Health Care - Health Care And Wellness
Tulsans have many excellent options available for health care. With three major medical centers and several other hospitals, 1,800 doctors, 400 dentists, ‘round-the-clock air and ground emergency medical transportation, and enhanced 911, citizens are well served.
The three biggest organizations are St. John Medical Center, Hillcrest Medical Center, and St. Francis Health System. From the latest technology to something as simple as the surgical checklist devised at the instigation of the World Health Organization, each of the hospitals strives to provide the best patient care.
Other hospitals include SouthCrest, the Orthopedic Hospital of Oklahoma, and Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center. A key provider in the health-care spectrum is the Oklahoma State University Medical Center, which provides health care for a large portion of the area’s uninsured and Medicaid patients. It is also the teaching hospital for the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. The University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine is rapidly becoming a transforming force in the health of the Tulsa community.
There are a number of urgent-care clinics across town—good for travelers and after-hours medical problems. Physicians’ referral numbers are given in the Insiders’ Tip box.
Health care is no longer just about treating illness or injury. An important component is prevention. There are numerous entities in the area—from hospitals to city parks—that are working to provide opportunities for improving health and fitness.
And just the lifestyle being promoted through initiatives like the mayor’s Million Miles challenge encourages Tulsans to take responsibility for their own health.
Hopefully, your stay in Tulsa will be both happy and healthy and you won’t need the information in this chapter. But it’s here—just in case.
Overview
The three largest hospitals are located just east of downtown (Hillcrest), in midtown (St. John), and in south Tulsa (St. Francis). In this section, you’ll find addresses for both hospitals and urgent-care centers. You’ll also learn a bit about Tulsa’s hospitals and some of the programs they’re known for. In reality, most people don’t get to shop for hospitals; insurance often makes that choice for them—that and where their doctor has privileges.
Although they do not have a hospital in Tulsa, the University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine has a large campus and trains about 40 percent of Tulsa’s physicians. The college has several clinics in the area and offers medical services in fields from family medicine to dermatology, geriatrics, and sports medicine.
The University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine has facilities in several public schools and two low-income housing centers, providing affordable care to underserved populations in the Tulsa area. It has also entered into a partnership with IBM to develop an electronically centralized information base so doctors and other providers can access a number of sources of information about patients.
Most of the urgent-care clinics—the resort for most travelers with medical difficulties—are freestanding, often located close to a hospital. These are the places to go for minor emergencies and illnesses. Of course, if you have serious symptoms, get to one of the hospitals’ emergency rooms. If you have chest pains or any other indication of a heart attack or stroke, call 911 immediately.
If your stay in Tulsa is lengthy, or if you are a new resident, you may be interested in some of the wellness programs in town. For short visits, most hotels have fitness facilities, and there’s always that wonderful walk along the river for exercise. Curves fitness center locations are included because, with a travel pass, members can work out wherever they go.
Residents have a number of good options. You’ll find health clubs and gyms in the phone book. Some hospital-affiliated programs are described here. They’re sometimes overlooked—too bad, because you’ll find some of the best trainers and fitness experts in these facilities.
1. Ergent Care
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (918) 299-4333
Description: Open Mon through Sat, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sun, 2 to 10 p.m. They accept most insurance, including Medicare. No appointment is necessary.
2. Pediatric Urgent Care Center
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (918) 895-7808
Address: 7723 E. 91st St.
Description: Open Mon through Fri from 4 to 11 p.m. and on Sat and Sun from 9:30 a.m. until 10 p.m., the facility is attractive and the decor designed to reassure young patients. Services range from treating earaches and sore throats to more serious needs like cuts, broken bones, and asthma attacks. Lab and X-ray services are available. No appointment is necessary. The center accepts most insurance policies and will provide a quick and full report to the child’s own doctor.
3. St. John Urgent Care
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (918) 872-6800
Address: 8131 S. Memorial Dr.
Description: The hours are from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Mon through Fri and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sat and Sun. No appointment is necessary and most insurance plans, including Medicare, are honored.
4. Cancer Treatment Centers Of America At Southwestern Regional Medical Center
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (800) 788-8484
Address: 10109 E. 79th St.
Description: This specialty hospital employs the latest technologies in surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy and supplements these with nutrition therapy, naturopathic medicine, mind-body medicine, and spiritual support. They specialize in integrative and compassionate care in warm and welcoming facilities. And the facilities are beautiful—with light halls and open courtyards. They even have an RV parking area for patients who live or travel in their RVs.
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Address: 1120 S. Utica Ave.
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Address: 2408 E. 81st St., Ste. 900
8. St. John Medical Center
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (918) 744-2345
Address: 1923 S. Utica Ave.
Description: St. John Medical Center, founded in 1926 by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, is part of the Marian Health System. St. John is a nonprofit facility. Nearly 700 physicians and thousands of other health-care professionals work to bring the best care and latest technology to northeast Oklahoma. The hospital is nationally recognized for the excellence of its cardiovascular, orthopedic, and palliative-care programs.Saint John’s has a few guest rooms available for family members accompanying patients, and they have arrangements with several local hotels for hospital discounted rates.
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Address: 6161 S. Yale Ave.
10. Southcrest Hospital
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (918) 294-4000
Address: 8801 S. 101st East Ave.
Description: SouthCrest was founded in 1999 and has 180 licensed beds in its facility. Some of the key services include a Cardiovascular Center, Women’s Pavilion and Special Care Nursery, Orthopedics and Neurosciences, an emergency room, and an outpatient diagnostic center.
11. Charles Schusterman Jewish Community Center
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (918)495-1111
Address: 2021 E. 71st St.
Description: Open to the entire community, the facilities include a fitness center with cardio equipment and weight training, personal trainers, classes, squash and racquetball courts, steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools, and massage therapists. Outdoor facilities include a swimming pool, tennis courts, basketball court, a lighted walking track, a softball diamond, and a regulation-size soccer field. There is an annual membership fee and pool membership is separate.
12. Curves
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (918) 270-2151
Address: 3944 S. Hudson Ave.
Description: Curves features a circuit of resistance machines designed to work the entire body in a 30-minute workout. Curves has a membership fee and monthly dues. Members who plan on traveling should ask for a travel card from their home Curves.
13. Health Zone At St. Francis
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (918) 494-1671
Address: 5353 E. 68th St.
Description: This is a first-class facility with all the amenities—two pools, aerobics studio, free-weight area, cardiovascular equipment, a three-lane indoor track, basketball, volleyball, and racquetball courts, on-site child care, and a healthy snack bar. There are over 100 aerobic and water-aerobic classes offered, and personal trainers are available. Top that off with a spa whose services include massage therapy, facials, brow and lash tinting, waxing, and makeup application and consulting. It’s not inexpensive, but if you’ll use it, it’s worth the price of the joining fee and monthly dues.
14. Hillcrest Exercise And Lifestyle Program (Help)
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (918) 579-4900
Address: 1265 S. Utica Ave.
Description: The HELP regimen concentrates on wellness, aerobic, and strength training. When you join, you’ll receive an evaluation by a certified fitness instructor and a training plan will be prescribed. Classes include several especially for seniors—flexibility and strength training—plus yoga and tai chi.
15. Owasso Family Ymca
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Health Care
Telephone: (918) 272-9622
Address: 8300 N. Owasso Expressway
Description: This Y has an indoor pool, fitness equipment, and classes. Child care is available while you work out. Check for specific times.