New PMH open for business

A crowd estimated to be at least 150 people came out to see the ribbon cutting and tour the new Purcell Municipal Hospital last Friday afternoon.

Vice Mayor Ted Cox and PMH CEO/CNO Chris Wright did the honors.

Cox, pinch hitting for Mayor Graham Fishburn who had a previous engagement, spoke to the crowd along with Wright.

“This is your hospital,” Cox told the gathering. “We did it!”

Speakers noted that while some rural hospitals are closing, Purcell is opening up a brand new facility.

Cox expressed his gratitude to supporters of the sales tax and the voters of Purcell for making this possible.

“The citizens of Purcell overwhelmingly voted to support our municipal hospital and we should be exceptionally proud of our new hospital building,” Cox said.

“It was a privilege to work on this project with the exceptional people involved. Purcell Municipal Hospital is an incredible asset to our community and surrounding area, and this facility is truly impressive.”

Wright also said a few words and hospital board member and Purcell Pastor Justin Blankenship said a prayer.

“It’s an exciting time to be part of Purcell and our broader community. We are truly honored to be part of such a dramatic and positive change, as we welcome people to the new facility,” Wright said. “This hospital stands as a testament to collaboration and support from our staff and providers, the hospital board, the City of Purcell, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital and our community.”

SSM Health VP for Oklahoma Rural Health Cindy Carmichael also made brief remarks at the event.

Purcell Municipal Hospital has been an affiliate of the SSM Health St. Anthony Affiliate Health network since September 2011.

In 2021, the Purcell Municipal Hospital Board of Directors signed a management agreement with SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital.

Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Pastor Fr. John Peter Swaminathan blessed the new medical facility offering a Gospel reading and prayers.

After the ribbon cutting, hospital staff led those who wanted to tour the new state-of-the-art facility.

The doors officially opened and the new facility accepted patients Wednesday November 2 at 6 a.m.

The 36,000 square-foot building features 10 private acute care rooms with new patient beds, monitors and comfortable accommodations for visitors.

The full-service emergency department has five private rooms and one trauma room, along with highly trained emergency providers and staff.

The facility also has support services including lab, diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine to include stress testing and EKGs. Additionally, there are procedural suites for endoscopy and eye surgeries.

Purcell Municipal Hospital has been serving the community since October 1970.