The Nowata based group "Save Our Hospital," is still working to keep a hospital within Nowata County.

 

In June, Ascension St. John submitted an application with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, that will then get reviewed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, to reclassify Ascension St. John Nowata from a Critical Access Hospital, to a Rural Emergency Hospital. An REH designation would eliminate in-patient services. The application is still being reviewed.

 

The group "Save Our Hospital" has the backing of the City of Nowata to keep a hospital in Nowata and keep in-patient services close by for county residents.

 

Dr. David Caughell of Nowata Family Medicine, and at Ascension in Nowata, says the in-patient services have been the difference in senior rehabilitation.

 

Ascension is expected to save approximately $3 million by reclassifying their Nowata hospital.

 

Nowata Mayor Garry Gibson has previously stated that he plans to discuss alternative options with the Cherokee Nation, as well as other medical providers to keep the hospital in Nowata.

 

The "Save Our Hospital" group meets every Monday evening at 6 p.m. at the Clark Event Center in downtown Nowata.