August 15, 2012
From Page 26
Alva Review-Courier/Newsgram
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Hospital
small crowd on the hospital lawn for the ground breaking. Besides some townspeople, the crowd was comprised of hospital board members, county commissioners, members of the Public Building Commission, hospital employees and friends. “The real winners are the patients we will serve,” White said. Hospital Board Chairman Richard Raleigh reminded they’ve worked diligently since 2007, with ups and downs, to make this joyful day happen. Saying the hospital has always been there for his family, Raleigh said, “It wasn’t the building, but the people who work here,” which drew applause from the crowd. Raleigh said now the people of Medicine Lodge have to meet another challenge. That is to raise $500,000
matching money. Lloyd E. Clarke challenged the MLMH and ML Community Health Foundation to raise $500,000 by June 12, 2013 for the remodeling and equipping of the hospital. Clarke will match them dollar for dollar for a total of $1 million. Raleigh said Clarke made this generous challenge grant in recognition of the long standing dedication of his father Lloyd Clarke and his brother John Clarke. They worked to insure the availability of the best medical care and the best equipment possible for Medicine Lodge. Improvements in this project include: On the upper floor – increasing ER from one-bed to four; moving X-ray, CT and Ultrasound to a new area adjacent to ER; new patient rooms will be added and existing ones renovated, for a total
From Page 22
of 19 private rooms and three semiprivate; operating room air circulation and humidity will be brought up to meet requirements. On the lower floor – renovations to the outpatient surgery area, including office and exam rooms, procedure rooms, etc.; business office, medical records and administration; kitchen and dining area. The entire facility will be brought up to code; get new heating and cooling; and more. This project is funded through a few avenues; the Barber County Commissioners approved $6 million of taxpayer funded bonds; and the hospital applied for and received a $4.5 million USDA loan. White said plans are to start construction Wednesday.
Blood
counting on you to give. The need for blood impacts all ages, often unexpectedly as a result of accident or illness.” Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America, providing every drop of blood needed by patients in 144 medical facilities across Oklahoma. During summer months, it is especially important to increase fluid intake the entire day before giving blood and to eat a complete meal within six hours of donating. Plenty of air-conditioned comfort in an indoor setting is required at all blood drives. For more information or to make an appointment to donate, contact Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visit us at www.obi.org.