Published: April 19, 2008 02:37 pm      

Community rallies to help Wellness Center manager

McAlester resident Joe Filippo spent Saturday, his 40th birthday, still in the Intensive Care Unit of Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa.

In a telephone call from the ICU waiting room, Dana Leaman, a college friend of Ashley Filippo, Joe’s wife, talked about his condition Friday afternoon.

First she wanted to thank everyone who has or will donate to the medical fund that has been set up for Filippo, the manager of McAlester Regional Health Center’s Wellness Center. The fund has been set up at the First National Bank, 235 E. Choctaw Ave., McAlester, OK 74501. The phone number to the bank is 426-0211.

MRHC Chief Executive Officer Shaun Beggs said the fund “was established to help defray medical and other expenses while he remains hospitalized.”

At first, it was believed that the father of two had the flu when he first became ill on March 31, but he just kept getting sicker and sicker. When he began having trouble with short term memory loss, his wife took him to MRHC. Soon Filippo was being transported by medical helicopter to Tulsa. Doctors discovered that he had endocarditis, an infection in one of his heart valves.

“Bacteria got into Joe’s blood and attacked his heart valve,” Leaman said. “They had to do a valve replacement. He’s had some other issues that have come up because of his surgery.

“The doctors said the infection in his blood caused some blood clots, and some of them went to his brain. They think he’s had some mini strokes.

“He hasn’t spoken since they took him off the ventilator Monday, but he has been breathing on his own.

“But, his kidneys are ‘out of whack’ as the doctors have been calling it, so he’s had dialysis.

“We’re making progress, but it’s slow.”

It is not known how long Filippo might have to stay in the hospital, and how much the final bills might tally up to, which is why MRHC has set up a medical fund for him. Dr. Elliott Metcalf said “Joe was a great employee here — still is. The success of the Wellness Center is due to his diligence and hard work.

“He has a young family in town, and a family here at McAlester Regional, too. We treat all of our employees like family.

“We have a history of coming together when someone has been stricken by illness.”

The Filippos have two children. Katheryn is 7 and Joseph is 3.

Family friend Emily Mouser, vice president of Human Resources, said “The Filippo family expressed that they have been overwhelmed at the support and concern from the community.

“The family has established a Web site to keep everyone updated on Joe’s condition and to receive continued words of support and prayers.

“Please continue to remember Joe and his family as he continues his recovery.”

Filippo’s story and medical updates can be viewed at www.caringbridge.org/visit/joefilippo.

Contact Susan Brittingham at 421-2029 or e-mail her at sbrittingham@mcalesternews.com.