When participating in her walking exercise routine in early 2008, Marilyn Roby noticed an increasing pain at the top of her left thigh. Chalking it up to a pulled muscle, she continued her routine with then boyfriend and now husband Robert. “I did ice and heat like you are supposed to, but it just didn’t…

Jodi Simmons, RN, BSN, MHA and chief nursing officer (CNO) of Hillcrest Medical Center, Tulsa, OK The COVID-19 virus hit Oklahoma fast. Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Jodi Simmons had planned a spring break trip, but had a bad feeling about the virus and decided not to leave town. Two days later, Hillcrest Medical Center was…

For the protection and safety of patients, visitors and our staff, we continue to restrict visitation and take every measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, we understand how important it is to stay connected to loved ones and friends, whether they are in the hospital or at home. We encourage you to call,…

A slight heart attack took Louis Jackson by surprise in April 2019. “It was a surprise for me and forever life changing,” said Jackson, who was 59 years old at the time. Jackson was home when he began to experience intense chest pain. “The pain would come and go, but at one point it just…

It’s not always easy to get enough quality shut-eye when you’re expecting. The emotional and physical demands of pregnancy can stand in the way of getting restful sleep. Sleep is important for everyone, but even more so for pregnant women and their growing babies. Practicing good sleep hygiene is one of the ways for expectant…

Debbie Holland was nearing 30 years as a deputy clerk to a Federal Judge when she had a cardiac episode. She had symptoms of a heart attack, but results showed she had no blockages or clots. As it turns out, Holland had suffered from “Broken Heart Syndrome.” Broken Heart Syndrome or takotsubo cardiomyopathy is when…

What if we told you that your thyroid is a little powerhouse? The butterfly-shaped gland located in the base of your neck produces thyroid hormones, which control many activities in your body, including how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease…