Dr. Terry Hoyt of Sequoyah Memorial Hospital Family Medicine in Sallisaw recently lectured to a group of medical students from Oklahoma State University (OSU) Medical School on the challenges and benefits of practicing medicine in rural areas.

Hoyt spoke of the limitations rural citizens have in regard to access to quality health care and prescription medications, and also the benefits the physician can gain by practicing in rural areas. These include the opportunity to make a difference, becoming a leader in the community, and utilizing new technology to bring healthcare to rural areas.

For example, Hoyt utilized Sequoyah Memorial’s telemedicine equipment to bring his lecture to the OSU students. Hoyt was imaged by a small camera, which projected his image to the students in their classroom on a screen. In turn, Hoyt could see the students through a camera in their classroom. It is this equipment that was purchased with funds from the Sequoyah Memorial Auxiliary fundraiser and the generosity of Arvest Bank on behalf of the Walton Family Foundation. The equipment is being used to further education and resources for those in rural areas, Hoyt said.