OSU provides update on student diagnosed with meningitis

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

OSU released the following statement today from Susan Ellerbach regarding her daughter Samantha Ellerbach, OSU sophomore student who was diagnosed Tuesday with bacterial meningitis:

“Samantha is doing very well.  She is alert and talking.  She is being treated aggressively and while Samantha remains in intensive care, all indications are she will have a full recovery.

“Our family cannot say enough about the fantastic care and treatment she received in Stillwater and is receiving now in Tulsa.  The medical attention she has received from the very beginning has made the difference in her progress.  Our entire family joins Samantha in thanking her many friends, her OSU family and everyone for their wonderful thoughts and prayers.” 

OSU System CEO and President David Schmidly released the following statement:

“We are delighted to hear Samantha is making progress.  We want her and her entire family to know that the OSU family is praying for a speedy recovery.  Samantha, we want to see you back on our campus as soon as possible. 

“We applaud the medical professionals for their quick actions.  I also want to say a special thanks to our University Health Services staff and the many others on campus who responded quickly to address the needs and concerns of Samantha’s friends and other students.”

Students or others with questions or concerns may contact 405-744-2159.  In addition, a fact sheet on meningococcal disease and other information are available at http://www.okstate.edu/UHS/.  Those with immediate health concerns should visit a local emergency room, or contact their family physician or University Health Services.