Information on the latest news and events at INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center.

For media inquiries or more information about INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center events and news items, please contact Jennifer Hessee, Director of Marketing, at 918.540.7492 or e-mail at Jennifer.Hessee@integris-health.com

New Physician Promotes Osteoporosis Prevention
INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center’s newest family practice physician, Rita Westenhaver, D.O., is committed to the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. 

Osteoporosis is a gradual thinning and weakening of bones, which can lead to bone fractures.  Over 28 million Americans, 80% of whom are women, have or are at risk of developing this condition. 

Since osteoporosis is often referred to as a “silent disease” many are less likely to find out until they suffer a painful fracture, so Dr. Westenhaver is committed to detecting the early stages of osteoporosis with the newest technology in bone density tests. 

Certified in Family Practice by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians, Dr. Westenhaver’s practice includes a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry machine (DEXA). 

A safe and easy bone density test that can assess one’s risk of osteoporosis, The DEXA scan takes measurements at the spine, hip, and wrist.

During the test, the patient lies on an exam table and the DEXA machine passes over the body to take measurements of bone density by sending a thin, invisible beam of low-dose x-rays through the bones. The amount of radiation is very small, less than 1/10 the dose of a standard chest x-ray.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends women have a bone density test if they are over 65 years old, postmenopausal, or on hormone therapy.  A few other factors associated with an increased risk are low body weight, smoking, and excessive use of alcohol.

Dr. Westenhaver is now accepting new patients.  Her office is located just south of the hospital at 203 Second Ave SW.  To schedule and appointment, please call 540-7300.

Dr. Pletcher Named Chief of Staff
Dr. James R. Pletcher has been elected chief of the medical staff at INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center.  Dr. Pletcher is a psychiatrist and the medical director of the hospital’s Generations Unit.

As chief of the medical staff, Dr. Pletcher will also serve on the hospital’s Governing Board.

Dr. Pletcher, who was vice chief of staff, was elected by the medical staff to succeed Dr. Brad Stephens, Internal Medicine, who completed his two-year term on January 14.

Dr. Pletcher has the experience and dedication to ensure a close working relationship between our physicians,” says Joel Hart, president.  “I am confident Dr. Pletcher will provide extraordinary leadership that will benefit patient care.”

Dr. Pletcher joined the INTEGRIS Baptist Regional medical staff in 2002.  He earned his doctoral degree from Oklahoma State University, College Of Osteopathic Medicine.  He completed his psychiatric residency at Michigan Hospital and Medical Center.

Board Certified in Family Practice and Psychiatry, Pletcher has served in areas of treatment such as chemical dependency and treatment of the chronically mentally ill.

In other election results, Dr. Matt Osborn, anesthesiologist, was named the new vice chief of staff, and Dr. Chauncey Witcraft, ophthalmology specialist, will serve as secretary.

New Family Practice Physician Joins Hospital
INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center is pleased to announce a new family practice physician has joined the medical staff.  Rita Westenhaver, D.O., began seeing patients in November.

From routine check-ups to diagnosis and treatment of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, Dr. Westenhaver is trained to provide medical care to patients of all ages.

 “Dr. Westenhaver has made a great addition to our medical staff and to this community,” says Joel Hart, president of INTEGRIS Baptist Regional.  “She joins our hospital after building a very successful practice in Guymon, Oklahoma, so she has first hand experience with providing health care in a rural setting such as ours.”

 A native of Clinton, Oklahoma, Dr. Westenhaver received her medical degree from Oklahoma College of Osteopathic and Medicine and Surgery.  She completed an internship at Enid Memorial Hospital. 

Certified in Family Practice by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians, Dr. Westenhaver is a member of the American College of Family Practitioners, the American Osteopathic Association, and the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association.

 Dr. Westenhaver joins the ranks of highly qualified family practice physicians on staff at Miami including Micheal Durham, D.O., Steve Grigsby, D.O., Duane Koehler, D.O., and J. Mark Osborn, M.D.

Dr. Westenhaver is now accepting new patients of all ages.  Her office is located just south of the hospital at 203 B SW.  Formerly the hospital’s Diabetes Center, Dr. Wastenhaver’s office has been completely renovated to provide patients with comfort and privacy.

For more information on Dr. Westenhaver or to schedule an appointment, please call 540-7300.

