NORMAN — Norman Municipal Hospital, later named Norman Regional Hospital, has been a major priority for the Luttrell family for many years, and this dedication to serving has been memorialized in the newly refurbished Hospitality House.
“For our family the three big priorities were the hospital, First Baptist Church and the Sooners,” joked Anne Luttrell Lawrence.
Unveiled in an open house Friday, the facility features new furnishings, carpet and paint, but most importantly a new name: the Doris Luttrell Hospitality House.
As a nurse, volunteer and wife of long-time hospital administrator Richard Luttrell, Doris was inspired to create Norman Regional’s Hospitality House after staying in a hospitality suite at Baptist
Hospital during her husband’s bypass surgery.
“Mom always felt that families are part of the healing process, and that hospitals don’t just take care of the patient but the whole family,” said Doris’ son, Richard Luttrell. “This place really reflects her values — having a family member in the hospital is very stressful so having a place where family members can get away for an hour or two is very important.”
Originally opened in April 2002, the House’s remodel was made possible through a $20,000 gift from Luttrell and his sister, Anne Luttrell Lawrence in honor of their mother.
Though Doris Luttrell passed away in in March 2012, her committment to providing comfort and healing for patients and their out-of-town family members will live on through the support of volunteers, Norman Regional Health System, the NRH Auxiliary fund and most of all, the respite enjoyed by House guests.
“This house, and leaving it in good condition was one of the last things she talked to Volunteer Services about,” Lawrence said. “She said it was important to her that the house be kept nice — in a condition in which people would want to be here.”
“This house is beyond anything we could have imagined,” Luttrell said. “Mom loved this place and even in her final illness she wanted to be here helping.”
The Hospitality House has eight rooms — one that is handicapped accessible. Each room sleeps up to four people. The cost is $35 per night for two guests and each additional guest is $5. It also offers cable television, a garden patio, and guest laundry facilities. To check room availability, call 307-6691.
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