Physicians’ Friendship Continues as Both Serve Patients at Utica Park Clinic

Laurel Stacy, D.O., and Halie Muckelrath, D.O., first struck up a friendship long before they began working together for Utica Park Clinic and Hillcrest Hospital Cushing.

The two initially met on the first day of medical school. Following graduation, both completed their residencies in Durant, Oklahoma before seeking out their first jobs, respectively. In the summer of 2020, Stacy and Muckelrath were both hired by Utica Park Clinic and Hillcrest Cushing.

“We set out on a job exploration together,” Stacy said. “We were looking for the same thing in a community. And we agreed Cushing and Hillcrest felt like home for us.”

For Stacy and Muckelrath, Utica Park Clinic and Hillcrest Cushing have given them the chance to practice family medicine in a rural setting, an opportunity both have aspired to for quite some time after they were impacted by similar childhood experiences.

“We had a rural family physician growing up,” said Muckelrath, a Choctaw native. “I really appreciated what he did. That drew me to family medicine. I felt a calling to it.”

Stacy grew up in Winfield, a town of approximately 12,000 residents in south-central Kansas.

“Growing up in Winfield, it’s kind of a small community,” Stacy said. “I really looked up to my doctor and his leadership in (the) community.”

Working in rural family medicine, Stacy and Muckelrath have enjoyed being able to administer patient care in a variety of settings such as in the clinic, hospital and emergency room.
“I really like the kind of impact we’re able to have on our patients’ lives,” Stacy said. “We’re kind of able to walk along with a patient in their care journey, more so in a rural community than in a big city.”

Muckelrath added, “I love taking care of      everybody from the children to the grand-parents. We get  a chance to work on a little  bit  of everything. We have a lot of procedures. There’s just a need (for rural medical care). Something about the people in rural America is a little bit different.”

Both Stacy and Muckelrath began building their practice in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented initial challenges. However, they got creative in continuing patient care. Utica Park Clinic has offered parking lot, curbside and telephone visits along with other virtual care options.

“That’s what is great about Utica Park Clinic and our management,” Stacy said. “They are open to suggestions and adaptable in many ways.”

Cushing and the surrounding area have made rural family medicine care an impactful experience for both Muckelrath and Stacy.

“It’s worth it,” Muckelrath said. “The people need it. They’ll be very grateful. The reward is unending.”

“It’s even more enjoyable than I realized,” Stacy said. “We’re able to see several different members of the same family and help. The continuity of care and learning their history, it definitely feels like home here. The community has been really welcoming. The people are very friendly. It just fits me.”

To schedule an appointment with Stacy or Muckelrath, call 918-225-DOCS (3627).