Recent News

What you need to know about the omicron variant

The omicron variant is a form of the COVID-19 virus that has spread throughout the United States and all parts of the world. 

Here is what we currently know about omicron from a variety of sources including the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• What are the symptoms of the omicron variant?

Currently, there is growing evidence the omicron variant might cause different symptoms than prior COVID-19 variants. Runny nose, like a cold, seems more common. Cough remains frequent, but sore throat may even be more likely. Fatigue... Read More »

What to do if ... you get frostbite

When the temperature drops to freezing levels, frostbite becomes a concern for many people. Russell Anderson, D.O., a board-certified emergency medicine physician at Hillcrest, gives tips on how to avoid frostbite or what to do if encountered.

What you need to know about frostbite:

• Frostbite can develop within minutes to hours. 

• Commonly occurs from exposure to wind or contact with a cold material such as metal, the ground or water.

• Alcohol predisposes someone to frostbite by impairing judgment and increasing heat loss from dilation of blood... Read More »

Off the Clock: Shuler travels the country one step at a time

Every morning, Kelly Shuler has her shoes laced up, ready to begin her workout long before the sun makes its first appearance.

Shuler is a dedicated race walker, a sport that has taken her all around the country. She has completed more than 160 half and full marathons in 41 different states.

“It’s been fun because I’ve met a lot of people who are outside of the medical field,” Shuler said. “I’ve got good friends all over the country because of it.”

Ironically, Shuler, D.O., a family medicine specialist at Utica Park Clinic in Sapulpa, began her interest as a race... Read More »

Off the Clock: Sommers balances medicine with the farm life

Jack Sommers, M.D., has taken care of patients since he started practicing family medicine in 1981. Now, even when he leaves the office, his bedside manner is still valued by another form of life.

The Utica Park Broken Arrow provider and his wife, Mary, run an organic farm on their sprawling 75 acres of land. Known as the “manual labor” of the duo, Sommers takes care of 22 head of cows, a dozen chickens and two Great Pyrenees that keep watch of the place.

The ranch life can be therapeutic, according to Sommers.

“Coming out here on the back porch in the evening and... Read More »

What to do if ... you throw out your back

Throwing out your back can be a sudden and major inconvenience. Zee Khan, M.D., a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon for Utica Park Clinic, gives tips on what to do if this happens.

What to do:

• If able, use over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) or acetaminophens.

• Use heat/ice as needed.

• Rest initially but resume light activities when able. Light movements and stretching are important to prevent stiffness and restore motion... Read More »

Thankful series: Mark K.

Mark thought he might not see his family again when he was admitted for COVID-19 in 2021. In the first of our ‘Thankful’ series, Mark expresses his appreciation for the Hillcrest Medical Center staff that helped him through one of the darkest moments of his life.

Off the Clock: Gottehrer meshes passions of medicine and music

Andrew Gottehrer, M.D., is well known for both his expertise in both medicine and music. And it is the correlation between those two fields that has enabled the New York native to achieve perfect harmony.

Gottehrer is board certified in pulmonary and critical care medicine with Utica Park Clinic (UPC). Prior to joining UPC, Gottehrer practiced independently on the Hillcrest Medical Center campus for two decades.

When he’s not treating patients, Gottehrer spends part of his time honing his skills as an accomplished clarinetist. The woodwind instrument was his ticket to perform... Read More »

What to do if ... you are choking

With the holiday season around the corner, many will take the time to enjoy family and food. Those treats can increase the likelihood of choking. Christin Baker-Hankton, D.O., who practices family medicine with Utica Park Clinic, shares several tips to help prevent or remedy a choking episode.

What are some choking signs:

• Difficulty breathing

• High-pitched noises when breathing

• Coughing

• Inability to speak

• Pale/blue lips or skin

What foods may increase the risk of choking:

• Round or hard candies

• Chewy... Read More »

Jeff Johnson talks impact of COVID influx on emergency rooms, booster shots with Ch. 6

Jeff Johnson, M.D., Hillcrest Medical Center emergency room physician, recently spoke with KOTV – News On 6 about how the influx of COVID patients have impacted emergency rooms and ICU beds around the area.

“We’ve seen really, over the last month or at least several weeks, a very large increase in the number of COVID patients,” Johnson said. “Patients across the whole area, really across this part of the country, are getting admitted, holding in emergency rooms for hours, even days, waiting for beds because the ICUs and COVID units or COVID beds are full of patients already. So it... Read More »

What to do if ... you are having a stroke

For those experiencing stroke symptoms, time is of the essence. Andre Fredieu, M.D., medical director of the Oklahoma Stroke and Neurological Institute at Hillcrest, said the key is to B.E. F.A.S.T.T. It’s important to be fast recognizing symptoms of a stroke, getting to the hospital and treating a stroke.

Balance: Sudden dizziness or loss of balance

Eyes: Double or blurred vision

Face: Uneven smile or facial droop

Arm: Weakness or numbness of an appendage

Speech: Slurred speech, difficulty... Read More »