ENID, Oklahoma. — Integris Bass Baptist Well being Middle, as a part of the general Integris Well being system, is dedicated to offering inexpensive well being care in rural Oklahoma and serving to its residents stay more healthy lives, stated Keaton Francis, the hospital's CEO.
Francis, who started his tenure at Integris Bass in January 2023, stated one of many hospital's predominant targets is to recruit main care physicians to work in underserved areas in northwest Oklahoma.
“One of many greatest challenges in healthcare (and it's one thing that's even been mentioned at some civic conferences over the past couple of months) is getting a number of the recruiting efforts and getting docs and suppliers into rural markets,” Francis stated. “Enid is taken into account a kind of rural markets, so we're all the time actively recruiting physicians and making an attempt to determine the place we now have alternatives.”
keep and develop
Francis stated one main care physician for the system began in August 2023 and one other will open his observe this summer time. He stated one other scarcity that can develop into a hiring focus is for pulmonologists (respiratory techniques specialists) in northwest Oklahoma.
“We understand that main care is a chance throughout the nation, but it surely's actually wanted, and offering that service to our neighborhood is essential,” Francis stated. “After which we’re additionally very excited to announce that we now have employed a pulmonologist who will begin with us this summer time, or possibly in early fall as nicely. … There's a handful in northwest Oklahoma, I don't assume there's one actively working towards in Woodward or Ponca Metropolis, however now we now have one other one which we're going so as to add to the employees… not only for Enid however for northwest Oklahoma as nicely. additionally.”
Francis stated with the Integris system dedicated to figuring out and assembly wants in northwest Oklahoma, the hospital system has invested in rural hospitals and clinics. A brand new clinic opened in Hennessey in February and Integris acquired hospitals in Woodward and Ponca Metropolis, the place they are going to stay within the palms of a hospital system dedicated to Oklahoma. Francis stated Integris is all the time taking a look at what is required and making the most of alternatives to satisfy these wants.
“I believe it's type of a testomony to Integris Well being and our mission to assist folks stay more healthy lives,” Francis stated. “I actually assume we're making an attempt to take that method, not simply within the city areas of Oklahoma however within the rural markets as nicely. So I'm very excited to be the CEO of the hospital right here in Enid, and I'm very excited to see us transfer into some rural markets to proceed serving Oklahomans. And that can undoubtedly assist Enid have a few of these hospitals in our yard, so to talk, so we will work collectively on numerous elements.”
Submit-pandemic advances
Francis stated the general higher surroundings for affected person care has improved just a few years into the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. These years have been troublesome, she stated, and it has been good to see the “influence that that had on our caregivers, our docs and our neighborhood” have eased. He stated there are nonetheless COVID sufferers being cared for at Integris, however due to a greater understanding of easy methods to deal with it, there’s much less uncertainty about it.
One of many tendencies that rose to prominence through the pandemic was telehealth, which has now develop into a extra accepted method to assist sufferers. Though in-person medical care will all the time be essential, there are conditions the place telehealth has develop into a bonus, reminiscent of when Integris began a telenephrology program. He stated a gaggle of nephrologists (medical personnel who concentrate on kidney well being) in Oklahoma Metropolis can discuss to sufferers in Enid by way of telehealth, which Francis stated lately might have resulted in sufferers Sufferers will journey to Oklahoma Metropolis for therapy.
Future in drugs
Over the following few years, Francis stated, the main focus of Bass and your complete Integris system is to proceed putting medical officers in needy areas, in addition to offering high quality, inexpensive well being care to Oklahomans.
“Integris Well being is deeply dedicated to caring for Oklahomans and rising our community. I believe that's very evident once we select to maneuver to markets like Ponca Metropolis and Woodward,” Francis stated. “These have been organizations (operated by) that selected to depart Oklahoma, and I’m very proud that Integris was prepared to enter these markets to maintain well being care right here in Oklahoma.
“I really envision Integris Well being fulfilling our mission of serving to folks stay more healthy lives. “With that we will present entry to well being care, which is how I think about we are going to go to Woodward and Ponca Metropolis,” she stated. “One other essential facet is offering secure, high quality, inexpensive healthcare, and I believe that will likely be our focus and our key for the following few years… ensuring that we offer secure, high quality healthcare to the inhabitants. Oklahomans we serve.”