In May 2023, Randy Caywood of Cherokee, Oklahoma, suffered his second stroke that left him with difficulty walking and slurred speech. But thanks to the Rehabilitation Institute at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, he was able to go home and enjoy life again.
Caywood, who rehabbed after his first stroke at St. Mary’s, spent 23 days at the Rehabilitation Institute participating in three to four hours a day of physical, occupational and speech therapies.
“They really work you hard, but it is for your own good,” Caywood said. “You will get the care you need.”
Through consistent hard work and unwavering determination, Caywood gradually regained strength and control over his body. His therapists tailored exercises to address his specific needs, ensuring a holistic approach to his recovery.
“By discharge, Randy could walk 850 feet by himself with a front-wheeled walker, be independent with daily routines and had improved speech,” said Brittney Buller, M.S.,CCC-SLP, Rehabilitation Institute Program Director. “He also received home health services with continued therapies when he left rehab.”
The Rehabilitation Institute is a 22-bed inpatient facility that offers comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services including 24-hour nursing care, on-staff dedicated rehabilitation physician and neuropsychologist, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, case managers and dietary services.
The program is dedicated to treating individuals who can benefit from intensive inpatient therapy (at least three hours a day, 5-7 days a week) and 24-hour medical management, and who are being treated for conditions including:
• Stroke
• Brain injury
• Multiple fractures
• Amputation
• Spinal cord disorders
• Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-Barré
• Cardiac conditions
“Our rehab program is in the top 10% for meeting patient outcomes in the nation, according to the IRF database of Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR®, LLC), and we are the only inpatient rehabilitation facility in Northwest Oklahoma,” added Buller. “We have tenured and experienced physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists that provide a high level of evidence-based best practice therapy to our patients. In 2022, 81% of our stroke patients were able to return to their homes. Because of our positive patient outcomes, we continue to receive a high number of referrals from metropolitan hospitals over two hours away. These referrals are patients requesting to come back to Enid to our inpatient rehabilitation facility.”
Today, Caywood is doing great. Although the journey was tough, Caywood emerged not only physically stronger but also mentally tougher, demonstrating that with determination, support and the right mindset, one can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.
He has been back to the Rehabilitation Institute to visit and bring the staff treats. “If you come into rehab with a positive attitude, believe me, you will go home walking. There’s no better place to be for rehab than at St. Mary’s,” said Caywood.
If you would like to learn more or would like to refer a patient, please call us at 580-548-5001 or visit stmarysregional.com/rehabilitation.
St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center
305 South 5th Street
Enid, OK 73701
Phone: 580-233-6100
Physicians are on the medical staff of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
