about 35 percent of people who have the hospice benefit though Medicare utilize it,” Ross said. “It’s a fast-growing part of Medicare benefits.”

He said he thinks hospice care is an area of service that will continue to grow.

“It’s the best level of care for the patient at that time,” Ross said.

“We don’t want people to die in pain. We give them the comfort level they deserve.

“We need help coming into this world and we need a little help going out.”

Carter Healthcare Inc. Carter Healthcare Inc. also offers hospice care services for communities surrounding its Enid office as well as patients in Enid.

“We have nurses stationed throughout the various counties that help us provide quality care to patients in the outlying areas such as Okeene, Fairview, Blackwell,” said Tina Morton, director of marketing and a licensed clinical social worker. “Part of the beauty of working in our field is we start where we live and head out from there.”

She said Carter provides registered nurses and licenses practical nurse teams trained in symptom management, as well as home health-aide services. This allows patients to stay at their homes.

“We consider home where the patient’s at. Home for many patients is with a loved one or a

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nursing facility. Home is really described as where a patient lives,” she said. “When you take on a hospice program you also get a social worker, a chaplain, and you’re able to benefit from our volunteer program.”

Morton said hospice service is known for its skills in pain management, which sets it apart from other kinds of home care.

“That’s where Carter Hospice is a little bit above the edge,” she said. “We spend time specially training every four months, our nurses and LPNs, on symptom recognition. We really work to head all those issues off by providing proactive care.”

Morton said hospice care is for the entire family and not just for the patient.

“Everything goes on right with your family. You get to be around your favorite things,” she said. “You get to end your life right where you want to be not in some cold, sterile environment. You also don’t have a limit on the number of people around you.”

Morton said hospice care also helps families prepare for the outcomes of medical challenges.

“We prepare the family and help them with questions about the end of life,” she said.

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Sunday, February 26, 2012

career

HEALTHY

By Phyllis Zorn Staff Writer

Administrative medical assisting Autry’s administrative medical assisting program trains students in medical transcription, medical billing, health insurance, diagnostic and procedural coding and administrative health care concepts. Students learn to use industry-driven software programs and can earn industry-recognized certifications, such as certified coding associate or certified professional coder-apprentice.

Currently there are 27 enrolled in the program, which runs August to May.

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Enid News & Eagle

Autry Tech According to February predictions from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, health care and social assistance industries will experience the largest gain in jobs between now and 2020.

Both sectors are projected to gain 5.6 million jobs during the coming eight years. Coming up behind are professional and business services at 3.8 million and construction jobs at 1.8 million.

Those statistics put Autry Technology Center in the spotlight, as it offers an assortment of training programs for careers in health care.

Programs of choice for high school students enrolled at Autry in the past three years are health careers and medical assistant.

Adults have favored Autry’s medical assistant and administrative medical assisting programs in that same time period, according to school officials.

“Currently we are seeing a great demand for jobs in the areas of certified nurse assistant, medical assistant and administrative medical assisting,” said Melissa Jenlink, marketing director for Autry Technology Center.

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Angela Price prepares to take a blood sugar reading from Kathy Foust during open house activities held at Autry Technology Center, 1201 W. Willow. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON)

Medical secretaries earned between $20,870 and $42,660 in 2008, according to U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.

Medical assistant Autry’s medical assistant program provides training regarding patient care, specialty exam preparation, medication administration, venipuncture, medical billing and assisting with laboratory testing and office surgeries.

Currently there are 35 enrolled in the program, which runs August through May. Labor department statistics show medical assistant salaries range from $20,600 to $39,570.

Dental assisting Autry’s dental assisting program prepares students for the duties of office receptionist, secretary and bookkeeper in addition to teaching about legal and ethical issues. Students study head and neck anatomy, tooth identification and morphology, dental terminology, radiography and, through job shadowing and clinicals, gain

skills in assisting the dentist with exams and treatment.

Currently there are 17 enrolled.

The program runs August through May. Labor statistics show median annual wages of dental assistants were $32,380 in May 2008. Wages in this career field range from $22,270 to $46,150.

Health careers Autry’s health careers program provides an overview of health careers while teaching basic health care skills and laboratory techniques. The course is a combination of theory, laboratory skills and clinical observations.

