Ozarks Community Hospital

11/24/2025

Healthier Holiday Swaps for a Lighter, Flavor-Packed Thanksgiving

The holidays are full of comfort foods we all look forward to, but many classic dishes rely heavily on butter, sugar, and cream. The good news? With just a few simple swaps, you can enjoy the same cozy flavors while making your Thanksgiving table a little lighter and a lot healthier. The Nexus events team provided us with some great swaps for this holiday season!

Smart Substitutes for Everyday Ingredients

When cooking, try replacing butter with heart-healthy oils such as olive oil, avocado oil, or ghee. For baking, nut butters, applesauce, or nut oils add richness and moisture without relying on dairy. And when it comes to sweetening your dishes, natural options like honey and maple syrup shine in both cooking and baking.

Fresh, Healthy Thanksgiving Dish Ideas

Baked Sweet Potatoes
Skip the marshmallows and brown sugar, try dressing baked sweet potatoes just like a regular baked potato. They’re simple, naturally sweet, and surprisingly satisfying.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Make cranberry sauce from scratch using fresh or dried cranberries. Adjust the amount of sugar or use maple syrup, and add a splash of orange juice or citrus to naturally balance the tartness.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Shaved Brussels sprouts make a fresh, crunchy base for a slaw or salad, they're healthy, delicious, and an unexpected twist on a Thanksgiving side.

Maple-Glazed Carrots
Toss carrots with maple syrup and your favorite seasonings for an easy, naturally sweet glaze.

Roasted Cauliflower
Simple, flavorful, and nutrient-packed, roasted cauliflower is a great addition to any holiday spread.

Air-Fryer Green Beans
The air fryer is a fantastic tool for lighter cooking. Green beans crisp up beautifully with little to no oil.

Roasted Root Vegetables
Choose any mix of root vegetables: carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes, and beets. Cut them to similar sizes, season, drizzle with olive oil, and roast until tender. Add a little more oil as needed since they tend to absorb it as they cook.

Creamy Soups with Coconut Milk
Swap heavy cream for coconut milk in soups like butternut squash. You’ll get a silky texture with less saturated fat.

Pumpkin or Banana Bread
Both make delicious dessert options, and sweeteners can be adjusted or substituted to fit your preferences.

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Try blending roasted butternut squash into a puree and using it as a lighter alternative to heavy béchamel sauce. Toss with pasta, cheese, and seasonings for a creamy, cozy dish.

Turkey Breast Instead of a Whole Bird
For a quicker, leaner main course, roast turkey breasts instead of a whole turkey. Brine overnight and roast or air fry for juicy, flavorful results with less added fat.

11/21/2025

Every so often, we receive a story that reminds us why rural hospitals matter, and why the work our teams do every day is so important. This family’s journey is one of those stories. Their experience is a powerful testament to the compassion, and dedication found right here at Ozarks Community Hospital.

"After my mother suffered a very unexpected massive hemorrhagic stroke in April 2025, doctors were very clear that Mom had a long road ahead. We made the decision to transfer her to OCH. What began as a complex and terrifying scenario, gently morphed into the knowledge that my mom was not only going to be okay; she was surrounded by a team of people who genuinely cared about her well-being.

"Grateful," does not even begin to describe how I felt towards the staff at OCH. I am absolutely positive that had my mom been in the hands of a larger hospital, her journey to recovery would not have been as successful.

My mom's recovery is nothing short of miraculous; and I don't use that word lightly. The entire team at Ozarks Community Hospital offered a level of care that unequivocally saved my mom's life and treated her, and our entire family, with dignity, respect, and yes, even love.

We all know the stigma attached to smaller facilities in rural areas is often accompanied by the misconception that the staff is somehow underqualified, or less capable of the top-tier care patients want and deserve. Those of us who have experienced tragedy with a positive outcome, know that misconception could not be farther from the truth. And I can say with utmost confidence, that my family would make the decision over and over again to receive care from this team of healers."

11/20/2025

It's National Rural Health Day and we need your help!

Each year, OCH does our part to help amplify awareness on National Rural Health Day. This year, we wanted to go a step further! We are inviting community members to join our providers and staff in rallying together to send a message. The health care needs of the people in Rural America matter.

Please read a message from our CEO in honor of National Rural Health Day and check out the America Needs Rural Health merchandise at the link below.

ochonline.net/america-needs-rural-health/

11/19/2025

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., yet many people don’t realize they have it until symptoms become severe.

