Emergency Residency

Practice big-city medicine without the commute!

Continue your education in emergency medicine with Comanche County Memorial Hospital

Drewry Family Emergency Center at Comanche County Memorial Hospital sees approximately 60,000 patients per year

36 emergency care beds and five trauma beds

Only Stroke and STEMI center in Southwest Oklahoma

Only Region 3 of Southwest Oklahoma Trauma Center

Medical residents examining an x-ray

The Mission and Vision of the CCMH Emergency Medicine Residency

Our Mission: The mission of our residency training program is to provide a diverse and inclusive group of high-quality, compassionate emergency medicine physicians who are adaptive, self-reliant, and capable of working in any environment.

Our Vision: State-wide and region-wide in emergency medicine education and health care delivery and significantly impact the health and well-being of our state and region.

Our Program

The Emergency Medicine Residency Program at Comanche County Memorial Hospital is a three-year program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) with osteopathic recognition.

The program has six resident slots per year.

Comanche County Memorial Hospital is proud to offer the most advanced emergency services in the region at the Drewry Family Emergency Center. CCMH EMS Services and Survival Flight are on hand 24/7 and they are dedicated to providing the best acute medical care and transportation to our patients.

Gain invaluable knowledge and experience

Our residents complete the emergency medicine program with knowledge and experience in the following areas and procedures which include but are not limited to:

Intubations, Central Lines, chest tubes, and lumbar punctures

Strokes and STEMIs

Running Code Blues

Stabilization of multisystem trauma

Our Affiliations

Comanche County Memorial Hospital Emergency Medicine Residents complete the majority of their training within the hospital. Residents will complete several rotations outside of the hospital at affiliated sites.

Comanche County Memorial Hospital is affiliated with the following locations:

The Emergency Medicine Curriculum

PGY 1

6 blocks – Emergency Medicine
1 block – OB/GYN
1 block – Pediatric ER (OU Children’s)
1 block – Anesthesia
1 block – General Medicine (Hospitalist/Inpatient)
1 block – General Surgery
1 block – Pediatric ER (OU Children’s)

PGY 2

9 blocks – Emergency Medicine
1 block – Ophthalmology
1 block – Cardio Thoracic ICU
1 block – PICU (St. Francis)

PGY 3

8 blocks – Emergency Medicine
1 block – Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
1 block – Trauma ICU (OU Medical Center)
1 block – Intensive Care Unit
1 block – Elective

Didactics

Didactics are held every Wednesday from 6:30 am to 11:30 am. This time is protected from other resident duties in the hospital and attendance is mandatory unless on certain offsite rotations or on vacation.

Didactics typically include lectures from core faculty, case reviews, procedure and ultrasound teaching, resident lectures, and guest lectures from other specialties.

William Bickell, MD

Welcome to the Oklahoma State University Comanche County Memorial Hospital Department of emergency medicine. As the program director of our esteemed emergency medicine residency, I am delighted to share with you the significant achievements and advancements we have made since our inception in 2014.

Our emergency department is a third largest in the state of Oklahoma. This significant growth is a testament to the dedication and hard work for residents, faculty, and staff. Located in EMS region 3 southwest Oklahoma, our Medical Center holds a unique position providing central health care services to the community. With no other Medical Center processing our level of capability within a 70 mile radius, we serve as the regional trauma center, stroke center, cardiovascular center and women’s Health Center. This distinction highlights our commitment to delivering comprehensive and specialized care to patients in need.

One of our notable accomplishments is the unparalleled training we provide in resuscitation and critical care. Our residents are immersed in a rigorous curriculum, as well as hands-on clinical practice, that prepares them to handle any emergency situation with confidence and expertise. Our program instills adaptability and resilience, equipping residents to excel in any healthcare environment they encounter.
Furthermore, I am thrilled to announce that we have recently been awarded a multimillion dollar grant. This grant has enabled us to establish a state-of-the-art comprehensive stimulation center. This cutting-edge facility provides our residents with hands-on training and realistic simulations further enhancing their clinical skills and decision making abilities. We are confident that this stimulation center will contribute significantly to the education and professional development of our emergency medicine residents.

In conclusion, I am very appreciative of the achievements and advancements we have made as a program. Our commitment to excellence, comprehensive care, and innovative training sets us apart in the field of emergency medicine. I am confident that our graduating residents will continue to make significant contributions to the medical community and positively impact the lives of countless patients. Thank you for your trust and belief in our program. Together, we are shaping the future of emergency medicine.

William Bickell, M.D.
Program Director

Emergency Medicine Core Faculty

William Bickell, M.D.

William Bickell, M.D.
Program Director

Medical School:
Georgetown University School of Medicine

Residency:
Brooke Army Medical Center

Dave Behm, DO

Dave Behm, D.O.
Associate Program Director

Medical School:
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency:
Osteopathic Medical Center of Texas – Fort Worth, Chicago Osteopathic Hospital

Vanessa Clendenin, D.O.

Vanessa Clendenin, D.O.

Medical School:
Rocky Vista University School of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency:
Comanche County Memorial Hospital

Robert Hancock, M.D.

Robert Hancock, M.D.

Medical School:
University of North Texas Health Sciences Center

Residency:
UT Southwestern/Parkland Memorial Hospital

William Murry, D.O.

William Murry, D.O.
Medical Director

Medical School:
Oklahoma State University

Residency:
Comanche County Memorial Hospital

Justin Magalassi, D.O.

Medical School:
Oklahoma State University

Residency:
Comanche County Memorial Hospital

Rachel Calhoun

Rachel Hutchins

Program Manager

Celebrating 10 Years of Residency in Southwest Oklahoma

Watch this video to learn more about the beginnings of the family and emergency residency programs at Comanche County Memorial Hospital.