Currently there are 36 students enrolled. The program lasts August through May. Hourly salaries can range from $7.23 for a personal or home health care aid to $14.76 for a dental assistant.

Surgical technology A surgical technologist delivers patient care before, during and after surgery. He or she handles the

Respiratory care Autry’s respiratory care program prepares students to work as respiratory technicians. Training includes use of medical gases, humidification, mechanical ventilation, artificial airways, chest physiotherapy and CPR. At the end of training, students can test for Certified Respiratory Therapist credentials, Oklahoma license, and are eligible for the advanced level examination to become a registered respiratory therapist.

There currently are eight students enrolled in the 24-month program.

According to U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, respiratory therapists earn between $37,920 and $69,800.

Radiography Autry’s radiography program trains students to use radiography to produce images of tissues, organs, bones and vessels. A radiographer’s duties include accu-

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instruments, supplies and equipment necessary during the surgical procedure and has an understanding of the procedure being performed, anticipates the needs of the surgeon and ensures quality patient care while maintaining the sterile field. Students gain clinical experiences in the operating room, central processing, anesthesia, cardiac catheterization lab, outpatient department, endoscopy and the post anesthesia care unit. Upon completion of the program, students sit for the national certifying examination through National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

Currently there are eight students enrolled in the 11-month program.

Labor department statistics show surgical assistants earn between $27,510 and $54,300.

short-term training abounds at Autry In addition to nine-month to two-year programs in career health field training programs, Autry Technology Center offers a number of short-term training programs in the field of health.

Short-term training is offered through open enrollment. Many are offered several times throughout the year during the day, evening or weekends. Prices and program length vary depending on the class. Class schedules are available at autrytech .edu.

The list includes: longterm care; long-term care, nurse aid; restorative care fundamentals for CNA; asthma update; certified medication aide; CMA advanced training in diabetes care, glucose monitoring and IA; CMA advanced training in dose inhalers and nebulizers; CMA advanced training in gastronomy; emergency medical services (EMS); emergency medical responder refresher; EMT basic refresher; emergency medical technician; advanced EMT; paramedic; feeding assistant certification; medical administration technician; MAT update; medical terminology basics; pharmacy technician; and phlebotomy.

Autry offers medical certification testing in longterm care, home health, developmentally disabled, EMS and home health administration.

Autry also offers an assortment of CPR and first aid courses, including basic life support instructing, life support instructor update, first aid; Heartsaver AED, and health care provider.

Autry offers several online courses. For a full list, go to autrytech.edu/online.

focuses on

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rately positioning the patient, producing quality diagnostic images, maintaining equipment and keeping computerized records.

Graduates take a national certifying examination to become a registered technologist in radiography.

Currently there are eight students enrolled in the two-year program.

Labor department statistics show radiology technologists earn between $35,100 and $74,970.

Practical nursing Autry’s practical nursing program combines clinical and classroom experience covering all aspects of nursing necessary for completion of the national licensing exam for a licensed practical nurse. An LPN provides routine nursing care and performs more complex tasks under direction of a registered nurse or doctor.

There currently are 32 enrolled in the 18-month program.

LPNs earn between $28,260 and $53,580, according to U.S. Department of Labor.

MRI technology Autry’s nine-month MRI program includes classes in physics, anatomy, patient care and safety procedures for performing an MRI. The program is an independent, selfstudy format with direction from Autry radiography faculty and includes hands-on experience with an MRI technologist. Graduates take an examination to become a registered technologist in magnetic resonance imaging. Applicants must be ARRT registered or registry eligible in radiography, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy.

Currently there are two enrolled in the program.

According to mysalary.com, the median salary for an MRI technologist is $64,923.

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Enid News & Eagle

Sunday, February 26, 2012

H o m e h ea l t h c a r e agencies put clients

‘Experienced and tenured staff’

Staff Writer

Enid and area residents have many options for home health care assistance from issues arising due to chronic illness or just having a baby.

Home health care options allow patients and individuals to remain in their homes and out of longterm health care facilities by bringing skilled nurses and medical professionals into the home.

‘We provide help’

Community service big part of colleges’ nursing curriculum

By Phyllis Zorn Staff Writer

Northern Oklahoma College’s two-year nursing program allows successful graduates to earn an associate of applied science, registered nurse degree.

