First-ever INTEGRIS health facility dog Inspired by our volunteer pups and handlers!

Project Update: Due to the extensive requirements and background check process to ensure a paws-itive match, INTEGRIS Health Child Life will receive handler training in the summer of 2023 and our facility dog should arrive shortly thereafter.

Every year, INTEGRIS Health Children’s Hospital impacts over 100,000 children. With the addition of a facility support dog and a certified child life specialist, caregivers can now provide another opportunity to enhance the emotional and physical wellbeing of pediatric patients and their families at INTEGRIS Health Children’s Hospital.

Their mission is to promote positive coping for pediatric patients and their families in the hospital environment and throughout extended hospitalizations. With the combination of a therapy dog and a child life specialist’s developmental knowledge, pediatric patients will have the tools to overcome hospital fears and improve their mental wellness.

"All of their stories are so impactful, but I remember someone who came to us dependent on meth and living out of his car with no job, who was able to turn his life around."

- Travis Ernst, Director of Clinical Services

INTEGRIS Health Arcadia Trails Center for Addiction Recovery is a state-of-the-art treatment center that provides the best care available to Oklahomans suffering from addiction and substance abuse, and it’s only been possible because of patient aid.

In 2022 alone, over $300,000 in patient assistance funds were used to help those most in need receive world-class care.

This support went to some of the most disproportionately affected members of the community, including Native American tribe members and those who live in the poorest regions of Oklahoma.

Access to high-quality treatment is critical for Oklahoma, and donating to the patient assistance fund at Arcadia Trails, where money goes directly to helping individuals and families, is one of the most impactful things anyone can do to help those affected by addiction.

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40 ROHO seat cushions have been purchased through YOU&I funds!

Many patients are uninsured and cannot afford these added expenses, nor are they typically covered by inpatient stay. Through YOU&I, these seat cushions can continue to impact patients suffering from failed skin grafts by easing their discomfort while aiding pressure and burn injuries on their road to recovery. These cushions now take the pressure off patients as they perform mobility exercises, allowing injuries to heal quickly without unnecessary pain.

The Mindfulness and Meditation Program has funded the purchase of equipment and supplies for use in sessions with highly advanced practitioners, who use wisdom and mastery to facilitate ease, recovery and healing offered through the Wellness Center at the INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute.

Cultivating mindfulness is useful when dealing with difficulties and challenges. Mindful meditation and training are clinically proven to increase wellness, relieve stress, lower blood pressure, assist with pain management and improve sleep.

The program officially launched on November 14 and is expected to help more than 100 cancer patients annually!

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When access to proper health care is limited, illness affects every aspect of a patient’s life — their job, housing, food security and overall well-being.

The assistance fund led by the INTEGRIS Health Community Care Coordination Team helps break down health care barriers and find tangible solutions to improve more than 150 patients' lives each year.

With specialized care for each patient, they meet weekly to identify health care barriers patients face and establish a treatment plan to move forward. Notable successes include medication and equipment assistance and transportation support for doctor appointments, food pantries, pharmacies and shelters. These funds also provide phones, which are essential to maintain communication between care coordination and patients, remind patients about various doctor appointments and to establish consistent care and trust.

The Care Coordination team doesn’t just provide health care — they provide hope. One such case came about last year when a patient was admitted for a urinary tract infection. By that point it had entered his bloodstream and put him at risk for a severe infection and even death.

After being discharged, Care Coordination took over his case, working with him for more than nine months. They overcame language barriers and treated his underlying health issues that had caused consistent infections. Once the infections were treated, they tackled his new diagnoses of diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. By managing these underlying health issues through diet and medication, as well as providing care for lower back pain at work, they drastically improved his quality of life.

He is thriving today because of Care Coordination and the YOU&I funds that make these services possible.

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"With the new floors in place, our teachers have the freedom to arrange their classrooms to better meet the needs of the children in our care. It's like working with a completely blank canvas. Plus, they look absolutely beautiful."

