Oklahoma Magazine June 2024

HUB International 918-496-2000 hubinternational.com

Lockton Companies, LLC 214-969-6100 lockton.com

NFP Corporate Services, LLC 405-359-0594 nfp.com Summit Financial Group, Inc. 800-475-0991 yoursummit.com

Platinum Level

Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.

405-607-7372

alliant.com

BancFirst Insurance Services, Inc.

405-600-1837

bfins.com

Dillingham Benefits

405-263-1991

dillinghaminsurance.com

INSURICA

405-523-2100 insurica.com

Relation Insurance Services, Inc.

800-404-4969 relationinsurance.com

The Plexus Groupe, LLC

405-840-3033

plexusgroupe.com

Gold Level

3000 Insurance Group, LLC

405-521-1600

3000insurancegroup.com

Allison Insurance Agency, Inc.

405-745-2968

allisoninsurance.com

Benefits Select, LLC

405-285-9959

benefitsselect.net

Brown & Brown of Oklahoma, Inc.

918-825-3295

bb-ok.com

Catalyst Benefits Group, LLC

918-524-6315

mycatalystgroup.com

Cross Pointe Insurance Advisor, LLC

877-785-2912 cp-ins.com

Higginbotham Insurance Agency, Inc. 405-493-0459

higginbotham.com

OneDigital 866-460-1213 onedigital.com

Paychex Insurance Agency, Inc.

918-637-9057

paychex.com

Rich & Cartmill, Inc.

918-743-8811

rcins.com

Scout Benefits Group, LLC

405-445-5185

scoutbenefitsgroup.com

Tedford Insurance

918-299-2345

tedfordinsurance.com

Top Doctors

To honor physicians, their hard work and their dedication, Castle Connolly has compiled an exclusive Top Doctors listing. In it, Oklahoma’s brightest and most innovative healthcare providers are showcased.

Escape to the Lake

Summertime in Oklahoma means one thing: time spent in or on a body of water. Luckily, there are plenty of lakes to visit within our borders. We explore lodging options, lake safety and etiquette, and present a guide to help you find your next summertime stop.

State Lines

We know, we know – Oklahoma has plenty to offer to summer travelers. But if you’re itching for a road trip or a quick flight outta town, our neighboring states will welcome you with open arms. We offer some recommendations in regional destinations, alongside travel hacks, safety suggestions and all-important budgeting tips.

Securing Your Wedded Bliss

Planning what will likely be the largest party of your life comes with a few bumps – that’s guaranteed. But with the right advice and handy tools in your belt, you’ll be riding off into the sunset with Mr. or Mrs. Right, your to-do list finished and your mental health intact.

In Nebraska, we believe that only boring people get bored. So we invent our own fun.

Like when we realized that a livestock tank would float, and thought, “It’s a boat.” Soon, “tanking” became the preferred method of meandering down our slow-moving rivers. It might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but if it sounds as good to you as it did to us, go to VisitNebraska.com for a free Travel Guide. And welcome aboard.

Letter from the Editor

With school out and PTO days calling your name, it's high time to embark on a summer vacation. Oklahoma has plenty to offer you, and we’re big fans of supporting local, obviously. But if you’ve set your sights across state lines, our annual travel feature can help you plan (page 44). Whether you want to visit the quirky Carhenge installation in Nebraska, gallivant through the Santa Fe Botanical Gardens or get an education at Arizona’s Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re on the hunt for a new primary care physician, a specialist, or just want to learn more about the excellent physicians in Oklahoma, make sure to check out our Top Doctors special section (page 33). Along with a comprehensive listing, we also profile a few doctors on the list and present some helpful tips and information about common health issues.

June also welcomes our Wedding Guide, with trend forecasts, a chronological to-do list, and need-to-know info about planning a stress-free (or as close to stress-free as possible) celebration (page 52). Stick around for our Escape to the Lake piece (page 49) that highlights luxury lodgings, etiquette and safety on the water, plus the essentials you need on your boat for a safe and fun day – whether you’re rocking a mega-yacht or a small but mighty canoe.

Other goodies this month include suggestions for free entertainment around Oklahoma for kids and adults alike (page 6); a look at one of Tulsa’s hidden gem Mexican restaurants (page 56); and a chat with United Way of Central Oklahoma’s newest executive director (page 64).

Happy summer!

Mary Willa Allen Managing Editor

at OKMAG.COM

You can enjoy even more of our extensive travel feature online. See bonus photos and informative sidebars now at okmag.com.

PRESIDENT AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

DANIEL SCHUMAN

PUBLISHER AND FOUNDER

VIDA K. SCHUMAN

MANAGING EDITOR

MARY WILLA ALLEN

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

JOHN WOOLEY

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

GREG CARMACK

DIGITAL CONSULTANT

JAMES AVERY

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

STEPHANIE PHILLIPS, BRENT FUCHS

CONTACT US

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: ADVERTISING@OKMAG.COM

EVENTS AND CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS: EVENTS@OKMAG.COM

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT CONTENT: EDITOR@OKMAG.COM

ALL OTHER INQUIRIES: MAIL@OKMAG.COM

Oklahoma Magazine is published monthly by Schuman Publishing Company P.O. Box 14204 • Tulsa, OK 74159-1204 918.744.6205 • FAX: 918.748.5772 mail@okmag.com

www.okmag.com

Subscriptions are $18 for 12 issues. Mail checks to Oklahoma Magazine P.O. Box 14204 Tulsa, OK 74159-1204

Copyright © 2024 by Schuman Publishing Company. Oklahoma Wedding, The Best of the Best, 40 Under 40, Single in the City, Great Companies To Work For and Oklahomans of the Year are registered trademarks of Schuman Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

All photographs, articles, materials and design elements in Oklahoma Magazine and on okmag. com are protected by applicable copyright and trademark laws, and are owned by Schuman Publishing Company or third party providers. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution without the express written permission of Schuman Publishing Company is strictly prohibited.

All requests for permission and reprints must be made in writing to Oklahoma Magazine, c/o Reprint Services, P.O. Box 14204, Tulsa, OK 74159-1204. Advertising claims and the views expressed in the magazine by writers or artists do not necessarily represent those of Oklahoma Magazine, Schuman Publishing Company, or its affiliates.

hospitals named the best for maternity care. One more reason to smile.

Oklahoma is our home, and we believe all our friends, families and communities deserve the best. This is why two of our hospitals have been named the best for maternity care.

Visit us at saintfrancis.com

The State

Priceless Summer Entertainment

Fun doesn’t have to cost a thing.

From outdoor attractions to museums, parks and everything in between, Oklahoma has plenty of free attractions that the whole family can enjoy. Save a few dollars and make lasting memories this summer.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area

Located in south-central Oklahoma along the Arbuckle Mountains, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area envelopes 10,000 acres of natural landscapes and wildlife.

Megan Wilkins, park ranger and public affairs officer for the area, says that visiting is a great way to unplug from the busyness of city life.

“People need places like this to get away from their day-to-day lives and enjoy the fresh air and natural sounds,” she says.

The recreation area was once the Sulphur Springs Reservation, and drew travelers from far and wide for its fresh mineral water, which was believed to have medicinal properties. Running at a temperature of about 64

degrees in the warmer months, the creeks and lakes remain popular for swimming in the heat of the summer.

“Last year we had 2 million people visit the park – and about 70% of that is on the weekend,” says Wilkins. If you want to avoid the crowds, she recommends coming on a weekday.

Beyond swimming, the area offers 22 miles of hiking trails, bison pastures, lakes for fishing and boating, scenic overlooks and 400 campsites. Visitors can learn more about the indigenous wildlife and park history at the Travertine Nature Center. The recreation area also organizes ranger-led programs on select dates. To find out more about the park’s offerings, check out nps. gov/chic/planyourvisit.

Outdoor activities abound at Tulsa’s Gathering Place. Photo courtesy Gathering Place

10,000 acres of wildlife and outdoor entertainment await at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Photos courtesy NPS Photo

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art

See creations from world-famous artists, including Edgar Degas, Paul Gaugin and Vincent Van Gogh, at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art in Norman. Located on the University of Oklahoma campus, the museum has amassed a permanent collection of over 20,000 works.

The university’s museum also presents traveling exhibitions. This summer, Artists X Artists: Photographing the Creative Spirit is on display through July 7. Featuring photographs of creative icons like Georgia O’Keeffe and Ralph Ellison, the exhibition explores how photographers portray other artists in their work.

Groups can arrange docent-led tours in advance of their visit by filling out a request form online. To learn more about tours and programming, go to ou.edu/fjjma.

Heavener Runestone

Think you can crack an inscription that has puzzled scholars for decades? Then the Heavener Runestone Park is just the place for you.

Located in Le Flore County, the Heavener Runestone is a large sandstone slab with carvings that have been identified as Scandinavian runes. Many theories exist about just who created the runestone, with the most popular speculations pointing to Vikings, who ventured the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers.

In addition to the mysterious rune, the Heavener Runestone Park features 55 acres of scenic walking trails, a playground, a seasonal waterfall and campsites. On June 15, the park hosts a BigFoot and UFO Watch Party, offering visitors an evening of campfire stories, whooping contests and local vendors.

To plan your visit, check out heavenerrunestonepark.com.

Robbers Cave

Nestled in the foothills of the San Bois Mountains, Robbers Cave was a hotspot for outlaws like Belle Starr and Jesse James to hide from law enforcement. While admiring the beautiful scenery, hikers can follow a trail down to the cave where bandits used to take refuge.

“We have pretty thick timber and about 18 miles of hiking trails,” says Sterling Zearley, director of state parks, lodges and golf for the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. “It’s just a gorgeous area.”

The walking trails vary in difficulty, with the easiest leading to Robbers Cave. The park is a great spot for swimming and fishing too, with three different lakes and a bathhouse onsite.

Visitors can also expect to spot indigenous wildlife.

“We have some animals in the gift shop,” says Zearley. “There are deer, racoons and turkey out in the park. It’s not unusual to see a lot of wildlife in the area.”

In June 2023, Robbers Cave attracted over 80,000 visitors. Zearley encourages everybody to come back in the fall and spring to appreciate the changing foliage.

“We want people to come out and enjoy the parks and learn about the purpose they serve for protecting the environment and economic development,” he shares. “We want to keep these parks for years to come. They’re a very important part of the community and Oklahoma history.”

The Gathering Place

Opened in 2018, the Gathering Place is an award-winning park that acts as an inclusive community space for Tulsa. From skating areas to sensory gardens, the Gathering Place offers endless experiences for all to enjoy.

Visitors can participate in self-guided scavenger hunts, picnics on the Great Lawn, bird watching, and even kayaking in Peggy’s Pond. The park also houses Mark Dion’s Cabinet of Wonders, which features a range of postcards, ornaments and artifacts collected from around the world.

Throughout the year, the Gathering Place offers free educational and fitness programming, including yoga classes, children’s story times and guided tours. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, visitors can bring their dogs on leash for some playtime.

To discover what else the Gathering Place has to offer, visit gatheringplace.org.

FAITH HARL

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art houses over 20,000 works – which you can view for free.

Photo courtesy FJJMA

Scandinavian runes, along with plenty of community events, can be found at Heavener Runestone Park in LeFlore County. Photos courtesy Oklahoma Tourism

Robbers Cave State Park welcomes visitors for hiking, biking and plenty of indigenous wildlife spotting. Photo by Lori Duckworth/Oklahoma Tourism

Outdoor Bound

Campsites in Oklahoma are ample – and awaiting your presence this summer.

Oklahoma's state parks are packed with activities for families to enjoy, hikes to try, rivers and lakes to swim in and fish upon, and ample spaces for camping excursions.

We've got 38 state parks, and they each reflect Oklahoma’s unique geographical regions, says Sterling Zearley, director of Oklahoma State Parks, Lodges and Golf.

Take, for example, the sand dunes in Little Sahara State Park, the mountains of Beavers Bend State Park and the caves of Alabaster Caverns and Robbers Cave state parks, he says.

“It’s a good way for people to enjoy Oklahoma and the unique activities we have,” Zearley says about visiting the state’s parks. Officials say camping is always a popular activity – whether it’s in a tent, RV, cabins or lodges.

Spring, summer and fall tend to be prime seasons for camping, says Rebecca Forbes, park manager with Greenleaf, Cherokee Landing and Tenkiller state parks.

Forbes recommends that visitors first determine what they want to do in a park, whether it’s camping, hiking, boating, kayaking or fishing, to better gauge where they should go. She also recommends that people make reservations early by visitingtravelok.com, the state’s travel and tourism site.

Forbes says she enjoys meeting visitors to the park and watching the fun they have while camping or exploring.

“I think people are wanting to get away from the day-today grind and just come out and enjoy nature and relax and unwind,” she says.

Nix, an avid

Tips for Happy Camping

New to camping? Nix offers tips for a successful trip.

• Research the park. Decide what type of camping you want to do beforehand, such as primitive camping, camping with electricity, 'glamping,' or residing in a cabin or lodge.

• Create a checklist. Figure out the gear you’ll need and ensure it’s functional before you leave the house.

• Keep your campsite safe and clean. Don’t leave food out, which can attract animals. Also, leave no trace. “Everything you bring in, take out with you or dispose of it in the trash,” says Nix.

• Don’t delay unpacking. Unpack as soon as you return home, and check your tent to make sure it’s dry before storing it.

outdoor enthusiast and Norman resident, is a fan of visiting the state’s parks. She counts Robbers Cave as a favorite and has led a women’s retreat to the location. Nix also founded the Women’s Hiking Crew & Adventures group on Facebook. The group plans monthly hikes and a spring and fall retreat each year for women 18 and up.

Nix says exploring Oklahoma’s parks is exciting, as “each has its own special gems.” She encourages residents to add Oklahoma’s state

parks to their destination list.

“There’s so much to do,” she says. “If they try one, I think they’ll be hooked.”

SHARLA BARDIN

Wildlife Awareness

Outdoor adventures may bring you close to wildlife. Smokey Solis with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation o ers these tips.

• Give animals their space. “It is always best to leave wildlife alone. Yes, they are cute little creatures, but typically humans interacting with wildlife does more harm than good,” he says.

• Always secure your food and trash. Solis says bears and raccoons are especially curious about these items, so “make sure you have trash bags or something secure to put your trash in.”

• Watch out for ticks. “Pants and long sleeves are a good start,” says Solis. “You want to limit any chance that a tick can make contact with your skin. If you do get bitten by a tick, remove it as soon as possible."

• Study the repellants you’re using. Solis says insect repellents that contain DEET can be applied to clothes and skin, while repellents containing Permethrin should only be applied to clothes and allowed to fully dry before use.

Shannon

hiker,

Beaver's Bend State Park and Nature Center, Broken Bow. Photos courtesy Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation

Roman Nose State Park, Watonga

Oklahoma’s Only National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Center

Curiosity is what drives us. It is our passion and commitment. We know that an idea born of curiosity can spark a life-changing, one-of-a-kind treatment for a patient at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center. Our research and clinical trials attract the nation’s brightest and most successful doctors to our cancer center. Our team of experts knows that academic cancer care means better outcomes for Oklahomans, and we are committed to helping you find the answers you need.

With one in every four patients enrolled in a promising clinical trial, our team is delivering the most advanced therapies in the world. This relentless commitment to excellence in all we do is what earned us the designation as Oklahoma’s only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center.

As one of only 72 centers nationwide, Stephenson Cancer Center represents the top 2% of cancer centers in the United States providing the highest level of research-based patient care, education and community outreach. At Stephenson Cancer Center, we’re focused on one thing — you.

Celebrating America’s Main Street

With

its centennial just around the corner, Route 66 has a lot of history to commemorate.

Route 66 – often dubbed the Mother Road or America’s Main Street – was one of the original highways created in the United States. Established on Nov. 11, 1926, the road has become one of the country's most famous, as it originally ran through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. The freeway was officially removed from the United States Highway System in 1985 due to its replacement by segments of the Interstate Highway System. However, there’s an event happening right here in Oklahoma that celebrates and commemorates the history and cultural significance of Route 66.

The Route 66 Road Fest, running June 22-23 at Tulsa’s Expo Square, offers guests just about everything there is to know about the Mother Road. There are plenty of activities and sights to behold this year, just as they have been in years past – plus a few new things to get excited about, too.

“We will still have the historical exhibits, car shows and vendors from across the country, but this year we’ve added a couple of new things to the activities area that we think people will really like,” says Wade Bray, the producer and curator of the event. “We also updated something in e Journey,” he says.

e Journey, an interactive and educational exhibit, looks back through Route 66’s long history, complete with photos, music, artifacts and fun facts for the entire family. It covers all the sights and sounds of America’s Main Street from its beginnings in the 1920s right up to today.

Other attractions include a pinewood derby, miniature golf, Hot Wheels races, interactive art, a virtual reality arena and even some wandering dinosaurs. There will also be a car show with photo opportunities with special guest Richard Rawlings – star of the reality TV show Fast N’ Loud.

Bray says that enthusiasts often make repeat yearly visits, so he tries to have different exhibits when possible.

“We strive to add new elements each year so that our returning visitors have something fresh to see and do,” he says. “One of the really fun things to put together each year is the Presentations Stage lineup. This is where we have conversations with Route 66 authors, experts and online personalities, covering a wide range of subjects from the history of the Route to the Centennial preparations to UFOs and haunted places along the Mother Road.”

Previous guests have included authors Michael Wallis (Route 66: e Mother Road) and Candacy Taylor (Overground Railroad), as well as author/historian Bob Blackburn (Oklahoma City: Film Row). As of this writing, the 2024 schedule has not yet been released, but will be updated on the website – route66roadfest.com – when it’s finalized.

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

Preparing for the Centennial

2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the creation of Route 66, and enthusiasts are planning to celebrate accordingly.

“Centennial preparations are underway across the country, and each of the eight states the Route passes through have commissions working on their respective celebration plans,” says Bray. “As for the Road Fest –2026 will have a special feel and extras not seen at previous events.”

A century’s worth of history and festivity will soon come to pass, and Bray couldn’t be more excited.

“ e Mother Road is such a unique piece of America’s history and it deserves a special celebration,” he says.

Route 66 Road Fest, June 22-23 at Tulsa’s Expo Square, welcomes Mother Road enthusiasts from around the globe. Photos courtesy Route 66 Road Fest

A High-Flying Experience

Helicopter tours off er guests a new vantage point from which to admire Oklahoma.

Oklahoma’s legendary sunsets are a spectacle, painting the horizon with hues of gold, purple and crimson that linger in the memory. Now picture yourself witnessing this natural wonder from the unique vantage point of a helicopter cockpit, where the vast expanse of Oklahoma sky becomes your canvas.

SkyTours Hochatown and FlyTulsa Helicopters are just the ticket to see the colors of the sun like never before – along with other stunning views.

SkyTours operates a Robinson R44 helicopter equipped with advanced safety features to ensure a secure and thrilling adventure, says manager Colby Dye.

“Our streamlined process begins with a comprehensive safety briefing led by experienced staff members,” he says. “Guests are provided with headphones for clear communication and the opportunity to ask questions during their flight.”

Nestled in

southeast Oklahoma, Hochatown boasts stunning natural vistas, including Broken Bow Lake, the Mountain Fork River and Beavers Bend State Park.

“These scenic locations offer a plethora of activities, from helicopter tours to zip-lining and fishing excursions,” says Dye. “We offer a range of flight options, starting from a 3-minute adventure priced at $45 per person to a 30-minute journey beginning at $299 per person. Our commitment to affordability and inclusivity ensures that everyone can share in the joy of aviation.”