According to Jeanine Deterding, interim chair of the nursing department for NOC, more than 90 percent of the nursing students are employed in nursing before graduation.

The school admits between 100 and 120 freshman nursing students to its three campuses each year.

Currently, 67 students are enrolled in the program at Enid.

Deterding said 94 percent of NOC’s nursing graduates stay in Oklahoma after graduation, where the average annual salary for a new RN is between $40,000 and $50,000.

Clinicals, in which nursing students get required, hands-on experience taking care of patients, are arranged in Enid, Blackwell, Tonkawa, Stillwater, Cushing, Ponca City, Perry and Oklahoma City.

NOC’s nursing students also are encouraged to volunteer their time in their communities.

NOC’s application deadline for admission in the nursing program is March 1.

Students in the nursing program are allowed to skip classes they do not need by successfully passing collegelevel examination program tests. They must complete 12 hours of coursework before credit for CLEP exams will be added to their transcripts.

Deterding said the average age of NOC nursing students is 30.

Community service credits are required to graduate from NOC’s nursing program. According to nursing instructor Christa Ritz, Enid students have volunteered time at Horn of Plenty, Our Daily Bread, YWCA

shelter and day care program. They have played piano and given manicures at nursing homes, completed home repairs for needy and helped serve meals with The Forgotten Church.

Student Nurse Association at NOC has given money to the United Way and volunteered as a group with Salvation Army’s Spruce Up a Life program.

NWOSU’s program The nursing program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University yields a four-year bachelor’s degree. After the first two years of general education and prerequisite courses, students enter the nursing program their junior year.

Cheryl King, assistant chairwoman of the division of nursing, said the program currently has 31 seniors and 30 juniors enrolled. At the Enid campus, there are 17 seniors and 16 juniors enrolled.

The school typically admits 35 to 40 nursing students per year.

Community service also is required at Northwestern.

“All their clinical courses have a community service requirement,” King said. “About eight hours per semester are required.”

Students volunteer at community health fairs, conduct TB tests, give flu shots, do glucose screenings and work in the community clinic, King said.

Clinical experiences are gained at Enid’s two hospitals, Woodward, Alva and Oklahoma City. Mental health clinicals are accomplished at Integris Meadowlake, the Generations unit at Integris Bass Baptist Health Center and the facility Fort Supply.

Northwestern nursing students can get credit for some general education courses through the CLEP program.

“We do inhome, private duty, and help them with personal care, homemaking, companionship and health and medical care,” said Sandy Griffin, office manager for CareTeam’s Enid office. “We provide help around the house for people if they’ve just had surgery or if they’ve got a new baby.”

The care does not require a doctor’s order and can help some patients avoid stays in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.

However, the caregivers also can visit hospitals and nursing homes.

“We can sit with people in the hospital,” Griffin said. “A lot of times, clients hire us to stay with them in the hospital or nursing home.”

CareTeam staff can provide care lasting as long as one hour to 24 hours a day. All CareTeam members are licensed, bonded and insured and have passed state and national background checks.

Services can be compensated through private pay, respite vouchers or long-term care insurance.

CareTeam’s Enid office served Enid and the surrounding area. The company also has offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Chickasha and Wichita Falls, Texas.

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Gentiva Health Services is another option in the area for home health care.

Kay Strecker, director of clinical and operational services, said the Medicare-certified agency provides many services to Medicare and Medicaid patients.

Among the services offered are skilled nursing, physical therapy, wound care and disease management.

Strecker said home health care has its benefits for patients.

“Typically, people heal faster and improve quicker when they’re back in their home environment,” she said. “They do much better in their home environment.”

Being home improves a patient’s outlook and allows them more comfort and relaxation, Strecker said.

“They have some control again, too,” she said.

She said more doctors are becoming aware of home health care services and, because people are living longer, older children are looking for assistance in caring for their aging parents.

“People are living longer, their kids are having to help more and their checking out resources more,” she said. Nursing and physical therapy are two popular services provided.

“If the patient meets all the Medicare criteria, then Medicare pays for those services 100 percent,” Strecker said.

She said Enid’s office, which covers about a 50-mile radius, employs about 25 people.

“We’re a small office, but I’ve got very experienced and tenured staff here,” she said.

