Old Fashioned Medicine in a Modern World with Dr. Summer Merritt

How Midland Memorial Prevents Hospital-Acquired Infections

What actually happens behind the scenes to keep a hospital infection-free? In this episode of Healthcare That Makes You Proud, Stephen Bowerman sits down with Val Sparks, who has spent 42 years at Midland Memorial Hospital — the last 34 leading infection prevention and control.Val walks through the alphabet soup of hospital-acquired infections — CLABSI, CAUTI, MRSA, C. diff — and explains in plain terms what each one is, how it happens, and what her team does every single day to prevent it. From central line rounds and antimicrobial glue to UV-light disinfection and a housekeeping team that's part of the front line, this episode pulls back the curtain on the systems, protocols, and culture behind Midland Memorial's "zero infections" goal.The conversation also covers the hospital's DNV accreditation (including a sterile processing department that's the only one of its kind west of I-35 in Texas), what happens when an infection does occur, and how the team responds to hot-button public health topics like measles and Legionella. Val closes with the one habit she wishes everyone would adopt — and it costs nothing.It's an honest, detailed look at the people and processes working around the clock so patients and families can trust the care they receive at Midland Memorial.Chapters0:00 — Introduction & Channel Update1:07 — Welcome Val Sparks: 42 Years at Midland Memorial4:49 — Mandatory State & CMS Infection Reporting5:52 — CLABSI & CAUTI Explained8:20 — Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia & "Sedation Vacations"8:51 — MRSA: What It Is and How It Spreads9:36 — C. Diff Explained11:11 — Surgical Site Infections & DNV Accreditation14:36 — Sterile Processing: Only DNV-Certified Facility West of I-3515:38 — What Does "Hospital-Acquired" Actually Mean?18:12 — The Team Approach to Zero Infections22:04 — Housekeeping, UV Lights & Room Disinfection24:07 — The Wins: Falling Infection Rates26:22 — Reducing Central Line Infections28:38 — When an Infection Happens: Root Cause Analysis32:45 — Legionella & Measles: Today's Hot Topics38:38 — Val's #1 Tip: Hand Hygiene40:24 — Closing Thoughts: A Healthier Community

Old Fashioned Medicine in a Modern World with Dr. Summer Merritt

Dr. Summer Merritt, Chief of Staff at Midland Memorial Hospital and founder of Four Seasons Health and Wellness, joins Steve for a candid conversation about practicing medicine in Midland for nearly 18 years. From concierge medicine to robotic surgery, physician recruiting challenges to what makes Midland's medical staff truly unique — this is an honest look at community healthcare in West Texas.Dr. Merritt shares why she came to Midland for three years and never left, what it means to practice "old fashioned medicine" in the 21st century, and why the collegial relationships between physicians here are something you won't find in bigger cities.Subscribe to the Midland Health Podcast for conversations with the people shaping healthcare in the Permian Basin.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction00:04 Meet Dr. Summer Merritt03:30 Dr. Merritt in her own words — how she ended up in Midland05:20 The small town feel at Midland Memorial Hospital06:27 Barbara Duke, Rosalind Grover, and why community matters07:38 18 years of change — primary care and specialist access09:36 Expanding primary care in the Permian Basin11:23 What is concierge medicine?13:22 Changes in technology — EMRs, robotic surgery, and more16:12 Dr. Neil Shaw and the neurology story17:39 The challenge of physician recruiting in Midland22:13 Overcoming myths about Midland Memorial25:07 Telling the hospital's story on social media29:23 Why Midland is a hard sell — and why people stay anyway32:39 The seven minute commute and quality of life35:28 How physicians govern the hospital36:27 The Medical Executive Committee explained37:19 24/7 ICU physician coverage — a game changer38:46 Board certification standards for Midland's medical staff39:37 Physician representation on the board of trustees41:17 Wrapping up — what Dr. Merritt is most proud of41:36 The "phone a friend" culture of Midland's medical staff43:22 The Midland connection — two degrees of separation44:00 Working together in a crisis45:39 World-class credentials, right here in Midland46:20 Rigorous credentialing — why Midland doesn't just let anyone in48:05 Closing thoughts and thank you

