story and photo by Vickie Jenkins, staff writer
Locust Grove, Oklahoma is a small town located in Mayes County in the northeastern part of the state. It has a rural atmosphere with a close-knit family. Despite its small size, the town has local businesses, schools and community events that bring residents together.
Utica Park Clinic in Locust Grove, Oklahoma is home to Dr. Lora Collier, M.D. and Mitchell Collier, M.D. along with Jennifer Russell, LPN. Jennifer has been a nurse for 12 years and has worked at Utica Park Clinic for seven years. Despite being a small town with a modest medical office, Locust Grove offers quality care and professionalism in its family practice. The clinic handles a variety of medical procedures including blood draws, lab work, x-rays, and tests for common medical issues, such as ear, nose and throat conditions. As the only medical facility in town, the clinic stays busy, often seeing around 250 patients a week from the community and surrounding area; Claremore, Muskogee, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bixby, Sapulpa, Sand Springs and Tulsa. “Sometimes, we have a whole waiting room full of people, which can be a little overwhelming at times, but we manage,” Jennifer said.
Jennifer grew up on a farm in Oaks, Oklahoma, a very small town that most people had never heard of. It was one of those towns where the neighbors lived down the road and everyone knew each other. Living on the farm, Jennifer had lots of pets and took care of them all. As a child, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. However, that changed when she was 13 years old. Her grandfather, who lived next door was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Jennifer would spend a lot of time at her grandparents’ house, helping care for him. She vividly recalls the compassion and kind care her grandfather received from the nurses, which left a lasting impression on her. “That was a big turning point in my life. I decided that I wanted to be just like those nurses, taking care of others. At 13 years old, I knew I was supposed to be a nurse,”Jennifer explained.
“I went to Platt College in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to earn my nursing degree. My first job as a nurse was at a long-term care facility and I also worked in a pharmacy. I started out in the photo department, but the staff knew about my interest in nursing, so they provided me with on-the-job-training in the pharmacy. I gained valuable experience over the five years I worked there. I even considered continuing my education to become a pharmacist, but I decided to continue my career in nursing.”
Asking Jennifer what qualities a good nurse should have, she replied, “The first quality a nurse should have positivity. They should also genuinely care for others and have compassion. Additionally, they need to demonstrate kindness, respect and treat everyone with dignity.”
Jennifer shared that her strongest quality is caring for people, whether at work, at home, or in the community. She emphasized that she cares deeply from the heart. However, she acknowledged that one of her challenges in the clinic comes from dealing with patients who don’t take their medication as prescribed, as well as those that lack patience. “Whatever the situation, we explain the importance of the issue, and it all works out in the end,” she added.
When asked about her biggest reward as a nurse, Jennifer said, “It’s when a patient is satisfied with their care and we get positive feedback after leaving the office. When they leave with a smile on their face, that’s when I know I’ve done my job,” she answered.
Jennifer’s advice to anyone considering a career in the medical field is to pursue it out of love and genuine care for the patients. “Always do your best in everything you do,” she emphasized. “If you decide to become a nurse, you’ll have many opportunities to choose from, so pick the path that feels right for you. Being a nurse offers job security no matter where you live. There will always be a need for nurses,” Jennifer explained.
When not working, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, ages 15 and 11, plus caring for their five pit bulls and three cats. Having grown up on a farm in Oaks, Oklahoma and having experienced the transitions of moving from one town to another, Jennifer eventually found her way back to living on a farm in Oaks, Oklahoma and she now feels that she is definitely home.
