"They like me because I give them Lidocaine," Deanna Ridge, RN said jokingly when asked why she thought she was so popular with the patients.

But those who know Deanna know that it's a lot more than that. "Over the years, she has received more Got Caught Caring Cards than anyone that works for me," said Gary Vaden, RN, BSN, Director of Surgical Services. "She puts our patients minds at ease when it comes to starting their IVs. She is simply the best I have ever seen in my twenty plus years in nursing."

Deanna starts 20-40 IVs a day between Surgery and Surgicare. She also will go up to the floors and start IVs at the request of nurses and patients who know of her skills.

"I do a lot of dialysis patients. There have been some who rescheduled their procedures to a time when I would be there," stated Ridge.

Beginning her career at CCMH as a Nurse Tech in 1994, Deanna has never thought about working anywhere else.

Sixteen years ago, Valerie Billips, RN on 2 South hired on at CCMH as an LPN with the goal of becoming an RN like her mother.

"I went to accounting school, but I was really attracted to being a nurse."

Valerie began working the night shift six years ago when she started attending nursing school to become an RN. The relationship she forged with the staff has kept her on that shift .

"Valerie is wonderful, dependable and one of the kindest people I have ever met," said Melanie West, Nurse Manager, 2 South.

According to Valerie, when she's having a bad day, she keeps a positive attitude by reminding herself that things could always be worse. "I could be the person lying in that bed. You have to step outside of your own problems and focus on the patient."

Congratulations Valerie for being chosen an Above & Beyond employee. Your positive attitude should be an inspiration to other employees.

For 20 years David Hutchins has served the hospital as Linen Tech.

"When I started, there were only two floors to deliver to. It's grown so much."

Following David on his way to make a delivery, you begin to understand why he is a stand-out employee. Everyone he passed was greeted with a smile or a kind word. 

"David is always polite and respectful," said Jerrod Copeland, Director of Environmental Services. "He's always on the go and never wastes time."

Customer service is something that David believes in wholeheartedly and comes to him naturally.

"It's what's been instilled in us in training and it's just something you're supposed to do anyway when you're serving someone."

Congratulations for being selected an Above & Beyond Spotlight employee David! Your passion for customer service makes you a much deserving recipient.

For over 25 years, Victor Ulloa has served CCMH as the one and only Motor Tech in Materials Management.

Victor's day begins with picking up the mail for the hospital and then delivering office supplies and other items to doctors and ancillary offices in Lawton. In the afternoon, he shops local stores, filling purchase order requests. He also delivers to the Carnegie, Frederick and Cordell clinics bi-weekly. It's a job that requires a strong back and doesn't allow for many breaks.

"The best part of my job is all the people I get to see throughout the day. I like offering encouragement to those who need it. When I see it helps them it lifts me up."

Despite the hard work, Victor always has a smile and is willing to go above and beyond to help fellow employees.

"I live everyday for the Lord. There are days when it's not easy to put on a smile, but the Lord helps me through the day and makes it easier."

At age 52, Jo Martin had no reason to question her health, until she sat down to eat breakfast.

"After I started eating, I began to have this horrible, hot feeling in my chest. I thought it was my food, so I threw it away, but the sensation got worse. Thinking I needed to get to the doctor for a bad case of food poisoning, I soon found myself calling 9-1-1, knowing something a lot worse was happening to me.”

The birth of a baby is one of life’s greatest miracles! And at CCMH, we have added a lot of special touches to make your child-birth experience one of the most precious moments of your life.

CCMH is currently seeking to be among the first hospitals in the nation to be recognized as “Baby Friendly” and that has meant incorporating innovative concepts to enhance the birthing experience. As the mom of a 2-year old, Hillary Stier experienced these changes first-hand when she delivered her second baby on January 30, 2013. 

At Comanche County Memorial Hospital, our goal is to exceed expectations in everything we do. The comments from our patients say it all.

"I tell anyone who has to go to the hospital go to CCMH. They are number one."

"This is the only hospital I would go to. I'm not one to be in the hospital a lot but when necessary you're the one."

"The staff provided excellent care. They went far beyond in meeting our needs with a heart of compassion. Because of their oustanding care our hospital stay was wonderful."

In this day and age when we are bombarded with bad news and negative messages, often the good things get overlooked.

The reality is that there are great things happening all around us, and Comanche County Memorial Hospital is dedicated to focusing on the positive and recognizing and celebrating the good.

At CCMH we are excited about what the new year holds with important advancements planned to include: construction of the new McMahon Tomlinson Nursing Center, addition of a new cardiac Electrophysiology laboratory, renovation of our Emergency Department, installation of a state-of-the art infant and child security system, implementation of a fully integrated electronic patient medical record as well as many more technological advancements and medical staff additions.

So here’s to an incredible 2013! We invite you to join us in dwelling on the positive and celebrating the good as we bring you stories of hope and inspiration throughout this coming year.

"I was shopping at a local retailer in Lawton and all of a sudden this woman has falling and moving like she was having a seizure.

The customers started panicking - including myself, then all of a sudden this nurse comes out of nowhere, clears the area and goes right into save mode. She stayed with this woman, brought her to and handled it like I was watching a TV show. She comforted this woman and knelt by her side on her knees until the paramedics came.

She was professional, calm and such a pleasant woman. I made sure to look at her name tag, Dana Perry. Comanche County Memorial Hospital should be very proud of this woman.

Thank you Comanche County Memorial Hospital for having nurses that go above and beyond the call of duty on or off the clock."

-From a Patient

"One of the most exceptional things happened when Flora was taking care of my mother. I was leaving for the day and Flora was having a conversation with another employee in the hallway. When I approached her, she stopped in mid-sentence and addressed me- asking, 'How may I help you?'

All I can say is WOW. That's great customer service! She made me the most important person to her at that moment.

She not only is an excellent competent nurse from a technical standpoint, she has wonderful customer service skills too...and after all, isn't that what nursing should be?"

-From a Patient

"I've been hospitalized numerous times at this hospital and never have I met such a kind hearted, beautiful person. Adel made my stay worthwhile, she lightened up my day and made me feel important. Very professional and caring. Thank you so much."-From a Patient

"It's rough enough to have one child in the hospital, but to have two in at the same time? Oh my goodness! I want to thank everyone on the Starlight Unit who took such wonderful care of my grand kids! I was only able to see them in the evenings, so I apologize for not including everyone — Rachel and Susanne on the Starlight Unit and Wayne and Daniel in Respiratory Therapy. Also, Radiology, Dietary and the wonder housekeeper who gave my granddaughter a stuffed toy on her first night in the hospital before Brother joined her the next day. Thank you all so much!"-From a Patient

"I was at the AM/PM clinic with my 3 year old son. He had an accident and broke and lacerated his finger. Brandy went above and beyond to be caring and patient with him. She did everything she could to make his experience less scary. I would like to thank her for being so great to him. She is excellent." -From a Patient

"My son was treated at the AM/PM clinic with Dr. Hay and staff. They are all wonderful! They are the nicest, companionate, caring team of nurses & staff. They deserve KUDOS!"-From a Patient

"We thought that the recognition to our RN is absolutely necessary. Our grandfather has been in and out of this hospital since 2003, and this time we were able to experience one of the most caring, patient, and informative RNs that we have ever experienced before. It takes a special person to do his job but to do his job with so much care is amazing. We are very pleased with him and would love for him to receive the recognition for the amazing job he does. If there were more RNs like him, hospitals would be a more comforting place to be."-From a Patient