Got questions? Get answers Those with questions for Gentiva can call 242-0024 or go to www.gentiva.com. The office is at 1202 W. Willow.

CareTeam, 228 Kenwood, can be reached at (580) 237-0669 or www.careteamhc.com.

Merry Price with CareTeam brings a glass of water to Roland Rikle at his home. (Staff Photo by BILLY HEFTON)

Specializing in preserving dignity and quality of life for every resident.

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In control

By Cass Rains

Kathey Belcher practices starting an IV at the NOC nursing lab.

(Staff Photos by BILLY HEFTON)

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Enid News & Eagle

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Enid News & Eagle

Sunday, February 26, 2012

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Sherril Stone’s

Northwestern’s psychology course expands boundaries with a bit of 4-legged help

By James Neal Staff Writer

A new course offered at Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Enid campus is taking psychology beyond its traditional boundaries with the help of some four-legged assistants.

Professor Sherril Stone’s class, “The Psychology of HumanAnimal Interaction,” is taking aspiring psychologists, counselors and therapists into the community to explore ways in which animals can help treat a wide variety of physical and psychological conditions.

Stone has been teaching pet-assisted therapy for several years, though this is her first year teaching the course at Northwestern-Enid. She first was exposed to the psychological dynamics of human-animal interaction through an experience with her grandmother.

therapy for learning disorders, physical therapy, in nursing homes and mental health facilities and substance abuse therapy for jail inmates.

Stone incorporated the lessons from her research in courses on pet-assisted therapy at Northeastern State University and Rogers State University from 2001-03.

She returned to OSU to teach psychology from 200409, then spent two years teaching military service members in Okinawa, Japan.

Stone came to NWOSUEnid this year and reinstated her psychology course on human-animal interaction.

She said the course has been well-received, and she plans to expand the class and Northwestern’s role in developing pet-assisted therapy.

“Mostly we’re finding it’s mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, ministers and jail

An attachment to animals In 1998, while Stone was a graduate psychology student at Oklahoma State University, it came time to move her grandmother into an assisted-living facility.

“She was just adamant she wasn’t going to go there because she couldn’t take her cat with her,” Stone said.

“That got me thinking about how many other people in that situation miss their pets and miss those close, personal attachments they have with their pets.”

Stone carried that experience with her as she continued her graduate studies.

“As I started doing more of the research, I realized it was really a growing field,” Stone said. “I grew up with animals, but I never really thought about the role they play in our lives ... they were always just there. I really began to realize how important they are in our lives.”

‘They just kept coming’ Stone went on to complete her doctorate of philosophy in experimental psychology from OSU in 2001, then continued her post-graduate research in human-animal interaction and pet-assisted therapy.

Her post-graduate research delved into pet-assisted therapy at a time the field was branching out into new areas, including

Something about animals just opens people up ...

Stone’s students, most of whom plan to pursue some form of counseling career, are anxious to take the lessons from the classroom out into their professional lives.

“This is a new and expanding field, and this is really a chance for us to excel if we choose to ... it just seems so interesting,” said student Mary Trammell.

Lila Pettyjohn hopes to use her new pet-assisted therapy skills to help jail inmates overcome angermanagement and substance abuse issues.

“Something about the animals just opens people up,” Pettyjohn said, “and the animals really bring out the kinder side of the guys I work with.”

Many of Stone’s students hope to use pet-assisted therapy in children’s counseling.

“I want to work with kids, and so many kids don’t know how to relate to an adult or their parents, but they can relate to an animal, and with the animal they can at least tell someone how they feel,” said student Myriah Jackson.

Her classmate, Marrenda Price, agreed.

“When kids see an adult they don’t want to express how they feel,” Price said, “but when they see an animal they just open up.”

Long-term goals for northwest Oklahoma

Puppies, pot-bellied pigs and pygmy goats ...

Stone said the field of pet-assisted therapy has burgeoned in recent years to include a variety of animals in diverse roles.

“We just tend to think of dogs, but really it can be just about any kind of animal,” Stone said.

She said pot-bellied pigs, pygmy goats and rabbits commonly are used and can build special relationships with nursing home residents.

“Those animals are great because a lot of the nursing home residents grew up with animals, and interacting with those animals really brings back a lot of memories and stories from their childhood,” Stone said.