But the experience doesn’t end when the flight touches down.

which have capacity for three passengers and the pilot, says Becky Woodward, the company’s location manager.

“Everyone gets a large window, so it's great for tours, and we can take the doors off if we want,” she says. “We do everything from flight training to the perfect date night flight. We also do Easter egg drops, corporate events, outdoor festivals, gender reveals. You name it, we can probably do it.”

Woodward mentions that the company wants to make flying as accessible as possible to Oklahomans.

“Passengers of all ages and abilities can fly with us,” she says. “We have flown twoday old twins and a 101 year old grandma on a trip.”

She mentions that passengers do not need to bring anything special for a flight, except a phone for photos. The team will always ensure you have ample opportunities to get the perfect shot.

“The Metro Tour is one of our most popular 24-mile flights,” says Woodward. “It takes you north along the Arkansas River and into downtown Tulsa. After a loop through downtown, you’ll travel south and get excellent views including the Gathering Place, Oral Roberts University, the River Spirit Casino and the Aquarium.”

SHARON MCBRIDE

“After an exhilarating flight, guests have the opportunity to leave their mark on our hangar walls, commemorating their unforgettable experience alongside fellow adventurers,” says Dye.

At FlyTulsa Helicopters, you’ll experience something similar; the pilots also fly Robinson R44 helicopters,

• Remove any loose items from your person and pockets before boarding the helicopter.

• Never approach a helicopter without a pilot’s permission to do so – especially if the engine and rotors are on.

• Approach and exit the helicopter from the front or side, never outside of the pilot’s line of vision.

• Keep your seatbelt rmly fastened at all times.

• Do not open helicopter doors unless instructed to do so by your pilot.

Source: Federal Aviation Administration

FlyTulsa offers everything from sky tours to East egg drops, outdoor festivals and gender reveals. Photo courtesy FlyTulsa

At SkyTours Hochatown, flight times range from 3-minute adventures to 30-minute journeys, all at reasonable prices. Photo courtesy SkyTours

Keeping Wildlife Wild

WildCare Oklahoma helps the state’s fauna to remain safe, healthy and in their proper habitats.

Providing medical and rehabilitative care to wildlife, one nonprofit organization works to return these animals back to their natural habitats. WildCare Oklahoma, located in Noble, is one of the ten largest wildlife rehabilitation and conservation organizations in the country, and is among the few with a wildlife hospital in the midwestern United States.

Last year, the organization cared for 7,374 animal patients representing 215 distinct species, and nearly all were negatively impacted due to some sort of human interaction – such as displaced habitats, car collisions, domestic animal attacks, or injuries from utility lines or barbed wire.

“WildCare is a unique organization in the state of Oklahoma,” says Inger Giuffrida, WildCare’s executive director. “We are the only center with a wildlife hospital in the state, and we are open 365 days a year. In addition to the medical and rehabilitative care of injured, ill and orphaned wildlife from throughout the state of Oklahoma, we help people humanely resolve conflicts they are having with wildlife, provide in-person education for thousands of Oklahomans every year, and serve as the voice for the intrinsic value of wildlife and the places they live.”

Last year, WildCare answered 18,000 calls addressing a wide range of animalrelated questions, concerns and conflicts, says Giuffrida. The public is often unaware that Oklahoma is one of the most ecologically diverse states in the nation. And with myriad unique regions like prairies, cross timbers and mesas, there comes a wide array of plants and wildlife. WildCare emphasizes education to share its appreciation for natural wonders.

“WildCare’s active leadership in conservation education has an impact far beyond our direct care for wildlife in the state,” says Kyle Abbott, DVM, WildCare’s medical director. “As a wildlife rehabilitation center, we incorporate findings from

research and best practices from the field of wildlife medicine to provide the best possible care given our infrastructure and resource constraints.”

Animals affected by human activity that receive care from WildCare Oklahoma include amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds including raptors, waterbirds and songbirds.

“WildCare’s impact extends throughout and beyond the state, particularly with our care of migratory birds,” says Elise Gundlach, certified wildlife rehabilitator and WildCare operations director. “Every spring and fall, millions of birds transect our state through the central flyway. Sadly, many of these birds get hurt during this journey. Luckily, caring Oklahomans get those birds that need help to WildCare for help.”

The nonprofit provides wildlife rehabilitation with its hospital, and animals are only kept until they are well, healed or fully developed, then released. Wildlife rehabilitation centers like WildCare should not be confused with for-profit wildlife collections open to the public (many depicted in the Netflix documentary Tiger King). It is also not an animal sanctuary where visitors interact with animals

spending their lives in captivity.

“Our goal is to heal wildlife or help them develop from orphaned infants or juveniles to adults that can survive in the wild, and then we give them that second chance in the wild they deserve by releasing to appropriate habitats throughout the state – in many cases back to the area from which they originally came,” says Giuffrida.

To achieve this, WildCare does not permit visitors to the center – except during its annual baby shower, the one time a year a limited number of guests can see the work of WildCare from behind the scenes.

WildCare’s wildlife rehabilitators and veterinary team also minimize interaction with animals. Why?

“To keep them wild,” says Giuffrida. “One of wildlife’s best defenses is to steer clear of humans once released to the wild.”

WildCare does not receive any federal, state, county or municipal funds and instead depends on donations from people that care about wildlife and its future in the state. Learn more at wildcareoklahoma.org.

TRACY LEGRAND

WildCare Oklahoma rehabilitates injured, ill and orphaned wildlife before releasing it back into the wild. Photos courtesy WildCare Oklahoma

Molding Creativity

Pottery is a fun, accessible and family-friendly activity.

Creating pottery has a storied history that goes back millennia and spans myriad cultures. It has endured and thrived as an artform, and is still popular today, both as a livelihood and a hobby fit for children and adults alike.

“There’s a lot to learn in ceramics and pottery, and you make it as simple as you want to or it can get pretty complicated if you really, really get into it,” says Judith Wagenseller, owner of House of Clay in Oklahoma City. The business has been serving Oklahomans for 74 years, since Wagenseller's parents bought it in 1950.

The simplest way House of Clay customers can enjoy pottery is to paint pre-made pieces. Individuals or groups can come in, pick a piece of bisque pottery in whatever shape or design they like, paint the piece, leave it behind to be glazed and fired in a kiln, then pick up the finished piece at a later date.

Jeff Stunkard, who owns Purple Glaze Studios with two locations in Tulsa, has also offered this fun pastime to customers for more than 30 years. Stunkard mentions that in the past, the biggest challenge for people was coming up with ideas for how to decorate their pieces. But today, ideas are more accessible due to the accessibility of the internet. Customers can get as much or as little help as they need, he says.

“A lot of people will come in with the image off the internet that [they] want to do,” he says.

“We’ll teach them [and] try to get them to achieve the effect they want.”

At Purple Glaze, walk-ins are welcome and “primarily, it’s just open studios for anybody to come in and get creative for a couple hours,” says Stunkard. House of Clay also offers a few other options for those who get swept up in their artistry. These come in the form of potter’s wheel throwing classes, sculpting classes and

even 25 pound bags of clay that anyone can take home and use to sculpt their very own works of art. House of Clay offers a class on creating raku pottery which is a way to fire pottery in large outdoor kilns and using flammable materials that creates beautiful bright colors that look iridescent or metallic.

Many of these activities and classes can be fun for the whole family. Children enjoy painting the ceramic pieces, and acrylic paints (which don’t require firing) can be used for decorative pieces that do not need to be food safe. And anyone can be an artist with a large piece of clay.

“[Anyone] can come in and get a bag of clay for the whole family and you all can go home one night and just create together,” says Wagenseller.

BONNIE RUCKER

No matter your level of artistic talent, Purple Glaze in Tulsa has a pottery piece or activity for you. Photo courtesy Purple Glaze

At OKC’s House of Clay, patrons can try throwing and sculpting classes, or take home bags of clay to practice. Photo courtesy House of Clay

Oklahoma’s riving Business Landscape

Our state harbors a variety of successful and innovative publicly traded companies.

John Lindsay, president and CEO of Helmerich & Payne Inc., has worked his way up the leadership chain since joining Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Co., the company’s wholly owned drilling subsidiary, in 1987.

Starting as a drilling engineer, he later served as operations manager, vice president for U.S. land operations and executive vice president for U.S. and international operations.

Lindsay held the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer for the parent company, Helmerich & Payne Inc., from Dec. 7, 2010, to Sept. 5, 2012, before being named president and chief operating officer effective March 5, 2014.

“The business has changed so dramatically during my career,” he says. “H&P has always been a leader in how we focus on the customer, the shareholders and our employees. We have a continuous improvement mindset as part of our culture, so we are always determined to get better, each and every year, in a very cyclical business.”

The oil and gas industry will always be dynamic, Lindsay says.

“For companies that are in the ser-

vice business, we must have the best people, technology and solutions that satisfy our customers – and in turn, satisfy our shareholders. I believe H&P is well-positioned for the future," he says.

Lindsay has had many mentors along the way as he advanced and stepped into different leadership roles within the company.

“What I have learned is that every position is important to the success of the company – from the floorhand and driller on our rigs, to our operational teams in the field offices, to the many business functions housed in our corporate headquarters. Every level of the organization has to be aligned and collaborating to deliver the best value to our customer. My leadership style is focused on building strong teams that are empowered to ‘do the right thing’ and leverage technology and innovation.”

H&P – an international drilling and tech company – has been in existence for 104 years, and 98 of them have been in Oklahoma. That said, the company is about to make an even bigger investment in its hometown.

“Tulsa is our home, and we love being

a part of the community. This summer, our headquarters are moving to a modern, vibrant space located in the downtown Arts District," says Lindsay. "From daily in-office employees to our hybrid workforce, to the field and international teams traveling in, this exciting new space will serve as a hub for collaboration, innovation and creativity for the future.”

Beyond Tulsa, the company’s commitment to the communities it serves is stronger than ever.

“Our community investments focus on STEM education, health and human services, disaster relief and environmental sustainability in the 11 states where H&P has a presence. We acknowledge the important role we play in influencing the efficiency, safety and environmental impacts of our industry," he says.

Lindsay says he enjoys seeing the company’s core values demonstrated every day by its employees.

“They are the driving force behind our success, behind our innovative spirit, behind our service attitude,” he says. “They are the ones who will steer us into the next century, and for me, that’s very exciting to see.”

John Lindsay, CEO of Helmerich & Payne, partcipates in H&P’s annual United Way Day of Caring in Tulsa. Photos courtesy H&P

John Lindsay (center) rings the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange to celebrate Helmerich & Payne’s 60th anniversary on the exchange. He is joined by H&P’s board of directors, including the Chairman of the Board, Hans Helmerich, and H&P executive leadership.

What is a Publicly Traded Company?

When a company decides to “go public,” that means it starts trading its stocks on the public exchange market. Investors can become shareholders by purchasing shares of the company’s stock.

The company is considered public because any interested investor can purchase shares in the public exchange to become equity owners. Taking a company public can provide a greater pool of capital, enhanced liquidity and reputational benefit, according to SEC.gov, the Securities and Exchange Commission website.

A company might also go public to acquire other businesses with the public company’s stock, to attract and compensate employees with public company stock and stock-options, or to create publicity, brand awareness or prestige, according to the SEC.

Oklahoma-Based PTCs

ONEOK (OKE) is one of the largest diversified energy infrastructure companies in

the U.S. The company was founded in 1906 and has a century-plus history of transformation, transporting natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), refined products and crude to help meet domestic and international energy demands today, while innovating to meet the needs of tomorrow.

Devon Energy (DVN), with its corporate headquarters in OKC, is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company with operations focused onshore in the United States. It has a multi-basin portfolio headlined by a world-class acreage position in the Delaware Basin.

Williams Companies (WMB) uses its 33,000-mile pipeline infrastructure to move a third of the nation’s natural gas to where it’s needed, supplying the energy used to heat homes, cook food and generate low-carbon electricity. Williams is based in Tulsa.

Chesapeake Energy (CHK) develops its leading positions in the Haynesville and Marcellus shales, producing natural gas for domestic and international use. It is

based in Oklahoma City with field offices in Louisiana and Pennsylvania.

NGL Energy Partners (NGL) is a diversified midstream master limited partnership that provides services to producers and end-users, including transportation, storage, blending and marketing of crude oil, natural gas liquids, refined products / renewables and water solutions. It’s headquartered in Tulsa.

Continental Resources (CLR) is an independent oil producer based in Oklahoma City. It’s the largest leaseholder and largest producer in the Bakken play of North Dakota and Montana. It also has significant positions in the SCOOP and STACK plays of the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma, Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Permian Basin of Texas.

Matrix Service Co. (MTRX), founded in 1984 as a petroleum tank provider, provides construction, maintenance and fabrication to the energy and industrial markets across North America. It’s based in Tulsa.

Paycom (PAYC) is a payroll and human resources software provider that simplifies business and empowers transparency for employees through direct access to their data. From onboarding and benefits enrollment to talent management, Paycom’s software streamlines processes and drives efficiencies.

Helmerich & Payne (HP). Through its subsidiaries, the company designs, fabricates and operates high-performance drilling rigs in conventional and unconventional plays around the world. H&P also develops and implements advanced automation, directional drilling and survey management technologies. It is based in Tulsa.

KIMBERLY BURK

ONEOK, Tulsa; photo courtesy ONEOK Paycom, OKC; photo courtesy Paycom

Williams Companies, Tulsa; photo courtesy Williams

Let’s Rock

Rock and mineral societies

can help you find hidden gems … literally.

One man’s rock is another man’s treasure. Or at least, that’s the case for rockhounds – the selfidentifying moniker for people who enjoy collecting rocks and minerals.

Oklahoma is home to hundreds of said rockhounds, spurring the formation of groups like the Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society (TRMS) and the Oklahoma Mineral and Gem Society (OMGS). These groups act as a community for people to learn more about the earth sciences and lapidary arts.

Groups to Join

TRMS, which has over 600 members, was first organized in 1958. The group meets every second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Tulsa's College Hills Presbyterian Church. The society also has a special program for children, Pebble Pups, which meets directly before the meeting at 6:15.

The member meetings include a social hour, along with an expert speaker who educates on topics like geology and paleontology.

Eric Hamshar, show chair for TRMS and director at the D.W. Correll Museum, invites Tulsans who are interested in rock hunting to check out the group.

“The name of the club might sound a little hoity-toity, but we’re very down-toearth people with all different levels of knowledge and interest,” he says. “You don’t have to be an expert to join.”

Based in Oklahoma City, OMGS provides an educational space for members to learn about jewelry making, fossil collecting and geology. The group meets three times a month at the Rogers Garden Exhibition Center.

“It’s always a pleasant evening with friends getting together and visiting,” says Dale Moore, board member for OMGS.

Moore first learned how to make cabochons – gemstones that have been shaped and polished – through OMGS.

“There were a lot of fine craftsmen in the club,” he recalls. “Jewelry making is what brought me into the club, but my interest in rock collecting … has been a part of my journey.”

Members can get involved in a variety of activities, from cutting and polishing demonstrations to rock swaps. OMGS also hosts social gatherings, including an annual club picnic and a Christmas Party.

The Big Shows

Both TRMS and OMGS hold annual shows that bring together vendors, kid’s activities and competitive and noncompetitive displays. OMGS will hold the 2024 Annual Mineral and Gem Show on Oct. 25-27 at the Oklahoma City State Fair Park.

TRMS' annual show will run July 14-15 at Tulsa's Expo Square.

“You can bid on different rocks, minerals and fossils,” says Hamshar. “You can get some good deals.”

The show will also feature a booth where visitors can get their rock and mineral questions answered by geologists.

Rock-Hunting Field Trips

Oklahoma was once covered by the Western Interior Seaway millions of years ago, making it a hotbed for marine fossils. OMGS and TRMS often take field trips across the state to see what prehistoric remnants they can find.

During a field trip to Bartlesville, Hamshar discovered a tooth from a Petalodus, an ancestor of sharks that had petalshaped teeth.

“It’s a 275 – 300-million-year-old tooth,” he says. “Once I figured out what it was, man – I was excited,” he says.

Other common finds in Oklahoma are petrified wood, rose rocks, selenite and jasper. Very little equipment is needed to embark on the clubs’ field trips. Protective sun gear and a rock hammer are recommended.

“We just go as a group and hope we find something interesting,” says Moore. “We have a lot of fun.”

FAITH HARL

Based in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Mineral and Gem Society provides an educational space for members to learn about jewelry making, fossil collecting and geology. Photos courtesy OMGS

The Tulsa Rock and Mineral Society, which has over 600 members, was first organized in 1958 and meets monthly for socializing and educational speakers. Photos courtesy TRMS

Swing Away

Golf isn’t just for older generations, and enthusiasts are working hard to make the game accessible.

Golf’s popularity in Oklahoma continues to skyrocket. And whether you’re a pro looking for the next challenge, a beginner swinging a club for the first time or someone in between, there are plenty of places to play.

At Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, promoting the sport to Oklahomans has been a mission for decades.

“In March 2000, Southern Hills' board of governors approved the application of the foundation assets toward the promotion of golf and tennis to children of all diversities and social strata,” says Reagan Kingsley, the club’s director of marketing and communications. These funds eventually led to a partnership with the First Tee program.

“The program is an initiative to provide all kids with access to the game of golf [and] is grounded on golf’s unique way of instilling and nurturing essential values such as honesty, integrity, sportsmanship and a solid work ethic in young people,” she says. “As of today, more than 130,000 students have participated in the First Tee of Tulsa, and the program remains free of charge to all students.”

In Midwest City, the John Conrad Regional Golf Course just underwent a large-scale redesign.

“The word has spread. The course now has open fairways that appeal to players of multiple skill levels, but challenging greens that give even experienced golfers a few surprises,” says Larry Denny, Midwest City’s director of golf. “Couple the Conrad redesign with the quality and consistency of Hidden Creek Family Golf Course, and we believe the diversity of play found in Midwest City is what continues to bring in new and seasoned golfers alike,” says Denny. Hidden Creek Family Course is a nine hole course, perfect for shorter play or for those just learning the ropes.

To some, golf may be a sport for the older generations. But programs like First Tee are working to change that perception.

“We’re building game changers by empowering kids and teens to be the best versions of themselves,” says Kingsley. “Our trained coaches not only introduce junior golf and provide an opportunity to enhance golf skills, but they also create a safe, supportive and empowering environment to help your child prepare for life ahead,” she says.

Midwest City also utilizes First Tee, but the Carl Albert High School golf teams provide a good channel to find new and interested players.

“Being the home course for successful school golf programs helps to keep us busy with players of all ages,” says Denny.

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

Etiquette 101

Beginners might be confused about etiquette before they hit the green, but Denny has a simple solution: “The best thing to do would be to golf with a mentor or an experienced golfer. Jump in a cart with someone who can at least give you the basics,” he says.

“It will help to reduce your frustration and could help get you more interested in the game.”

A few tips should you not have a mentor on hand:

1. Stay quiet when others are taking shots.

2. Be aware of the pace of play or allow faster groups to play through before you.

3. Follow any dress code requirements.

4. Maintain the course as you play, with a ‘leave no trace’ mentality.

5. Tee times are specific; always be punctual and, if possible, early.

Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa partners with First Tee, which helps kids of all socioeconomic statuses get interested in the game, free of charge. Photos courtesy SHCC

Remembering Ruth

A passionate Bartlesville librarian fought to stop book censorship in Oklahoma – ultimately raising awareness of the issue around the country.

