Courtesy Kim Kyker/Pioneer
Health Profession club members and sponsor physics professor Steve Kamm, (front, kneeling), gather in the lobby of the Oklahoma Heart Hospital prior to beginning a tour. Kamm and biology professor Kim Kyker, along with 22 students, took a two-hour tour of the hospital led by COO of Oklahoma Heart Hospital staff John Austin and chief nursing officer Janet Fundaro. “They have a philosophy that it should be like going to a five-star hotel and not to a hospital,” Kamm said. “You’re greeted by concierges. You can order full meals at any hour of the day, no restricted visiting hours and family members can stay in their own room.”

OCCC’s Health Professions club took an educational tour of the brand new Oklahoma Heart Hospital south campus located at 5200 E. 1-240 Service Road in Oklahoma City on Nov. 12. The hospital opened this past January.

Health Professions sponsor and physics professor Steven Kamm and biology professor Kim Kyker, along with 22 students, took a two-hour tour of the hospital led by Chief Operating Officer of Oklahoma Heart Hospital staff John Austin and chief nursing officer Janet Fundaro.

Kamm said a letter he received about a heart check-up over the summer prompted him to send the hospital a query about a possible student tour.

“I was surprised when I heard back from them about scheduling a student visit,” he said.

Kamm, who has taken students on four or five hospital visits during his tenure at OCCC, said it’s difficult to get into a hospital with all the restrictions related to patient privacy.

He said the students thought the Oklahoma Heart Hospital facilities were amazing.

“They have a philosophy that it should be like going to a five-star hotel and not to a hospital,” Kamm said.

“You’re greeted by concierges. You can order full meals at any hour of the day, no restricted visiting hours and family members can stay in their own room.”

Fundaro said she enjoyed showing the students the facilities and patient care.

“Our hospital is a new model for staff and the way we deliver care,” Fundaro said. ‘The staff does not have to walk more than five feet for anything,” she said, “This way the staff can take more time with patients so they are able to provide better care.”

Kamm said everyone at the hospital pitches in.

“Even the COO wears scrubs,” he said. “If staff needs something, he steps right in to help.”

Julie Burnam, 20, premed major, said the trip was the highlight of this semester.

“It opened our eyes to see what an actual hospital atmosphere was like,” she said. “We toured the operating room, emergency room and spoke with the nurses.

“One thing they said to us is there is always going to be sick people and there is going to be a need for us.”

For more information about the Health Professions Club, contact Kamm at skamm@occc.edu.