- Stacey, Program Manager

Through YOU&I funds, Children’s Place at INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center was able to replace carpet in high-traffic areas with better flooring that can be easily cleaned and sanitized. Previously, those high-traffic areas caused significant challenges for maintaining the healthiest environment possible for the kids. Now, with new hard flooring, the kids at Children’s Place can have the best experience and environment.

Over 500 kids at Children’s Place have been impacted by your generosity!

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Eight iPads have been purchased through YOU&I funds! An additional Telesitter will be secured soon as well.

The importance of human connection to support healing has always been front and center. Sadly, we learned during COVID that there are significant detrimental effects to being isolated and away from loved ones. As such, INTEGRIS Health Edmond dedicated their YOU&I project back to the community by purchasing iPads for adult patients to include a TeleSitter used to keep watchful eyes on patients needing additional safety precautions. Additionally, iPads were purchased for an ever-growing outpatient pediatric population.

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This project has been purchased, and will replace six sleep-couches in the labor and delivery rooms.

With 850 deliveries at INTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center each year, lots of wear and tear can occur on furniture in the labor and delivery rooms. This project is vital to provide families with the best experience while they are receiving care. Having safe and comfortable sleeping accommodations for a mother’s support person makes the unit welcoming and inviting for patients. The new material also allows for easier cleaning, providing the healthiest environment for our babies and parents.

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No matter how prepared we think we are, sometimes life hands us emergencies beyond our control. That’s why the INTEGRIS Health Grove Hospital People in Need Fund is crucial. When patients or caregivers in Grove face unexpected tragedies or medical emergencies, these funds cover the costs of medication, hospital bills and other situations that leave them in a financial crisis. These funds assist more than 75 people each year to meet daily needs so they can move forward.

“I have been donating to the PIN Fund for a long time and I can truly say that I have donated much less than I have received. When a devastating health event struck my husband, our costs alone were well over $100,000. The stress of trying to keep a roof over our head, pay the bills and plan Christmas was insurmountable. A fellow caregiver submitted my situation to the PIN Fund, and they paid a multitude of payments for us and provided Christmas for my kids. I vowed then that I would donate every year. Seventeen years later I am still donating in hopes of helping someone else.”

- PIN Fund Recipient

INTEGRIS Health Hospice House provides comfort and care for patients during their final days, as well as for their loved ones. Due to the high number of patients last year, the furniture in every room experienced more wear and tear than normal. Through YOU&I funds, all 12 rooms will be refreshed with new furniture and equipment, providing as much comfort and relaxation as possible.

The furniture includes oversized chairs, ottomans and recliners in the patient rooms and a variety of seating options in the family room and shared area. This new furniture allows families to curl up by the bedside of their loved one, relax, read and provide close contact with those they love in their final moments. These funds are not just providing furniture, they are providing families and friends an opportunity to soak up as much time with their loved one as possible.

“To the staff of INTEGRIS Health Hospice House: We want to express our deepest gratitude for how you so tenderly cared for our loved one. Karla came into your facility and died two days later. My niece and I stayed each night and witnessed how much love, care and compassion your staff showed to her. Words cannot express how your actions helped us during this very difficult time of loss or our deep gratitude for the care and love you gave us.”

- Hospice House patient's loved one

Due to the critical need for new furniture, this project became a priority. The furniture is due to arrive soon and the outdoor renovation project will kick off in the spring of 2023.

“Knowing this chair exists, with easy access, makes me feel safer and more confident to handle any emergency. I know, should an incident occur, myself or anyone else could safely assist those around me.”

- Whitney, Floor Safety Officer

INTEGRIS Health Medical Group prides itself on offering the most comprehensive physician and provider network in Oklahoma. Due to overseeing so many clinics and patients across the state, they continually work to ensure the safety of everyone who walks through their doors.

Through YOU&I funds, evacuation chairs were provided for every hospital, clinic and medical office building to guarantee the safety of patients and caregivers during emergencies. Assisting ambulatory-challenged patients down the stairs in an emergency is extremely challenging, but these chairs will ensure caregivers can safely assist patients without strain.

