From Staff Reports
Staff Writer
CLAREMORE —
Many positive changes have taken place at Claremore Regional Hospital over the years. This week will be a time to celebrate those changes and recognize just how far the hospital has progressed since its opening in 1955. In conjunction with National Hospital Week — May 9-15.
CRH is also observing its 55th anniversary.
When Claremore Medical Center first opened its doors in 1955 it was a small town hospital and for twenty-three years it was owned and operated by the City of Claremore.
Since that time the hospital has been bought and sold six times and with each new owner came change and progress.
Today Claremore Regional Hospital is a multimillion dollar facility licensed for 89 beds.
It is one of 122 hospitals owned by Community Health Systems one of the largest healthcare systems in the United States. Claremore Regional serves the city, Rogers County and parts of Mayes County.
The hospital boasts an Outpatient Diagnostic Center and Surgical Center, which was part of the 2004 15 million dollar expansion project, a Heart Cath Lab and a busy OB department. There 13 private rooms in the Emergency department and Senior Care which is one of northeast Oklahomaís few Geriatric psych units.
David Chaussard, hospital CEO, says some people in Claremore still don’t know that Claremore Regional Hospital is a modern facility, capable of most things done at the larger Tulsa hospitals.
“I’m always proud to tell people about the things offered at our hospital,” he explained. Some are surprised to hear that we have high tech capabilities right here in their own hometown.”
“Some of our numbers from last year show over 3,000 total admissions, over 15,000 Emergency Room Visits, 535 births, and over 4500 surgery procedures and over 500 heart cath procedures,” he continued.
Chaussard was also happy to share that with over 430 employees and 55 physicians on staff, Claremore Regional Hospital is the third largest employer in Claremore.
“There are so many reasons Claremore citizens can be proud of their community hospital. We provide 24 hour emergency care, 24 hour cardiology coverage, we have Nuclear Medicine, MRIs, CT scans, four endoscopy suites with five private recovery rooms, as well as five pre-op surgical rooms, and six OR Suites. The hospital recently added Wi-fi capabilities throughout the building.”
Chaussard said that in addition to these things, the key ingredient that makes Claremore Regional Hospital so special is the people who work there.
“We have such dedicated employees and medical staff. Patients can rest easy knowing the people who care for them, really care. There’s something good to be said about that warm, friendly hometown feeling when you’re in a hospital and we offer that in abundance at Claremore Regional. It’s something you don’t always find in the larger big city hospitals.”
This year with the hospitalís 55th anniversary falling during National Hospital Week, special employee and volunteer activities have been planned for every day.
Free Breakfast on Monday, Root Beer Floats and a 50’s Costume Contest on Tuesday and donuts and free meals on Wednesday. On Thursday there will be a picnic for all employees during the lunch period with a Classic Car Show.
The week will end with Doctors vs. Employee softball game at 6 p.m. at the RSU Softballs fields.
“We’re a team at CRH and we hope all our employees will enjoy the activities of National Hospital Week, We hope they know they are each an important member of our team,” said Chaussard.
