FISHER COUNTY ASSISTED LIVING

Pros

• The nurses were kind and their care was appreciated.
• Dr. Melinda Powers is praised for promptly arranging referrals and staying on top of medications, described as impeccable.
• Dr. White is knowledgeable and caring, with a staff that is likewise attentive.
• The staff are good and consistently supportive.
• The staff genuinely cares for patients, listens, and helps relieve pain so patients don't feel like just another number.

Cons

• The patient was transported to Fisher County against their stated wishes due to EMS staffing constraints, effectively forcing care at a single facility.
• PA Joshua provided only a brief, cursory assessment and did not perform a thorough exam (no inspection of feet/legs, no range-of-motion testing).
• A head CT was delayed for more than 90 minutes after other imaging, and a neck CT was never ordered despite a history of severe osteoporosis and a fall.
• An EKG was repeatedly requested but delayed or minimized, with staff indicating it wasn't a cardiac issue.
• At discharge, the patient's persistent hypotension (BP 98/55) was not addressed and the discharging clinician did not return to explain the results.
• The patient alleges prior negative experiences with PA Joshua and claims the CEO's response included punitive "no photography or video" signage and terminating the patient as "too medically complex."
• The patient felt compelled to advocate for themselves throughout the encounter and feared being overlooked in care.
• There are concerns about EMTALA compliance and access for walk-ins, suggesting broader issues with emergency protocols, staff competency, leadership priorities, and patient safety culture.

Review

A recent ER visit at Fisher County Hospital District has left a patient with serious concerns about the care received from a PA named Joshua, along with broader questions about how emergency care is managed at the facility. The encounter occurred in the early hours of Monday, July 28, 2025, after the patient experienced a syncopal episode the night before (Sunday, July 27) that resulted in a fall. The patient woke with pain in multiple areas - left toes, right dorsal foot, both knees, the lower back, and the head - and arrived feeling vulnerable and anxious about whether they would be treated appropriately in a setting they already distrusted.

A central thread in the account is the patient's fear that they would not receive proper care unless they were transported to a different hospital. The patient specifically requested EMS transport to Abilene, TX, believing they would obtain more thorough evaluation there. EMS refused, explaining they were the only crew on shift and obligated to take the patient to Fisher County. The patient describes this as being transported against their will and alleges that they signed consents under pressure in a moment of fear and limited options, an experience that contributed to a deep sense of being coerced rather than cared for.

While the patient acknowledges that the nursing staff were kind and provided a measure of compassionate care, the core concerns center on the evaluation by PA Joshua. The patient contends that Joshua did not adhere to standard syncope protocols for someone with a loss of consciousness after a head impact. A head CT, which is described as critical in such circumstances, was not ordered until more than 90 minutes after other imaging had already been completed. The patient also notes that no CT of the neck was ordered despite a history of severe osteoporosis and a clear description of the manner of the fall. Instead, only a lumbar spine CT was performed. The physical examination appears to be described as minimal: Joshua briefly looked at the bruising under the scarf, asked little, and left without a thorough assessment. The patient reports no inspection of the feet or legs, no range-of-motion testing, and no comprehensive trauma evaluation of the knees or spine, which the patient views as unacceptable for a trauma case following a syncopal event.

The patient insists that essential monitoring and evaluation were delayed or inadequately prioritized. They had to request an EKG multiple times, facing initial resistance and being told by a nurse that it "wasn't a cardiac event." The EKG was not prioritized until the patient explicitly pressed the issue again. In a situation where evaluation after a loss of consciousness is typically expected to include early cardiac assessment, the patient felt that this basic component of care was overlooked or delayed. Even at discharge, the patient's reading of vital signs - blood pressure at 98/55 - was not addressed or examined by Joshua, and another provider discharged the patient without offering a clear summary or explanation, leaving the patient with more questions than reassurance about the adequacy of the evaluation.

