Here to Serve - A United Regional Podcast

Join Ryan Graves, Director of Patient Experience, as he sits down with Toya Gorley, Improvement Advisor at National Research Corporation (NRC) Health, for a meaningful conversation exploring:

• United Regional's partnership with NRC Health and how that collaboration helps enhance the experience of both patients and staff members
• Toya's journey to health care, shaped by caring for her grandparents and a hospital experience that inspired her to pursue a career dedicated to improving the lives of others
• How to show compassion in ways that are meaningful to the person receiving it, rather than assuming what support they need
• The difference between empathy and compassion, why compassion requires action, and how it can be learned and practiced even when it calls for honesty and difficult conversations rather than simply making others feel good

Join Ryan Graves, Director of Patient Experience, as he sits down with Ainsley Johnson, ICU nurse, Jack Murdock, ICU nurse, Renee Howard, ICU nurse, and Ryan Inge, SICU nurse, for a meaningful conversation exploring:

• The dedication and teamwork required in the ICU, where nurses come prepared each day to make complex decisions, treat every patient like family, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide the best possible care
• Their journeys into critical care nursing, including the personal experiences, mentorship, and passion for continuous learning that inspired them to care for some of the hospital's most critically ill patients
• The evolution of intensive care at United Regional, including the role of intensivists, physicians specially trained to care for critically ill patients in the ICU; the growth of the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) program, a life-support technology that temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs when they need extra support; and the advanced technology helping improve patient outcomes
• Common misconceptions about ICU nurses and why their focused, task-oriented approach reflects a strong commitment to patient safety, compassion, and solving the complex challenges each patient presents

Join Ryan Graves, Director of Patient Experience, as he sits down with Ben Beutel, Firefighter, EMT-P Wichita Falls Fire Department; Shari Craig, Clinical Outpatient Therapy Manager; Travis Newberry, Rehabilitation Services Director; and Laura Pressler, Trauma Outreach Coordinator, for a meaningful conversation exploring:

• Why falls are the leading cause of injury treated in United Regional’s trauma department, including trends in who is falling, where falls occur, and the types of injuries sustained
• How United Regional is helping reduce fall risks through community partnerships, fall prevention education, safety classes, and home assessments
• The value of intergenerational connections and how initiatives like Generations United and our partnership with Blue Zones help strengthen community well-being
• How United Regional collaborates with local nonprofits, city programs, and first responders to support healthy aging, prevent falls, and promote independent living for older adults

Join Ryan Graves, Director of Patient Experience, as he sits down with Auxiliary volunteers Sandy Boswell, Sue Hester, and Linda Pless, for a meaningful conversation exploring:

• Their weekly service through United Regional's popcorn cart, and how the seemingly simple snack becomes a ministry of compassion, comfort, and connection for patients and families during some of life's most difficult moments
• The passion behind their volunteer service, and how faith, gratitude, and the opportunity to serve others bring them as many blessings as those they help
• The power of friendship and community, including the meaningful connections they've built as friends who serve together, and why they encourage anyone experiencing loneliness to get involved and serve
• The impact of every popcorn purchase, with proceeds supporting Children's Miracle Network

Join Ryan Graves, Director of Patient Experience, as he sits down with Trevon Norman, Community Coalition Coordinator for the Prevention Alliance for Wichita, for a meaningful conversation exploring:

• Trevon’s role with the Prevention Alliance for Wichita, working alongside volunteers and community leaders to promote positive community change through education, resources, events, and policy initiatives focused on substance misuse, abuse, and mental health
• The powerful role parents play in prevention, and why open conversations and clear expectations can significantly reduce youth use of tobacco, vaping products, alcohol, and drugs
• How the Prevention Alliance takes an upstream approach to prevention, helping young people recognize risks and build awareness early, before challenges arise later in life
• Trevon’s involvement with United Regional’s Patient Family Advisory Council and how patients, families, and caregivers partner with the organization to strengthen safety, enhance quality, and elevate the care experience

Join Ryan Graves, Director of Patient Experience, as he sits down with Emmanuel “Manny” Carrillo, Patient Care Services and full-time Midwestern State University nursing student, for a meaningful conversation exploring:

• His journey from a 0-8 start in amateur boxing to becoming a seven-time USA national amateur champion, two-time junior gold medalist, the nation’s top-ranked amateur boxer, and now a professional boxer
• The discipline, determination, and hard work required to succeed in sports, a career, and life
• His passion for helping others and the path that led him to pursue a career in nursing
• His commitment to making a positive difference for patients and fellow staff members each day in his current role

Join Ryan Graves, Director of Patient Experience, as he sits down with Charity Gilmore, Director of Primary Care Services for URPG, for a meaningful conversation exploring:

• Charity’s journey to the medical profession, including her path to nursing and how her son’s long-term health needs influenced her perspective and empowered her as an advocate for her family
• The role of primary care as the hub of overall health, even for healthy individuals, and the positive impact of URPG’s primary care physicians
• Efforts to reduce new patient wait times for primary care from 18 months in 2025 to about 50 days currently, including recruitment, streamlined workflows, and expanded use of advanced practice providers
• URPG’s reach across the region, serving communities beyond Wichita Falls and supporting patients who drive long distances for access to care

Join Ryan Graves, Director of Patient Experience, as he sits down with Dr. Alan Coleman, Trauma/Acute Care Surgery Medical Director, for a meaningful conversation exploring:

• Dr. Coleman’s many roles — including acute care/trauma surgeon, trauma medical director, wound care medical director, and medical director for the Burkburnett Fire Department
• The people and experiences that shaped his journey — from the impact of his mother on his work ethic and outlook, to the support of his wife, Karen, whom he describes as “the most wonderful person,” and what first drew him to surgery
• The rewards and challenges that come with his work, including the impact of patient outcomes
• The importance of United Regional offering a Level II Trauma Center to serve our community

Join Ryan Graves, Director of Patient Experience, as he sits down with international keynote speaker and author (and recent presenter at a United Regional leadership event!), Galen Emanuele, for a meaningful conversation exploring:

• Galen’s background in improv and how it shaped his ability to connect with others
• Applying the five skills of improv, including practicing “yes, and,” being receptive to ideas, listening with presence, making others look good, embracing change and failure, and staying positive
• Defining culture through how people show up, treat one another, and approach their work together — without dismissing the realities of stress

Join Ryan Graves, Director of Patient Experience, as he sits down with “Kristi” Mahan, Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), for a meaningful conversation exploring:

• Kristi’s fulfillment as an SLP and how she helps patients of all ages improve their quality of life — especially by learning or re-learning how to communicate and swallow
• Her career journey from college until now, including how she loves serving as a member on the Rewards & Recognition Committee and the Brand Ambassador Program
• The quality of rehabilitation services at United Regional and how they allow patients to stay local for services
• Kristi’s advice to new staff: You will never know it all — don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek out a mentor, and share new ideas