Blog

Oklahoma Man Receives Exceptional Care at Hillcrest

It was over five years ago when Bob Wall experienced his first stroke. He and his wife, Lisa, were shopping in San Diego when she noticed he was mumbling and his face was drooping.

“He could barely lift his left arm,” Lisa said.

She was confident he was having a stroke. After a store employee quickly called an ambulance, Bob was rushed to the hospital, and just 24 hours later, he was discharged. With no history of stroke or heart problems, Bob and Lisa left with no answer as to what had caused the stroke.

Only two days later, Bob suffered a second stroke and was once... Read More »

Man Sings Praises About Care Provided at Hillcrest

Mike Compton was enjoying a mid-morning walk with his dogs when all of a sudden, he began struggling to breathe. He wasn’t experiencing chest pain or other symptoms of a heart attack, so he let the feeling pass, finishing his walk and returning home. While walking his dogs again that afternoon, he began to feel the same shortness of breath he felt that morning. Later, his physician examined him and after completing an EKG, Compton was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. After being admitted to Oklahoma Heart Institute, Alan Kaneshige, M.D., located a large clot in his left ventricle. The... Read More »

Focused on Zero

In order to achieve the highest level of quality and patient safety, Hillcrest Medical Center remains focused on pursuing the latest best practices and most advanced technologies in the health care industry. Hillcrest Medical Center’s Patient Safety Officer, Debra Allen, remains actively engaged in researching and implementing quality improvement initiatives focused on measuring and improving patient outcomes.

“It’s important to stay focused on the next level of excellence,” said Allen. “As health care environments continue to evolve, quality and patient safety remain our top... Read More »

Prepare for the Unexpected

Emergencies can happen at any time. Follow these tips on how to be prepared for the unexpected.  

Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon dioxide detector twice a year. A convenient time to remember is each spring and fall during time changes. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a working smoke alarm reduces the risk of death in a house fire by 50 percent (Can we make this an infographic?). Be aware of natural disasters that are common to your area and plan accordingly before a disaster strikes. Assemble an emergency kit for both your home and car. The... Read More »

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 »