POTEAU, Okla. — An Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center has reduced its total cost of property and casualty insurance by 23% over the past decade, generating an estimated $2.5 million in savings and helping preserve vital healthcare resources for LeFlore County and the surrounding region.

Above Poteau stands Cavanal Hill, celebrated as the “World’s Highest Hill” at 1,999 feet. It is a fitting symbol for a community that has never allowed conventional definitions to determine how high it can rise.

Poteau has a history of breaking barriers. In 1955, following Brown v. Board of Education, Poteau became Oklahoma’s first school district to integrate, reflecting a community commitment to opportunity and inclusion. Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center carries its own heritage of service, opening in 1950 as LeFlore County Memorial Hospital. Within its walls, a bronze memorial honors local young men who gave their lives in World War I and World War II.

That tradition continues under CEO Tiffany Griffis, whose career has taken her from bedside care to nursing leadership, advanced practice and ultimately the hospital’s executive office. Today, she also represents southeastern Oklahoma as Southeast Region Chair on the Oklahoma Hospital Association Board.

Under Griffis’ leadership, and with support from EOMC’s Board of Directors, leadership team, employees, strategic partners, the Oklahoma Hospital Association and INSURICA, the hospital has delivered a measurable result: reducing its total cost of insurance by 23% over the past decade.

The result is an estimated $2.5 million in savings that helped preserve valuable healthcare resources for the community. This progress came despite three difficult headwinds: COVID-19, 33 consecutive quarters of property and casualty insurance rate increases, and one of the worst inflationary periods since the 1970s.

“A 23% decrease is phenomenal. We really appreciate all the hard work that’s gone on our side and INSURICA’s side to help us meet that 23% threshold,” said Griffis. “Having the ability to look forward and not expect an increase like we see in many services year after year. It helps us budgetary wise, and to know what equipment we can afford this year. It gives us peace of mind, and we know what to expect.”

The result was not achieved through shortcuts. It reflects sustained dedication to risk management, loss control, transparency and accountability, combined with long-term planning and a commitment to doing things the right way. Year after year, EOMC has worked to better understand its risks, prevent losses, manage claims, improve safety and build trusted partnerships. That discipline has helped protect precious rural healthcare resources while strengthening the organization for the future.

Every dollar protected through better risk management can remain closer to EOMC’s mission: caring for the people of LeFlore County. From citizens who sacrificed for their country, to a community that broke educational barriers, to a nurse who rose from bedside care to lead her hospital, Poteau’s story continues to be one of service, resilience and climbing higher.

Cavanal may be the world’s highest hill. But the people beneath it have never been afraid to climb mountains.

About Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center

Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center is a licensed 25-bed critical access hospital serving LeFlore County and surrounding communities in southeastern Oklahoma. Since 1950, EOMC has combined the personal touch of a community hospital with modern medical equipment, specialized services and professional medical care. EOMC is a public nonprofit entity overseen by a Board of Trustees appointed by the LeFlore County Commissioners, and its mission is to deliver healthcare services with compassion, respect, professionalism and accountability.