For Al Peacock, a familiar face at Stillwater Medical, healthcare has always been more than treatment—it’s about people, teamwork, and trust. From his first visit, he was met with kindness and a little humor, a quality he says makes all the difference in facing health challenges.
“My first stop was at the Stillwater Physicians Clinic, and the first thing she said to me was, ‘What would you prefer to be called?’ and I said, ‘Mr. Handsome,’” Peacock said. “When I had my first appointment, the nurse came out and called for Mr. Handsome, and I said, ‘Y’all got it right!’ and everybody laughed. If you don’t have that sense of humor, it makes it hard to deal with the rest of the day. That’s how I started out here.”
That lighthearted moment set the tone for a relationship built on mutual respect and quality care. Over time, Peacock grew to appreciate not just the staff’s warmth, but also their seamless teamwork across urgent care, primary care, and the emergency room.
“It means everything to walk in and know that each person is going to give you the best care they can do,” he said. “If they can’t, if it is something out of their specialty, they will get you to someone here who can.”
That commitment to patient-first care was put to the test when Peacock noticed his health beginning to decline. “I started swelling up, my fingers and feet, so I went into the clinic to see my doctor,” he said. “But the receptionists [in coordination with the clinical team] told me to go to the emergency room, because they saw how swollen I was.”
The swift action of the clinic staff made all the difference. At the ER, he was placed on medication to reduce fluid buildup, and he immediately saw progress. Following his hospitalization, Peacock continued his recovery in the rehabilitation unit, where he regained strength and mobility. But a month later, his symptoms returned.
He turned to Stillwater Medical for urgent care. The staff there knew his health history and didn’t just treat his symptoms – they helped him identify an underlying issue. Working closely with Stillwater Medical’s providers, a kidney specialist was able to fine-tune his treatment plan and help him regain control of his health.
Peacock credits his progress to the strong communication between his care teams. “That is key,” he said. “You have to have two doctors who are willing to talk to one another and coordinate everything.”
He has since moved to another state but said the care he received at Stillwater Medical left a lasting impression. He’s grateful for the compassion and teamwork he experienced at every stage of his care: from the warm welcome of the clinic receptionists, to the skilled care of the emergency room physicians, the dedicated support of the rehab team, and the expertise of his urgent care provider.
“Everybody working together made a big difference,” Peacock said.
For patients seeking a trusted healthcare partner, Stillwater Medical Physicians Clinic provides comprehensive primary care and convenient urgent care services at 1815 W. 6th Ave. Primary care physicians are welcoming new patients with same-day appointments available. Urgent care is open seven days a week at two convenient locations: Stillwater Medical Physicians Clinic and Stillwater Medical Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine at 518 E. Lakeview Rd. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit www.StillwaterMedical.com.
