After nearly a year of recurring hospitalizations, unanswered questions and worsening symptoms, Texas County Memorial Hospital (TCMH) surgery patient Eric Sloan, assistant principal and head football coach at Houston High School, is grateful to be back to living his life. He credits that recovery to the compassionate, determined care he received close to home.
Sloan had been battling ongoing complications from diverticulitis since February, resulting in multiple hospital admissions throughout the year. Despite repeated treatments and referrals to larger facilities, his condition failed to improve.
“I just kept getting sick and ending up back in the hospital,” Sloan said. “The abscess never went away, no matter how many rounds of antibiotics I went through.”
That changed when Sherry Phippen, MD, a general surgeon who joined TCMH in August, became involved in his care.
“She has been a blessing to this community,” Sloan shared. “From the moment she stepped in, she was determined to figure out what was wrong.”
Though Dr. Phippen was new to TCMH, her commitment to her patients was immediately clear.
Dr. Phippen took a hands-on, patient-centered approach, frequently checking on Sloan, reviewing imaging and communicating closely with his wife.
“She came in four or five times a day some days with CT scans and updates,” Sloan said. “She explained everything, answered our questions and never made us feel rushed. She genuinely cared.”
After months of unresolved complications, Dr. Phippen performed surgery at TCMH alongside Bryan Eck, MD, general surgeon, removing approximately 12 inches of Sloan’s colon. The procedure confirmed the severity of his condition, validating the need for surgical intervention.
“For Eric, surgery became the safest and most appropriate option after every conservative treatment had been exhausted,” Dr. Phippen said. “My goal was to make sure he fully understood the plan, felt confident in his care and knew he wasn’t facing this alone.”
She didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes,” Sloan explained. “She reached out to other providers and waited for guidance, but when no one responded, she said maybe this was God telling her she needed to be the one to do it. I told her I trusted her with my life.
Friends and family were surprised that Sloan chose to have a laparoscopic colon resection performed locally rather than traveling to a larger medical center like Springfield.
“People were shocked I was having this kind of surgery here in Houston,” Sloan said. “But I trusted her completely. I would trust this lady with my life.”
That trust paid off.
Today, Sloan is recovering well and thankful he was able to receive advanced surgical care close to home.
Looking back, his gratitude is simple and heartfelt.
“She gave me my life back,” Sloan said. “I would do anything for that woman.”
“Providing high-quality surgical care close to home is incredibly important, especially in rural communities,” Dr. Phippen added. “Being able to care for patients like Eric right here in Houston allows them to heal with the support of family, familiarity and a team that knows them.”
Sloan’s experience highlights the hospital’s commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care and the value of having skilled health care providers serving our rural community.
“This is exactly why access to local surgical services matters,” Bill Bridges, TCMH chief executive officer, said. “Stories like Eric’s show the impact of care that combines expertise, persistence and heart.”
For additional information, contact the TCMH outpatient surgery department at 417-967-1252.