To help raise awareness, OCH’s own Cardiopulmonary Manager, Howard Bennett, RRT-SDS, has written a detailed blog that explains: what COPD is and how it affects the lungs, the difference between Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema as well as common symptoms you shouldn’t ignore. Whether you or someone you love is dealing with chronic cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, or increased mucus production, this blog offers valuable guidance and support. COPD can’t be cured, but it can be managed with the right care.
Understanding the disease is the first step toward living a healthier, more active life.

Read the full blog here: ochonline.net/understanding-copd/

11/18/2025

They’ve spent a lifetime taking care of us—now it’s our turn to look out for them. When it comes to stroke, every second matters, especially for our grandparents.

Learn the signs and act quickly - BE FAST:

B – Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination
E – Eyes: Sudden vision changes in one or both eyes
F – Face: Facial drooping on one side
A – Arms: Arm weakness or numbness
S – Speech: Slurred or strange speech
T – Time: Time to call emergency services immediately

Knowing these signs can save a life. Don’t wait, BEFAST, and protect the ones who mean the most.

11/17/2025

Congratulations to the Gravette Lions on their big win Friday night! OCH surgeons, Dr. Brandon Morris (Orthopedics) and Dr. Marc Rogers (General Surgery) were proud to cheer them on from the sidelines. Team OCH has

11/14/2025

Happy Nurse Practitioners Week!

This week, we’re celebrating the incredible Nurse Practitioners across OCH who go above and beyond for our patients every single day. Their compassion, expertise, and dedication shine through in every interaction, and our community notices.

Check out some of the amazing 5 Star reviews just some of our NP's have received over the years!

Each one is a reminder of the impact they make and the trust they build with those they serve.
To all of our NPs: thank you for providing exceptional care, comfort, and support. We appreciate you, this week and every week! To find an amazing provider near you, like the ones recognized in this post, visit ochonline.net/doctors and book your appointment today!

11/13/2025

OCH Expands Behavioral Health Services in Springfield, MO!

We’re excited to share that Ozarks Community Hospital is growing our Behavioral Health team in Springfield, MO, welcoming Dr. Lorri Darrow, MD, Psy.D., along with psychiatric nurse practitioners Zach Dampier, PMHNP-BC, and Oyetunji “TJ” Oyedji, PMHNP!

We’ve also added several new licensed therapists, expanding our ability to provide compassionate care for individuals, children, and families in our community. This growth allows us to offer more access to services like:
- Psychiatric evaluations & medication management
- Therapy & counseling
- Family and child therapy

And we’re not stopping there, OCH plans to add even more providers and services in 2026 as we continue our mission to make quality mental health care accessible for all.

Read more about our expanded team and services here:

OCH Evergreen Clinic broadens access to behavioral health care in North Springfield with expanded therapy and medication management services.

11/12/2025

We believe caring for our community means going beyond medical care. That’s why we’re excited to share that the food pantry at our OCH Benton County Clinic is now open and available anytime to anyone in need of a little extra support. If you or someone you know could use some help putting food on the table, we encourage you to stop by.

Our pantry is stocked with a variety of nonperishable items and is open to anyone is need — no appointment required and no questions asked.

For more information or questions, please contact the clinic at (479) 278-7189.

11/11/2025

In honor of Veterans Day, OCH paused this morning to gather at the flagpole and reflect on the sacrifice of those who have served our country. Veterans, we thank you for your service and courage.

11/10/2025

Meet Latoya Compton, FNP, a compassionate provider with OCH's Evergreen Clinic, who believes in meeting patients exactly where they are. Latoya’s approach is rooted in empathy, understanding, and true partnership. As she explains, “Most patients are not truly ‘non-compliant’, they’re facing real barriers like financial hardship, limited health literacy, cultural beliefs, or emotional struggles. Recognizing these challenges has strengthened my commitment to patient-centered care, where respect, empathy, and collaboration guide every interaction. By building trust and understanding for each patient’s unique situation, I can help create realistic, attainable goals together.”

Latoya is passionate about supporting her patients through every step of their healthcare journey and helping them achieve sustainable, healthier outcomes. To schedule an appointment with Latoya, call 417-823-2900 or visit ochonline.net/doctors/ today!

11/07/2025

Our tour-guide holiday elves are sneaking around OCH and their first stop is... the OCH Specialty Clinic! Did you know that OCH offers a wide-range of specialty services at the Gravette hospital? We offer General Surgery, Orthopedics, Pain Management, Podiatry, Gynecology, ENT, and more. The clinic is open Monday - Friday and located on the 2nd floor of the hospital. We're proud to offer comprehensive care close to home!

Learn more about our surgeons, here: https://ochonline.net/locations/gravette-specialty-clinic/