RURAL WELLNESS FAIRFAX - Key Persons
As a law enforcement officer for 42 years, Charlie has served his community in many roles - from field deputy to chief criminal investigator to sheriff. He is currently Captain assigned to the Osage County Jail. He's served on Fairfax's town council for 3 terms, as Vice Mayor for 6 years, and as Mayor one and a half times. Charlie is a family man who is married with two children, a son and a daughter. His vision for the hospital is to see it thrive as it builds a greater relationship with the community, including more community involvement.
Ms. Barnard spent 32 years at Fairfax Community Hospital as a lab tech and manager before retiring in 2017. While serving as lab manager, she was asked to take on the role of radiology manager as well. She moved to Mobile, AL for months to learn ultra-sonography and help implement those services at home, a testament to her passion for the hospital, the town, and the community. It worries her to think what Fairfax would be like without the hospital and the jobs it provides and she is committed to its continued success and growth.
A practicing radiologist with decades of experience, Dr. Elizabeth Pusey founded Rural Wellness, Inc. when her passion for accessible rural healthcare brought her to purchase a struggling critical access hospital in Fairfax, OK. Inspired by the dedication of the staff and community who had worked together to keep the hospital's doors open, Dr. Pusey invested in many advancements and expansions to turn the hospital around.
Since then, Rural Wellness has expanded to include two other Oklahoma critical access hospitals in Stroud and Anadarko with the mission of bringing top-quality healthcare to the communities that need it. Dr. Pusey works alongside Avem Health Partners, an Oklahoma City-based hospital management group, to lead operations.
At home in California, Dr. Pusey spends her time managing her radiology practice with a focus on women's health, playing board games with her three children, and reading fiction.
Since joining Avem Health Partners in 2015, Hunter has established himself as a healthcare leader. With a proven track record of developing strong, collaborative relationships and creating sustainable solutions, Hunter was one of 10% of applicants selected for the National Rural Health Association's CEO certification program. Hunter has overseen many successful projects from small scale construction, to implementing facility-wide electronic health records, to finding the perfect sugar-free dessert for the hospital cafeteria (after many samples, he chose the cheesecake, cupcake, and chocolate mousse from the Mercantile).
In his spare time, Hunter enjoys spending quality time with his wife and daughter, and outdoor activities with their two dogs. With an innate curiosity and a desire to learn, Hunter enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures, and picking up new skills along the way.
Dr. Graham is our dedicated Medical Director. He is also Medical Director of Osage County HD, ONHL Hospice, and Fairfax Manor Nursing Home in addition to sitting on the Oklahoma Osteopathic Board and the Osage County HD Board. He is an adjunct clinical professor at his alma mater OSU, where he received his B.S. in Cell Biology/Zoology and Doctor of Osteopathy Degree. Dr. Graham has worked at the hospital for 40 years and is excited about the possibilities that innovative new technology can bring to rural community healthcare.