A view of the twister that tore through Shawnee, Okla.

OKLAHOMA CITY - (Updated May 22, 2013) - Devastating tornadoes that tore through Oklahoma on May 19-20 have sent 63 people to SSM hospitals for treatment.

On Monday, May 20, a twister ripped through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, Okla., leaving 24 dead (revised downward), leveling homes and leaving a trail of devastation. Forty-eight storm victims were treated at St. Anthony Hospital, St. Anthony Healthplex South and St. Anthony Healthplex East with the vast majority receiving care for cuts and bruises and then released.

St. Anthony was responding to a request by the Red Cross for the hospital's grief counselors to assist victims at the scene of the devastation. The hospital's mission awareness team was also collecting work gloves and antibacterial hand wipes to donate to the community.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families impacted by the devastating storm on Monday," Joe Hodges, regional CEO/president of SSM Health Care Oklahoma, said Tuesday. "They are our families, friends and co-workers, and we grieve their losses.

"Oklahomans have proven their resiliency in the past, and this spirit and support of the community will get us through this tragedy," Hodges said. "Our staff, physicians, and volunteers stand ready to help in the healing process in any way we can."

Victims Include SSM Caregivers
The storm victims include St. Anthony caregivers -- about 40 of their homes in Oklahoma City and Shawnee were either destroyed or badly damaged. Counselors were also available to them and other employees. 

MADISON, Wis. (May 22, 2013) - Dean Health Systems and SSM Health Care moved a step closer Tuesday to becoming one organization. Last night, Dean's physician shareholders voted in favor of the deal which would merge Dean into SSM.

More than 97 percent of Dean's 300-plus physician shareholders voted in favor of the agreement. With the Dean physician shareholders favoring the merger, approval will be needed next from the Wisconsin Insurance Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and other regulatory agencies, which is expected to occur by late summer.

Dean Health Systems, Inc. is a for-profit physician-owned organization based in Madison, Wis. It includes more than 60 clinics, Davis Duehr Dean eye care, Dean Health Plan (insurance plan jointly owned with SSM), Wisconsin Integrated Information Technology and Telemedicine Systems (WITTS) and the pharmacy benefit company Navitus Health Solutions.