Stillwater Medical Home Health was recognized in the top 5 percent in the nation for outstanding patient experience. The Press Ganey Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award is based on patient feedback and represents an exemplary commitment to care.   

“In home health our goal is to provide the most independent care in the safest situation possible. Our caregivers prioritize the patient and their families. Putting their needs first is always at the forefront of what we do,” said Maria Avers, director of home health. “We aren’t motivated by awards, but it’s wonderful for our work to be recognized.”   

Patients have a choice when it comes to home healthcare, and many look to national rankings to determine the best fit for their loved ones. Press Ganey is a company that helps healthcare providers and health plans improve the patient and workforce experience. They partner with organizations to gather, analyze and act on insights to improve care.   

As Avers reflected on 2024, she remembered many instances of her staff going above and beyond to provide the best care for their patients. Whether they were pitching in to create a special Christmas memory, arranging transportation or coordinating with local resource providers to ensure their patients’ needs were met, the home health team demonstrated extraordinary commitment.  

“We do what’s right for the patient,” Avers said. “If we can connect the patient to what they need, that’s what makes the difference.”  

Stillwater Medical Home Health began in 1992 and serves patients where they are within a 50-mile radius of Stillwater. The coverage area is all of Payne County and portions of Logan, Noble, Kay, Pawnee, Creek and Lincoln counties.  

This award sets Stillwater Medical Home Health apart from its peers. Avers is quick to give credit to the dedicated team of nurses, home health aides, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, nutritionists and social workers who coordinate together to create a seamless patient experience.   

Ciera Whitmore is a home health occupational therapist who works to get people back to the things they enjoy doing, which is different for each patient. Some want to drive their tractor again, rope calves, walk to the mailbox or attend a loved one’s graduation. For Ciera and the team, their focus is to work together to get the patient back to these activities safely.  

“The first thing we focus on is what’s important to the patient,” Whitmore said. “From there, we identify the physical and cognitive deficits and work with one another to rehabilitate that, put supports in place or modify the environment to help the patient achieve their goals.”  

This patient-centered collaboration is at the heart of the team’s success. Most who serve in this field have a passion for caring for those who cannot care for themselves. But equally important is a commitment to continuous improvement.  

“To have the best program possible, we need to make sure our patients stay safe by maintaining quality programs and focusing on performance improvement. 

“Are we improving ourselves? Are we looking at ourselves and making ourselves better continuously, so that it impacts those patients daily,” Avers asks. “Those are the questions we’re asking ourselves.” 

The Press Ganey Award serves as evidence Stillwater Medical Home Health patients have found the highest quality care. But Avers understands the work is never done. With a lack of home health aides, the team is currently at 25 staff members. To continue best serving families and patients, home health is searching for more aides. To learn more about these positions or to apply visit www.stillwater-medical.org/careers.