Health industry grows

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March 22, 2006

By Scott Fitzgerald The Enid News and Eagle Wed Mar 22, 2006, 02:40 PM CST

The growth of Enid’s health care industry over the last 10 to 12 years is exemplified by looking at two facets of care services — oncology and home health care.

Dr. Francisco Dexeus and his wife, Rene, who holds a master’s degree in nursing and is oncology certified, opened Dexeus Oncology Clinic in the Medical Plaza building across the street from Integris Bass Baptist Health Center in June 1994.

They hired another nurse and a clerical aide. Their patient load averaged between six to eight a month.

Today, Dexeus Oncology Clinic has its own state-of-the-art, 10,000-square-foot building at 825 E. Garriott and employs 35 people, including its own staff of phelebotomists, which is a rarity in towns the size of Enid.

The staff at Dexeus sees 100 patients a day now.

“I think Enid is ready made for specialty practices. There is such a need,” said Rene Dexeus, who is clinical director and nursing coordinator.

Likewise, Long Term Care Authority, which formed here in January 1995 with assistance from Tulsa’s LTCA to help stem the tide of rapidly rising long health care needs, has seen a steady increase of patients and money spent.

Through its program referred to as the ADvantage Program, the local LTCA has helped boost Enid’s medical economy steadily through the years.

From its humble beginning in October 1995, which saw 12 consumers getting health care services through the ADvantage Program, the latest consumer total was 190 people in January, said Rick Billings, LTCA executive director.

In 2004, nearly $1.4 million was spent in Garfield County alone for long-term health care by way of case management services, home health programs, medical equipment and home-delivered meals, according to the LTCA.

“We do expect the steady growth to continue for some time,” Billings said.

Jon Blankenship, executive director and chief executive officer of the Enid/Garfield County Development Alliance and president and chief executive officer of the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce, certainly knows how vital the health care industry is in Enid.

Development officials estimate about 1,400 people are employed at the two hospitals — St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Integris Bass Baptist Health Center.

About another 1,100 people are employed in some capacity related to medical services here from home health aides to clerical workers, Blankenship said, noting the health care industry is larger than Enid’s retail sector.

“The total employment base in health care and medical services is somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,500. It’s comparable to the impact Vance Air Force Base has on Enid. These are some of the best and highest paying jobs in the area,” Blankenship said.

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