While they hope the need isn't high, every INTEGRIS Health location with multiple floors will now be ready should an emergency evacuation be necessary.

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The token store creates a positive spin around treatment, which increases positive behavior and morale among the kids. Often, the children walk through the doors at INTEGRIS Health Mental Health Spencer with nothing of their own – not even clothing. This facility takes in kids as young as five who have already experienced enough trauma to cause them to attempt to harm themselves or others. Lacking ownership of basic items can have a huge impact on the mental state of these kids and their recovery. This fund aims to help kids by creating goals to work toward during treatment.

Funds have been used to purchase a gaming system, as well as the creation of a clothing closet and a token store to earn items such as books, toys, games, candy, treats and cosmetic items. This store provides more than tangible items – it creates a sense of normalcy in an abnormal environment, allowing them a chance to be a kid, relax and have fun. Goal setting can be crucial for recovery, giving kids a sense of autonomy and control over their situation. One patient was admitted for depression and suicidal attempts wearing only hospital scrubs and socks. Her mood immediately brightened upon receiving her own clothing to wear.

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Patients who experience muscle and nerve disease face an increased risk of fall and injury. Scooters are often a necessity, but patients face an uphill battle of paperwork and cost. With these funds, caregivers can provide scooters right away to patients who need them. One such patient with muscular dystrophy received a scooter from the clinic instead of having to wade through time-consuming red tape. She left the clinic in her new scooter with a new outlook on a more independent life.

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This project is still in progress, but many music-based items (pictured) have been purchased for a music therapist and the Child Life team.

Music therapy plays a vital role in the development and recovery of babies in the NICU by creating a relaxed atmosphere that benefits not just the infants recovering, but their families and caregivers. Devices like Pacifier Activated Lullabies (PALs) improve sensory and communication skills, cognitive abilities and overall health. They also lead to improvements in oxygen saturation levels, heart and respiration rate, weight gain and more, allowing babies to go home on average 12 days earlier.

Nursing students were hard-hit by the pandemic, and due to remote learning limitations, APPs and new graduates were unable to get the usual nursing instruction experience within the hospital system. Compared to their veteran counterparts, these nurses were behind in training. However, the use of highly advanced simulation mannequins and 3-D training has bridged that gap.

This fund created an immersive and interactive training program for current and future nurses, allowing them access to modules whenever convenient. This training equipment ensures all specialties are held to the same standard of care throughout a variety of procedures and establishes consistent guidelines, decreasing complications. Caregivers also experience continuity in education and hospital procedures, allowing them to provide patients with the best possible care for their specific needs.

“With the challenges of COVID-19, our novice nurses missed many opportunities. The use of simulation can help give them the tools needed to understand challenges and react, so that when they are in a fast-paced, high-stress situation with an actual patient, they have the confidence to complete the task.”

- Dee, MSN, ACNP-BC, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

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When facing a loved one's final days, thinking of your own basic needs can be an added burden. This project provides bereavement baskets filled with food, snacks, candy and blankets so families can devote more time and care to their loved one. One daughter flew from California to be with her dad after he suffered a stroke. As his only remaining family, she did not want to leave his side. Pastoral Care was able to address her basic need for food and provide spiritual and emotional comfort in her father’s final days. With one less thing to worry about, she was able to say goodbye to her father. She was one of the 700-plus families they anticipate helping this year.

This project is still in progress, but the furniture has been ordered and is due to arrive soon.

Our caregivers who are nursing have not had a dedicated place for pumping. As a health care system, we know the importance of providing the opportunity to pump in a relaxed, clean and comfortable location while moms are at work. Lactation rooms not only promote the health of the mother and baby through continued nursing, but they also show our caregivers that we care about them. The funding through this YOU&I project has allowed for the purchase of new furniture, enabling the creation of lactation rooms on three floors of the campus.

From YOU&I funding, INTEGRIS Health Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation expanded the free Olivet Clinic to twice a month, which will provide services to more than 250 patients and their families each year.

