Memorial Hospice
A hospice in Lawton, Oklahoma 73501
602 SE Wallock St, Lawton, Oklahoma 73501. (580) 585-5575.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 23, 2026. We couldn’t read Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ list since Oct 27, 2026: qcor.cms.gov now refuses our reader. This record is as of then.
- 5 deficiencies cited in the last three years
- Not rated family caregiver rating
- 9of 10 CMS’s Hospice Care Index
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean2
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
5 deficiencies cited in the last three years
The middle of the 16 hospices serving ZIP code 73501 had 6.
The last inspection on record was on Aug 8, 2024: a recertification inspection by the state.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
When those deficiencies happened
5 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Aug 2024. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Oct 27, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, as cited
Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Aug 8, 2024: recertification inspection by the state5 deficiencies
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Plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(b))
The inspectors’ words, 716 words
“Based on record review and interview, the hospice failed to ensure 1. hospice aide visits were provided in accordance with the plan of care for three (Patients #1, 6 and 13) of 19 patients; and 2. volunteer visits were provided in accordance with the plan of care for three (Patient #6, 11 and 12) of 19 patients. 1. Patient #1 A review of the plan of care dated 04/02/24 to 06/30/24 showed a hospice aide frequency of two visits per week for thirteen weeks. A review of the clinical record showed the following: The week of 05/05/24 to 05/11/24 showed no documented hospice aide visits (zero of two completed visits). Documentation showed no patient or family refusal of visits, no attempts to reschedule visits and no change in the ordered frequency. The week of 05/05/24 to 05/11/24 showed no documented hospice aide visits (zero of two completed visits). Documentation showed no patient or family refusal of visits, no attempts to reschedule visits and no change in the ordered frequency. The week of 05/12/24 to 05/18/24 showed no documented hospice aide visits (zero of two completed visits). Documentation showed no patient or family refusal of visits, no attempts to reschedule visits and no change in the ordered frequency. The week of 05/19/24 to 05/25/24 showed no documented hospice aide visits (zero of two completed visits). Documentation showed no patient or family refusal of visits, no attempts to reschedule visits and no change in the ordered frequency. Patient #6 A review of a plan of care dated 05/23/24 to 08/20/24 and plan of care updates dated 05/31/24, 06/14/24, 06/28/24 and 07/12/24 documented a hospice aide frequency of two visits per week for thirteen weeks. A review of the clinical record showed the following: A hospice aide missed visit note dated 05/28/24 documented the reason for the missed visit as “family assisted with shower” for the week of 05/26/24 to 06/01/24 (one of two completed visits for this week). Documentation showed no offer of other services outlined in the hospice aide care plan, no attempts to reschedule the missed visit and no change in ordered frequency. A hospice aide missed visit note dated 06/21/24 documented the reason for the missed visit as “didn’t want shower” for the week of 06/16/24 to 06/29/24 (one of two completed visits for this week). Documentation showed no offer of other services outlined in the hospice aide care plan, no attempts to reschedule the missed visit and no change in ordered frequency. A hospice aide missed visit note dated 06/28/24 documented the reason for the missed visit as “no shower” for the week of 06/23/24 to 06/29/24 (one of two completed visits for this week). Documentation showed no offer of other services outlined in the hospice aide care plan, no attempts to reschedule the missed visit and no change in ordered frequency. Patient #13 A review of a plan of care dated 04/17/24 to 07/17/24 and plan of care updates dated 04/19/24, 05/03/24, 05/17/24, 05/31/24, 06/14/24 and 07/12/24 documented a hospice aide frequency of two visits per week. Documentation showed no hospice aide visits were completed from 04/17/24 to 07/17/24. 2. Patient #6 A review of a plan of care dated 05/23/24 to 08/20/24 and plan of care updates dated 05/31/24, 06/14/24, 06/28/24 and 07/12/24 documented a volunteer frequency of two visits per week for thirteen weeks. A review of the clinical record showed no volunteer visits were made from 05/23/24 to 08/20/24. Patient #11 A review of a plan of care dated 06/21/24 to 09/18/24 and plan of care updates dated 06/28/24, 07/12/24 and 07/26/24 documented a volunteer frequency of two visits per month for thirteen weeks. A review of the clinical record showed no volunteer visits were made from 06/21/24 to 09/28/24. Patient #12 A review of a plan of care dated 06/19/24 to 09/16/24 and plan of care updates dated 06/28/24, 07/12/24 and 07/26/24 documented a volunteer frequency of two visits per month for thirteen weeks. A review of the clinical record showed no volunteer visits were made from 06/19/24 to 09/16/24.On 08/08/24 at 1:50 p.m., Staff C stated: 1. the hospice aide frequency was not followed as ordered for Patients #1, 6 and 13; and 2. the volunteer frequency was no followed as ordered for Patients #6, 11 and 12.”