Midland’s Next Big Step: Inside the New Behavioral Health Center

Mental health care in West Texas is about to change in a big way.In this episode of the Midland Health Podcast, host Stephen Bowerman sits down with Gran Shinwar, the incoming leader of the Permian Basin Behavioral Health Center — a facility designed to expand access to high-quality mental health and substance use care across the region.From inpatient treatment to outpatient programs, pediatric to geriatric care, and even advanced services like ECT, this center is being built to meet a need that’s existed in Midland and the surrounding communities for years.But this conversation goes beyond the building itself.It’s about:Why so many people in West Texas have had to leave the region for careWhat happens when someone is in a mental health crisisHow this facility creates a true “continuum of care”And why seeking help early can change everythingIf you or someone you know is struggling, this episode is a reminder: help is closer than ever — and you don’t have to wait. Permian Behavioral Health Centerhttps://www.permianbehavioral.org/If an emergency, call 911.Call or text 988, this will allow you to talk to a professional through the 988 national crisis hotline. PermiaCare offers access to a 24/7 hotline if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.Call 1-844-420-3964.68Nurse (686-8773) to assist with providing information on resources available for mental health services to those experiencing anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts or ideations. Texas Health and Human Services Mental Health Crisis Services Resources:https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/mental-health-substance-use/mental-health-crisis-services

Marcy Madrid on Reversing Disease & Rethinking Healthcare in Midland

What if the future of healthcare isn’t just about treating illness—but preventing and even reversing it?In this episode of Healthcare That Makes You Proud, host Stephen Bowerman sits down with Marcy Madrid, Vice President of Community Health at Midland Health, to explore how a shift toward lifestyle medicine and community partnerships is transforming healthcare in West Texas.Marcy shares her deeply personal journey after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis—and how lifestyle changes helped her regain her health and redefine her approach to care.Together, they discuss:- Why 80% of chronic diseases are tied to lifestyle choices- The difference between “sick care” and true healthcare- How Midland Health is working beyond hospital walls- The role of partnerships in building a healthier community- Practical steps anyone can take to improve their health todayThis conversation isn’t just about healthcare systems—it’s about ownership, awareness, and the small decisions that shape long-term outcomes.Learn More & ResourcesMidland Health → https://midlandhealth.orgLifestyle Medicine Program → https://midlandhealth.org/lifestylemedicineHealthy City Initiative → https://ourhealthycity.comCommunity Health Needs Assessment → https://midlandcounty.healthforecast.net/If you find value in these conversations, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could benefit from it.Chapters00:00 – Introduction to Marcy Madrid02:14 – Marcy’s Role at Midland Health04:34 – The Shift to Community Health07:06 – Lifestyle Medicine & Chronic Disease10:14 – Marcy’s MS Diagnosis Story16:15 – A Radical Lifestyle Change17:30 – Reversing Disease: What Happened Next20:18 – Why This Matters for the Community23:01 – Key Partnerships in Midland26:25 – Community Health Needs & Priorities31:36 – The “Kick the Table” Analogy38:09 – Ownership in Personal Health44:31 – Internal Culture at Midland Health45:56 – Practical Steps to Get Healthier50:20 – Final Takeaways

Inside Midland Health’s Heart & Vascular Institute

In this episode of Healthcare That Makes You Proud, host Stephen Bowerman sits down with Jenny Delk-Fikes from Midland Health’s Heart & Vascular Institute to talk about one of the most important topics in healthcare — heart health.Jenny shares her journey from starting as a new graduate nurse in 2001 to becoming a leader in cardiovascular services, along with the advanced care available right here in Midland. Together, they break down how the heart works, common cardiovascular conditions, and the wide range of services offered locally — from electrophysiology and structural heart procedures to vascular care and emergency heart attack treatment.They also discuss:• Signs and symptoms of a heart attack• Why “time is muscle” in emergency care• Door-to-balloon response times• Advanced technology available in Midland• Recovery and cardiac rehab• Preventative lifestyle changes to protect heart healthWhether you’re focused on prevention or simply want to better understand the care available in your community, this conversation offers valuable insights into keeping your heart healthy — close to home.Chapters00:00 – Intro & Guest Welcome01:05 – Jenny’s Background & Career Path02:15 – How the Heart Works04:16 – Services in the Heart & Vascular Institute05:06 – Electrophysiology & Arrhythmias06:08 – Structural Heart Procedures07:43 – Vascular & Peripheral Care09:08 – Aneurysms Explained10:13 – Common Heart Procedures12:03 – Coronary Artery Disease13:02 – Heart Attack Symptoms14:08 – Emergency Room Response15:00 – Door-to-Balloon Time17:11 – Outcomes & Recognitions18:06 – Case Volume & Services18:54 – Recovery After a Heart Attack20:01 – Lifestyle Medicine & Prevention20:54 – Why Stay Local for Care24:59 – Preventative Heart Health TipsMidland Health is a community-based healthcare system serving Midland and the surrounding region for more than 75 years. Committed to compassionate care, advanced technology, and continued growth, Midland Health provides a wide range of medical services designed to meet the evolving needs of the community.Learn more at https://www.midlandhealth.org