INTEGRIS Health

For Jessica B., RN, witnessing the growth of new caregivers is the best part of being a leader. As a manager of nursing at INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center, she has the opportunity to meet, train and cultivate new graduates or nurse technicians as they step into their nursing career for the first time. Usually, they are scared or overwhelmed, but once they get comfortable, she loves seeing them handle intense cases or situations "like a boss." ?? Want to join Jessica's team and see how far your nursing career can grow? Visit our website! https://bit.ly/4iV6mfR

Steve and Rachel Pankratz of Arcadia always knew they wanted a large family, they just never specified how big! “We both came from families of three kids and liked growing up with siblings, so we always talked about having three to five kids,” Rachel explains. But recently, the Pankratz celebrated the birth of their seventh child at INTEGRIS Health Edmond Hospital. And not only do they now have seven children, but they were all delivered at the same hospital. The first Pankratz baby was born in 2014, the seventh, Peter, was born just last month. In all, there are five boys and two girls. They range in age from ten years to one month. Their fourth child, Matthias, was the first baby born in the hospital’s new labor floor in 2020. The Pankratz don’t plan on having any more children but if they do, they say they will continue to choose INTEGRIS Health Edmond Hospital each and every time. To learn more about their story and how they chose INTEGRIS Health Edmond Hospital, visit our website. https://bit.ly/4kBHWd6

Recently, a group of INTEGRIS Health caregivers stepped up to take on the American Lung Association's Fight for Air Climb in Oklahoma City. ?? Together, they climbed 68 floors to raise awareness for those battling lung disease. With each step, they helped support clean air and better lung health. Want to support the cause? Visit the link below! https://bit.ly/4bBx6Qn

Shannon King is 56 years old. He had been active and seemingly healthy his entire life, so when some of his physical abilities first started to wane he thought it was just part of getting older. But as his stamina and strength continued to diminish, he knew he was dealing with more than just normal aging. Eventually, Shannon was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, a condition that attacked Shannon's liver. “When people don’t have enough of it, it makes them more susceptible to toxins in the environment including dust, chemicals, secondhand smoke. Shannon unfortunately had a very aggressive form of the disease," according to J. Chad Johnson, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at the INTEGRIS Health Heart Hospital. It became evident very quickly that Shannon would need a lung transplant in order to survive. Mark Rolfe, M.D., a lung transplant pulmonologist and critical care physician at INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, said Shannon was a perfect candidate for the transplant. On Aug. 25, 2024, he got his new lungs. Recently, Shannon returned to the hospital to thank the men and women who cared for him. “The care team all through this thing has been just phenomenal. They are amazing people, every single one of them. They saved my life. They’ve given me my life back.” To learn more about Shannon's journey or our lung transplant team, visit our website. https://bit.ly/3ReLMva

Struggling to stay cool at night? You're not alone! Many people turn to cooling bed sheets for a better night's sleep, but do they actually work? We break down the science behind these sheets and whether they're worth the hype in our latest blog!

As a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, Robin Mikel, D.O., strives to provide compassionate care and support for women at every stage of their lives. “The great thing about my job is that I can see women through every stage of their life. Some of my favorite patients are the very young girls who feel nervous about coming into the office for the first time. It is my job to make them feel comfortable, let them know that they are in a place where they are respected and show them that they are empowered to make their own decisions." Dr. Mikel in accepting new patients. To learn more, visit our website or call 405-713-4400. https://lnkd.in/gaKFXcQP

During Social Worker Appreciation Month, INTEGRIS Health is honored to spotlight all the incredible social workers who constantly make a difference in our patients' lives. Pictured are some of our amazing social workers at INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center and INTEGRIS Health Mental Health in Spencer. Whether they're helping patients acquire or acclimate to life-saving transplants or delivering life-changing mental health support, our social workers are vital to the health and happiness of our patients. ?? We are grateful for all their hard work, compassion and dedication as they partner with our patients to live healthier lives. Thank you for making a difference each and every day!

Today, INTEGRIS Health proudly celebrates World Kidney Day with our amazing kidney transplant team at INTEGRIS Health Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute! ?? Since 1987, our team has been leading the way by providing over 2,471 kidney transplants to our patients. In 2024 alone, the Kidney Division completed 122 cases, breaking the record again for the number of kidney transplants in one year. We are incredibly proud of our team of providers who continue to impact the lives of Oklahomans, giving them a second chance at life. We hope you join us in celebrating them today!

340B is an important program that enables safety net providers such as hospitals and federally qualified health centers to access certain outpatient medications at discounted prices. The program requires no taxpayer support, and health care providers then use the savings from this program to fund vital programs in their community. There are currently over 300 340B entities in Oklahoma. Many critical access hospitals enrolled in the federal 340B program report being forced to cut programs due to intense pharmaceutical manufacturer restrictions. To combat these restrictions, the Oklahoma Hospital Association recently introduced House Bill 2048 and Senate Bill 1030 to protect the 340B program. We support the Oklahoma Hospital Association in advocating for these important bills to protect 340B. To also express your advocacy, the Oklahoma Hospital Association urges supporters to contact their local legislators by visiting the link below. https://lnkd.in/gkrxe2ky

Being a new parent is overwhelming, but your baby’s sleep safety matters. Always follow these tips: ?? Lay your baby on their back to snooze for every sleep. ?? Use a firm mattress with no loose bedding. Use a tight-fitted sheet and remove all objects from the sleep space, like toys, stuffed animals, blankets, bottles, diapers as well as wipes. ?? Room share, don’t bed share. INTEGRIS Health is here to support you—learn more today by visiting our website. https://lnkd.in/gDGCp2cA