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Content of plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(c))
The inspectors’ words, 701 words
“Based on record review and interview, the hospice failed to ensure an individualized plan of care was fully developed to include all services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness for fourteen (Patients #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17) of 19 patients reviewed. Patient #1 A plan of care dated 04/02/24 to 06/30/24 documented a primary diagnosis of end stage heart failure and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #2 A review of the plan of care dated 05/29/24 to 08/26/24 documented a primary diagnosis of acute on chronic diastolic (congestive) heart failure and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #3 A plan of care dated 04/19/24 to 06/17/24 documented a primary diagnosis of secondary malignant neoplasm of breast and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #4 A plan of care dated 05/30/24 to 07/28/24 documented a primary diagnosis of secondary malignant neoplasm of unspecified site and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #6 A plan of care dated 05/23/24 to 08/20/24 documented a primary diagnosis of chronic systolic (congestive) heart failure and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #7 A plan of care dated 06/25/24 to 09/22/24 documented a primary diagnosis of lung cancer and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #8 A plan of care dated 05/10/24 to 07/08/24 documented a primary diagnosis of Huntington’s disease and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #9 A plan of care dated 05/28/24 to 07/26/24 documented a primary diagnosis of end stage heart disease and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #11 A plan of care dated 06/21/24 to 09/18/24 documented a primary diagnosis of rectal cancer and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #12 A plan of care dated 06/19/24 to 09/16/24 documented a primary diagnosis of end stage heart failure and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #13 A plan of care dated 04/17/24 to 07/15/24 documented a primary diagnosis of colon cancer and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #14 A plan of care dated 05/06/24 to 08/03/24 documented a primary diagnosis of senile degeneration of the brain and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #15 A plan of care dated 05/14/24 to 08/11/24 documented a primary diagnosis of lung cancer and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #16 A plan of care dated 05/28/24 to 08/21/24 documented a primary diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #17 A plan of care dated 04/29/24 to 07/27/24 documented a primary diagnosis of congestive heart failure and showed no individualized plan of care development for the services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. On 08/08/24 at 1:45 pm, Staff C stated the plans of care for Patients #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 failed to include individualized services necessary for the palliation and management of the terminal illness.”
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Review of the plan of care (42 CFR 418.56(d))
The inspectors’ words, 280 words
“Based on record review and interview, the hospice failed to ensure the plan of care was revised to reflect increased Chaplain services for two (Patient #1 and 9) of 19 patients. Patient #1 A review of the plan of care dated 04/02/24 to 06/30/24 and plan of care updates dated 04/05/24k 04/19/24, 05/03/24, 05/27/24 and 05/31/24 which showed a Chaplain frequency of two visits per month for thirteen weeks. A review of the clinical record showed the following: Chaplain visits dated 04/05/24, 04/09/24, 04/15/24 and 04/22/24 (four visits for the month of April) with no orders for increased services and no update for increased frequencies in the plan of care. Chaplain visits dated 05/06/24, 05/16/24, 05/24/24 and 05/31/24 (four visits for the month of May) with no orders for increased services and no update for increased frequencies in the plan of care. Patient #9 A review of the plan of care dated 05/28/24 to 07/26/24 and plan of care updates dated 05/31/24, 06/14/24, 06/28/24 and 07/12/24 which showed a Chaplain frequency of two visits per month for nine weeks. A review of the clinical record showed the following: Chaplain visits dated 06/05/24, 06/12/24, 06/19/24 and 06/26/24 (four visits for the month of June) with no orders for increased services and no update for increased frequencies in the plan of care. Chaplain visits dated 07/03/24, 07/10/24, 07/17/24 and 07/24/24 (four visits for the month of July) with no orders for increased services and no update for increased frequencies in the plan of care. On 08/08/24 at 1:45 pm, Staff C stated the plan of care should have been updated to reflect the increased Chaplain services provided for Patients #1 and 9.”
