By Angie Clinton,
Director of Emergency Services, Great Plains Regional Medical Center
During the holiday season, emergency departments often see a rise in visits related to seasonal illness, travel-related injuries, cooking accidents and other holiday emergencies. In a rural community like ours, those moments can feel especially overwhelming. That is why immediate access to high-quality emergency care, provided by people you know and trust, matters so much when minutes truly count.
At Great Plains Regional Medical Center, our emergency department team meets patients at some of the most frightening moments of their lives. Every day, our physicians, nurses and support staff are ready to provide expert care right here in Elk City, with the understanding that the people we serve are not strangers. They are our neighbors, friends and family members. That community connection only reinforces our commitment to treat every patient with respect, compassion and dignity.
One recent experience shared by a local parent highlights what makes a rural emergency room so special. Her young son, who is on the autism spectrum, was experiencing a severe meltdown, an understandably terrifying situation for both child and parent. She described how, from the moment they entered the ER, the team responded with calm, coordinated urgency. Staff took the time to ask thoughtful questions about his sensory needs, his background and how to help him feel safe. Throughout the visit, the care team remained patient, steady and compassionate.
In her words, “In a moment that could have easily escalated or been misunderstood, every single person involved chose empathy, professionalism and kindness.”
For our team, that approach is not an exception. It is the standard.
This is the strength of a rural emergency department. Personal care is not an added benefit. It is the foundation of everything we do. We take the time to explain what is happening, answer questions and provide reassurance during highly emotional situations. Patients are never just room numbers or chart entries. They are people who matter deeply to us.
That personal approach is supported by ongoing training and teamwork. Our board-certified physicians and nurses regularly complete continuing education in pediatric emergencies, behavioral health situations and trauma response. They participate in advanced life support training, de-escalation techniques and emergency simulations to ensure they are prepared to respond with both clinical excellence and compassion.
Emergency care is fast-paced and emotionally charged, but at Great Plains Regional Medical Center, it is also deeply personal. Our emergency department team shows up the way neighbors should, providing lifesaving care close to home and delivered by professionals who understand this community and are proud to serve it.