These services include medical supplies like braces, exercise equipment, walkers, canes and arm slings. Additionally, these funds empower caregivers to provide expert care, comprehensive treatment advice and written home programs for ongoing progression.

These clinics are crucial to establishing care for the underserved communities in Oklahoma, preventing the worsening of injuries and illnesses and increasing the chance of rehabilitation.

“A patient came into the community clinic at Olivet to be seen for therapy. He had fallen on his elbow about two years prior and had surgery to repair the injury. Due to complications, the patient was left with an elbow that barely straightened past 90 degrees. We were able to utilize the Jim Thorpe clinical development resources and our hand clinical rehab specialist to make him a custom splint. Two weeks later he had gained almost 20 degrees of motion. This is major for him since he works in construction and uses his arms every day.”

- Jim Thorpe Physical Therapist at Olivet Clinic

Students can't learn when their basic needs aren't being met. For this reason, the Lifting Students Up program was created at Stanley Hupfeld Academy (SHA) to assist those facing food insecurity, loss of family income and anxiety about getting sick. The pandemic has impacted learning on an unprecedented scale, especially for those already behind academically in underserved communities. Through YOU&I funds, SHA can offer nutritional support, additional mental health services and educational instruction for students and their families.

Because of this program, SHA was the only elementary school in the region that had more students proficient in math during the last school year (2021-2022) than before the pandemic.

"The after-school program has really engaged my son, Nicholas. He comes home each day excited about what he is learning and cannot wait for the next day. I can tell the extra one-on-one teacher time has really impacted his learning, particularly in his math skills and vocabulary. Thank you for providing this opportunity!”

- Brianna, SHA Parent

When a stroke occurs, nothing is more imperative than time. With each minute untreated, over 1.9 million neurons die within the brain. Through YOU&I, three additional transfer board scales were purchased for the metro emergency departments, allowing patients to be weighed faster and receive clot dissolving drugs quickly.

Before these scales, caregivers experienced a complicated process to establish the correct weight for stroke victims. They had to use a stretcher that required several caregivers to maneuver, weigh, push and transfer the patient onto the CT table, creating a difficult and time-consuming process. On average, the emergency department treats 750-plus stroke patients per year and each person must be weighed before they are treated. These scales reduce the time before treatment, helping to ensure better outcomes.

"The transfer scales have been an invaluable asset to the acute Code Stroke process in the ED. We have several patients that present to the ED via EMSA. Before the weight board, we were having to place the entire EMS stretcher on a larger scale for the total weight, and then reweigh the stretcher once the patient had been transferred to the CT table so we could subtract the difference and obtain the patient's weight. The transfer boards are much quicker, more readily available, and much more accurate. This simplifies the process for our patients and ensures that we are getting the most accurate weight for dosing critical medications. The patients may not recognize the value of the transfer scales, but it is definitely recognized by the nursing staff."

— Cheyenne, INTEGRIS Health Nurse

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Money should not be a barrier to receiving a life-saving organ transplant, but it is often a factor in transplant considerations due to the long-term cost. This fund provides patients who would be disqualified due to financial limitations with the opportunity for a transplant. This fund directly saves lives. To date, 47 applications have been reviewed by the committee with 45 applicants being awarded grants. Of those 45, 11 people have already received life-saving organ transplants and home health equipment to monitor their progress.

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2021 was the 20th year of bringing babies into the world at the INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Women’s Center. It was also the year they started a major renovation to their birthing suites. As a continuation of this renovation project, YOU&I funds replaced newborn bassinets at the women's center, giving families peace of mind by knowing their newest addition is receiving the best care possible.

The women's center caregivers participate in more than 1,100 births every year and each newborn will be impacted by these bassinets.

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High-priority projects are being completed before the YOU&I project can begin.

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The INTEGRIS Health Miami Hospital roof needs to be repaired before the renovation in the ICU can begin.

Due to the extreme RSV surge, all pediatric beds were filled, making it impossible to install televisions. This project will be completed soon.