OKDHS Staff Member Terrie Lincoln Commended for Outstanding Service

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- The Oklahoma Commission for Human Services today commended an Oklahoma Department of Human Services staff member for outstanding service to the citizens of Oklahoma.
Terrie Lincoln, a health care management nurse in Sequoyah County, received the honor during the Commission’s monthly meeting in Oklahoma City. Lincoln has worked for OKDHS since 2003.

The commendations were presented by Richard L. DeVaughn, chairman of the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services.

On Sept. 8, 2008, an OKDHS co-worker came to Lincoln and asked her to examine an OKDHS client, who was experiencing strange symptoms. Lincoln immediately assessed the client and recognized high risk factors for a stroke. Lincoln drove the patient to the hospital where medical staff determined the client was having a stroke. Thanks to Lincoln’s quick response, the woman was able to receive emergency medical care.

But her good deeds did not end there. On Sept. 9, 2008, after helping a co-worker who had just been diagnosed with cancer, Lincoln was returning home and saw an ambulance at her neighbor’s home. Lincoln had completed an assessment on that neighbor two years ago and the neighbor was receiving ADvantage Waiver services from OKDHS. 

Lincoln ran next door and saw that the emergency responders needed someone to assist with chest compressions. Not hesitating, Lincoln assisted by providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Although their efforts to save the patient were not successful, their care and compassion will be valued by the family for many years to come. 

And together, Lincoln and her co-worker Rhonda James, also a health care management nurse, were called upon yet again on May 8, 2009, to assist a client with a life-threatening medical emergency. Lincoln and James were unable to obtain a blood pressure reading on the client and provided potentially life-saving nursing care to the client until EMS arrived and transported the patient to the emergency room.

These nurses remained focused and calm in a situation that would have surely resulted in a much different outcome had they not been there and acted quickly and professionally, DeVaughn noted.

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