Published February 18, 2007

Agreement Means Doctors Will Make House Calls to Retirement Center
Mercy Health, St. Ann Reach Deal

Tonyale Christon and John Montecalvo of Saint Ann Retirement Center flank Dr. James D. Dixson and
Derek Mountford of Mercy Health Network. Montecalvo is executive director of Saint Ann Retirement Center.
Christon, until recently being named executive director at Saint Katharine Drexel Retirement Center in El Reno,
served as the director of assisted living for Saint Ann.  

By Ray Dyer
Sooner Catholic

OKLAHOMA CITY — The people who live at Saint Ann Retirement Center can remember a time years ago when doctors made house calls. They probably never thought they’d see those days again, but thanks to a partnership between the retirement center and Mercy Health Network, once again there will be a doctor in the house.  

John Montecalvo, executive director of Saint Ann Retirement Center, calls the arrangement with Mercy a natural. “We’re both Catholic entities and we both are involved in ministries that share the same values,” he said.

Montecalvo said many of the people who move to Saint Ann come from outside the Oklahoma City area. These folks may not have a doctor they are familiar with in the area. If they choose, they can meet with Dr. Darrel L. Stout, the Mercy physician who will make weekly calls to Saint Ann Retirement Center. Montecalvo stressed the choice is strictly up to the individual resident. “No one is saying they have to switch doctors. This is simply a way to make it more convenient for them if they choose.”

Dr. James D. Dixson, president of Mercy Health Network, said the arrangement “reflects what we’re trying to do” in reaching out to those in need of health-care services. Not only will the Mercy doctor visit Saint Ann Retirement Center once a week, Montecalvo said a room has been converted into a lab so blood and eventually urine samples can be taken without a resident having to leave the retirement center. Montecalvo said this service is especially nice for residents who have to fast before undergoing lab tests. “This way they can get into the lab early in the morning and then go right to breakfast,” he said. “Before, when residents had to leave the center for lab work, they may not get back until 10:30 or 11 and that’s a long time to go without food in the morning.” The lab room at Saint Ann Retirement Center will open at 7 a.m., Montecalvo said.

Derek Mountford, director of the Mercy Health Network, said Mercy will provide other health services at the retirement center including Mercy at Home (home health services) as well as hospice.

Dr. Dixson said Mercy is excited to bring the services to the residents at Saint Ann Retirement Center. He said it’s an example of how health-related services are reaching out to help people remain at home as long as possible. “This is their home,” Dr. Dixson said, referring to the retirement center. And yes, once again,  doctors are making house calls.