McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

May 7, 2009

MRHC seeking doctors

staff writer

At the McAlester Regional Health Center Authority meeting on Wednesday, the top priority was finding new doctors.

The board is looking to add two additional OB/GYN’s to the staff at MHRC, as two doctors are moving from the area and are not accepting new clients. The board hopes to begin recruitment efforts soon.

Another concern for the board is the fact that emergency room visits, as well as hospital admittance numbers, are down.

Hospital visits across the country are down by about 5 percent; however, the decrease at MHRC seems to be slightly higher than the national average, according to MRHC CEO Shaun Beggs.

Competition could be a factor, Beggs said. He thinks some patients are visiting the McAlester Urgent Care Clinic. McAlester Urgent Care provides affordable, faster care for non-emergency medical needs. The clinic is staffed by physician assistants and nurse practitioners who treat common illnesses or injuries. The clinic is at 727 E. Wyandotte Ave.

Cost could be another factor.

More people are forgoing a visit to the emergency room because they can’t afford it. Also, it seems fewer doctors are admitting patients for hospital stays, officials said.

Dr. Leroy Milton, M.D., an internal medicine physician with the McAlester Warren Clinic, believes the reasons behind the sharp decrease are cause for alarm and need more investigation.

However, according to Beggs, Dr. Chad Crawley and Dr. Patrick Gannon have seen the number of patients visiting their offices tick upward.

In other action, the board approved the monthly financial report. They also approved a measure that would transfer retirement funds from an ING bank plan to other accounts. Employees will have the option to withdraw their money, with penalties, or to reinvest their money with Valic or another tax-deferred plan.

The board gave the OK to a plan that could help prevent identity theft. MHRC plans to buy software and provide more staff training to help prevent identity theft.

The board also passed a resolution allowing financing for renovation of the old Choctaw Nation Health Clinic on Monroe with financing through BancFirst. MHRC officials say the additional space will provide office space for new physicians and health care staff in the future.

A measure for the approval of the annual safety and emergency plan was tabled until the June meeting.

Contact Marketta Johnson at mjohnson@mcalesternews.com.

Text Only
Local News
Seasonal Content
Poll

It's awards season? Which 85th Academy Award nominated movie for Best Picture is your fave?

"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"The Help"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"Moneyball"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"
     View Results
AP Video
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore. Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East 2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3% Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths 'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
NDN Video
Romney Takes Strong Lead in Nevada GOP Victory Nevada voters cast vote in state caucus Celebs Suit Up for DirecTV Beach Bowl Super Bowl's impact on Indy Social media do the trick for Planned Parenthood Huge snowstorm hits Colorado SB XLVI: Adam Sandler Bronx Zoo Selling Valentine's Day Roaches Adam Levine: Shame on Randy Jackson Tim Tebow Addresses His Fans and Faith Gossip Girl's Steamy Spread AG Holder defends actions in heated hearing 'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant First Look: Kim Kardashian on 'Last Man Standing' Panetta said to expect Israel attack on Iran in spring Madonna channels Victor Cruz Christina Hendricks Stuns in Sexy Dress Raw Video: Snow Causes 20-Car Pileup in Italy Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest College Football Prospect Chooses Team Based on Chick-Fil-A
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.