Health care options grow in north Tulsa

TULSA - An under-served area in Tulsa now has more hands on deck providing health care.

It's a weekend of celebration at the Greenwood Healthcare Specialist for Women. The private practice at 1216 East Apache Street North held its grand opening on Saturday.

For residents in north Tulsa, this office provides more than health care. It provides a caring hand to an under-served population.

"I think this is an area of need, great need. They don't have a lot of access, they always have to travel to south Tulsa to see a doctor. And it's just in a really good area, and that's really what I'm excited about," said April Zumwalt, a womens health nurse practitioner who works at the practice.

Research by OU-Tulsa shows the life expectancy of north Tulsa residents is 14 years less than those who live in midtown and south Tulsa.

"Just letting them know that you're here for them, you're going to be here for them indefinitely or for as long as you can, gives them some reassurance and allows them to help themselves," said Dr. Calvin Monroe, the owner of GHS.

Dr. Monroe has been practicing medicine in north Tulsa for more than five years. He hopes the opening of his office will encourage more doctors to open practices in the area, and that businesses will follow.

"I hope that I'll see shops and stores all along this street very soon, and that they will thrive and contribute, and this community will tend to have the same public services that you see in other parts of Tulsa," Dr. Monroe said.

The Morton Comprehensive Health Center also provides health care in north Tulsa. And construction is underway on the OU Wayman Tisdale Specialty Health Clinic on 36th Street North and Hartford.