“Birds have been shown to help develop social interaction with the elderly,” Stone said. “If they interact with a pet, even just sitting and watching a bird, they become less depressed and more socially interactive.”

“A lot of times a therapist can’t get a child to open up and express their grief,” Stone said, “but the kids will just sit and hold the dogs, and open up to them and cry. The dogs provide that breakthrough with the children to get through the grief.”

administrators that are interested in this class,” Stone said. “We capped the enrollment in the class at 15, but they just kept coming.”

Twenty students are enrolled, splitting time between class and community practical exercises in pet-assisted therapy.

Pistol, Pete out in the field Stone is assisted in her teaching by her two constant companions, a pair of shih tzus named Pistol and Pete.

The two dogs have been specially trained for therapy roles, and accompany the class on practical field exercises.

One of the class practical trips takes Pistol and Pete to help elementary students with reading disabilities.

“It’s been shown through studies if the kids will sit down and read to a dog their reading skills will go up, and a lot of that has to do with it not being as overwhelming for them to read to an animal,” Stone said.

The dogs also are adept at helping children overcome barriers in grief counseling.

Stone wants more psychology students to be able to experience the benefits of pet-assisted therapy.

“There’s just not very many programs like this in the United States, but people are using animals more and more, and they need to be trained,” Stone said. “You can’t just take your pet dog to the nursing home and do this.” She said it takes about a year to train a dog for a therapy role.

Stone currently is working to expand her single class into a state-recognized certificate program in pet-assisted therapy.

Her long-range goals are even more ambitious.

“My long-term goal is really for northwest Oklahoma to have a dedicated animal-human interaction center located right here at Northwestern,” Stone said. She said the center, which would focus on research and training in human-animal interaction and pet-assisted therapy, would be the only such center in the region.

While the research center remains in its concept phase, Stone’s class on human-animal interaction continues to build skills for future psychologists and counselors. The students will accompany Stone, along with Pistol and Pete, on four more field activities this semester.

For information on this or other Northwestern-Enid classes, go to www.nwosu.edu/enid.

“

... when they see an animal they just open up.”

Marrenda Price, student, NWOSU-Enid

Pistol, a trained shih tzu owned by Sherril Stone, (top) leads the way as students of Stone’s “The Psychology of Human-Animal Interaction” class visit residents at Sterling House. Sterling House resident Jackie Smith (above) holds Pistol. Owen Tharp (left) caresses the ear of Pete, another trained canine of Stone’s. (Staff Photos by BONNIE VCULEK)

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Enid News & Eagle

You are

never

alone

Support groups offer individuals and families education, information and emotional outlet

By Austin Prickett Staff Writer

Being diagnosed with a serious disease can put large amounts of stress on individuals, their families and caregivers. Several area diagnosis-based support groups give relief to those affected.

The groups range from spiritual healing to emotional support and take on all types of cancer and problems such as fibromyalgia.

Together for a common cause

of trying to improve the health of the people and the community.

“Support groups have a lot of benefits, even if you have support from family and friends.”

Luetkemeyer said. “Studies have shown that people in groups show significantly lower depression, fatigue and confusion, and their chances of survival are greater.”

Luetkemeyer said the group members dictate the program. One meeting is set aside for brainstorming.

The groups range in attendance from 10 to 30 a month. She said some groups are larger than others, such as the breast cancer support group.

“Almost everyone would tell you they have made lasting friendships, something another support system might not have offered,” Luetkemeyer said.

Integris Bass Baptist Health Center hosts six support groups.

Anita Luetkemeyer, public relations director at Bass, said the primary goal of most groups is to ensure no one living with a disease or condition has to feel alone.

“Support groups allow those who share a common diagnosis to come together, share ideas, coping tips, Sharing the emotions experiences and, most importantly, Enid Spiritual Based Cancer to exchange emotional support,” Group offers an ecumenical Luetkemeyer said.

Integris Bass offers support approach to bringing healing to groups for Parkinson’s disease, dia- body, mind and spirit for cancer betes, breast cancer, fibromyalgia, patients, survivors and caregivers, according to the cardiac rehabiligroup facilitatation and pultor, the Rev. monary disease.

Don Johnson.

Luetkemeyer The group facilitates the ant ort imp I know how meets at 4 p.m.

