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PONCA CITY, Okla., (November 25, 2022) – Winter holidays, parties and social gatherings often provide opportunities to overindulge, but when it comes to alcohol, moderation is important for maintaining good heart health. “Holiday heart syndrome,” or atrial fibrillation (AFib) brought on by binge drinking, can occur in healthy adults without any existing heart conditions and is commonly diagnosed around the holidays. AFib is an irregular and sometimes rapid heart rhythm that if left untreated can lead to... ... Read More

PONCA CITY, Okla., (November 16, 2022) – AllianceHealth Ponca City received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for fall 2022 from The Leapfrog Group. This national distinction celebrates AllianceHealth Ponca City’s achievements in protecting hospital patients from preventable harm and errors. “I am extremely proud of our ‘A’ safety grade, our medical staff, and all employees' relentless work to provide the safest care to our patients,” said Chris Mendoza, chief executive officer at AllianceHealth Ponca City. ... ... Read More

Schedule appointments, tests and surgeries to maximize your health plan benefits before year end. As the holidays approach, it’s easy to forget to take advantage of your insurance benefits. Now is a good time to review your outstanding health care needs and take full advantage of paid-up deductibles or available funds in Flexible Spending Accounts while you still can. “Choosing the best strategy for using available health insurance plan benefits can be overwhelming for patients. However, it is an import... ... Read More

A severe headache, difficulty seeing, confusion, or fumbling to find words — these stroke symptoms are often mistakenly blamed on other illnesses or medications, especially in people younger than 65. That’s especially concerning given the increasing incidence of stroke in younger adults. According to research presented earlier this year at the American Stroke Association International Stroke Conference, the number of strokes in those age 75+ is declining but is increasing in younger and middle-aged adul... ... Read More

Breast cancer remains a top risk for women, making up 30% of all new female cancer cases in the U.S. annually. Fortunately, a screening mammogram can help detect breast cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages. AllianceHealth Ponca City is encouraging women to schedule their screening now, because when breast cancer is detected early, life-saving treatment can begin right away. Here in Oklahoma, 2,885 new female breast cancer cases were reported in 2019, the most recent year data is available. “... ... Read More

Heart disease more prevalent among women than men When most of us think of a heart attack victim, chances are, we picture a man. However, a woman’s risk of having a heart attack is higher than a man’s – and heart attacks are still the leading cause of death among women. Each year, more than 400,000 women in the U.S. die of heart disease –approximately one death every minute. Women are 15% more likely than men to die of a heart attack. American Heart Association Cardiovascular disease is the number-one k... ... Read More

There are many things that must be done before sending your child back to school. In addition to buying new clothes and stocking your child’s backpack with the right supplies, make sure she or he has an annual physical and the proper immunizations to start the new school year on a healthy foundation. “Annual checkups allow a physician get to know the medical history of your child and monitor their development from year to year,” said Stephen Ross, a family medicine physician. “Establishing baseline info... ... Read More

Creating a plan with your provider is key to better health at all stages of life It’s never too soon to consider how health can impact your quality of life and your future. It’s important to have a relationship with a primary care provider at every stage of life and to make – and keep – your well-visit appointments. Christen Ground, D.O., a family medicine physician on the medical staff at AllianceHealth Ponca City, says, “Everyone should have a well visit with a doctor at least once a year. More freque... ... Read More

PONCA CITY, Okla., (August 1) - AllianceHealth Ponca City is pleased to welcome Stephen Ross, M.D., to its medical staff. Dr. Ross specializes in providing family and preventive care to patients of all ages and has joined AllianceHealth Medical Group in Ponca City. His office is located at 1908 N 14th, Suite 205. Board certified in family medicine, Dr. Ross earned his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City and completed his residency at the University of Oklahoma Family and Prev... ... Read More

PONCA CITY, Okla. – Over the course of a year, the impact of AllianceHealth Ponca City adds up as the skilled and compassionate hands of physicians, nurses and other team members deliver safe, quality care around the clock every day. Beyond clinical care, AllianceHealth Ponca City is a major employer and regularly invests resources to expand and enhance the services available locally. The overall community benefit each year is significant and totaled more than $52 million in 2021. Last year, the hospita... ... Read More