On July 31, 1956, Columbia Pictures released a movie titled Storm Center. Starring Bette Davis as a small-town librarian, it’s been called the first feature film to directly confront the excesses of McCarthyism. (Named after its figurehead, Wisconsin senator Joe McCarthy, McCarthyism was a Cold War phenomenon that sought zealously to root out and ruin communists and their fellow travelers in government, the entertainment business and elsewhere, ultimately destroying the reputations of many of the innocent as well as the guilty.) It was directed by Daniel Taradash, who’d won an Oscar for scripting From Here to Eternity a few years earlier.

The picture’s credits open over a page from the 1859 book On Liberty, written by the famed philosopher John Stuart Mill and including the passage, “Strange it is that men should admit the validity of the arguments for free speech but object to their being ‘pushed to an extreme,’ not seeing that unless the reasons are good for an extreme case, they are not good for any case.”

The case in Storm Center involves a book called e Communist Dream, which librarian Alicia Hull (played by Davis) refuses to pull from her shelves, igniting a firestorm of controversy that rages through the town of Kenport. Kenport, in fact, is actually Santa Rosa, California, where Taradash shot much of the movie.

While Kenport was fictional, McCarthyism was, of course, very real. And while Storm Center is fiction, it also was inspired by real-life events – not in Santa Rosa, California, but in Bartlesville.

A little over 74 years ago, Bartlesville city librarian Ruth Brown was relieved of duty by the city’s commission’s library board. According to a July 27, 1950 piece in the Tulsa Tribune, Brown had been fired “after an investigation of reports that Communist literature was sent to the library.” (The

story, incidentally, was dated a day before her 59th birthday.) It was this action that ignited the events that formed the inspiration for Storm Center, released six years later.

Brown had taken her position with the Bartlesville Public Library back in 1919. According to her Oklahoma Library Legends biography on the Oklahoma Library Association website (oklibs.org), she was deeply involved in making sure that the library services extended to Bartlesville’s African American community. In those segregated days, any attempt at building social equality between Black and white people was met in many quarters with hostility, and once the McCarthy Era got fully underway, communists and civilrights advocates became conflated.

“Brotherhood Month” of February, it points out, she and two Black teacher friends made a point of going to lunch together at “Bartlesville’s largest drugstore,” where they were predictably refused service.

According to the biography, “Two weeks later, Senator Joseph McCarthy exploded on the national scene with his accusations of card carrying Communists in the government. The event not only sent the country into a spin, but it also gave opponents of Miss Brown’s interracial activities an opportunity to attack under false pretenses.”

That attack wasn’t long in coming. The same month she and her companions were refused service at the drugstore, a group of Bartlesville citizens came to the city commission’s meeting to protest what they called “subversive materials” at the local library. Initially focused on e Nation, a progressive magazine which had begun as an anti-slavery publication in 1865 (and was decidedly anti-McCarthy), the list of allegedly offensive Bartlesville Library holdings grew to include New Republic, another liberal periodical, and Soviet Russia Today. Those, apparently, weren’t damning enough to make a case for Brown’s dismissal. So, a few days later, the front page of the Bartlesville Examiner newspaper hit the stands with a front-page photo of not only the magazines, but two copies of a book called e Russians: e Land, the People, and Why ey Fight by well-known American journalist Robert Rhys Williams, an advocate of socialism. All had been allegedly unearthed at the library. Notes Brown’s Oklahoma Library Legends entry, e Russians “was published in 1943 during the time that Russia and the United States were allies during WWII. Neither copy was owned by the Bartlesville Library. It has been speculated that the library custodian, whether by agreement or coercion, had let members of the opposing group enter the area while the library was closed. No one had authorized the photo and the displayed books were never located.”

The Oklahoma Library Legends piece suggests that Brown was let go just as much for one as the other. During 1950’s

Although this setup still carries a distinct odor nearly 75 years later, and many Bartlesville residents rallied around Brown at the time, the accusations were enough to get her discharged. That happened on July 25, 1950. Her assistant city librarian, identified in the Tribune as “Mrs. A.R. Riggs,” resigned in protest the next day. According to the Summer 2001

The film Storm Center was based upon Oklahoma librarian Ruth Brown. Photo courtesy the Oklahoma Library Association

issue of Progressive Librarian, a committee called Friends of Miss Brown “was quickly formed to publicize what had happened and to raise funds for her.” The Progressive Librarian writer, Zoia Horn, noted also that Brown was supported by the library board. That would’ve been the former library board, however. On June 14, the city commissioners had dissolved it, replacing the old members with people unsympathetic to Brown.

A couple of months later, she struck back, with a suit against the City of Bartlesville claiming her dismissal was, according to the September 13, 1950 Bartlesville Record, “in direct conflict with the state’s library laws,” specifically citing the dissolution and reconstitution of the library board. The case worked its way through Oklahoma’s justice system for a couple of years, ultimately arriving at the Oklahoma Supreme Court, where it was dismissed.

But while Ruth Brown didn’t win in court, she made an undeniable impact on 1950’s American culture. Not only did she inspire the making of a major Hollywood picture, one that struck back at McCarthyism’s excesses and in its way helped lead to the ultimate weakening and demise of the movement. She also was the catalyst for any number of public meetings and examinations of the whole notion of book and magazine censorship in public libraries and elsewhere, especially here in Oklahoma.

As would be expected, tempers on both sides remained heated, even after her suit’s dismissal. In early January, for instance, Robert Porta, Americanism officer for the Oklahoma American Legion, walked out of a public meeting at Oklahoma City’s First Unitarian Church that was being held

under the title, “Are Oklahoma Libraries Being Censored?”

A next-day story syndicated by the Associated Press noted that Porta “had just taken a stand for Bartlesville’s city officials who fired the city’s librarian and banned certain publications as pro-communist. The discussion involved selection of books for the Bartlesville library.

“Among the few who followed Porta was a woman who shook her finger at the group at the First Unitarian Church and shouted: “You are communists.”

Prior to his walkout, according to the story, Porta had been detained by the church’s pastor, Rev. Frank O. Holmes, who told him, “The American who has been taught to think freely and strenuously for himself is not likely to be made a dupe by communists.”

Following her dismissal, Ruth Brown left the state, teaching at an African American school in Mississippi and then working in Colorado as a librarian until her retirement in 1961. She ultimately returned to Oklahoma and was living in Collinsville when she died in 1975, at the age of 84. According to her Wikipedia entry, she asked that her body be donated to the University of Oklahoma Medical Center.

Some years later, in 2001, OU Press published e Dismissal of Miss Ruth Brown: Civil Rights, Censorship, and the American Library, written by Louise S. Robbins. Six years after that, the Bartlesville Library began displaying a bronze bust of Brown, in addition to starting a scholarship fund in her honor. And in 2023, the library added a mural depicting Brown, sitting under a tree and reading to a mixed-race group of youngsters.

JOHN WOOLEY

What treatment would you recommend to improve my skin’s texture on my

face?

I would recommend an Opus treatment. Opus is a first-of-it’s-kind radiofrequency skin resurfacing technology that uses plasma energy to improve the skin’s tone and texture, delivering results similar to traditional deep resurfacing treatments without the downtime. This treatment uses plasma technology to slightly ablate the skin, which stimulates the surrounding tissue to repair itself, improving collagen production. It is a quick outpatient treatment that can be personalized to specific patient needs and treat all skin types. Opus is the perfect procedure to improve wrinkles, fine lines, crepey/saggy skin, acne scars, and even stretch marks. All areas of the face and body can be treated by Opus with noticeable results after just one treatment. Combined topical stem cell therapy or patients’ own PRP may also be added. To schedule an appointment and find out more information on Opus, call Fig Medical at 918-932-8810.

Cristie Lehr-Hawkins. M.D., Fig - For Inner Good - Medical Spa 8921 S Yale Ave - Tulsa, OK 74137 918.932.8810 - figtulsa.com

Has your risk tolerance changed over time?

Here are five considerations to make when assessing your risk profile: 1. Understand how risk tolerance can affect a portfolio. Investors with conservative profiles are often individuals who have shorter investment horizons or fewer assets. A portfolio heavily weighted in stocks is better suited to individuals with a high-risk tolerance. 2. Changes to your personal life. Big life events such as marriage, divorce, home ownership, parenthood or a job change can impact your risk tolerance. 3. Changes to external circumstances. Your risk tolerance can be influenced by matters outside your personal sphere of influence. Stock market volatility, inflation and political events can contribute to your ease or discomfort with investment risk. 4. Consider your confidence with risk. Check your stress level when the market fluctuates. You may not have the stomach for market dips. 5. Progress towards goals. Younger investors can usually manage more risk because they have years ahead of them in which to make up for market downturns

David Karimian, CFP®, CRPC®, APMA® Prime Wealth Management

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial 2431 E 61st St, Suite 400, Tulsa, OK 74136 918.388.2009 David.x.Karimian@ampf.com www.primewealthmgmt.com

DAVID KARIMIAN CFP®, CRPC®, APMA®

MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF AESTHETICS & WELLNESS

DR. CRISTIE HAWKINS

Pictured here is the original Bartlesville Public Library where Ruth Brown worked. Photo courtesy the Bartlesville County Commission

Life & Style

e Pearl of the Danube

Hungary’s capital city provides everything one would need for a dream vacation.

Enormous reserves of warm spring water lie beneath Budapest, providing rivers of soothing thermal comfort to the city’s bath houses, therapeutic spas and evening swim parties. The stuff contains minerals and is supposedly so good for you, the Romans would drink it. Hippos at the Budapest Zoo insist on it in their pools. The source of the Danube River is also a spring, but this one is 600 miles away in the Black Forest mountains of western Germany. By the time the waterway reaches Budapest, it’s a full-blown river, one-third of a mile wide and a major trade route. For centuries, the cities of Buda and Pest thrived on their respective banks un-

til 1873 when they finally merged together politically to form Hungary’s capital, Budapest.

An eye-catching manifestation of this unification is the iron and stone Szechenyi Chain Bridge spanning the Danube. First built in the 1800s, the suspension bridge was damaged in World War II and then rebuilt using the structure’s original

massive stone pillars and portal lions. Chains attached to the pillars support the 1,230-foot-long roadbed.

Stroll the bridge, oohing and aahing at views of the red dome-topped Hungarian Parliament and Buda Castle. It’s a magical scene at night when the lights of the bridge reflect off the Danube and dance with those of nearby landmarks.

The Chain Bridge on the Danube River; all photos stock Buda Castle

Invading armies have always found Budapest a popular city to ransack. Occupying cultures have left their mark, dating back to the ninth century. You’ll find remnants of not only the Romans but also Celts, Turks, Habsburgs, German Nazis and Russians.

On one end of Castle Hill on the Buda side of the Danube, Buda Castle has been dominating the landscape since the 13th century when it housed kings. Now, its many structures exude a sense of medieval Baroque elegance. Take in impressive vistas of the city and the Danube and check out three on-site museums: the Hungarian National Gallery, the National Szechenyi Library and the Budapest Historical Museum.

look about them and only one purpose in mind: to provide the best panoramas of town and river. Adjacent to the Bastion is the stunning Matthias Church, restored by the Bastion’s architect, Frigyes Schulek, in a complimentary style with a slender medieval profile.

Shoppers: Look for bargains on fine Hungarian linens, hand-crafted porcelain, palinka liqueur and Rubik’s Cubes (the inventor was Budapesti Erno Rubik). Regroup to refresh at one of Budapest’s quirky ruin bars, located in, well, ruins – buildings that were dilapidated and about to be torn down but are now seeing new life as Bohemian dives.

It’s a city of 1.7 million so delightful restaurants aren’t hard to find. If you like paprika, you’re in luck, so do Hungarians. Popular local dishes include chicken paprikash with dumplings, a fisherman’s soup called Halaszle (fish and paprika) and Hungarian goulash, a sort of stew made with beef, onions, tomatoes, peppers and the irreplaceable paprika.

A crazy maze of tunnels lurks beneath Buda Castle, at times used as a shelter, a Turkish harem, a hospital and a dungeon. Today, the tunnel walls are filled with curious exhibitions depicting life as a Hungarian prisoner. Legend has it that back in the 15th century, one of the chambers housed none other than Vlad Tepes, aka “Vlad the Impaler,” the inspiration for our old friend Dracula.

With its seven turrets, Fisherman’s Bastion on Castle Hill is a neo-Gothic stack of two massive stone terraces with a fairytale

Stay in the elegant Aria Hotel Budapest, a 2015-era boutique hotel chiseled into a 19th-century former bank building in the city’s historic center. Music is king at the Aria, from live lobby performances to playlists in every room to tiles laid out like piano keys. The rooftop bar hits just the right note after an afternoon spa session.

CHUCK MAI

Sculpture of Empress Elisabeth of Austria and Queen of Hungary, Matthias Church

Fisherman’s Bastion

EXPECTATIONS. EXCITEMENT. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.

What Is Sickle Cell?

Many have heard the term – but a pediatric hematologist explains what sickle cell is and how it aff ects the body.

“Sickle cell is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 100,000 Americans,” says Ashley Baker, M.D., interim director of the Pediatric Sickle Cell Program at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, as well as the associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences in OKC.

There are variations of sickle cell disease, she says, and Hb SS – also known as sickle cell anemia – is the most common form.

“It’s caused by a mutation in the beta globin gene, which is responsible for making hemoglobin,” says Baker. “Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells which carries oxygen to all parts of the body. The abnormal hemoglobin causes the red blood cells to be rigid and shaped like a C, or sickle. Sickle cells can get stuck in blood vessels (vaso-occlusion) and block blood flow. Vaso-occlusion can cause intense pain, stroke, pneumonia and other organ damage, and vaso-occlusion in the spleen increases the risk of life-threatening infections. Sickle cells also break down faster than normal red blood cells, leading to anemia.”

Regarding the genetic component, Baker says a child gets sickle cell disease when he or she receives two sickle cell genes – one from each parent. In addition, she says sickle cell disease is more common in certain ethnic groups including people of African descent, Hispanic-Americans, and

people of Middle Eastern, Asian, Indian and Mediterranean descent – though all ethnicities are affected.

“Sickle cell disease is diagnosed at birth by the newborn screen, mandatory in all states,” she says. “It can also be identified prenatally. Affected infants may not have symptoms until five or six months of age. Adults born prior to universal screening or outside of the United States may be unaware of their diagnosis if they only have mild symptoms.”

For those living with sickle cell disease, treatment plans can be complex and require consistent medical supervision to help relieve pain, prevent infection and minimize organ damage.

“Life threatening infections can be reduced through use of prophylactic penicillin, routine childhood immunizations and immediate evaluations for fever,” says Baker.

In addition, she says Hydroxyurea, a medication approved by the FDA in 1998,

reduces the rates of pain, hospitalizations, pneumonia, stroke and anemia, and prevents or slows down organ damage. Newer FDA-approved medications include voxelotor, L-glutamine and crizanlizumab – and in 2023, the FDA approved two new gene therapies “to provide very effective disease-modifying treatment that may be life-changing,” says Baker.

While research continues, at this time the only potential cure for sickle cell anemia is through a bone marrow transplant – but with the need for finding a genetic match and the risks and complications involved with a transplant, the potential for this course of treatment varies by individual.

“Sickle cell disease is a chronic, debilitating, life-threatening blood disorder that has a higher risk of early mortality,” says Baker. “At Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, we have a comprehensive team including physicians, nurse practitioners, social workers, nursing and psychologists to provide care to approximately 200 children and adolescents with sickle cell disease. Our goal is to prevent and treat medical complications and improve quality of life for this unique group of patients following national guidelines and standards of care.”

REBECCA FAST

Vaso-occlusion

A Summertime Paradise

With a massive lake, museums and community events, Eufaula should be next on your Oklahoma road trip list.

Saying that Eufaula has almost everything a resident or tourist would want may seem like an exaggeration – but is it really?

Case in point: Eufaula is home to Oklahoma’s largest lake. With over 600 miles of shoreline and covering some 100,00 acres, Lake Eufaula is a go-to for recreational enthusiasts who want to play in or on the water. The lake is also the scene of national fishing tournaments, drawing visitors from surrounding states to cheer on their favorite anglers.

Need a perfect place to camp? Eufaula also harbors Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, with indoor, outdoor and aquatic attractions for the whole family.

Local officials say the city's signature events are sure to capture the attention and hearts of visitors. Eufaula’s Fourth of July celebration offers three days of activities, including a spectacular fireworks show that can be enjoyed from land or boat. The last full weekend in July is always reserved for Whole Hawg Days, which feature a car show, a carnival, and a barbecue cook-off.

pening in and around town,” says Glenna McBride of Eufaula Area Arts. “We [the Eufaula Area Arts Association] do not have a building to stop at and enjoy. All our energies and dollars go toward art programs and projects.”

play classes. June’s will be on the 20th at Eufaula Trinity Episcopal Church. Another exciting happening to look forward to this summer is the Golden Eagle Poker Run, “an exciting event on Lake Eufaula, featuring six card stops around the lake,” says Rhonda Adams, executive director of the Lake Eufaula Association (LEA). “Participants can use boats, cars, motorcycles or any preferred mode of transportation.”

Registration for the June 8 event is available online at visitlakeeufaula. com, in person at the LEA office, or at 575 Number Nine Marina Road from 8:30 a.m. to noon the day of the run.

“Families who are visiting Eufaula should go by the Chamber of Commerce at 321 North Main and see what is hap-

The group started the Eufaula Performing and Arts Club for kids in grades 4-12 and hosts adult paint and

“We expect 1,500 to 2,000 participants,” says Adams. “The entry fee is $225 per hand, based on five-card stud with no limit on the number of hands you can purchase. Additionally, there’s a costume contest, with this year’s theme being the Roaring 20s.”

Adams explains there are numerous prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Prizes are awarded based on the number of entries, with last year’s top award set at a whopping $10,587.50.

Linda Wendel, executive director of the Eufaula Area Museum, encourages residents and visitors alike to stop by and enjoy the more than 2,000 items housed there, all of which came from generous donors in the area.

“The centerpiece of our displays is a model railroad tabletop that illustrates the history of the area,” says Wendel. “The current tabletop reflects the area around the time of statehood. It is the middle piece of the display that was funded by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities.”

In addition to the public displays, the museum boasts an extensive collection of maps of the Eufaula area, both before and after statehood, as well as a library of over 500 books.

“All our collection is accessible through our museum software,” says Wendel, “so we are able to search the items by a person’s name or subject.”

So, if you’re an Oklahoma history buff, an outdoors enthusiast, a fishing fanatic or just someone looking for some fun in the sun, head over to Eufaula. You’ll be glad you did.

DEBI TURLEY

Lake Eufaula is one of the city’s biggest draws. Photo courtesy the Lake Eufaula Association

Eufaula Area Arts works diligently to ensure youth are able to find creative outlets. Photo courtesy Eufaula Area Arts

(Don’t)

Let It Burn

Burn bans help to keep Oklahomans and their property safe.

You’re look out your window on a dry summer day and catch a glimpse of smoke. Only a few minutes later, a full-fledged fire is streaking across your neighbor’s lawn and threatening your home, your life and your belongings.

Oklahomans try to avoid these harrowing experiences by putting burn bans in place before tragedy strikes.

“A burn ban is what the name implies: it is when landowners in designated parts of the state are disallowed from burning because of elevated risk of wildfire,” says Keith Merckx, information representative for Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS). He mentions that our state has two different types of burn bans and enforces them as needed.

The first, and more common, type of ban is issued by a county, and is active for seven or 14 days by the elected county commission. Commissioners can void the bans early, but generally allow them to remain in effect until they expire.