Pediatrician Joins Medical Staff
INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center is pleased to announce Alan Carnahan, M.D., has joined the medical staff. Specializing in pediatric care, Carnahan is meeting the medical needs of northeast Oklahoma’s youngest patients.

An Arkansas native, Carnahan earned his medical degree from the University Arkansas for Medical Science in Little Rock, Ark. He completed his residency training at Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.

Specializing in care for children from new-born through early adulthood, Carnahan has the experience and expertise to treat patients from needing routine check-ups to ailments specific to young and growing bodies. He is trained to recognize common threads among childhood diseases and encourage parents to provide healthy lifestyles for their children.

“We are very pleased that Dr. Carnahan has joined the medical staff of INTEGRIS Baptist Regional and the opportunity he brings to enhance pediatric care to patients in the area,” says Joel Hart, President of INTEGRIS Baptist Regional.

Carnahan has served as a pediatrician at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, and a pediatrician and medical director of Safe Harbor Pediatrics in Warrenton, Ore. He has also volunteered for medical mission teams working in remote areas of Nigeria, Cambodia and Costa Rica.

Carnahan and his wife, Tami, have 3 young sons, and enjoy hiking, camping and travel.

Carnahan is now accepting new patients. His office is located at the Doctors’ Office Center, 310 Second Avenue Southwest in Miami. To schedule an appointment, please call 918-540-7753.

Family Practice Physicain Slated to Join Hospital Summer 2007

INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center is pleased to announce a new family practice physician will join the medical staff this summer.

Micheal Durham, D.O., will begin seeing patients on July 12. From routine check-ups to diagnosis and treatment of chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes, Durham is trained to provide medical care to patients of all ages.

A native of southwest Missouri, Durham received his medical degree from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. He completed an internship and residency at the OSU Medical Center of Southwestern Oklahoma in Durant.

“Dr. Durham will make a great addition to our medical staff and to this community,” says Joel Hart, president of INTEGRIS Baptist Regional. “He is very well respected by physicians and employees alike.”

Durham is no stranger to INTEGRIS Baptist Regional. Before embarking in medical school, he worked several years as an emergency medical technician (EMT) for the hospital’s ambulance department.

“Dr. Durham is very familiar with our hospital,” says Hart. “As part of his medical training, he has worked several rotations in our emergency department, so many patients have already had first hand experience with his caliber of care.”

As part of the hospital’s commitment to recruit physicians, INTEGRIS Baptist Regional was the sponsoring facility in the Physician Manpower Training Commission’s Family Practice Resident Rural Scholarship Program.

The scholarship program provided a stipend for Durham’s residency training in exchange for a practice agreement.

“INTEGRIS Baptist Regional is dedicated to recruiting new physicians and expanding the scope of care provided in northeast Oklahoma,” adds Hart. “Recruiting physicians to rural areas, such as ours, is challenging. Offering educational and financial assistance to help new physicians establish a medical practice is just one way we are working to bring more physicians to this area.”

Durham joins the ranks of highly qualified family practice physicians on staff at Miami including Lewis Bamberl, D.O., Steve Grigsby, D.O., Duane Koehler, D.O., and J. Mark Osborn, M.D.

Stephens Elected Chief Of Staff at INTEGRIS Baptist Regional

Dr. Bradford Stephens, internal medicine physician, has been elected chief of the medical staff at INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center and has joined the hospital’s Governing Board.

Stephens, who was vice chief of staff, was elected by the medical staff to succeed Dr. Duane Koehler, family practice physician, who completed a two-year term on January 16.

As chief of staff, Stephens will preside at all meetings of the medical staff and serve as chairman of the Medical Executive Committee.

“Dr. Stephens has the experience and dedication to ensure a close working relationship between the board, medical staff and hospital employees,” says Joel Hart, administrator. “I am confident Dr. Stephens will provide extraordinary leadership that will benefit patient care.”

Stephens joined the INTEGRIS Baptist Regional medical staff in 2001. He earned his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, and completed his residency at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. Stephens is Board Certified in Internal Medicine.
In other election results, Dr. James Pletcher, psychiatrist and medical director of INTEGRIS Generations and Horizons Behavioral Health Clinic, was named vice chief of staff and Dr. Chauncey Witcraft, ophthalmology specialist, secretary.

Women’s Center introduces new security measure

The new Women’s Center at INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center will implement a security measure beginning Thursday, January 12. The Women’s Center will be designated a “secured floor” – equipped with a device that will monitor access to the entrances of the center.

