Woodward, Okla. — Already almost a month in town and I am still excited every day that I get to go be a part of the healthcare team at Woodward Regional Hospital.  This “excitement” is a reflection of all the great people I have met both in the hospital and in the community.  I am fascinated by the history of Woodward and its health care community, but I am even more enthused about the foundation for great things to come.

Almost everyone I meet mentions physician recruitment as a top priority.  Our providers do represent the quarterbacks of care and everything we do at Woodward Regional. It is very important to combine history and tradition from decades of tenure, with the fresh ideas of newly trained or transplanted experts.  I would like to wish a happy first anniversary to Dr. Walter Klassen, Family Practice and Dr. Patrick Kelly, Orthopedics.  At Woodward Regional we have the of long tenure of Dr. Helen Chiou who has been here over 30 years and multiple docs who have been part of our medical staff for over 10 years.   And on the fresh side, everyone is invited to help welcome back Dr. Sutton and to welcome Dr. Larry Balzer and Lou Ann Martin, nurse practitioner to our medical community. And we are just getting the recruitment train started. 

Last week, I was thankful that our Chief Nursing Officer, Steve Owens was with me at an introductory meeting. He was able to list several great advances in our clinical results, satisfaction scores and new program development. Lori Messenger, our director of marketing, helped introduce me to many members of our very popular Senior Circle. She is also helping to coordinate with several generous community partners to bring nationally renowned speaker and weight loss advocate, Ali Vincent on October 7th.

As my mind tries to grasp all of the great things I have learned during this short time here, I am reminded of a song from one of my favorite singer- songwriters, Jana Stanfield.  Now Jana may not have the name recognition of Woody Guthrie, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, or even Miley Cyrus, but she is a beautiful person who is now in high demand world-wide as a motivational speaker armed with a guitar. 

Of course I realize you cannot hear the music on the written page, but hopefully you can appreciate the lyrics that she co-wrote with Megon McDonough that I would dedicate to all of the great Providers, Employees, Volunteers, and our Community.  

Amazing Things

You will do amazing things,

With the choice each new day brings,

And with every step you take,

Bless the progress that you make,

The reason you live,

Is there in every gift you give,

Love your life, love your dreams,

You will do amazing things.

Chorus:

Amazing, Amazing,

You will do amazing things.

Amazing, Amazing,

You will do amazing things.



Whether it’s the sound of a baby’s first breath of life in our maternity department, or a life that is extended due to the expert life saving care in the Emergency department; I am recognizing amazing things.  I am confident and excited about our future, and just like this song needs the music to be fully appreciated, I look forward to the symphony of great things ahead for Woodward and its health care team at Woodward Regional Hospital.



Dave Wallace is the CEO at Woodward Regional Hospital.