Parkinson’s and t por sup a e it is to hav on the third fibromyalgia system.”

Thursday of support groups. every month “I don’t have Anita Luetkemeyer, at Central any personal exsupport group facilitator Christian perience with Church.

Parkinson’s or The group with fibromyalbrings together those affected by gia, but I am a cancer survivor, so I can bring that various types of cancer as they celeexperience to my role as support brate birthdays and discuss joys and group facilitator, and I know how concerns, as well as feature a comimportant it is to have a support sys- munity resource presenter.

The presenter could be a local tem,” Luetkemeyer said.

She said Integris officials believe pharmacist, lawyer, hospice worker, support groups fulfill their mission hospital chaplain or representative

“

Anita Luetkemeyer leads a Parkinson’s disease support group meeting at Northern Oklahoma Development Authority, 2901 N. Van Buren. NODA Area Agency on Aging facilitates caregiver support groups for Parkison’s concerns at 2 p.m. on the first Friday of the month. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)

from American Cancer Society, and he or she covers information relevant to the group.

“The presenters usually speak for 20 minutes and then will have three or four people lined up to talk to them afterward,” Johnson said. “If one person gets helpful information, it’s worth it.”

The group participates in telephone and card ministries between meetings to keep updated with each other’s lives.

Joanne Winterringer, administrative assistant for the group, said the cards always come at the perfect time.

“You might be a bit down, and that day you will get a card in the mail from another group member,” Winterringer said. “It is very uplifting.”

Johnson said during the emotional time of being diagnosed with cancer it is nice to talk with someone other than family who has gone through or is going

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through the same thing.

“Everyone is able to share in each others emotions,” Johnson said.

During a past meeting, an elderly woman came because her daughter, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio, had been diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. Johnson said the woman wasn’t sure how to handle the news. A drug representative who had the same cancer as the woman’s daughter was on hand to speak to the group.

“The elderly woman didn’t come back because she had found hope from the speaker,” Johnson said.

The group varies between 8 and 16 members.

“We are a very close-knit group,” Winterringer said.

Taking care of yourself Support groups also are beneficial to caregivers.

“If you can’t take care of yourself, you can’t adequately take care

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of someone else,” Winterringer said.

Caregiver support groups are offered at 2 p.m. the third Friday of each month at Northern Oklahoma Development Authority and at 6 p.m. the first Thursday at Integris.

The schedule for several support groups can be found in the Datebook section of the Enid News & Eagle’s Sunday edition or under the Lifestyles section at enidnews.com.

Luetkemeyer said physicians and case managers also can point to support groups, as can online searches.

A list of support groups offered

by St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center is available at http://www .stmarysregional.com/Community -Events/Support-Groups.

For information about the Integris Bass groups, call Luetkemeyer at 548-1110.

For information on Enid Spiritual Based Cancer Group, call Johnson at 402-2612.

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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Buzz over Senior Writer

The childhood obesity rate in Oklahoma is presently greater than 30 percent.

That means 3 in every 10 children in the Sooner State have a body mass index at or above the 95th percentile, thus putting them at risk for chronic health problems and even premature death.

In an effort to combat this epidemic, Enid’s Christy Northcutt established the Be Fit Kids program in 2010.

“I started it with the goal of helping children and their families become active, to reinforce self-esteem, setting goals and reaching them,” said Northcutt. “All our events are family type events, with the family there cheering for their kids.”

For health, self-esteem

To get kids up and moving, to promote fitness as well as family time, Be Fit Kids will host its third annual Buzz Run May 12 at the Enid High School track.

The event, for children 12 and younger, will begin at 10 a.m. that day. Children from 2 and younger up through sec-

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Enid News & Eagle

fitness

Annual Be Fit Kids event gets them moving, promotes healthy lifestyles

By Jeff Mullin

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ond grade will run a 50-yard dash, while those in third through fifth grades will run a 100-yard dash.

“It is all based on completion, with a celebration at the end,” Northcutt said. “It is not a timed event.”

The cost is $10 per runner, which includes an event Tshirt. Each participant will wear a runner’s number and bib pinned to their shirts.

Uniformed Enid High cheerleaders will be on hand at the finish line to place Be Fit Kids medals around the necks of participants. There is no admission charge for friends and family members to attend the Buzz Run or the health and fitness festival.

