Blog

Meet Hillcrest Medical Center’s New CEO, Xavier Villarreal

From Volunteer to CEO

Xavier Villarreal’s interest in health care began during a summer break in college when he had the opportunity to volunteer at a hospital. There, he was allowed to see every department that contributes to patient care.

That’s when Villarreal “fell in love” with working in a hospital, leading him to pursue a degree in health care administration before eventually becoming chief executive officer of Hillcrest Medical Center in April 2019.

His ties with Hillcrest Medical Center began long before being named CEO.

While attending Trinity... Read More »

The Highest Commitment to Stroke Care at Hillcrest

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood clot or ruptured vessel reduce the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. Without appropriate nutrients and oxygen, brain cells begin to die, which can cause death or disability.

Dr. Andre Fredieu, medical director of the Oklahoma Stroke & Neurological Institute at Hillcrest, said that stroke has always been a fascination of his.

“Being of African American descent, I have numerous family members that have a myriad of different medical... Read More »

A Decades-Long Passion for Occupational Therapy

Every April, the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. highlights Occupational Therapy month to recognize an important profession that helps people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do. 

Curtis Marti has been an occupational therapist for 23 years, 17 of those spent at Hillcrest Medical Center. He still lights up at the chance to talk about his work and his patients.

“I love the variety of different patients we get to work with here,” Marti said. “I may have a 22-year-old mother of three that has a stroke or a traumatic brain injury... Read More »

How Diabetes Care Has Changed Over the Last Decade

Ten years ago, Cassie Stanzak stepped into the Center for Diabetes Management at Hillcrest Medical Center as a part-time registered dietitian. Stanzak shares that she grew up there, when thinking about her journey through educating in the diabetes center. She later became a certified diabetes educator then a full-time dietitian.

“I knew that I always wanted to educate patients in nutrition, and as everyone knows, diabetes is an epidemic – especially here in Oklahoma,” Stanzak said.

Three years ago, Stanzak became the supervisor of the Center for Diabetes Management. In 10... Read More »

When to See Your Doctor about Insomnia

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, about 30% of adults have symptoms of insomnia, and about 10% of adults have insomnia that is severe enough to cause daytime consequences. We spoke with Dr. Osman, neurologist and medical director of neurodiagnostics at Hillcrest Medical Center to learn more about insomnia.

Dr. Osman shares that it’s important to highlight the importance of sleep because “Sleep is part of survival. You need sleep to be alive and functioning. Not sleeping well or not getting enough sleep can cause your immune system to deteriorate, which can in turn... Read More »

Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries in Northeast Oklahoma

The Kaiser Rehabilitation Center at Hillcrest Medical Center has served northeast Oklahoma for more than 40 years. The highly specialized occupational, physical and speech therapy staff at the Kaiser Rehabilitation Center understand the needs of patients with neurological conditions and provide individualized treatment plans and one-on-one therapy to help patients regain mobility and independence.

Dr. Perri Craven, medical director of Kaiser Rehabilitation Center, shares some insight into the neurological rehabilitation program at Kaiser, rehabilitation for patients with traumatic... Read More »

Eat Your Way to Heart Health

It’s no secret that diet is a big part of maintaining a healthy heart. Today, we are surrounded by many food choices, including fast foods and processed foods. If you want to improve your heart health, re-examine your diet and think about how the foods you eat contribute to preventing heart disease. Healthy eating starts with 5-10 minutes of planning each week and we’ve put together a few diet tips to help you on your journey.

1.       Set a Goal and Make it Attainable

The first step to improving your heart health through your diet is setting goals... Read More »

The Benefits of Cardiac Rehab

Cardiac rehab is a major component in the lives of individuals who have experienced a cardiac event such as a heart attack, bypass surgery, or heart transplant. Through personalized sessions, individuals are taught how to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle and are given tools to keep it going for the long-term.

Patients with qualifying diagnoses enter the program through physician referrals. The cardiac rehab team at Hillcrest Medical Center, which consists of nurses, exercise physiologists, and a dietitian, uses a team approach, to help the patient improve their cardiac and overall... Read More »