The second type of ban is issued by the governor at the recommendation of the OFS using Fire Weather and Fuel Criteria, as well as additional data related to wildland fuels conditions and predicted fire behavior. Governor-issued burn bans are more rare than county-issued bans.

“In addition to the criteria listed on the (OFS) web page, commissioners also look at: fire risk that can be the result of drought conditions existing within the county as determined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; lack of precipitation in the National Weather Service forecast; fire occurrence significantly greater than normal for the season; initial attach on a large number of wildfires that has been unsuccessful due to extreme fire behavior; or more than 20% of the wildfires in a county having been caused by escaped debris burns or controlled burns,” says Merckx.

Enforcement agencies have discretion and latitude as to how strictly the burn bans are enforced.

“The state of Oklahoma places a high value on landowner rights, and as such, county commissioners are very deliberate in issuing bans,” says Merckx. “The hope is that common sense will rule the day and landowners will wait until the risk of wildfire has abated before burning. Occasionally, the risk to life and property becomes too great and burn bans are then issued.”

The Penalties

When tasked to do so, local and state law enforcement officials enforce the bans. Burn bans in Oklahoma are most common in the dry spring and summer months. Information from the state’s website informs citizens the penalty for violation of county-issued burn bans is being charged with a misdemeanor and

subject to a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. Violating a governor-issued ban has similar penalties, but the fine leaps up to a maximum of $1,000.

“In the spring, there is dormant vegetation that is dry from winter and ready to burn,” says Merckx. “This lack of moisture on brown vegetation can be a big hazard, but it usually gets better when plants and grasses begin to green up. In the summer, dry conditions can again cause an elevated risk of wildfire. This is traditionally the period when we see most bans issued for the longest periods of time.”

OFS maintains an online calendar for those who want to check out possible burn bans and when they expire.

DEBI TURLEY

Lucy Brown, Betsy Burtelow, Polly Burtelow, Kristine Stover; Taste of Tulsa, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma, Tulsa

Olivia Castrejana, Amy Maguire, Joan Maguire; Fairy Tale Ball, Oklahoma Children’s Theatre, OKC

Vicki Knotts, Elaine Levy, Hilary Karchmer; AWARE Luncheon, Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter, OKC

Kathy Potts, Marnie Taylor, Sarah Roberts; Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, Tulsa

Paige Bass, Kiley Gauthier, Jennifer Goodrich; Pivot Party, OKC

Ashley Wells, Jim Reyolds, Charlie Ludden, Sydney Lahodny, Mia Sherlock, Miki Galloway; Arts Day at the Capitol, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, OKC

Melissa Thomas, Erin Engelke, Jenna Lewis; Under the Big Top, Calm Waters Center for Children and Families, OKC

Michael Epps, Brad R. Carson, Zia Daugherty; HeArt of Tulsa Invitational Gallery at Mayfest, University of Tulsa

G. Rainey Williams, Jr., Gary Raskob, Bob Ross, G.T. Bynum, Joseph Harroz, Jr., Saige Maxville, Peggy & Charles Stephenson, Rick Nagel, Richard Lofgren, Bryan Warner, Robert Mannel, Randy Dowell; Stephenson Cancer Center Tulsa expansion, OU Health, Tulsa

John & Mary Ann Bumgarner, Scott Seaton, Julia Kobrina; Overture, Signature Symphony, Tulsa

Angela Beatty, Brandon Pasley, Jan Peery; Reduce the Odds Casino Night, YWCA OKC

Stacy McNeiland, Irene Gianos; Brave Ball, Center Center, OKC

Senior Living: Community Awaits

While aging in place has its perks, senior living communities off er everything a senior needs for a well-rounded and thrilling third act.

As a person ages, their lifestyle starts to slow down. It may be harder to get out and do the things they were used to doing or seeing the people they were used to seeing. But community and relationships are vital to a lifetime of health and happiness – maybe even more so as the birthdays add up. This is why a person’s living situation can make all the difference.

The Pros: Living in a Senior Living Community

Providing the opportunity to keep a senior interacting with others is a major benefit of choosing to make the move to a senior living community.

According to Senior Lifestyle, which operates more than 130 communities in 27 states across the U.S., “socialization is one of the top reasons why many people make the switch to living in a retirement community. If your weekly agenda is empty, but want an engaging social life, then a senior housing community might be your perfect match.”

Reducing the isolation that can stealthily creep in as loved ones age is a vital part of navigating life changes.

“Everyone will face changing needs and circumstances at some point. Living in a senior living community can reduce isola-

tion, improve socialization and provide access to supportive services,” says Cari Bashaw with Covenant Living at Inverness (CLI) in Tulsa. “These benefits can help seniors live longer, healthier lives.”

Other benefits to living a communal lifestyle during the golden years include more maintenance-free living, increased security and quick access to healthcare for emergency or ongoing health issues, putting worries to rest. The goal truly is less stress for seniors. And lest anyone thinks these benefits have the trade off of surrendering independence, the truth is that senior living communities provide a range of independence options to suit a variety of wants and needs.

As part of an article about the pros and cons of senior living communities, the Help for My Parents website – which provides senior living advice – encourages every family to consider all factors and to have a discussion about their loved ones’ needs and preferences with healthcare professionals.

In an article by health and medicine journalist Sandra Gordon in Forbes Health, the importance of having a living plan for seniors as they age is emphasized. Gordon encourages families to build this plan early and to specifically engage the senior in making these decisions.

“A healthy aging plan helps ensure a person’s ability to age safely and comfortably in the proper environment – especially as their needs change over time – which may include medical and physical care, mindful and social opportunities, engaging activities and a price suitable to their budget,” she writes.

A Look at the Demographics

The planning process is important and cannot be started too soon. In fact, Bashaw mentions that at CLI, they are seeing future residents take this recommendation to heart and start planning at younger ages.

“People are doing their research on senior living options at an earlier age and making better decisions,” she says. “The change [in demographics] we are seeing is that people are beginning to look at options and do their research at a younger age, often in their early 60s. After new residents move in, the common theme that we hear is, ‘I wish I would have done it sooner!’”

Bashaw explains that new residents are typically aged mid-60’s all the way up to late 70’s, but there really isn’t a “too young” or “too old” for senior living. Many communities will have a minimum age requirement, but Bashaw mentions the benefit of being a younger resident who can more fully enjoy all the amenities and services.

Roadblocks: Helping Seniors Break Misconceptions

During the planning process, there are several hurdles that may present themselves – whether they are misconceptions about senior living communities or complicated logistics at play.

For example, someone may equate living in a senior community with losing independence. Bashaw helps dispel this concern.

“[Residents] are truly independent. They only change their address, not their lifestyle – unless it is to enhance it," she says. “There are no limitations or restrictions and they do not have to ‘check in or out’ at the senior living community.”

Covenant Living at Inverness helps to ease a senior’s transition into their community with move-in help, daily activities and an informative orientation. Photo courtesy CLI

The cost of such communities is another common concern. But the key to managing this roadblock is learning as much as possible about the options.

In an article on the A Place for Mom website by journalist Rebecca Schier-Akamelu, she outlines a variety of ways to approach how to pay for assisted living, including using existing assets, asking about price flexibility or using tax credits, and being very specific about needed services and features. Private pay is one popular option. But if this is not possible in a particular situation, there are other ways to make sure your loved ones have the care they need. It is important to learn as much as possible and to reach out for help when necessary.

Then, once the choice of new home has been made, the actual process of moving can be an overwhelming task for some. CLI, as with many senior communities, has resources for packing, moving and downsizing.

“We have staff dedicated to making sure that the move-in process goes smoothly, that the new resident and their family have complimentary meals on move-in day, and to assist with anything that should arise in the process,” says Bashaw.

Some other concerns that senior family members may have revolve around a resistance to change or even a fear of isolation once they move. The way CLI helps to ease these worries include an in-depth orientation, resident ambassadors to help newcomers feel welcome, as well as a further connection program during which staff get to know the new residents and help introduce them to new like-minded neighbors with similar interests.

BONNIE RUCKER

First Love

It’s been 53 years since they met at a dance, but Mary and Jack still want to be together in the home they adore. As the first home care company in the US, our 55 years of experience has led us to offer the most comprehensive, compassionate care. We understand that there are many things to consider when deciding on care for a parent or spouse. But first, love.

Surrounded by 190 stunning scenic acres, yet only 15 minutes from downtown Tulsa, Covenant Living at Inverness offers you every opportunity to live your best life. Choose from an array of elegant residences and enjoy amenities you won’t find elsewhere— including the added security of priority access to high-quality, on-campus care if ever required.

So go ahead: set new goals and find renewed purpose—we’ll help you every step of the way, letting you live life with promise.

Congratulations to all of our Saints in Action® physicians who were named an Oklahoma Magazine Top Doctor for 2024. We appreciate your dedication to serve our Mission and provide exceptional care to your patients.

• Anesthesiology

Nigam Sheth, MD

• Dermatology

Tiffany Brazeal, MD

Shelbi Hayes, MD

• Family Medicine

Jeffrey Hodgden, MD

Yen Dung (TiTi) Nguyen, MD

Sabrina Schrader, DO

• Internal Medicine

June Ivey, MD

• Cardiology

Naji Karam, MD

Faisal Latif, MD

• Oncology

Michael Bowen, MD

Thy Nguyen, MD

Aleda Toma, MD

• Neurosurgery

Chad Glenn, MD

• Orthopedic Surgery

Scott de la Garza, MD

Spine Surgery

Thomas Lehman, MD

Corey Ponder, MD

• ENT

Keith F. Clark, MD

Kibwei A. McKinney, MD

Rhinology/Skull Base

Tumor Surgery

• Pediatrics

Julie M. Morrow, DO

• Sports Medicine

Seethal Madhavarapu, MD

• Cardiothoracic Surgery

Scott Lucas, MD

• Urology

Mohammad Ramadan, MD

• Colorectal Surgery

Kristina Booth, MD

TOP DOCTORS 2024

With over 30 years’ experience researching, reviewing, and selecting Top Doctors, Castle Connolly is a trusted and credible healthcare research and information company. Our mission is to help people find the best healthcare by connecting patients with best-in-class healthcare providers.

Castle Connolly's physician-led team of researchers follows a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both the national and regional levels. Its online nomination process is open to all licensed physicians in America who are able to nominate physicians in any medical specialty and in any part of the country, as well as indicate whether the nominated physician(s) is, in their opinion, among the best in their region in their medical specialty or among the best in the nation in their medical specialty. Then, Castle Connolly’s research team thoroughly vets each physician’s professional qualifications, education, hospital and faculty appointments, research leadership, professional reputation, disciplinary history and if available, outcomes data. Additionally, a physician’s interpersonal skills such as listening and communicating effectively, demonstrating empathy, and instilling trust and confidence, are also considered in the review process. The Castle Connolly Doctor Directory is the largest network of peer-nominated physicians in the nation.

In addition to Top Doctors, Castle Connolly’s research team also identifies Rising Stars, early career doctors who are emerging leaders in the medical community.

Physicians selected for inclusion in this magazine's "Top Doctors" and “Rising Stars” feature may also appear online at www.castleconnolly.com, or in conjunction with other Castle Connolly Top Doctors databases online and/ or in print.

Castle Connolly is part of Everyday Health Group, a recognized leader in patient and provider education, attracting an engaged audience of over 82 million health consumers and over 900,000 U.S. practicing physicians and clinicians to its premier health and wellness digital properties. Our mission is to drive better clinical and health outcomes through decision-making informed by highly relevant information, data, and analytics. We empower healthcare providers and consumers with trusted content and services delivered through Everyday Health Group’s world-class brands.

For more information, please visit Castle Connolly (castleconnolly.com).

Adolescent Medicine

PAUL BENSON, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis (918) 619-4300 Reproductive Health, Eating Disorders

Allergy & Immunology

JANE T. PURSER, MD

Allergy Clinic of Tulsa, Saint Francis Hospital, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 307-1613 Food Allergy

Anesthesiology

NIGAM SHETH, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 272-9641

Cardiac Electrophysiology

KAREN J. BECKMAN, MD

OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-7001 Hospital Medicine

SEAN M. HALLERAN, MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 948-4040 Cardiac Catheterization, Pacemakers/Defibrillators, Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Disease in Athletes

SUBHA VARAHAN, MD

Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Oklahoma Heart Hospital-South Campus 405) 608-3800 Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation

Cardiovascular Disease

MUHAMMAD ANWAR, MD

Heart Clinic Central Oklahoma, Norman Regional Hospital, Norman Regional HealthPlex (405) 321-0199 Cholesterol/ Lipid Disorders, Hypertension

JEFFREY A. CROOK, MD

Norman Heart and Vascular Associates, Norman Regional Hospital, Norman Regional HealthPlex (405) 515-2222

ARCHANA GAUTAM, MD

Norman Heart and Vascular Associates, Norman Regional Hospital, Norman Regional HealthPlex (405) 515-2222

Ischemic Heart Disease, Heart Disease in Women

JOHN R. HARVEY, MD

Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Oklahoma Heart Hospital-South Campus (405) 608-3800 Coronary Artery Disease

KATHERINE HAYS, MD

Norman Heart and Vascular Associates, Norman Regional Hospital, Norman Regional HealthPlex (405) 515-2222

DOUGLAS A. HORSTMANSHOF, MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 713-9900 Transplant Medicine-Heart, Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

RICHARD KACERE, MD

Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 748-7650 Preventive Cardiology, Congenital Heart DiseaseAdult, Nuclear Cardiology

THO DINH LE, MD

Saint Francis Heart and Vascular Institute, Saint Francis Hospital South (918) 494-8500 Pacemakers/ Defibrillators

MUHAMMAD SALIM, MD

Norman Heart and Vascular Associates, Norman Regional Hospital, Norman Regional HealthPlex (405) 515-2222 Nuclear Cardiology

MICHAEL LEE VILLANO, MD

Norman Heart and Vascular Associates, Norman Regional Hospital, Norman Regional HealthPlex (405) 515-2222

D. MATT WILKETT, DO Oklahoma State University Medical Center, Claremore Indian Hospital (918) 582-7711

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

ROBYN LYN COWPERTHWAITE, MD

OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, OU Health - Edmond Medical Center (405) 271-5251

Anxiety & Depression, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorders

Child Neurology

DAVID J. SIEGLER, MD

Child Neurology of Tulsa, Saint Francis Hospital, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 493-3300 Headache, Neuromuscular Disorders

Colon & Rectal Surgery

KRISTINA BOOTH, MD

OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center - Colon & Rectal Cancer Clinic, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 271-1632 Colon Cance

SCOTT A. FENGLER, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 794-4788 Colon & Rectal

Cancer & Surgery, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Laparoscopic Surgery

STUART D. HOFF, MD OU Physicians, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital (918) 634-7500 Anal Cancer, Anorectal Disorders, Laparoscopic Surgery

RAHAL Y. KAHANDA, MD

Oklahoma Surgical Associates, Norman Regional Hospital, Norman Regional HealthPlex (405) 515-4099 Minimally Invasive Surgery, Colon & Rectal Cancer

Dermatology

JEFF ALEXANDER, MD

Jeff Alexander Dermatology (918) 494-8333 Facial Rejuvenation, Cosmetic Dermatology

PAMELA S. ALLEN, MD

OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6110

LYNN A. ANDERSON, MD

Midtown Dermatology, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 728-3100

Acne & Rosacea

TIFFANY BRAZEAL, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony HospitalOklahoma City (405) 280-7546 Medical Dermatology

DAVID KEITH DUNCAN, MD 2413 Palmer Circle (405) 321-3868

SHELBI HAYES, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 280-7546 Medical Dermatology

KIMBERLY JERDAN, MD Jerdan Dermatology & Laser Institute (405) 212-2880 Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments, Medical Dermatology, Skin Cancer & Moles

CHRISTINA G. KENDRICK, MD Tulsa Dermatology Clinic (918) 749-2261

RALPH T. GUILD, MD

OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health (405) 271-3445

Peptic Ulcer Disease, Nutrition

MARKHAM NIGHTENGALE, MD

Adult Gastroenterology Associates, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 438-7050

CHINTAN A. PARIKH, MD

GI of Norman, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 515-2777 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Liver Disease

AMIR RUMMAN, MD

OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8478 Pancreatic & Biliary Disease

GEORGE SALEM, MD

OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8423 Inflammatory Bowel Disease

HARVEY A. TATUM, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 582-6544 Hepatitis C, Liver Disease

WILLIAM M. TIERNEY, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8478 Colon Cancer, Pancreatic Disease, Gastrointestinal Cancer Geriatric Medicine

INSUNG KIM, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 497-3650 Osteoporosis

PETER A. WINN, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4311 Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia Gynecologic Oncology

MICHAEL A. GOLD, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200 Uterine Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Pelvic Surgery-Complex

LAURA HOLMAN, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-8707

CAMILLE G. JACKSON, MD Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 749-7023

ROBERT S. MANNEL, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-8707 Gynecologic Cancers, Clinical Trials

DARON G. STREET, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200 Hospice & Palliative Medicine

ROBERTO SALINAS, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4311

Infectious Disease

DOUGLAS A. DREVETS, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6434 HIV/AIDS

DAVID N. SCHECK, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3875

SARAH ANDREWS, DO Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Hospital South, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 392-5600

L. RENE BALLARD, MD Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 329-0121 Diabetes, Heart Disease, Women’s Health, Preventive Medicine

JONATHAN A. BRYAN, DO Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 329-0121

MANUEL J. CALVIN, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 495-2685 Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease

ROBERT BERNARD COYE, MD MDVIP, Saint Francis Hospital, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 615-4015

LISA FARHOOD, MD Medical Specialists (405) 458-7188

MICHAEL GEBETSBERGER, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Hospital South, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 392-5600 Geriatric Medicine

ANDREW GORDON, MD Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 748-7640

ALLEN J. HAMAKER, MD Deaconess Hospital - Oklahoma, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 795-5907

JUNE P. IVEY, MD SSM Health St. Anthony HospitalOklahoma City (405) 272-5433

MARTINA J. JELLEY, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (918) 619-4100 Women’s Health, Hypertension, Diabetes

ADRIENNE E. KESINGER, MD INTEGRIS Health Family Care South, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 425-8150 Preventive Medicine

JOHN M. KRODEL, MD Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 329-0121 Heart Disease, Diabetes, Chronic Illness, Hypertension

THOMAS H. MERRILL, MD Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 329-0121 Cholesterol/Lipid Disorders, Diabetes, Preventive Medicine, Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease

GARY D. RATLIFF, MD Norman Regional Hospital (405) 515-0380

SCOTT T. SHEPHERD, DO Oak Street Health, Ascension St. John Broken Arrow, Ascension St. John Medical Center (539) 999-9084

GEORGE TARDIBONO, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health (405) 271-3445 Nutrition & Obesity

Interventional Cardiology

RALPH, DOUGLAS ENSLEY, MD Saint Francis Heart and Vascular Institute, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-8500 Patent Foramen Ovale, Pacemakers/Defibrillators, Heart Valve Disease

NAJI E. KARAM, MD SSM Health St. Anthony HospitalOklahoma City (405) 272-8477

AGHA K. KHAN, MD Oklahoma Heart Hospital-South Campus, Oklahoma Heart Hospital (405) 608-3800 Nuclear Cardiology FAISAL LATIF, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 231-3737 Peripheral Vascular Disease

Doctor profiles by Rebecca Fast Health boxes by Mary Willa Allen

TOP DOCTORS

Carolyn Kloek, MD

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

DEAN MCGEE EYE INSTITUTE, OU HEALTH OKLAHOMA CITY

After serving as a faculty member at Harvard Medical School for 12 years, Carolyn Kloek, MD, says her desire to make a tangible difference in healthcare outcomes drew her to the opportunity of serving in multiple roles: Chief Medical Officer at OU Health, Vice Chair for Quality and Innovation and associate professor at OU College of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology, and as a comprehensive ophthalmologist at Dean McGee Eye Institute.

