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Three cardiac rehabilitation patients at Hillcrest South have formed a lasting friendship while recovering from heart operations. The men are considered the unofficial “welcome party” at the rehab clinic.

81-year-old Buster McCurtain, a retired educator from California, had a triple bypass at Hillcrest South and started coming to the rehab clinic in January of 2018. 

Randal “Randy” Swain, 63, is a computer engineer originally from New York. He started cardiac rehab after a triple bypass at Oklahoma Heart Institute in 2018.

Hillcrest South's medical laboratory recently received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) after a rigorous on-site inspection. During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory's records and quality control procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record and overall management.

Amy Rea is being called a walking miracle. After an hour in cardiac arrest, her pulse returned thanks to a tireless, determined and dedicated team of professionals at Hillcrest Hospital South performing non-stop CPR. 

Hillcrest South has constructed a new CT suite around the patient experience. The suite includes a new CT machine, which uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) technology to scan patients more accurately and quickly. The result for the patients is a more accurate image and a faster scan experience at South. There are also ultrasound machines in the suite, and a much larger area around the machines, which allows for more space and privacy for patients.

The acute care therapy team at Hillcrest Hospital South team incorporates a myriad of ways to care for patients. But according to Sarah Dyer, physical therapist assistant, the goal remains the same when it comes to the rehabilitation process.

Sepsis is a super infection that overpowers the entire body and can lead to damage of the body’s organs, amputations and death. Kathy Armentor, regional director of quality and safety for Hillcrest, said early recognition and detection is key and, when it comes to sepsis, it’s important to remember the acronym T.I.M.E. Warning signs include:

Temperature - Higher or lower than normal. This may be accompanied with shivering 

Eric Fowler faced many obstacles after an accident had left him unable to walk under his own power for the past decade.

Among those challenges were multiple pressure wounds he experienced, including a stage 4 wound to his left trochanter, near where the femur connects with the hip bone. Stage 4 wounds can cause significant skin damage and bone can be visible, which was Fowler’s case. Wounds at this stage can be fatal.

Family is a word that means something to Kelly Clark. When the term was brought up during Clark’s initial meeting with Hillcrest Hospital South leadership, the New Mexico resident knew he was in the right place.

“That completely resonated with me,” said Clark, who had never been to Oklahoma. “And it’s the way that Hillcrest South lives. Everybody knows your name. Everybody is welcoming. They live it and I loved that right off the bat.”