“This is a fantastic event,” said Northcutt. “We attract all ages, from babies to grandparents. They are there to participate and cheer and celebrate at the end.”

The event is designed not only to build children up physically but emotionally as well, Northcutt said.

“It builds up the selfesteem of the kids and shows fitness can be fun and involve the entire family,” she said.

Last year’s run attracted around 300 runners.

“It was a good group,” Northcutt said, “all had smiles on their faces. They all crossed the finish line with people cheering for them. It is a fun event.”

The youngest participants, in the 2-and-under age group, often have their parents running along with them.

“They are the cutest group,” Northcutt said. “They run their hearts out. Fifty yards is a long way, but they make it.”

The Buzz Run is not designed as a competitive event, Northcutt said, but it often stokes the competitive fires in older children who participate.

“I like to see kids who didn’t get a chance to participate in the Little Olympics through their schools,” she said. “This is their chance to run on the exact same track.”

Doesn’t end at finish line The Buzz Run is accompanied by a health and fitness festival in the infield of the track. The festival features more than 20 displays set up

by Enid area organizations that sponsor activities for children 12 and younger.

“They hand out information about their fitness and health programs, any program that will improve the health and fitness of kids in our com-

munity,” Northcutt said.

“That shows healthy activity for kids doesn’t end with the Buzz Run.” Organizations interested in taking part in this year’s health and fitness fair can email Northcutt at christy .northcutt@fitchicksenid.com or by calling her at 484-2904.

Keeping it running Be Fit Kids is a program of Community Development Support Association. This year, Northcutt said, Be Fit Kids also has received a United Way venture grant.

“We are helping to instill a healthy lifestyle and to really try and decrease the rate of obesity of our children here in the state of Oklahoma,” Northcutt said. “In a fun way we try to teach them healthy lifestyles and how they can include their own family into that healthy lifestyle.”

The 2012 Buzz Run will begin at 10 a.m. May 12 at the EHS track.

To pre-register, go to www.GetMeRegistered.com and look up the Enid Buzz Run by the date. Walkup registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. on race day. An adult must be present to sign the waiver for any child wishing to participate, Northcutt said.

Parking will be available on the east side of the EHS track.

A young sprinter crosses the finish line during Be Fit Kids’ Buzz Run at Enid High School’s track. Be Fit Kids group promotes fitness. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)

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Enid News & Eagle

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Enid News & Eagle

Highly visible Health Department leaders are ready to get out in communities they serve

By James Neal Staff Writer

New leadership at Garfield County Health Department is looking to improve public health by building community coalitions and making the department more responsive to public needs.

The move to a more community-responsive health department is being made under the leadership of a new director and nurse manager.

Pat Fowler assumed the top position at Garfield County Health Department last December, when he took over as regional health department director for Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant and Major counties. He was joined by Mary Beth Wrenn, RN, who began work Dec. 5 as district nurse manager for the same four-county region.

Focusing its efforts One of the first tasks for Fowler and Wrenn, along with all other state and county health department administrators, was to build a plan to advance Oklahoma Health Improvement Plan (OHIP).

The Oklahoma Legislature in 2008 required Oklahoma State Department of Health to develop a comprehensive plan of improving the state’s lackluster public health standards.

Today, Oklahoma remains near the bottom of national rankings for public health, coming in at 46th in the nation in the 2010 United Health Foundation report, “America’s Health Rankings.”

and say, ‘You smoke too much, you eat too much,’ and wait for people to come to us for help,” Wrenn said.

“Nobody knows better what the health issues are than the people who live here, and we need to be out there in the community. We really want to find the issues that are important to the community, and find ways to address those issues together.

“We have the knowledge, but we really need the engagement of the community to make any program successful, and we need to know what works here,” Wrenn said. “Something that works in Tulsa may not work here, and we may need to tailor some programs to suit the needs of our community.”

Oklahoma was given a grade of F for deaths due to heart disease, stroke, preventable injuries, prevalence of diabetes, lack of physical activity and obesity.

Oklahoma still has infant mortality rates consistently higher than the national average, the highest rate of deaths due to heart disease, the sixthworst rate for adult obesity and the third-worst rate for adult smoking.