“As an ophthalmologist, I have the privilege of serving patients from diverse backgrounds and providing comprehensive eye care tailored to their needs,” she says. “Simultaneously, as Chief Medical Officer, I am dedicated to driving forward the vision of delivering high-quality healthcare and fostering a culture of excellence within the healthcare system – all of which is ultimately to provide the best healthcare possible to Oklahomans.”

Kloek's passion for ophthalmology began during medical school when she witnessed family members grapple with vision issues.

“Their struggles illuminated for me the profound impact vision – and its loss – can have on one’s quality of life,” says Kloek.

Whether she’s helping someone see clearly for the first time in years or preventing vision loss, she says making a difference in someone’s quality of life is incredibly fulfilling.

“Vision is precious, and ophthalmologists are dedicated to preserving and restoring it through innovative treatments and technologies,” she says. And in recent years, there have been many advancements in both.

“The development of new intraocular lenses has dramatically improved outcomes in cataract surgery, providing patients with better vision and quality of life,” she says. “Additionally, advancements in laser technology have revolutionized procedures like LASIK and refractive surgery, allowing for more precise and customized treatment.”

In addition, she says research into gene therapy and stem cell therapy shows promise for treating degenerative eye diseases that previously had few options.

JANAE MICHELLE CLAPP, MD

INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 773-6400

BRIAN V. GEISTER, MD

INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 773-6400 Lung Cancer, Lymphoma

MICHAEL JOSEPH KEEFER, MD

Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 751-4343

CARLA D. KURKJIAN, MD

Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 751-4343

EDWIN L. MCCREARY, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3850

ALI H. MOUSSA, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200

AMARA NANDIKOLLA, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3850

THY K. NGUYEN, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 228-7100

JENNIFER O’STASIK, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3850

WAJEEHA RAZAQ, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-7226

CRAIG LEE REITZ, MD Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 751-4343 Lymphoma, Breast Cancer

CHARLES TAYLOR, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200 Solid Tumors, Hematologic Malignancies

ALEDA TOMA, MD Cancer Specialists of Oklahoma, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 942-9200

LESLIE K. WALKER, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3850

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

BIRJU A. SHAH, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health (405) 271-5266

Nephrology

MARY ANN CAMERON, MD Nephrology Specialists of Oklahoma (918) 712-5000

BENJAMIN D. COWLEY, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8478 Transplant MedicineKidney, Transplant Medicine-Pancreas, Chronic Kidney Disease

JOSE EL-AMM, MD Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 949-3816

LUKAS HARAGSIM, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8478

PRANAY KATHURIA, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 619-8700 Hypertension, Glomerulonephritis, Transplant Medicine-Kidney, Dialysis Care

SUDHIR K. KHANNA, MD Kidney Specialists of Central Oklahoma, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 942-5442

SATISH KUMAR, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8478 Hypertension, Kidney Failure

Neurological Surgery

SHON W. COOK, MD Keyhole Brain & Spine, Community Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 310-6977 Brain Tumors, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Spinal Surgery, Pituitary Surgery

CHAD GLENN, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 815-5050

CAPLE SPENCE, MD INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 552-0401 Cerebrovascular Disease

Neurology

EDUARDO A. DE SOUSA, MD Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 302-2661 Neuromuscular Disorders, Peripheral Neuropathy, Myasthenia Gravis

BHRUGAV G. RAVAL, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-363

Obstetrics & Gynecology

MARILYN APPIAH, DO Care for Women, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 793-2229

JOHN MARTIN BEAL, DO Tulsa OB-GYN Associates, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 747-9641

JOHN L. CHERRY, DO Care for Women, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 793-2229 Pregnancy

GRANT R. COX, MD

OB-GYN Specialists of Tulsa, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 712-8700 Gynecologic Surgery, Miscarriage-Recurrent KIMBERLY J. FLETCHER, DO INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 949-3011

JULIE HANSEN, MD

INTEGRIS Health Women’s Health, INTEGRIS Health Edmond Hospital (405) 657-3952 Diabetes in Pregnancy, Laparoscopic Surgery

KATHLEEN HEFFRON, MD The Women’s Health Group, Hillcrest Medical Center, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 293-6200

LAUREL M. JORDAN, DO Care for Women, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 793-2229

DAPHNE L. LASHBROOK, MD Women’s Healthcare of Norman, Norman Regional HealthPlex, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 360-1264 Robotic Hysterectomy

HODA MAAROUF, MD Women’s Preventive Healthcare, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 946-4735

ANDREA J. MILLER, DO INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Women’s Moore, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 425-8162

KATHLEEN MOORE, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-8707

LESA MULLIGAN, MD 1139 36th Ave. Northwest, Norman Regional Hospital, Norman Regional HealthPlex (405) 364-0643

SUMEETA NANDA, MD Women’s Preventive Healthcare, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 946-4735

Understanding Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, can occur anywhere in the stomach – but most initial clusters of cancerous cells are found in the stomach body, or center of the organ. In the U.S., however, stomach cancer is more likely to originate in the gastroesophageal junction, where food travels from the esophagus to the stomach.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that recent studies indicate most GI cancers share several common risk factors, which include smoking, alcohol ingestion, poor dietary habits and obesity.

Symptoms of stomach cancer include chronic indigestion and heartburn, trouble swallowing, unintended weight loss, nausea, vomiting, black stools, and feeling abnormally bloated after eating.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, NIH

The Thyroid

Small but mighty, the thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck and an integral part of your endocrine system. It assists in many of your body’s most important functions by producing and releasing hormones, with its primary function being the control of your metabolism’s speed. The gland interacts with virtually every other system in the body, including the cardiovascular, nervous, digestive and reproductive systems. The four main disorders involving the thyroid are hypothyroidism – an underactive thyroid; hyperthyroidism – an overactive thyroid; goiter – an enlarged thyroid; and thyroid cancer. Symptoms of a thyroid problem range from slow or rapid heart rate to unexplained weight loss/gain, depression, difficulty tolerating cold or heat, and irregular menstrual periods.

Source: Cleveland Clinic

LYDIA D. NIGHTINGALE, MD Variety Care, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 632-6688

ARTHUR COLE NILSON, DO Tulsa Women’s Health Care, Saint Francis Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital South (918) 299-5151

LESLIE JUNE OLLAR-SHOEMAKE, DO Women’s Healthcare of Norman, Norman Regional HealthPlex, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 360-1264

MUKESH T. PAREKH, MD Northwest Obstetrics and Gynecology, Deaconess Hospital, Mercy HospitalOklahoma City, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 943-6288 Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair, Robotic Surgery

NIMISH PAREKH, MD Northwest Obstetrics and Gynecology, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 943-6288

KAREN SARGENT, MD Variety Care (405) 632-6688

Menopausal Management, Pap Smear Abnormalities, Breast Cancer, Osteoporosis, Family Planning, Infertility, Pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Ultrasound, Women’s Health

LISA RENEE WATERMAN, DO Women’s Healthcare of Norman, Norman Regional HealthPlex, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 360-1264

Ophthalmology

ANN ACERS-WARN, MD, MBA

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health

- University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060

ANDREW K. BAILEY, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute (405) 271-6060 Cataract Surgery

RAY M. BALYEAT, MD

The Eye Institute, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 749-2220 Retinal Disorders, Retinal Detachment

JOHN M. BELL, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1090

SANDEEP BHATIA, MD Oklahoma Medical Eye Group, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital Henryetta (918) 747-2020

CYNTHIA A. BRADFORD, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1090 LASIK-Refractive Surgery, Glaucoma

REAGAN H. BRADFORD, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1092 Retinal Disorders

TODD A. BROCKMAN, MD

The Eye Institute (918) 742-5513

BRIAN KEITH FIRESTONE, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute (405) 271-6060 Intraocular Lens, Cataract Surgery

LAYNE E. GOETZINGER, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1090

MARC A. GOLDBERG, MD

The Eye Institute, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 584-4433 PRKRefractive Surgery, Cataract-Complex

BEN J. HARVEY, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Cataract Surgery

RALPH B. HESTER, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute (405) 271-9500 LASIK-Refractive Surgery

ERIN L. HOLLOMAN, MD

Oculoplastic Surgeons of Oklahoma (405) 521-0041

DAVID W. JACKSON, MD Oklahoma Eye Associates, Summit Medical Center - Edmond (405) 286-2688 LASIK-Refractive Surgery

MAHMOUD A. KHAIMI, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1093

CAROLYN E. KLOEK, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060

MARIA E. LIM, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 CataractPediatric, Glaucoma-Pediatric

ANDREW T. MELSON, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Cataract Surgery, Strabismus-Adult & Pediatric

**AMAN MITTAL, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Cataract Surgery, LASIK Surgery

REBECCA K. MORGAN, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute (405) 271-1793

SUMIT K. NANDA, MD Oklahoma Retinal Consultants, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Summit Medical Center - Edmond (405) 948-2020 Diabetic Eye Disease/ Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, Retinal Detachment

ANIL D. PATEL, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1091

ENSA PILLOW, MD

Oculoplastic Surgeons of Oklahoma (405) 521-0041

RONALD LUKE REBENITSCH, MD ClearSight LASIK (405) 733-2020

KAMRAN MOHAMMED RIAZ, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 LASIK Surgery, Cataract Surgery

JAMES M. RICHARD, MD

Children’s Eye Care, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 751-2020 Strabismus-Adult & Pediatric, Eye Muscle Disorders

STEVEN R. SARKISIAN, MD Oklahoma Eye Surgeons (405) 943-4413 Glaucoma, Cataract Surgery

VINAY A. SHAH, MD

Retina Consultants of Oklahoma, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Dean McGee Eye Institute (405) 691-0505 Diabetic Eye Disease/Retinopathy, Macular Disease/ Degeneration, Endophthalmitis

RHEA L. SIATKOWSKI, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1095 Trauma, Cornea & Refractive Surgery

R. MICHAEL SIATKOWSKI, MD, MBA

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1094 Neuro-Ophthalmology, Retinopathy of Prematurity, Strabismus, Eye Muscle Disorders

GREGORY L. SKUTA, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute (405) 271-1093

DEENA A. SYLVESTER, MD

Sylvester Eye Care & Aesthetics, Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 607-8948 Eyelid Surgery, Botox

DIANA TAMBOLI, MD 9821 South May Avenue, Suite C, Summit Medical Center - Edmond (405) 708-7876 Oculoplastic Surgery

JEREMY F. TAN, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060

ANIKA TANDON, MD Pediatric & Family Eye Care, Saint Francis Hospital, Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital (918) 949-9898

Eye Muscle Disorders-Child & Adult, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Strabismus-Adult & Pediatric

DEANA S. WATTS, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1090

Matt Wilkett, DO, FACOI, FACC

CARDIOLOGIST

OSU MEDICAL CENTER TULSA

It was during his internal medicine residency that Matt Wilkett, DO, became interested in cardiology. He found the specialty to be a natural fit, and he was intrigued by the field’s vast and cuttingedge research and trials.

“Cardiovascular medicine is ever changing and striving to improve outcomes in patients’ lives,” says the now Chief of Cardiology for OSU Medical Center and the Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine for OSU Health Sciences. “Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of disability and death, and is mostly preventable. Unfortunately, Oklahoma has some of the highest burdens of heart disease.”

While every day is different, Wilkett says he typically sees patients in the clinic, makes rounds at the hospital, and performs cardiac catheterization lab procedures throughout the week.

“I also spend a lot of time teaching every day – whether it is a patient, medical student, resident or fellow,” he says. “As a cardiologist on call at the hospital, I regularly field calls and visit the hospital as needed for emergencies.”

The most rewarding part of his career is two-fold; as a clinician, he enjoys helping improve patient’s lives and being there when they need him, but he also finds satisfaction in his role as a clinical professor of medicine, preparing future cardiologists.

“Teaching a cardiology fellow and watching them blossom into a specialized cardiologist gives me great pride,” says Wilkett.

He notes that medical advancements continue to change the landscape.

“There are new medications in several areas including heart failure, obesity and high cholesterol therapies that I believe will change the field of cardiovascular medicine and make significant health improvements in our communities.”

TOP DOCTORS

Nicole Sharp Cottrell, MD, FACS

BREAST SURGICAL ONCOLOGIST

INTEGRIS HEALTH BREAST SURGERY CLINIC OKLAHOMA CITY

As a breast cancer surgeon, Nicole Sharp Cottrell, MD, FACS says playing a part in helping her patients become cancer free is an incredible feeling.

Having had a maternal grandmother die very young of metastatic breast cancer, Cottrell finds it rewarding to educate patients and assist them in attaining the best treatment for their cancer.

“Breast surgical oncology allows me to take care of a wide scope of breast disease,” she says. “While I primarily focus my practice on the surgical treatment of breast cancer, I also see patients for benign breast disease – both surgical and nonsurgical – risk-reducing surgery, genetics counseling and high-risk evaluation.”

At INTEGRIS Health, she says their teams work diligently to offer the best treatment modalities to patients.

“I utilize oncoplastic surgery techniques to minimize incisions and smooth contours after surgery, as well as work alongside plastic surgeons to provide patients with a full spectrum of reconstruction options,” says Cottrell, adding that the best outcomes are achieved with early detection through mammograms and seeking high-risk evaluation for potential factors of increased risk.

Within her field, she says there’s a focus on deescalating surgical therapy to offer less invasive surgeries with lower risks of side effects without compromising survival or recurrence risks.

Advancements in medical oncology treatments with medication, such as immune targeted therapy, have shown improved treatment response of cancer before surgery—which may improve a patient’s candidacy for smaller, less invasive surgical options.

“We are looking forward to long term outcomes data that may allow us to further minimize surgery in the future,” she says.

THOMAS C. WOLF, MD Wolf & Associates, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 562-2036

TAMMY L. YANOVITCH, MD, MHSC Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1094 Strabismus, Amblyopia, Glaucoma-Pediatric, Eye Muscle Disorders

Orthopaedic Surgery

SHEILA ALGAN, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-2663 Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery

JAMES L. BOND, MD Norman Regional Hospital, Ortho Central, Norman Regional HealthPlex (405) 360-6764 Shoulder Surgery, Sports Medicine

BRADFORD BOONE, MD Advanced Orthopedics of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-2665 Elbow Surgery, Knee Surgery, Shoulder Surgery

BRETT A. BRALY, MD The Spine Clinic, Community Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 424-5415 Spinal Disorders

BRIAN A. CHALKIN, DO The Orthopaedic Center, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 582-6800 Elbow Surgery

ARTHUR CONLEY, MD Sonospine (405) 445-0155 Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery

CHAD E. CRAWLEY, DO Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-2300

SCOTT M. DE LA GARZA, MD

SSM Health Bone & Joint Hospital at St. Anthony, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 218-2530

CHARLES H. FUNDERBURK, MD McBride Orthopedic Hospital (405) 230-9270

BRYAN J. HAWKINS, MD Advanced Orthopedics of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-2665 Arthroscopic Surgery, Sports Medicine

RANDALL L. HENDRICKS, MD Advanced Orthopedics of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-2665 Arthroscopic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery

THOMAS P. LEHMAN, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 271-2663 Hand Surgery

KYLE MCGIVERN, DO Sonospine, Oklahoma Center for Orthopaedic & Multi-Specialty Surgeries, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 445-0155 Knee Replacement YOGESH MITTAL, MD The Orthopaedic Center, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 582-6800 Robotic Surgery, Arthroscopic Surgery-Knee, Arthroscopic Surgery-Hip, Knee Resurfacing, Hip Resurfacing

ANDREW B. PARKINSON, MD Orthopaedic Spine Associates, Oklahoma Spine Hospital (405) 463-3370 Spinal Deformity, Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery, Microsurgery, Knee & Shoulder Pain

CHARLES B. PASQUE, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-2663 Shoulder & Knee Surgery, Hip Surgery, Elbow Surgery

COREY E. PONDER, MD SSM Health Bone & Joint Hospital at St. Anthony (405) 218-2530 Reconstructive Surgery, Arthritis

TIMOTHY A. PUCKETT, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-2663

GHAZI M. RAYAN, MD INTEGRIS Health Hand and Microsurgery Clinic, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 945-4888 Hand Surgery

DAVID C. TEAGUE, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-2663 Fractures-Complex, Pelvic & Acetabular Fractures

THOMAS K. TKACH, MD McBride Orthopedic Hospital

Otolaryngology

BLAKE L. ANDERSON, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Hospital South, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 459-8824 Nasal & Sinus Disorders, Throat Disorders, Head & Neck Surgery

WAYNE E. BERRYHILL, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Community Hospital South, Norman Regional Hospital, Community Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 364-2666

JEFFREY ALFON BUYTEN, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Norman Regional Hospital, Community Hospital South (405) 364-2666

KEITH F. CLARK, MD, PHD SSM Health St. Anthony HospitalOklahoma City (405) 272-6027 Voice Disorders, Vocal Cord Disorders-Botox Therapy, Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

SHANNON KYLE KANEASTER, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Deaconess Hospital, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 242-6887 Sinus Disorders, Sinus Disorders/ Surgery, Sinus Surgery-Revision, Sinus Tumors

GREG KREMPL, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center - Head and Neck Cancer Clinic (405) 271-7559 Skin Cancer-Head & Neck, Oral Cancer, Throat Cancer, Thyroid Cancer & Surgery, Salivary Gland Tumors

KIBWEI A. MCKINNEY, MD SSM Health St. Anthony HospitalOklahoma City (405) 272-8435 Nasal & Sinus Disorders, Rhinosinusitis, Skull Base Surgery

JEREMY A. MOORE, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Norman Regional Hospital, Community Hospital South (405) 364-2666

CHRISTOPHER A. PASKOWSKI, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Norman Regional Hospital, Community Hospital South (405) 364-2666 Nasal & Sinus Disorders, Hearing & Balance Disorders, Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Sleep Disorders/Apnea/Snoring

JONATHAN M. PILLOW, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City,

Semaglutide: The Rise of Diet Injections

Semaglutide, known by brand names Ozempic, belsus and to help patients with type 2 diabetes, as well as people with obesity. e medication works by increasing insulin levels in the body and decreasing blood sugar, or glucose.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021, semaglutide treatments are typically administered once weekly via subcutaneous injections. Side e ects can range from severe – like allergic reactions, heart palpitations and pancreatitis – to mild – like diarrhea, nausea and other stomach pain.

Although semaglutide is meant for long-term use, patients sometimes stop treatment due to side e ects, general availability or lack of nances, as many insurance providers do not cover all or most of the cost of injections. After stopping, many have experienced what is called the ‘Ozempic rebound,’ meaning that some, most or all weight lost during treatment is gained back. Experts advise eating mindfully, exercising regularly, treating underlying conditions and setting realistic expectations to help curb the rebound and its mental/physical e ects.

Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Heathline

TOP DOCTORS

Robyn Cowperthwaite, MD

PSYCHIATRIST�CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIST

OU HEALTH

OKLAHOMA CITY

After her time in the U.S. Air Force, Robyn Cowperthwaite, MD, looked forward to returning to Oklahoma.

“I was eager to teach medical students so they would understand what a cool job child psychiatry is,” she says.

Board certified in both psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry, Cowperthwaite is an assistant professor in the department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City. She also serves as program director for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, director of Child and Adolescent Consultation and Liaison Psychiatry Services, and chief of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division.