“Visitors will use a phone outside the entrance of the Women’s Center to alert the staff and provide the patient’s full name and room number to be allowed entry,” says Melanie Carr, RN, Clinical Manager of Obstetrical Services at INTEGRIS Baptist Regional.

Hospital officials say this is a proactive step in providing a safe environment for patients during their stay at the Women’s Center. The new security measures exemplify the hospital’s continuing efforts to improve the safety of patients and employees.

“We want to exercise due diligence in providing the most secure unit for our women and children during their hospital stay,” adds Carr. “This new measure creates a safe environment and gives families peace of mind.”

The Women’s Center staff has also been trained to share recommendations from various agencies. For instance, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children advises limiting access to personal information by avoiding birth announcements in local newspapers.

“As advocates for patient rights, our responsibility is to educate our parents of these risks and respect their right to make their own decisions,” says Carr.

Jewelry sale to benefit INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Auxiliary

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center Auxiliary will host a “ $5 Jewelry Sale”. The sale will be held in the hospital’s main lobby on Tuesday. February 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, February 8, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The sale features watches, rings, bracelets, earrings, charms, pendants, scarves, purses, belts and other more with all items priced for just $5.

“This is a new sale for us and we are very excited about the beautiful jewelry available for such an affordable price,” says Alice Hunt, Director of Auxiliary. “Items are available for men, women and children, so shoppers can pick up the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or other special occasion.”

The sale is open to the public, and proceeds from the event benefit the Auxiliary’s service projects. Cash, checks, MasterCard and Visa accepted. For more information, please contact the hospital’s Auxiliary Office at 540-7187.

Diabetes Center Offers Free Screening and Support Group

As a community service, the INTEGRIS Diabetes Center of Miami will offer a free blood sugar and blood pressure health screening, as well as a diabetic support group on Thursday, January 26.

The free health screening will be offered from Noon to 2 p.m. The screening will be held at the Diabetes Center, located at 203 2nd Avenue Southwest.

The diabetic support group will meet at 4:30 p.m. in the Diabetes Center Conference Room. The guest presenter, Joshua Riojas, AARP Spokesperson, will speak on new tax laws that could save you money.

The free screenings and support group will continue to be held the fourth Thursday of every month.

According to Channa Morton, diabetic educator and registered dietician, fasting for the screening is not required. “Actually testing later in the day is an important tool for assessing a patient’s blood sugar after having food,” adds Morton.

Those who have a family history of diabetes or other identifiable risk factors, as well as patients who have been recently diagnosed with diabetes or those who are having difficulties managing the disease are encouraged to take part in the free screening and support group.

Individuals needing diabetic supplies can find a complete line at INTEGRIS Regency Home Medical Equipment located at 102 South Main Street in Miami. The knowledgeable and courteous staff is trained to assist patients and answer questions.

For more information, please stop by the INTEGRIS Diabetes Center of Miami or call 540-7480.

Hospital Offers E-Cards Service For Patients

Want to send a quick card to a patient hospitalized at INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center? Now it's just a click away. INTEGRIS Baptist Regional is offering an E-card service for family members and friends who want to send well-wishes to a patient.

“E-cards are an excellent way to cheer up a patient in the hospital,” says Terry Whiteley, Director of Information Technology. “Sending a card via e-mail is an alternative for family members and friends that are unable to come to the hospital in person to express their care and concern.”

The process is fast and easy. Simply go to www.integrisOK.com, and click on the “INTEGRIS Locations” link, then on “Miami”.

According to Whiteley, following these steps will take you to the INTEGRIS Baptist Regional homepage containing a link to send an E-card.

“Senders can choose one of eighteen different card designs-even cards that congratulate new mothers,” adds Whiteley. “Each card can be customized with a personal message from the sender to the patient.”

Information required to send an E-card includes, the patient’s name and room number, as well as the sender’s name, preferred signature of sender, and a brief personal message.

The greetings will be printed out in the Information Technology Department and delivered by hand, courtesy of the INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Auxiliary, to the patient. E-cards must be received by 2 p.m. for same day delivery. Greetings received during the weekends will be delivered on the following Monday, and delivery may be delayed during the holidays.

For more information on sending an E-card log on to INTEGRIS Health’s home page at www.integrisOK.com or call Terry Whiteley at 540-7678.