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Hospice plan of care (42 CFR 418.112(d)(2))
The inspectors’ words, 261 words
“Based on record review and interview, the hospice failed to the ensure plans of care were coordinated with the long-term care facility for four (Patients #1, 2, 3 and 4) of 19 patients reviewed. Patient #1 A plan of care dated 01/06/24 to 06/30/24 showed a primary diagnosis of end stage heart disease and documented no patient specific interventions to be provided by the nursing home or the hospice for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #2 A plan of care dated 05/29/24 to 08/26/24 showed a primary diagnosis of acute on chronic diastolic congestive heart failure and documented no patient specific interventions to be provided by the nursing home or the hospice for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #3 A plan of care dated 04/19/24 to 06/17/24 showed a primary diagnosis of cancer of breast (secondary neoplasm of breast) and documented no patient specific interventions to be provided by the nursing home or the hospice for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. Patient #4 A plan of care dated 05/30/24 to 07/28/24 showed a primary diagnosis of secondary malignant neoplasm and documented no patient specific interventions to be provided by the nursing home or the hospice for the palliation and management of the terminal illness. On 08/08/24 at 2:50 pm, Staff stated the plan of care for Patients #1, 2, 3 and 4 did not outline the patient specific interventions to be to be provided by the nursing home or the hospice for the palliation and management of the terminal illness.”
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Criminal background checks (42 CFR 418.114(d)(1))
The inspectors’ words, 254 words
“Based on record review and interview, the agency failed to ensure required background checks were completed by the surveyed hospice for five (Staff H, I, J, K and L) of five employees. A review of the “Long-Term Care Security Act Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes” documented requirement for an OKSCREEN national background check with fingerprinting for all employees of a home care agency whose employment began after 07/01/14. Staff H A review of the personnel record showed a background check performed by another agency license number. No background check was performed for the surveyed agency through OKSCREEN for Staff H. Staff I A review of the personnel record showed a background check performed by another agency license number. No background check was performed for the surveyed agency through OKSCREEN for Staff I. Staff J A review of the personnel record showed a background check performed by another agency license number. No background check was performed for the surveyed agency through OKSCREEN for Staff J. Staff K A review of the personnel record showed a background check performed by another agency license number. No background check was performed for the surveyed agency through OKSCREEN for Staff K. Staff L A review of the personnel record showed a background check performed by another agency license number. No background check was performed for the surveyed agency through OKSCREEN for Staff L. On 08/08/24 at 1:30 pm, Staff B stated the OKSCREEN for Staff H, I, J, K and L were not completed by the surveyed hospice.”
The one inspection in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 8, 2024 | Recertification inspection by the state | 5 deficiencies cited |
Is it certified?
- Medicare-certified hospice since Jul 16, 2015.
- Ownership: government.
- No For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual. deficiency or CMS’s most serious finding: the place’s failure to meet a rule caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to someone in its care. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 489.3. on record in the last three years.
CMS, Hospice General Information. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Has anything been proven against it?
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- 0 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Who does the caring?
- From Medicare claims (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024): 16.7 nurse care minutes per routine home care day, 7.1% of skilled nursing minutes at weekends and a visit near death for 92.7% of patients who died.
- Where its patients were cared for (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024): 78% at home, 22% in a nursing facility.
