Mighty redwood trees are often admired for their incredible height, growing up to 350 ft. tall. It may be surprising to learn the roots beneath are actually quite shallow. The trees reach their great height, in part, thanks to their intertwined root system. The shallow roots grow with the roots of neighboring redwoods, creating a vast network that provides exceptional stability against strong winds and floods – enabling them to endure whatever comes.
This is the imagery that comes to mind when Alexia Geer, ICU charge nurse, describes what it’s like working at Stillwater Medical Center, an innovative healthcare system serving north-central Oklahoma.
“We’re somewhere in between a small hospital and a large healthcare system, and that creates a family environment here that’s really unique,” Geer said. “Everyone knows you by name. That creates a safe, kind and helpful culture that encourages and supports you in stretching yourself.”
Geer has had many opportunities for growth since joining the Stillwater Medical team in 2017 as a surgery scrub tech. She stayed with the health system through her nursing education, serving in the emergency and labor and delivery departments. In 2022 she transitioned to the ICU as a registered nurse, drawn by the opportunity to form long-term relationships with her patients.
“We have these patients during one of the scariest times of their lives. We get to be there for them to help them get through this hard time,” Geer said. “Continuity of care is very important to us and that gives me the opportunity to build relationships with my patients and their families.”
She has a passion for providing care to her friends and neighbors in Stillwater and the surrounding rural communities. The need is great, and the hospital recently expanded its ICU from seven beds to 14 to accommodate the demand for quality, compassionate intensive care close to home. Geer is grateful for the opportunity to treat more patients locally so they can remain close to their support system during a stressful time in their lives.
In addition to capacity and facility expansion, Stillwater Medical has also invested in new service lines and providers who can deliver expert care. Dr. Daniel Roton is a new pulmonologist and critical care specialist who is building a robust lung program in Stillwater.
“Lung nodules are being found every day on a massive scale. There are just not enough pulmonologists or people in the healthcare field to keep up with the demand,” Roton said. “By providing a robust lung program here, we’re keeping our patients from having to wait to be seen in Oklahoma City or Tulsa, which can make a real impact on survival rates.”
Like Geer, Dr. Roton said he loves the ICU because of the strong emotional bonds he’s able to develop quickly. Patients and family members look to their doctors and nurses to help them navigate uncertainty as they entrust their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health into their care. It’s a responsibility the ICU care team does not take on lightly. To be their best, they need well-rounded expertise, so they lean on their coworkers for support and development.
“I always tell everyone that we have a very special group of nurses here. Every nurse here is ready to learn and excited to grow. We’ve built relationships here, and we support one another,” Geer said. “It’s a happy place to be.”
Geer is proud to call Stillwater home, but among the more than 1,800 employees at Stillwater Medical, many commute so they can experience the unique culture of this growing healthcare system without uprooting their families. And, in doing so, the intertwined root system of Stillwater Medical grows, making it even stronger to endure whatever the future has in store.
Stillwater Medical Center has immediate openings for nurses providing direct patient care. Those hired in key positions before the end of 2024 can qualify for sign-on bonuses up to $25,000. To learn more or apply, visit www.stwmedical.com/bonus.
“This is our home, and we’re growing together,” Geer said. “The more our team expands, the more patients we’re able to treat. It’s really nice to know we’re providing that service to the community and keeping them closer to their families.”
