By Sharmina Manandhar, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
From left, Melinda Ward, Rheysa Ross, Briar Lane Ross, James Ross and Chickasaw Nation Division of Health Administrator Dr. Judy Goforth Parker at the new Chickasaw Nation Medical Center, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2010. Photo by Marcy A. Gray.
ADA, Okla. - The arrival of Briar Lane Ross was much awaited.
The Chickasaw was not only the first baby born to parents Rheysa and James Ross of Ada, but he was also the first baby born at the new Chickasaw Nation Medical Center.
Briar, weighing six pounds and 8.4 ounces, was born 4:36 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 3.
"It was a very special experience," Mrs. Ross said, of having the first baby at the new hospital. "The staff was extremely helpful."
Triple the size of the Carl Albert Indian Health Facility, the new 370,000 square-foot health care facility, also includes an expanded women's health center with 14 post partum beds, four state-of-the art labor rooms, one operation room and a full service nursery with telemedicine.
The Chickasaw Nation Division of Health staff, which moved to the new Medical Center from CAIHF end of July, was also looking forward to the first birth, according to Dr. Judy Goforth Parker, division administrator. A dedication ceremony for the hospital was conducted July 19.
"Our staff in Women's Health, including nurses and providers, were filled with joy as we welcomed this young Chickasaw baby boy into the world," said Dr. Parker.
She also said that she was "delighted" that the first baby born was a grandchild of "a faithful employee."
Briar's maternal grandmother is Melinda Ward, who has been employed with the tribe for 15 years. She is the manager of the Ada Wellness Center located at 229 W Seabrook Road.
"I am glad that he (Briar) was born at the new hospital," a beaming Mrs. Ward said. "We couldn't have asked for a better staff. They were wonderful."
She also said that it would still have been "neat" if Briar was born at CAIHF because that's where her daughter was born 24 years ago.
Briar's maternal grandfather is Randy Ward and his paternal grandparents are Charles and Ella Ross and the late Carma Ross. His great grandmother is Wanda Jean (Stick) Wyche and his great great grandfather is original enrollee Morris Stick.
The Chickasaw Nation Medical Center is located at 1921 Stonecipher Blvd. in Ada, Okla.