CMS, Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | This provider |
|---|---|
| Nurse care minutes per routine home care day | 16.7 min |
| Skilled nursing minutes at weekends | 7.1% |
| Visits near death | 92.7% of patients who died |
Who owns it?
- Comanche County Hospital Authority runs it.
- 22 owners or officers are people: Kimberly R Brunty (managing employee (on the payroll)); Kimberly R Brunty (runs it (operational or managerial control)); George W Kruger (corporate officer); George W Kruger (managing employee (on the payroll)); George W Kruger (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Dustin J Hilliary (corporate director); John P Zelbst (corporate officer); John P Zelbst (corporate director); Mark A Henry (corporate officer); Mark A Henry (corporate director); Stacy D Forrest (managing employee (on the payroll)); Stacy D Forrest (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Brent L Smith (corporate officer); Brent L Smith (managing employee (on the payroll)); Brent L Smith (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Natalie J Fitch (corporate officer); Natalie J Fitch (corporate director); Toni L Brite (managing employee (on the payroll)); Toni L Brite (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Edward A Legako (corporate director); Paul Anthony Nioce (managing employee (on the payroll)); Paul Anthony Nioce (runs it (operational or managerial control)).
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, Hospice All Owners and Hospice Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated quarterly.
What do families say?
- CMS gives no family caregiver survey rating: “The number of cases is too small to report Star Ratings.”
- In CMS’s survey of family caregivers (Oct 1, 2023 to Sep 30, 2025): 88% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 92% would definitely recommend it.
- CMS’s Hospice Care Index: 9 of 10 (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
- 98.11% of patients were assessed on all seven of CMS’s measures at the start of care (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025); 50% had visits from a nurse or social worker on at least 2 of their last 3 days (Jan 1, 2023 to Dec 31, 2024).
CMS, CAHPS Hospice Survey and Hospice Provider Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Family caregiver survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of patients’ family caregivers, 1 to 5 | Not rated |
| Hospice Care IndexCMS’s Hospice Care Index, 0 to 10 (higher is better): a point for each of ten measures from Medicare claims on which the hospice meets CMS’s threshold | 9 of 10 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Of the 16 hospices CMS’s data show serving patients in ZIP code 73501, where this hospice’s office is, the middle number of deficiencies cited in the last three years was 6; this one had 5.
CMS, Hospice ZIP Data. Released Aug 26, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR hospice inspection reports. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Place | Deficiencies, 3 years |
|---|---|
| Complete Hospice Care of Southern Oklahoma | 3 |
| Memorial Hospice This hospice | 5 |
| A Path of Care Hospice IV, LLC | 7 |
| Chisholm Trail Hospice | 9 |
| Frontier Hospice | 9 |
| Traditions Health of Elk City | 6 |
| Elara Caring Xxiv | 4 |
| Traditions Health of Chickasha | Not given |
| Trinity Hospice | 14 |
| A Path of Care Hospice V, LLC | 3 |
| Choice Health at Home - Oklahoma City Hospice | 4 |
| Refuge Care Hospice | 12 |
What the record doesn’t say
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospices, so none are shown.
- Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
- CMS ended its Special Focus Program for hospices with serious problems on Feb 14, 2025, so no hospice is marked as one.
- Hospice quality measures have a gap from October 2025: CMS replaced its patient assessment then, and public results from the new one (HOPE) are expected around November 2027.
Sources
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice General Information (yc9t-dgbk).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Provider Data (252m-zfp9).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CAHPS Hospice Survey (gxki-hrr8).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, QCOR hospice inspection reports (Hospice Survey Reports - Oct 2021 through Sep 2026.xlsx).
Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice All Owners (e983965e-1603-4cb8-82b5-c40090e380d1).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice Enrollments (25704213-e833-4b8b-9dbc-58dd17149209).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospice ZIP Data (95rg-2usp).
Released Aug 26, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Oct 27, 2026.
From the hospice
The public record above comes first. Anything the hospice adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospice will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospice”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.