In hopes of improving those trends, and meeting the legislature’s OHIP mandate, the state health department tasked each Targeting county department the issues this year to We want to be part Fowler designate of the solution.” said he and an area on his staff which it Pat Fowler, GCHD regional will conwill focus health department director tinue to its efforts. meet with Fowler area nonand Wrenn said community coalition- profit organizations and building is the first step in solicit public input on the compiling a comprehensive best ways to tackle the key response to public health issues of tobacco-use prevention, obesity reduction needs.

“We’re trying to build and children’s health.

“We’re going to be tarpartnerships with local coalitions and make the Health geting the flagship issues, Department more a part of the and we want to be visible in community,” Fowler said. the community. We want to “We want to make sure every- be part of the solution,” one in the community knows Fowler said. “We want to we’re here, and we’re here to get feedback from the comserve them. We really want to munity to make sure we’re be a key player in building hitting the mark and giving those coalitions, and we hope people the services they people will step forward and need.”

For information on Garlet us know if there are issues where we need to concentrate. field County Health Department services or to give We can’t do it alone.”

“We can’t just sit up here input on needed services, in the Health Department call 233-0650.

“

New leadership at Garfield County Health Department includes Pat Fowler (center), regional director/administrator; Mary Beth Wrenn, RN, MPH, district nurse manager; and Andrea Smith (right), coordinating nurse. (Staff Photo by BONNIE VCULEK)

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Enid News & Eagle

Sunday, February 26, 2012

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outlet

Providing them with an Mental health therapy options abound

By Bridget Nash Staff Writer

One aspect of health that is not overlooked in Enid is mental health.

Reta Osborne, LPC, of End Point Counseling offers services to children, adolescents, individuals and families by means of individual, group and family counseling.

“The benefits (of counseling are) to have someone to talk to, to clarify issues and help make good decisions,” said Osborne, who named End Point to show hope and that closure can happen.

“There is a solution,” Osborne said. “You figure out

the answer and you do reach the end of your problem.”

Choices Institute, offering services for ages 3 to 15, provides day treatment therapy from two hours to an intensive 15 hours each week.

ADHD, autism, Asperger’s syndrome, school-related, family, oppositional and defiance behavioral issues, emotional distress, depression, abuse, abandonment and neglect are some issues tacked through individual, group, family and play therapy.

Choices Institute also offers weekly Love and Logic parenting classes and Sib Shops for children with siblings who have disabilities.

When a child’s issues cannot be resolved with out-patient therapy, Integris Meadowlake offers another option.

“We provide inpatient behavioral health services for children and adolescents ages 5 to 17,” said Chelsea Dunn, access center specialist.

Integris Meadowlake offers treatment, including music and art therapy, for individuals, groups and families.

“One of the things that really makes us unique is we have a music therapist on staff,” Dunn said. “It’s a different way for kids to express themselves. Sometimes it’s easier for them to write a song about their feeling rather than talk about them. We also have anger drumming. Music teaches the kids a different coping skill.”

In much the same way as individuals find it easier expressing themselves through music, Integris Meadowlake’s art therapy provides an outlet.

“Some kids may feel better sitting down and drawing what is going on in their lives,” Dunn said.

Integris Meadowlake also provides schooling for children their inpatient programs.

Integris Meadowlake carefully evaluates each individual situation before placing a child in its in-patient facility.

“The last alternative is for kids to come here,” Dunn said. “We want them to be at home with their families if they can.”

Youth and Family Services of Northwest Oklahoma offers programs for youths and their families.

“We do quite a bit,” said Taylor Randolph, clinical director.

YFS offers an emergency youth shelter, school-based counseling, a sobriety court program, outpatient counseling and Positive Adolescent Social Skills (PASS) classes.

The shelter serves about 300 each year. These are children in DHS custody, foster children, abuse and neglect victims, runaways and those whose parents place them in the shelter. The shelter pro-

vides meals, transportation to school and appointments, counseling, recreation, tutoring and mentoring.

YFS’ school-based program provides counseling in schools and is the only agency allowed in schools. The agency’s sobriety court program — for juveniles and adults — addresses the consequences, legal and personal, of extended drug use. YFS also offers an adolescent substance abuse program for children.

Anger management and parenting classes are among the other programs for children and families.

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Enid News & Eagle

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