Blog

Michele Presley on her stay at Hillcrest: “I was about dead. They literally saved my life.”

Jeffrey Dixon, M.D., has been an eyewitness to a wide array of remarkable patient outcomes as the medical director of the Hillcrest Medical Center emergency room. But Michele Presley’s case will always stand out in Dixon’s mind like it happened yesterday, even seven months after he met the Tahlequah resident.

“I’ve run across a lot of patients,” Dixon said. “But you don’t forget cases like hers.”

On the morning of Sept. 18, 2020, just before 8 a.m., Presley arrived at Hillcrest. She had a... Read More »

Doctors' Day profile: Adam Betz, M.D., talks challenges of pandemic

(March 30 is National Doctors’ Day. Hillcrest Medical Center would like to thank all of our physicians for the dedication and passion they show for their patients. In honor of National Doctors’ Day, we would like to spotlight director of pulmonary ECMO Adam Betz, M.D.)

The past year has been challenging to many in the health care industry. For Adam Betz, M.D., dealing with the first 12 months of a global pandemic has been particularly difficult.

Betz, director of pulmonary ECMO (extracorporeal... Read More »

Tips for stocking a heart healthy kitchen

March is National Nutrition Month and to commemorate the occasion, Hillcrest Medical Center and Oklahoma Heart Institute dietitian Andrea Shotton will share her expertise on the topic of nutrition in a pandemic through a series of weekly blogs. In this edition, Shotton discusses how to stock a heart healthy kitchen.

The flexitarian lifestyle and a Mediterranean diet both aid heart health by adding plant-based foods and lowering saturated fats. Meal planning and healthy eating becomes easier when those heart-healthy foods are... Read More »

How to organize a kitchen pantry to promote nutritious, budget-friendly meals

March is National Nutrition Month and to commemorate the occasion, Hillcrest Medical Center and Oklahoma Heart Institute dietitian Andrea Shotton will share her expertise on the topic of nutrition in a pandemic through a series of weekly blogs. In this edition, Shotton discusses how to organize the pantry at home and other tips that promote nutritious, budget-friendly meals.

Marketing at the grocery store seems like it is designed to encourage overspending. Again, remember planning and meal prepping helps to stay on budget. Also... Read More »

Dietitian Andrea Shotton shares tips on how to build a grocery list full of nutritious, budget-friendly meals

March is National Nutrition Month and to commemorate the occasion, Hillcrest Medical Center and Oklahoma Heart Institute dietitian Andrea Shotton will share her expertise on the topic of nutrition in a pandemic through a series of weekly blogs. In this edition, Shotton discusses how to organize a grocery list that focuses on nutritious, budget-friendly meals.

Below is a list of versatile and budget-friendly nutritious food choices to find at the grocery store:

Canned tomatoes – Contain very good sources of vitamin A, vitamin... Read More »

Is it possible to eat nutritious, budget-friendly meals during quarantine?

(March is National Nutrition Month and to commemorate the occasion, Hillcrest Medical Center and Oklahoma Heart Institute dietitian Andrea Shotton will share her expertise on the topic of nutrition in a pandemic through a series of weekly blogs. In the first edition, Shotton discusses if it is possible to eat nutritious meals that are also budget friendly.)

Going into quarantine has become all too common during the pandemic.

From this isolation, food insecurity and mental health issues have... Read More »

Debunking COVID-19 vaccine myths

A tidal wave of information has circulated social media for the last few months regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.

But what parcels of information can be trusted?

Hillcrest HealthCare System Chief Medical Officer Guy Sneed, M.D., and Utica Park Clinic Chief Medical Officer Jeffrey Galles, D.O., addressed 10 common concerns surrounding the vaccine.

Here are their answers to those concerns:

Concern: The vaccines are unsafe because... Read More »

Patient Finds Hope After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

A practicing attorney and mother of four adult children, Bobbie Chandler has a passion for her career. She is fortunate to have candid relationships with her co-workers at the law firm as they were the first to notice – and mention to her – when she became short of breath. Additionally, her right breast had become red and inflamed. Despite her extensive family history of various cancers, Chandler had not gotten a mammogram in two to three years.

Her gynecologist examined her breast and became concerned. “My doctor had seen... Read More »