With a natural curiosity for human nature, personality development and resilience in childhood, Cowperthwaite enjoys seeing the progressive impact of her work.

“My most rewarding moments include caring for patients for several years in the outpatient clinic and being privileged to watch them become successful adults,” she says. “It is really an honor when families allow you into their lives in a long-term, personal way.”

Within her specialty, Cowperthwaite says she’s particularly interested in “emergency psychiatry, trauma-informed care, suicide risk factors and public policy as it relates to pediatric well-being and early childhood intervention.”

In addition, she’s concerned by the extreme shortage of pediatric mental health professionals in Oklahoma and the increase in kids experiencing a mental health crisis. In Oklahoma, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24 and the state ranks 33rd in access to mental health services and support.

However, she’s pleased by OU Health’s recent groundbreaking on a new children’s behavioral health center, where she says children will be able to receive the specialized care they need, whether it’s a short inpatient stay, long-term treatment or intensive outpatient care.

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 755-1930

JOSE SANCLEMENT, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center - Head and Neck Cancer Clinic (405) 271-7559

NILESH VASAN, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center - Head and Neck Cancer Clinic (405) 271-7559 Oral Cancer, Throat Cancer, Thyroid Cancer & Surgery, Salivary Gland Tumors

RICKY L. VISOR, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 755-6475

DAVID W. WHITE, MD Eastern Oklahoma Ear, Nose & Throat, Saint Francis Hospital, Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital (918) 492-3636 Neurotology, Hearing & Balance Disorders

Pain Medicine

RITA M. HANCOCK, MD 1601 Southwest 89th Street, Suite E200, Community Hospital - Oklahoma City, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 900-5300 Pain-Musculoskeletal, Pain Rehabilitation & Psychiatry

AHMAD KHATTAB, DO Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 307-3110

ATUL A. WALIA, DO INTEGRIS Health Pain Management, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital (405) 945-4359 Pain-Chronic, Pain-Back, Head & Neck, Headache, Pain-Interventional Techniques

TRACI L. WHITE, MD Pain Management of Tulsa, Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital (918) 447-9300 Pain-Musculoskeletal-Spine & Neck, Pain-Spine, Spinal Cord Stimulation, Pain Management Pathology

KAR-MING A. FUNG, MD, PHD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5653

Pediatric Cardiology

EDWARD D. OVERHOLT, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 271-5530 Interventional

Cardiology, Congenital Heart Disease

Pediatric Endocrinology

LAURA J. CHALMERS, MD Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 619-4803

Growth/Development Disorders, Obesity, Weight Management

Pediatric Gastroenterology

MUHAMMAD ADNAN ALTAF, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 271-6549 Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders, Eosinophilic Esophagitis

JEANNE TUNG, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic, OU Health – University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6549

Pediatric HematologyOncology

ASHLEY BAKER, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Jimmy Everest Center (405) 271-4412 Sickle Cell Disease

RENE Y. MCNALL-KNAPP, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Jimmy Everest Center (405) 271-4412 Neuro-Oncology

LAURA ROOMS, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Jimmy Everest Center (405) 271-4412

Pediatric Pulmonology

NIGHAT F. MEHDI, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health (405) 271-2234

JOSEPH N. WALTER, MD Warren Clinic, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis (918) 502-2000

Pediatric Surgery

EDWARD G. FORD, MD Warren Clinic, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis (918) 494-9450

Bone Health

Pediatric Urology

DOMINIC C. FRIMBERGER, MD

OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health (405) 271-3800

BRADLEY KROPP, MD

OKC Kids Urology, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, McBride Orthopedic Hospital (405) 286-0755 Bladder Exstrophy, Bladder Reconstruction

OREN F. MILLER, MD Urologic Specialists of Oklahoma, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 749-8765

ADAM J. RENSING, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Pediatric Urology Clinic, OU Health – University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3800

Pediatrics NOOR JIHAN ABDUL-HAQQ, MD Peace of Mind Pediatrics, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 602-5166

LAMIAA HASSAN ALI, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 619-4300

REBA A. BEARD, MD Norman Regional Hospital (405) 912-3100

TERENCE LEONARD CAREY, MD The Carey Clinic, Hillcrest Hospital South, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis (918) 481-8100 Asthma Pulmonary Disease

KIMBERLY EDGMON, MD Village Center Pediatrics, Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 726-8000

JUSTIN E. FIELDS, MD Mercy Clinic Primary Care, Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 329-0121

JAMES E. FIELDS, MD Premiere Pediatrics, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 364-6432

RICHARD A. GORDON, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 574-0150

CASEY HESTER, MD Northwest Pediatrics of Oklahoma City, Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 755-2230

Maintaining strong bone density is integral to overall health. Symptoms of low bone density or bone loss range from back pain to loss of height, stooped posture or easily fractured bones. Initial stages are called osteopenia, while more severe bone loss/structural changes to bone tissue is called osteoporosis. Early detection can stop osteopenia from developing into osteoporosis.

Checking your bone density is relatively easy. The most common test is a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) – which is quick, painless and noninvasive.

Whether you’re maintaining healthy bone density or beginning restorative efforts, include plenty of calcium and Vitamin D into your diet. Avoid substance abuse, specifically alcohol, and participate in weight-bearing exercises like walking, jogging or climbing stairs.

Source: Mayo Clinic

STEVEN R. SARKISIAN, JR., MD

is the Founder and CEO of Oklahoma Eye Surgeons, PLLC and specializes in premium laser cataract surgery and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, or MIGS. Dr. Sarkisian is passionate about helping people get rid of their glasses by implanting premium lenses such as the Light Adjustable Lens and PanOptix lenses with or without toric correction for astigmatism. He was the first surgeon in the state to perform the PanOptix trifocal lens, the iStent, iStent Inject, iStent Infinite, the XEN Gel Stent, and canaloplasty. He was the first in the USA to use the OMNI device and the first in the world to use the TRAB360 and VISCO 360 surgical systems, the predicate devices to the OMNI. He was also among the first in the world to perform the iDose sustained-release implant after FDA approval.

Dr. Sarkisian is the former director of the glaucoma fellowship, and former Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.

Dr. Sarkisian obtained his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College, outside Chicago, IL, received a Certificate in Christian Studies from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA and completed a residency in Ophthalmology at the State University of New York (SUNY Downstate) in Brooklyn, NY, followed by a fellowship in glaucoma surgery at UT Memphis

Due to his involvement in the development of new glaucoma technology, he has been active in presenting and publishing his work both in America and internationally. He co-authored the book “Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, a Practical Guide”.

Dr. Sarkisian currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (JCRS), and on the Editorial Board of Glaucoma Today, Glaucoma Physician, and Ophthalmology Management. Dr. Sarkisian is listed in Woodward/White’s Best Doctors in America and Castle and Connolly Top Doctors.

He and his wife Anne have four children and reside in Edmond, Oklahoma.

TOP DOCTORS

Steven R. Sarkisian, Jr., MD

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

OKLAHOMA

EYE SURGEONS

OKLAHOMA CITY

A native of Philadelphia and a Wheaton College graduate, Steven R. Sarkisian, Jr., MD, received his medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College and continued his training in Memphis before making the move to Oklahoma City.

“I was recruited to the University of Oklahoma where I rose to the position of clinical professor,” says Sarkisian. “After 14 years at OU, I made the decision to build a special practice of my own – Oklahoma Eye Surgeons – where I could curate the patient experience and expand my clinical research.”

He says he found his passion for ophthalmology in medical school and was especially intrigued by glaucoma, having a father who suffers from the disease.

“It wasn’t ‘cool’ to specialize in glaucoma when I did, with no significant advances in years,” says Sarkisian. “Little did I know, at that time, what advances the next two decades would bring.”

He says he’s been “blessed to be a part of bringing the ‘minimally invasive’ glaucoma surgery (MIGS) revolution to Oklahoma and internationally by being a part of development and FDA trials for several devices that are now standard practice and some that are soon to be.”

In 2019, Sarkisian was the first in the state to implant the PanOptix trifocal lens – a technology that “helps patients gain independence from glasses after cataract surgery,” he says – and mentions the most recent glaucoma approved surgeries include the iStent infinite® and the iDose®. He was the first author on the publication demonstrating the efficacy of the iStent infinite® device on patients that were in the FDA clinical trial, and in February, he was among the first in the world to implant the iDose® sustained-release glaucoma implant after FDA approval. He was honored to be a leading investigator in the FDA clinical trial as well as lead author and co-author on its peer-reviewed journal publications.

He says at Oklahoma Eye Surgeons, their mantra is ‘serving with excellence, grace, and compassion.’

“Our team of dedicated staff work every day to make that a reality in the lives of patients,” says Sarkisian. “We are not perfect, but we give a perfect effort to serve the people of Oklahoma and beyond.”

NANCY R. INHOFE, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 619-4300

DONNA JACKSON, MD Norman Pediatric Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 321-5114

TAMMY R. MASCHINO, MD Village Center Pediatrics, Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 726-8000

JULIE M. MORROW, DO SSM Health St. Anthony HospitalOklahoma City (405) 272-7337

SHEELA VARDEY, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 574-0150

VICTOR T. WILSON, MD Caring Pediatrics, Norman Regional HealthPlex (405) 360-7337 Asthma Allergy

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

JONATHAN STONE, DO Oklahoma Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Community Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 601-5899

Plastic Surgery

PAUL R. CALLEGARI, MD 6585 South Yale Avenue, Suite 1050, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-8200

Cosmetic Surgery-Face & Breast Hand Surgery, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

CHRISTIAN EL AMM, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4864 Cosmetic Surgery

ROBERT ALAN HEIN, MD 14024 Quail Pointe Drive (405) 286-4333

JUSTIN MICHAEL JONES, MD Jones Plastic Surgery, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 848-3459 Cosmetic Surgery-Breast Liposuction & Body Contouring, Fillers & Injectables

KAMAL T. SAWAN, MD Sawan Surgical Aesthetics, Summit Medical Center - Edmond (405) 285-7660

Pulmonary Disease

AJAY R. BEDEKAR, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3270

Radiation Oncology

OZER ALGAN, MD

OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-5641 Genitourinary Cancer Breast Cancer, Sarcoma

SHRIPAL K. BHAVSAR, MD INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 773-6400

CHRISTOPHER BOZARTH, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-5641

JOHN HAN-CHIH CHANG, MD Oklahoma Proton Center, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 773-6710 Pediatric Cancers Head & Neck Cancer, Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer

MICHAEL CONFER, MD

OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-5641 Central Nervous System Cancer Proton Beam Therapy, Head & Neck Cancer, Sarcoma, Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Palliative Care, Cancer Survivors-Late Effects of Therapy

JOSHUA D. GARREN, MD, PHD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200 Lung Cancer Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Prostate Cancer, Lung Cancer

TYLER GUNTER, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-5641 Genitourinary Cancer Central Nervous System Cancer, Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy, Palliative Care, Proton Beam Therapy

DIANE HEATON, MD Oklahoma CyberKnife, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 949-6676

CHRISTINA HENSON, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-5641 Head & Neck Cancer Breast Cancer

M. CONNIE NGUYEN, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200

KIRAN PRABHU, MD INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 552-0490 Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT), Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), Brachytherapy, Radionuclide Therapy

J. SPENCER THOMPSON, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-5641 Pediatric Cancers

Palliative Care

**ANDREA JOHNSTON, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-5641 Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility

HEATHER R. BURKS, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1616 Ovarian Failure Menstrual Disorders

LATASHA B. CRAIG, MD, PHD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1616 Ovarian Failure Menstrual Disorders, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology

MICHAEL BLAKE EVANS, DO OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1616

KARL R. HANSEN, MD, PHD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1616 Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Endometriosis

ROBERT A. WILD, MD, PHD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5239 Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Rheumatology

LATISHA HEINLEN, MD Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma, Community Hospital - Oklahoma City, Northwest Surgical Hospital (405) 608-8060

MICHAEL A. MALLOY, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 495-2685

IRA N. TARGOFF, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, VA Medical CenterOklahoma City (405) 271-8478 Dermatomyositis Arthritis

AIKATERINI (KATHERINE) THANOU, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8478 Lupus/ SLE

AMANDA TITUS, MD Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma, Community Hospital - Oklahoma City, Northwest

Acid Reflux: What to Know

Gastroesophageal reflux disease – or GERD – occurs when the sphincter muscle at the lower end of the esophagus relaxes at the wrong time, allowing stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. Symptoms include burning in the chest, belching, nausea, regurgitation, the sensation of a ‘lump’ in the throat or trouble swallowing. The disease is common in the U.S., with more than 3 million cases per year. Alongside use of over-thecounter reflux medication, those suffering with GERD can also try the following:

• Eat smaller meals, more often.

• Eat slower than you're used to.

• Remain upright after meals, leaving enough time for food to digest before laying down.

• Avoid late-night snacking and carbonated beverages.

• Chew sugarless gum after meals, which promotes salivation, neutralizes stomach acid and soothes the esophagus.

Source: Harvard Health Publishing

Our mission is partnering with people to live healthier lives—and our physicians are at the core of that partnership.

We are privileged to have such accomplished and dedicated physicians to work alongside and partner with to carry out our mission. From all of us at INTEGRIS Health, we extend our appreciation for all you do for our patients.

Ann Acers-Warn, MD, MBA

Andrew K. Bailey, MD

John M. Bell, MD

Cynthia A. Bradford, MD

Reagan H. Bradford Jr., MD

Brian K. Firestone, MD

Layne E. Goetzinger, MD

Ben J. Harvey, MD

Ralph B. Hester III, MD

Mahmoud A. Khaimi, MD

Carolyn E. Kloek, MD

Maria E. Lim, MD

Andrew T. Melson, MD

Aman Mittal, MD

Rebecca K. Morgan, MD

Anil D. Patel, MD, FRCSC, FACS

Kamran M. Riaz, MD

Vinay A. Shah, MD

R. Michael Siatkowski, MD, MBA

Rhea L. Siatkowski, MD

Gregory L. Skuta, MD

Jeremy F. Tan, MD

Deana S. Watts, MD

Tammy L. Yanovitch, MD, MHSc

TOP DOCTORS

Heart Health

Heart disease is still a leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. While some factors are genetic, there are dietary and behavioral choices you can make to lower your risk of heart problems. ese include:

Getting quality sleep. Without it, you run the risk of higher blood pressure and heart disease. e National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends 7-9 hours a night, with the goal of going to bed and waking up around the same time each day.

Eating well. Consume the lowest possible saturated fat, sodium and added sugars contents. Venture toward lean meats, whole fruits, low-fat yogurts and veggies.

Maintaining a healthy weight. Staying in a healthy weight range lowers your risk for a variety of heart-related issues. is can be obtained through conscious snacking, exercise and lots of water consumption.

Being active. Guidelines recommend 150 minutes per week of physical activity. Exercise can range from brisk walks to weight lifting, yoga or running – anything that gets the heart rate up.

Other recommendations include controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and stress levels, as well as avoiding or ceasing use of tobacco products.

Sources: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, e Heart Truth

The Importance of Mental Health

Mental illnesses are common in the U.S. – it’s estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with one. They are typically arranged into two types – Any Mental Illness (AMI), defined as a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder with a wide range of impacts from mild to severe; and Serious Mental Illness (SMI), defined as the above, but with significant functional impairment that interferes with everyday life.

Improving one’s mental health is a personal journey, although common recommendations range from getting enough sleep to eating well, setting realistic goals and priorities, practicing gratitude and staying connected to others.The National Institute of Mental Health recommends seeking professional help if you’re experiencing any of these severe/distressing symptoms for over 2 weeks consistently:

• Difficulty sleeping and concentrating

• Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes

• Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning because of mood

• Loss of interest/general apathy

• Inability to complete usual tasks and activities

• Feelings of irritability, frustration or restlessness

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

**JOHN GOETZINGER, MD Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma, Community Hospital - Oklahoma City, Northwest Surgical Hospital (405) 608-8060

Sports Medicine

LAMONT E. CAVANAGH, MD

Sports Medicine and Family Medicine, Hillcrest Medical Center, OU Health – University of Oklahoma Medical Center (918) 619-4600

BRIAN R. COLEMAN, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4311

SEETHAL R. MADHAVARAPU, MD SSM Health St. Anthony HospitalOklahoma City (405) 218-2530

Surgery

JOSEPH CARLO BUENDIA, DO Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 749-4231

NICOLE SHARP COTTRELL, MD

INTEGRIS Health Breast Surgery Clinic, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Lakeside Women’s Hospital (405) 552-0400 Breast Disease Minimally Invasive Surgery

EUGENE DICKENS, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 599-8200 General Surgery

WILLIAM C., DOOLEY, MD OU Health – University of Oklahoma Medical Center, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 271-1400

Sarcoma-Soft Tissue Appendix Cancer, Cancers-Rare & Unusual

BARISH H. EDIL, MD

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, Gastrointestinal Cancer Clinic, OU Health – University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1632 Minimally Invasive Surgery Gastrointestinal Cancer, Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

CHRISTOPHER W. LENTZ, MD

INTEGRIS Paul Silverstein Burn Center, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 552-2857 Reconstructive Surgery Critical Care, Wound Care

MARY K. LINDEMUTH, MD

INTEGRIS Health Breast Surgery Clinic, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Lakeside Women’s Hospital (405) 552-0400 Breast Surgery

FERNANDO MIER GIRAUD, MD

OU Health – University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Clinic (405) 271-9448 Bariatric/ Obesity Surgery Minimally Invasive Surgery

DENISE L. RABLE, MD The Oklahoma Breast Center, Norman Regional Hospital, Lakeside Women’s Hospital (405) 307-2623 Breast Disease

ALEXANDER RAINES, MD OU Health – University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1400 Gallbladder Surgery Robotic Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery

LOYAL STIERLEN, DO INTEGRIS Health General Surgery Southwest, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 636-7900 Minimally Invasive Surgery Robotic Surgery

SARA SUTHERS, MD Mercy Hospital - Oklahoma City (405) 749-7023

Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery

R. MARK BODENHAMER, MD Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Oklahoma Heart Hospital-South Campus (405) 608-3800

HAROLD MACDONALD BURKHART, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, OU Health – University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4631

SCOTT K. LUCAS, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 310-3028 Coronary Artery Surgery Heart Valve Surgery-Mitral, Aneurysm

JOHN D. RANDOLPH, MD Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Oklahoma Heart Hospital-South Campus (405) 608-3800 Heart Valve Surgery Coronary Artery Surgery

AJIT K. THARAKAN, MD Oklahoma Heart Institute, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 749-6400 Lung Surgery

Urogynecology/Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery

LIESCHEN QUIROZ, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-9493 Pelvic Floor Disorders Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair

Urology

ROBERT BRUCE, MD

Urologic Specialists of Oklahoma, Ascension St. John Hospital, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 749-8765

Prostate Benign Disease (BPH) Kidney

Stones

MICHAEL S. COOKSON, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4088 Bladder Cancer Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Robotic Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery

PAUL GUY HAGOOD, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital South (918) 579-3130

JONATHAN HEINLEN, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center - Prostate and Urologic Cancer Clinic (405) 271-4088 Kidney Cancer Bladder Cancer, Penile Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Incontinence-Urinary, Erectile Dysfunction

SCOTT E. LITWILLER, MD Urologic Specialists of Oklahoma, Ascension St. John Hospital, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 749-8765 Incontinence

SANJAY PATEL, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-4088

MOHAMMAD RAMADAN, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Oklahoma City, VA Medical CenterOklahoma City (405) 772-4533 Robotic Surgery

Vascular & Interventional Radiology

THOMAS E. WILEY, MD Radiology Consultants of Tulsa, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-1655 Thrombolytic Therapy Angioplasty & Stent Placement

Advertising in the publication is in no way connected to the selection of doctors for the issue.