The patient highlights a troubling pattern: this was not the first negative experience with PA Joshua. Preexisting concerns about how leadership responds to complaints are part of the narrative, with the patient recounting past interactions with the CEO, Leanna. The reviewer alleges that responses to complaints have not focused on improving training or accountability, but rather on punitive or obstructive measures - specifically, the installation of "no photography or video" signs in the ER and the claim that the patient was terminated as a patient for being "too medically complex." The patient argues that if being "too medically complex" means being at risk of being overlooked, then such a label should not preclude appropriate care or reentry for evaluation at the ER, especially when the patient clearly asked for safer transport options.

This review culminates in a call for systemic improvements within Fisher County Hospital District. The patient urges a thorough reexamination of emergency protocols, staff competency, leadership priorities, and the overall patient safety culture. The core message is that patients should not have to advocate for themselves in the midst of pain, fear, and possible injury, especially after a syncopal event and trauma. The reviewer stresses that better processes, clearer accountability, and a culture that values patient safety are essential to prevent situations where a patient feels rushed, ignored, or coerced into accepting care that feels unsafe or inadequately evaluated.

Amid the criticism, the narrative acknowledges some positive experiences and voices. The reviewer praises individuals such as Dr. Melinda Powers, who is described as being proactive - "getting you referred right away, always on top of your medications, and impeccable." There are also mentions of Dr. White and other staff who are described as caring and knowledgeable, with a note that the facility has staff who genuinely want to help and ensure that patients are not left in unnecessary pain or treated as just another number in the waiting room. Some comments appear to question how a government-funded ER can navigate EMTALA and accept walk-ins, suggesting that there is room for improvement in how the facility communicates and manages patient flow while upholding standards of care.

In closing, the account blends a vehement critique of a specific provider and the hospital's leadership with a broader demand for patient-centered reform. The reviewer emphasizes that their experience should not be repeated with others who come to the ER seeking urgent evaluation after a fall and possible head injury. The story is a plea for stronger adherence to evidence-based trauma and syncope protocols, more transparent communication, patient-centered transport decisions, and leadership accountability to ensure that safety and quality of care are the guiding principles - especially in the high-stakes environment of emergency medicine.

Located in Rotan, Texas, this neighborhood offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to senior living. There are several pharmacies within close proximity, ensuring easy access to medications and healthcare needs. Nearby hospitals like Fisher County Hospital District and Hamlin Memorial Hospital provide reliable medical care. A selection of restaurants, cafes, and places of worship offer opportunities for social interaction and community engagement. Parks such as Aaron Park and Hamlin City Park offer serene outdoor spaces for leisurely strolls or picnics. With convenient transportation options available, including a U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer, this area provides convenience and comfort for seniors looking to settle down in a welcoming community.

Pharmacies

• Clinic Pharmacy (0 miles)
• Maloney Prescription Pharmacy (24.3 miles)
• Brookshire Food & Pharmacy (25 miles)
• Brookshire's Pharmacy (25 miles)

Hospitals

• Fisher County Hospital District (0 miles)
• Hamlin Memorial Hospital (17.9 miles)
• Stonewall Memorial Hospital (25 miles)

Physicians

• Clearfork Health Center (0 miles)
• Roby Rural Health Clinic (6.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Burri-To-Go (2.1 miles)
• Ray's Sports Bar (2.2 miles)
• Hunt Brothers Pizza (2.3 miles)
• Lupita's Restaurante (6.9 miles)
• El Ranchito Restaurant (6.9 miles)
• Pied Piper Deli & Pizza Pro (18.1 miles)
• Subway (18.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• First United Methodist Church (2.2 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (2.2 miles)
• Church of Christ (2.2 miles)
• Calvary Baptist Church (2.4 miles)
• St Joseph Catholic Church (2.4 miles)
• St Joseph Parish (2.4 miles)
• Rotan Foursquare Church (2.5 miles)

Parks

• Aaron Park (2.7 miles)
• Hamlin City Park (17.9 miles)
• Newman Park (24.1 miles)
• Rolling Plains Girls Softball Park (24.3 miles)

Cafes

• Hobbs cafe & Rv park (9.9 miles)
• Tina's Cakes & Bakes (18.3 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (18.2 miles)