Digestive Inflammation

Digestive inflammation, commonly called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), occurs when the tissues in your digestive tract are chronically enlarged, irritated and inflamed. The most common types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease. The first involves inflammation and ulcers in the lining of your large intestine and rectum, and the latter involves inflammation in the lining of your digestive tract.

While medical specialists initially determined diet and stress were the main causes of IBD, research now indicates potential other causes include immune system malfunctions and genetic factors. Other risk factors include age – most patients are diagnosed before the age of 30 – along with ethnicity – the disease is most common in white people – as well as the use of cigarettes and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen. Symptoms of IBD include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Beyond State Lines

By Kimberly Burk • Sidebars by Mary Willa Allen

We know, we know – Oklahoma has plenty to offer to summer travelers. But if you’re itching for a road trip or a quick flight outta town, our neighboring states will welcome you with open arms. We offer some recommendations in regional destinations, alongside travel hacks, safety suggestions and the all-important budgeting tips.

ARIZONA

Tulsa drive-time to state capital: 15.5 hours

Tulsa non-stop flight time to state capital: 2.75 hours

OKC drive-time: 14 hours

OKC non-stop flight time: 2.5 hours

An outdoor enthusiast’s dream, the southwestern state of Arizona beckons to travelers this summer.

Hoover Dam, on the border between Arizona and Nevada, is a testament to a nation’s ability to excel in the midst of adverse conditions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR). The Great Depression was on, and thousands of men and their families came to Black Canyon to tame the Colorado River. It took less than five years, in a harsh and barren land, to build the largest dam of its time, which has gone on to be rated by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of America’s seven modern civil engineering wonders. The USBR’s website tells you all you need to know before visiting, especially if you want a guided tour.

The world descends upon the Grand Canyon every summer, and who can blame all those tourists? If you are one of them, the Visitor Center is there to help. After entering through the south entrance station, park in one of four areas at the visitor center and get your first view of the canyon by taking a short walk to Mather Point. A film shown on the hour and

Grand Canyon

Photo courtesy Visit Arizona

ARKANSAS

Tulsa drive-time to state capital: 4 hours

half-hour introduces you to the natural and human history of the canyon. Also in Visitor Center Plaza is a park store, bicycle rentals, a full espresso bar, a terminal for the free bus shuttle service and directions to the various walking trails. It’s also the launching point for the 23-mile desert view drive. Nearest cities include Fredonia near the North Rim and Tusayan near the South.

Writing about the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures in Tucson, a Chicago Tribune reporter claimed: “The magic of this place cannot be overstated.” Visitors are transported through the stories told by more than 300 miniature houses and room boxes in more than 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art exhibit space. The collection boasts antique dollhouses dating to 1742.

The nonprofit Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in Scottsdale rescues and rehabilitates native wildlife that has been injured, displaced and orphaned. Once rehabilitated, they are returned to the wild. Sanctuary is provided to animals that cannot be released back to the wild. The sanctuary is open to the public by appointment for guided tours.

Other places to visit: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Chinle; Sedona; Vermillion Cliffs, Page; Lake Powell

Tulsa non-stop flight time to state capital: No non-stops; connecting flights start at 3.5 hours

OKC drive-time: 5 hours

OKC non-stop flight time: No non-stops; connecting flights start at 3.5 hours

All times are approximate

Our neighbors to the east, Arkansas is home to a bevy of entertainment options to suit any road trip agenda.

Mount Magazine State Park was a popular destination in April for total eclipse viewers, thanks to the star of the park. Mount Magazine is Arkansas’s highest point at 2,753 feet, and it offers relaxation and nature study as well as more active adventures such as mountain biking, horseback riding, backpacking and ATV riding. Mount Magazine is an excellent location for technical rock climbing, and programs led by park interpreters highlight the natural diversity.

The Lodge at Mount Magazine features 60 guest rooms, a restaurant, an indoor swimming pool and a game room. The lodge offers views of the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake.

The Beatles made one stop in Arkansas in 1964, and it’s celebrated in a big way in the town of Walnut Ridge. The focal point of Beatles Park is a sculpture called “The British Invasion of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Highway,” featuring life-size silhouettes of the group with an Abbey Road backdrop.

The Argenta Collection of nearly 100 rare photos of the Beatles is housed in the Lawrence County Library. Beatles Park is home every September to the Beatles at the Ridge Festival. USA Today placed Walnut Ridge on its list of the 10 best places for Beatles history.

Hot Springs has never been just about the healing mineral water. In the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s, gambling, bootlegging and other extreme pleasures brought visitors from all over the world. The Gangster Museum of America offers an entertaining account of how notorious criminals co-existed with the population of this valley town in the mountains of central Arkansas.

Nestled in the woods near Eureka Springs, Thorncrown Chapel rises

TRAVEL HACKS

Whether you’re traveling by air or on wheels, here are a few hacks to make the process a little smoother:

• Roll your clothes in your suitcase for more storage and wrinkle-free duds.

• Download a navigation app that works without Wi-Fi.

• Consider skip-the-line tickets if you’re headed to a busy theme park or museum.

• Invest in a good travel wallet.

• Make a frequent flier account on all airlines you use.

• Invest in travel insurance if the stakes are high or tickets are pricey.

• Utilize a city’s public transport to save dough.

• Throw an AirTag on your suitcase if you’re checking a bag.

Lake Powell

Photo courtesy Visit Arizona

Lake Catherine State Park

Photo courtesy the Arkansas Office of Tourism

Photo by Will Newton courtesy the Arkansas Office of Tourism

Beatles Park

48 feet into the Ozark sky. A wooden structure with 425 windows and more than 6,000 square feet of glass, it sits atop more than 100 tons of native stone and colored flagstone. The chapel’s simple design and majestic beauty combine for what some have called “one of the finest religious spaces of modern times.” More than 7 million people have visited and been married in the chapel since it opened in 1980. There is no admission fee, but donations are accepted.

Other places to visit: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville; Garvan Woodland Gardens and Lake Catherine State Park, Hot Springs; Blanchard Springs Caverns, Fixty-Six

COLORADO

Tulsa drive-time to state capital: 10 hours

Tulsa non-stop flight time to state capital: 2 hours

OKC drive-time: 9.5 hours

OKC non-stop flight time: 2 hours

All times are approximate

Crisp weather, friendly locals, outdoor activities galore – what more could you want from Colorado?

The website photo alone will lure you to El Paso County’s Paint Mines Interpretive Park. The mines are named for colorful clays used by American Indians to make paint. Brightly colored bands, caused by oxidized iron compounds, are found throughout the layers of clay. The 750-acre park is near Calhan, and the paint mines have evidence of human life as much as 9,000 years ago. Geological formations include spires and hoodoos.

The Denver Zine Library is a nonprofit whose mission is to preserve, protect and promote the culture of zines and self-published original work through archival collection, workshops and events. The library houses one of the largest zine collections in North America with more than 20,000 independent and alternative zines. A zine is a self-published, non-commercial print-work typically produced in small batches. People who create zines are called zinesters, and zines cover topics from music and art to politics, humor and personal memoir.

The nonprofit Wild Animal Sanctuary is a state and federally licensed zoological facility near Keenesburg, on rolling grasslands northeast of the Denver metro. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset, except for major holidays and during bad weather. It occupies 1,214 acres and shelters more than 550 lions, tigers, bears, leopards, mountain lions, wolves and other large carnivores. It was the first sanctuary of its kind to create large acreage species-specific habitats for rescued animals.

At the Wheeler Geologic Area in the La Garita Wilderness you will find many trails, peaks over 13,000 feet and expansive views. Located near the old mining town of Creede in southern Colorado, Wheeler is accessible by a seven-mile hike or what the USDA describes as a grueling 14-mile four-wheel-drive road trip. But your efforts are rewarded by views of a remarkable geologic formation. Visitors are advised to plan an entire day to travel into Wheeler, enjoy the formations and get back out. Forest Road #600 from Hanson’s Mill to Wheeler is often one of the last roads to open in the forest and first to close. There may be closures during wet periods.

Other places to visit: Rocky Mountain National Park; Telluride; Steamboat Springs; Glenwood Springs; Estes Park

Photo courtesy Visit Colorado/Brett Schreckengost

Photo courtesy Visit Colorado

Photo courtesy the Wild Animal Sanctuary

Wild Animal Sanctuary Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Thorncrown Chapel

Photo by Adam Storm courtesy Northwest Arkansas Tourism Association RTA

Rocky Mountain National Park

NEBRASKA

Tulsa drive-time to state capital: 6.5 hours

Tulsa non-stop flight time to state capital: No non-stops; connecting flights start at 4.5 hours

OKC drive-time: 6.5 hours

OKC non-stop flight time: No non-stops; connecting flights start at 4.5 hours

All times are approximate

Melding together the Great Plains, the Sandhills and dynamic rock formations, Nebraska is not to be missed.

Not a museum person? Perhaps you just need to broaden your horizons. The National Museum of Roller Skating in Lincoln might be a good place to start. It boasts the largest collection of rollerskating artifacts and textual materials in the world, including many one-of-a-kind examples.

One exhibit, “Competition: Spirit of the Sport” presents the trials and tribulations of the sports that make up roller skating competition – hockey, speed, derby and artistic.

Nebraska’s answer to Stonehenge – Carhenge – can be found near the town of Alliance. This unique replica was constructed of old cars in 1987 by the Jim Reinders family in memory of his father. The site also includes sculptures made of old cars and/or car parts. Admission is free.

NEW MEXICO

Tulsa drive-time to state capital: 9 hours

Tulsa non-stop flight time to state capital: No non-stops; connecting flights start at 4 hours

OKC drive-time: 8 hours

OKC non-stop flight time: No non-stops; connecting flights start at 4 hours

All times are approximate

Whether you want to ride on a hot air balloon, visit a museum or try some great food, New Mexico is only hours away.

The Santa Fe Botanical Garden features plants chosen for their beauty and their ability to thrive in the local landscape. The Piñon-Juniper Woodland, phase three of the garden at Museum Hill, adds 3.25 acres of woodland to the visitor experience featuring a gentle walk on a one-third mile mulched nature trail loop. With long-distance vistas of New Mexico’s majestic mountain ranges, the Woodland provides a singular opportunity for conservation of a distinctive piñon-juniper woodland environment. This area provides an inspiring natural setting for discovery, contemplation and movement along a meandering trail.

Boys Town in Omaha has the largest ball of stamps in the world. It came about because Boys Town founder Father Edward J. Flanagan saw stamp-collecting as a wholesome, educational hobby for the boys in his care. The ball of stamps was started in 1953 by members of the Boys Town Stamp Collecting Club. The group started with a core, perhaps a golf ball, and sticking non-valuable stamps around it. When it reached its current size in 1955, it earned recognition as a record-setter from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! On display at the Boys Town Visitors Center, the ball is 32 inches in diameter, weighs 600 pounds and contains an estimated 4.65 million canceled stamps.

Nearly 12 million years ago, volcanic ash engulfed an ancient watering hole, entombing innumerable animals. The Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park has been called the Pompeii of prehistoric animals. The 360-acre park between Orchard and Royal is a joint project of the Game and Parks Commission and the University of Nebraska State Museum. Watch as paleontologists dig the site and prepare fossils unearthed.

Thirty-three miles from Kimball rises the highest point in Nebraska. The peak is on private property and there is a box for your entrance fee. On a clear day you can see the Rocky Mountains to the southwest. Take a few minutes to travel to the Tri-State Corner and stand in three states at once—Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming.

Other places to visit: Durham Museum, Omaha; Chimney Rock, Morrill County; Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering

Staying Safe While Traveling

While vacations should be a lot of fun, there’s always a potential for emergencies. Consider the following safety measures to avoid risk and prepare for a crisis:

• Have emergency contacts at the ready and consider sharing your location with them while you’re away.

• Research where you’re staying. Is it in a safe location? Where is the closest hospital or police station?

• No matter your accommodations, check for cameras and ensure doors are locked and/or barricaded when you’re inside.

• If you’re in a large metropolitan city or a foreign country, don’t draw attention to yourself out in public. The last thing you want to do is put a target on your back for pickpockets.

• Make copies of important documents.

• Be wary of public Wi-Fi and ensure it’s secure before logging on.

Photo courtesy Nebraska Tourism

Photo courtesy Nebraska Tourism

Carhenge

Durham Museum

Photo courtesy Nebraska Tourism

Scotts Bluff

Photo courtesy New Mexico True

Photo courtesy New Mexico True

White Sands National Park

Taos Pueblo

Long before reaching Quay County, you will see “Tucumcari Tonight” signs along Interstate 40. But the city offers much more than its 1,200-plus motel rooms and a chance to refuel – such as natural wonders, outdoor adventures and cultural and historic excursions. Nearby are sandstone rocks balancing in pinnacle formations, the cool winding water of the Canadian River, herds of pronghorn antelope and mule deer and flocks of sandhill cranes. Ute Lake State Park, 25 miles northeast of Tucumcari, is known for its numerous coves and inlets – excellent fishing territory for walleye, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill and channel catfish. Thirty-two miles northwest of Tucumcari are the clear, blue-green waters of Conchas Lake.

Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world’s great natural wonders – the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have created the world’s largest gypsum dune field. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of the dune field along with the plants and animals that live here. The park features a drive from the visitor center to the heart of the dunes, picnic areas, a backcountry campground, hiking trails and sledding on the dunes.

About 30 miles north of Albuquerque on the road known as the Turquoise Trail is Los Cerillos, once the center of a mining industry that encompassed gold, silver, copper, turquoise, lead and coal.

TEXAS

Tulsa drive-time to state capital: 7.5 hours

Tulsa non-stop flight time to state capital: 1.5 hours

OKC drive-time: 6 hours

OKC non-stop flight time: 1.5 hours

All times are approximate Our neighbors to the south have so much to offer to Oklahomans and other tourists alike.

Sure, you’ve visited DFW lots of times. But new attractions await, and many deserve repeat visits. Take for example the Children’s Aquarium at State Fair Park, which D Magazine named best family attraction in Dallas for 2022-2023. The revitalized aquarium is home to friendly stingrays to feed and pet, and 255 other species including spiky sea urchins, rhino iguanas and the chocolate chip sea star. Pan for gems and fossils at the Children’s Aquarium Mining Company.

You’ve been to a Dallas Cowboys game, but have you taken a stadium tour? Rally Days, the day prior to home games, offer behind-the-scenes tours of AT&T Stadium along with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders autographs, ticket giveaways, food and drink, games and inflatables and a Jerry Jones experience.

Lewisville, a thriving suburban city in North Texas, offers plenty of hidden gems. Lewisville Lake, the largest reservoir in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, offers fishing, birding, camping, canoeing, kayaking and hiking. Lewisville’s Labyrinth takes an escape room and an obstacle course and

The Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum contains artifacts from the Old West and Cerrillos Mining District. Find local turquoise at the Brown’s Casa Grande Trading Post.

Other places to visit: Taos; Gila Cliff Dwellings, Mibres; Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad; Silver City

merges them to create a video-game-like experience. Fifty-two mini-games create an engaging environment full of unfamiliar puzzles and obstacles. And there’s the Airborne Trampoline Park in Lewisville, an extreme airsports facility with 20,000 square feet of trampolines, foam pits, a trapeze, an obstacle course, dodgeball, wipe out, a launchpad and an air track.

Fort Worth Water Gardens is a favorite spot for tourists, families, friends and couples. Located on the south end of downtown Fort Worth, the hardscape canyons and flowing water offer a respite that encourages quiet meditation.

A few miles down the highway in Austin is the Hamilton Pool Preserve, home to the golden-cheeked warbler and a great variety of other birds. The diverse vegetation ranges from semi-arid species in the up-

lands to riparian species in the canyon. The preserve is part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, which encompasses more than 31,000 acres of endangered species habitat. A unique natural area surrounds the pool, collapsed grotto and canyon, formed by thousands of years of water erosion. Cultural remains date back over 8,000 years.

In the heart of Houston, the Health Museum inspires curiosity in health and the medical sciences. Take a larger-than-life walking tour through the human body and learn more about how your major organs work. Exhibits are hands-on and immersive and invite guests to pose questions about human anatomy and health information.

Other places to visit: Big Bend National Park; Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Dell City; Port Aransas; South Padre Island

Photo courtesy New Mexico True

Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Photo courtesy Travel Texas

Photo courtesy Travel Texas

City of Dallas

South Padre Island

By Carol Mowdy Bond

Escape to the Lake

Su ertime in Oklahoma means one thing: time ent in and on a body of water. Lu ily, there are plenty of lakes to visit within our borders. We explore some lodging options, lake safety and etique e, and o er a guide to help you find your next aquatic vacation ot.

Luxury Lake Lodgings

Some would say part of the joy of lake living is ‘roughing it,’ but that doesn’t have to be the case. If you prefer to rest your head somewhere nice, Oklahoma offers a variety of luxury lake lodgings.

On Grand Lake’s Monkey Island, Shangri-La Resort is “northeastern Oklahoma’s family resort,” a luxury escape near Grove and Afton. The 119-room hotel includes 9,000 square feet of meeting and event spaces, plus golf, dining options, a spa, marinas, rentals, guided fishing tours and a variety of other resort amenities.

Near Beavers Bend State Park and Broken Bow Lake in southeastern Oklahoma, Pine Lake Resort is dubbed “Broken Bow’s finest luxury cabin curation.” There’s nothing cookie cutter about the 30 cabins; included are free Wi-Fi and community amenities like a clubhouse, playgrounds, on-site restaurant and more. Guests are able to choose cabins with hot tubs, ones that are dog friendly or have private ponds, a spa, a waterfront view, an outdoor entertainment area, a driving range or a spectacular view of the Ouachita Mountains.

On seven acres, Candlewyck Cove Resort is a privately-owned lakefront resort on Grand Lake. Guests choose from one or two bedroom cabins, luxury homes, townhomes and rooms at the award-winning hotel, plus a complimentary continental breakfast.

Candlewyck offers 450 feet of waterfront, plus private boat docks, a swimming pool, park, basketball court, tether and volleyball, play gym and picnic tables. Guests may bring their own boats, or nearby H2O Sports Rentals offers daily rentals including pontoons, ski boats and jet skis.

The 46,500-acre Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees offers ample water-based fun for Oklahomans and tourists alike.

Photo by Dave Wagenblatt

Shangri-La Resort at Grand Lake boasts a 119-room hotel and stunning golf course near the water.

Photo courtesy Shangri-La Resort

Lake Guide

Known for its “Big 3” – Lake Tenkiller, Lake Eufaula and Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees – Oklahoma offers a plethora of other lakes with recreational and entertainment options including marinas, water sports, guided fish tours, restaurants, shopping and family activities. Guests may bring their own boats, or rent just about any kind at marinas on the water. We highlight a few of the state’s major bodies of water and what they’re best known for.

LAKE TENKILLER – Situated amidst other water-centric venues, Lake Tenkiller is in eastern Oklahoma. A 13,000-acre body of water with 130 miles of shoreline, Tenkiller is known as Oklahoma’s clearwater lake. The Tenkiller Scuba Park is one of Oklahoma’s best scuba locations. The Lower Illinois River emerges from the lake, and is Oklahoma’s premier trout stream, although other sportfish abound. Tenkiller State Park offers 38 fully-equipped cabins. Plus, the Driftwood Nature Center has a full-time naturalist.

LAKE EUFAULA – A 105,500-acre lake with 800 miles of shoreline, Lake Eufaula is Oklahoma’s largest lake. Located near Eufaula in southeastern Oklahoma, the lake is ideal for crappie and bass anglers. Well-known for its tournaments, Lake Eufaula draws anglers from across the nation due to a wide variety of sportfish as well as 31,800 acres of public hunting areas.

GRAND LAKE O’ THE CHEROKEES

– In the Ozark Mountain Range foothills, Grand Lake sits on the Neosho River in

northeastern Oklahoma. The 46,500acre lake boasts 1,300 miles of shoreline. Among top U.S. bass fishing lakes, Grand Lake has at least 12 marinas, and is filled with numerous bass species, plus other sportfish. Fishing tourneys are popular at the lake. Five state parks surround the area, which is near Spavinaw Wildlife Management Area – a 14,316-acre area hunter’s paradise.

BROKEN BOW LAKE – Broken Bow Lake sits on the Mountain Fork River, as a 14,000-acre, 22-mile long lake that stretches into the Ouachita Mountains. Scuba divers enjoy the water, which is just north of Broken Bow, and a bit east of Hochatown in southeastern Oklahoma. The lake dovetails with stunning venues including Beavers Bend State Park, Ouachita National Forest and the Kiamichi Mountains. Anglers fish for trout and bass, and there are hundreds of campsites. Lakeview Lodge boasts 40 rooms, and the award-winning Cedar Creek Golf Course is also in the mix.

SKIATOOK LAKE – In northeastern Oklahoma, federally-owned and operated Skiatook Lake is 30 minutes from Tulsa, 45 minutes from Pawhuska, 1.5 hours from the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, and is surrounded by wooded and tallgrass prairie areas. The 10,190-acre lake has 160 miles of shoreline, and hails as the lake with the calmest waters in Oklahoma. It also boasts an

abundance of sportfish and 6,000 acres of hunting area.

On- e-Water A ivities: Safety

Tow sports such as water skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, wakeskating and riding jet skis provide amazing experiences on the water. But safety is the No. 1 priority, and knowing the regulating rules on the water will help.

Some lakes require a mirror on the vessel. All participants must wear an approved lifejacket, whether driver, spotter, or the person being towed. Besides the driver, a spotter is critical for tow sports to ensure that if something goes awry in the water, the driver knows and can turn back. Check ropes and all safety equipment for any damage before heading onto the water. Take extra precautions when towing more than one person.

Lake Eufaula, alongside a variety of water-based activities, is also an angler’s paradise with crappie and bass galore.

Photo by Shi’s Shots Photography

Shangri-La Resort

Photo courtesy Shangri-La Resort

Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees

Photo by Dave Wagenblatt

Lake Etique e

In his 2024 article “Boating Etiquette: Key Guidelines for Respectful Navigation,” David Ciccarelli – founder and CEO of Lake.com – offers a few tips on lake behaviors:

“Stay aware of surroundings. Keep an eye out for other vessels, swimmers, and potential hazards. Minimize wake and respect wildlife,” he says. “Communication is key – whether it’s signaling my intentions or navigating crowded areas. Know the rules, often referred to as ‘road rules of the water.’ Assist others in distress. I am always conscious of the environment, striving to keep the waters clean for everyone.”

For safety purposes, boaters should keep engines off when people are in the water around the boat. Moving slowly when anchoring, mooring, and coming and going from a marina, is important to control the wake.

Boaters are responsible for damage they cause to others’ property. Sound travels on water, so keeping music and noise down respects neighbors, whether on shore or on the waves. Holding up the fuel line, or the line to launch or load, is a no-no. In all situations, being polite and cleaning up messes are musts.

Boating Le ons and Laws

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol Marine Enforcement Division’s Handbook of Oklahoma Boating Laws and Responsibilities is online in a free PDF format, explaining Oklahoma laws governing boating and providing general information about safe vessel operation.

Oklahoma boaters must have an Oklahoma Certificate of Registration and validation decals on boats to operate on public waters, although there are exceptions. Boaters should also have title certificates for certain vessels.

During operation, all boaters must carry either their boating safety certificate/card as approved by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, a.k.a. a boating license, or photo identification proving the operator is at least 16 years old. Boat operators ages 12-15 must obtain an Oklahoma Boaters Education Card to operate certain vessels.

Numerous third-party organizations offer boating classes for obtaining boating safety certification, but courses must be certified by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Both in-person and online boating license courses are available. Examples are boatsmartexam.com/us/oklahoma and boat-ed.com. The only free online course is boatus.org/oklahoma.

Motorized watercraft passengers must wear U.S. Coast Guardapproved (USCG) lifejackets. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is punishable by law. Boat owners must be registered with the Department of Safety.

Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees

Photo by Dave Wagenblatt

Sec ing Y We ed Bl s

Planning what will likely be the largest party of your life comes with a few bumps – that’s guaranteed. But with the right advice and handy tools in your belt, you’ll be riding o into the sunset with Mr. or Mrs. Right – your to-do list nished and your mental health intact.

By Mary Willa Allen

e Annual Trend Forecast

While the basics of a wedding haven’t changed much since the dawn of matrimony, the trends typically cycle in and out every year. We take a look at a few things that are “in” and “out” for 2025 and beyond. (Psst–rememberit’syourwedding,soifyoulikeit,doit!)

In:

Documentary style photos – If you’re looking for a lessposed and more natural photo spread of your big day, editorial and documentary style photography is in, in, in.

Specific dress codes – For some couples, slapping ‘cocktail,’ ‘formal’ or ‘black tie’ attire on the invitation just isn’t going to cut it. Some prefer bright colors only, or even a black and white theme. It makes for killer photos!

Hired content creators – In the age where social media is also social currency, some couples are hiring content creators specifically for the day ... in addition to photographers and videographers.

Sustainability – 2025 couples love helping the earth! Consider adopting sustainable practices at your wedding, like a paper-less celebration (nixing printed invites to programs), an outdoor wedding with nature as decor, or placing an emphasis on avoiding food waste.

Champagne towers – What was old is new again! Champagne towers have come back into style in a major way, creating the perfect photo opp for the couple and guests alike.

Out:

Garter tosses – While the garter toss has been around for centuries, most women are realizing it’s a bit, well, odd. If it makes you uncomfortable to throw an undergarment at your guests (which I’d assume it would), skip it!

Bows – While bows have been incredibly popular over the last couple of years, it’s time to step away for a beat, whether those are on your head or on your dress.

Traditional cake cuttings – Cake cuttings are taking a back seat to leave room for more party time and/or the serving of late night bites. (Burgers or grilled cheese to go, anyone?)

Matchy-matchy bridesmaids dresses – Some still stand staunchly by this trend, but others say it needs to go. Consider asking your bridesmaids what type of dress best flatters their body and go from there, or choose several shades of the same color to break up the pattern.

Sweetheart tables – The bride and groom have been standing up, away from their loved ones, the entire ceremony. It would only make sense that they wouldn’t want to be separated from them after. We’re seeing a rise in nixing the sweetheart tables and having the couple eat with the wedding party.

e Proper Order

Now we know wedding planning isn’t a one-size- ts-all experience, but some tasks should de nitely be tackled before others. We o er a few suggestions on the duties you should hop on as fast as possible, and the ones that can wait a bit.

A year or more out:

Determine budget – This will set the tone for the rest of planning.

Book venue and caterer – These should be your biggest priorities; these vendors are booked up fast!

Insure everything – It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Determine guest list – This will be a major task; best to get it outta the way early.

10-11 months out:

Confirm wardrobe – Make sure everyone knows what they’re wearing and that it’s ordered. Delivery times are getting longer and longer.

Choose color palette – This will be integral to the rest of your thematic planning choices, especially florals. Book other important vendors – Photographers, DJs, videographers, you name it.

Take engagement photos – What else are you gonna be posting on social media for the next year?!

7-9 months out:

Send save-the-dates – You can certainly do this later in the process if you wish, but be sure to send them out earlier if you plan on having a destination wedding or are inviting people from across the country.

Register for gifts – And watch them roll in!

Confirm the rehearsal dinner venue – Especially if it’s gonna be big.

Hire an officiant and ceremony musicians –They’ll certainly be a huge part of the day.

Order any rentals – Chairs, linens, flatware, get it done.

4-6 months out:

Book the honeymoon – And make sure you register for honeymoon donations on your registry!

Confirm transportation – Whether it’s an antique getaway car or a horse and carriage. Purchase wedding bands – An excellent moment between you and your partner.

Confirm your wedding cake – And have a delicious time doing so!

Do final catering tastings – Make sure everything is to your liking.

Order invitations – It’s getting real!

2-3 months out:

Send invitations – This can be earlier, but 3 months out is probably the latest you should wait.

Brainstorm and plan out wedding favors –You want to leave a lasting impression on your guests.

Write your vows – Have a glass of wine and listen to sappy music to get in the mood.

Buy wedding party gifts – Make sure your crew knows you appreciate them.

Perfect your wedding playlist – We’ll see you on the dance floor.

1 month or less out:

Get your marriage license – This one’s quite literally a must.

Make your go bag – Pack up all the miscellaneous items you may need before, during and after your wedding.

Assemble your gift bags – And make sure they pop.

Pay your vendors in full – You don’t want any outstanding balances while honeymooning.

Practice your vows – It’s not a W unless your spouse tears up!

Looking at the Hard Numbers

Creating a wedding budget is tough, but sticking to it is even tougher. According to e Knot Real Weddings Study released this year, 56% of couples surveyed went over budget by an average of $7,900. at’s a pretty penny! While unexpected costs can often arise, there are a few ways to ensure you stick to your budget, or at least remain in a window that’s comfortable for you and your soon-to-be spouse.

1 Have a firm cap on your budget from the beginning. That’s not to say you can’t be flexible if emergencies happen, but knowing your hard limits will help you in making the tough choices.

2 Have frank conversations with family members about their contributions. When speaking about money, it’s best to be up front. Make sure that if you’re getting financial help from friends or relatives, you know exactly how much they're giving – and what strings come attached to it.

3 Don’t rush. Ever paid for expedited shipping? Things will ultimately be more expensive if you don’t give yourself enough time to prepare and order everything you need.

4 Plan for the hidden fees. People don’t think about tips, taxes, marriage license fees and contingency plans/insurance.

5 Cut down on guests. Does your mom’s best friend’s cousin really need to come to the wedding? If you trim down the guest list, things will look and feel more manageable.

Did You Know?

e old adage “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” is a staple for brides as they prepare for the big day. But where did it come from? Well, the answer is easy: England! Originally, the Old English rhyme went like this: “Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe.” It was essentially a checklist of items for brides to incorporate into the wedding, all for good luck. Indeed, people believed that these items would bring great fortune and happy marriages while warding o the evil eye.

Something old: In modern times, the ‘something old’ can represent continuity and stability. Ideas for something old include family heirlooms, like broaches, as well as antique getaway cars or a vintage photo booth.

Something new: This represents new beginnings and hope for the future. Something new ideas can include monogrammed napkins with your new initials, customized cufflinks or a signature scent.

Something borrowed: Typically, borrowing something from a happy and healthy couple is meant to bring luck and good energy. Consider fabric from a relative’s old dress, a borrowed veil, or your mom's jewelry.

Something blue: While this used to help in warding off that evil eye, blue’s meanings in this context represent purity, fidelity and love – all excellent tenants for a strong marriage. Your something blue can be as simple or creative as you want, from blue shoes to blue earrings, floral arrangements, or even a signature cocktail!

Something Marvelous

A hidden gem in Tulsa, El Patron off ers a vast menu and an expanding empire.

If you’re driving east on Tulsa’s 41st Street, you’ll see – in the middle of a not-particularly-memorable stretch of road just past Mingo – a gleaming building. Modern, trimmed with glass, wood and polished stone. That’s El Patron, and people drive from as far away as Texas just to dine here.

David Aguilera, general manager of the restaurant, will tell you that – and a lot more. Young and energetic, Aguilera has been working at El Patron for most of his adult life. He’s their most enthusiastic supporter. He was there on opening day in 2019, a big ceremony involving city officials and politicians watching as the ribbon was cut.

“Senators and governors have been here since,” he says.

But the Tulsa branch isn’t the first.

“We’ve been in the restaurant business forever,” says Aguilera. “We wanted to take a modern twist on Mexican cuisine.”

And so they opened in Sand Springs in 2017. After that came Tulsa; they put $800,000 into the building and decor – and it shows in the restaurant’s eye catching, sleek and modern look. They wanted to

show the world, Aguilera says, that Mexican restaurants can be upscale.

Once you enter, you see a big dining hall with floor-to-ceiling windows, a polished floor and big, white light fixtures that look like domino tiles. At one end is a long, inviting bar, finished with shining stone.

“We have all kinds of margaritas in every color of the rainbow, every flavor you can imagine,” enthuses Aguilera. “Mango, banana, peach, guava, apple – and one of the

A must-try at El Patron is the carne con tuetanos – your choice of ribeye or arrachera steak, served with grilled marrow bones and refried, charro or black beans. Photos by Stephanie Phillips

The pulpo a la parrilla comes with charcoal grilled octopus, topped with special sauce. Sides include deep fried potato slices, grilled onions, tomato and jalapeno.

largest tequila selections around.”

But you’ll want to look at the other side of the restaurant, too. Behind plate glass walls is a shiny, bustling kitchen. On one side, you’ll see tortillas being made. There are four veteran chefs in the kitchen, and a lot of line cooks. In that kitchen, it’s not just the tortillas that are carefully made fresh by hand. Just about everything is, including four kinds of ceviche, rich hearty traditional pozole and fiery menudo.

There are almost a hundred different dishes on the huge menu – but quantity and quality equate here. There is torre de mariscos, a carefully layered stack of seafood with cucumbers, onions, avocado and soy sauce mixed in.

“All our seafood is fresh and freshly prepared,” says Aguilera, and that includes spicy shrimp preparations, seafood soups, several kinds of grilled fish and even a whole grilled octopus. They have molcajetes – a Spanish equivalent to a mortar and pestle. They have three grills, so there are lots of meat entrees, such as the namesake Patron steak, a ribeye topped with six grilled shrimp, onions and peppers, with an enchilada in red sauce on the side. (All that for just $18!)

And of course, you can find all the usual (and delicious) suspects: nachos, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas and more. As Aguilera says: “To make so many dishes is something special. There’s a lot of hard work, a lot of hands, a lot of people working together.”

And leadership takes care of those people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, no one was laid off. They paid all their employees’ wages, even when the restaurant was locked down. Now, the team is building a new midtown location near 51st and Harvard. It should be open, or nearly open, by the time you read this.

“It will be something marvelous,” Aguilera says. “We’re very passionate about what we do.”

BRIAN SCHWARTZ

The French Connection

What many would call an underrated gem, Fait Maison – an upscale French restaurant in Edmond – is undoubtedly the stop for a special occasion.

Some may bristle at the concept of French fine dining – equating it to a stuffy atmosphere or unfriendly service. Not so! Fait Maison excels in superior service in a warm, comfortable and unrushed environment. (Not convinced? Check the glowing Google reviews!)

Many diners opt for the tasting menu, where the decisions are mostly made for you. The experience comes with five courses, plus wine pairings and a cheese course for additional fees. Begin with an amuse bouche consisting of white asparagus, mousseline sauce and caviar. For the second course, you’ll enjoy rigatoni “cocotte” with foie gras and lobster. Next is red mullet stuffed octopus, followed by roasted stuffed quail with mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Save room for dessert – a caramelized frozen souffle awaits you.

If you prefer to go a la carte, first course highlights include the duck foie-gras and the diver scallop. Continue with French sea bass, Maine lobster, Rohan duckling or milk-fed veal. Desserts range from crepes to homemade ice cream and a Brandy Alexander with vanilla bean ice cream and Cognac. Fait Maison is also lauded for its extensive wine list; your server will be more than happy to suggest excellent pairings, no matter your budget.

If you’d like to visit Fait Maison, but prefer to go a more casual route, the patio is the place to be. With its own exclusive menu, Le Patio offers escargot, steak frites, Croque Madame sandwiches and a special dessert menu.

Find Inner Peace

Peacemaker Lobster and Crab Co. is hard to miss – it’s nestled in Tulsa’s Blue Dome District and offers a sprawling dining area with dark woods, light brick and teal chairs that invite you to come in and stay awhile. And while it could be said that Tulsa lacks a dynamic seafood scene, Peacemaker looks to fill in the gaps.

Begin with the raw bar, offering oysters, peel and eat shrimp, or the seafood sampler – with the aforementioned goodies plus mussels, clams and crab legs. If you’re craving the taste of the ocean in a major way, look at the ‘boils’ section of the menu. Choose shrimp, snow crab or lobster, which will be accompanied by potatoes, andouille sausage, corn on the cob and a buttermilk biscuit.

Poorboys – meat sandwiches originating in Louisiana – range from catfish to shrimp, oyster, buffalo crawfish and smoked brisket, and you can also opt for a roll with shrimp, crab or lobster. Don’t forget mouthwatering sides like fried green tomatoes, coleslaw, smothered collard greens, frog legs and crab cakes.

The joint also offers its own brunch food and cocktail menu, a full bar, soups, chowders and desserts like beignets, cheesecake, bread pudding and soft serve ice cream.

MARY WILLA ALLEN

Photo courtesy Fait Maison

Guests can enjoy the torre de mariscos, which includes a seafood mix layered with cucumbers, onions and avocado slices. The meal is served with savory soy sauce.

Photo courtesy Peacemaker

Embracing Southern Hospitality

With a new look, FLINT welcomes diners with a passionate chef, Derrick Long, leading the charge.

When FLINT – a new American destination at the historic Colcord Hotel in Oklahoma City – reopened last August after a major renovation, it felt like a breath of fresh air. The transformation of its interior features is complemented by the food, brunch menu, artisanal cocktails and award-winning wine selection, but at the heart of it all is the vision of chef Derrick Long.

“The idea is that we wanted to provide the best experience to everybody, whether you’re celebrating your anniversary, leaving the game at the Paycom Center or coming in from across the street at the Myriad Gardens,” says Long. “We are embracing these different techniques that

have roots in the American South. We are taking Southern classics like meatloaf and chicken fried steak and bringing in a modern feel.”

For example – instead of using regular pounded out meat for his chicken fried steak, Long is utilizing the teres major cut instead.

“It’s super tender, one of the most tender cuts that you can get off the cow, and it’s delicious,” he says. “We put our house breading on it, which passed down to me from my father years ago. It definitely has some of the Oklahoma vibes of seasonings.”

Those Oklahoma roots are at the center of Long’s talent. Born and raised in Guthrie, Long grew up in his father’s restaurant, Gages Steakhouse, an historic mainstay in the city’s downtown area. At age 16, Long learned all aspects of the business. He later attended Platt College, completing a nine-month program in which he attended school nine hours a day and worked full time to expand his knowledge. He eventually became an instructor at Platt himself; he was 21, the youngest ever hired at the college.

Along the way, he developed his own culinary style.

“I worked in so many restaurants and with so many different types of cookery. I finally said, ‘You know what? Maybe I’m an American futurist.’ I love looking at the cultures of food and seeing the story food has to tell,” he says. “I find the best parts of food from different nationalities and bring that into my style.”

But in all the places Long worked, he knew he wanted to end up at FLINT. For six years, everytime the executive chef position came open, he applied. Last year, the stars finally aligned.

“I applied and I got it,” he says. “It feels like the home I’ve been searching for the past 10 or 12 years of my career.”

Menu items at FLINT range from the blackened redfish and bacon-wrapped meatloaf to shrimp and grits, sauteed scallops and a hearty brisket-blend cheeseburger. The new bar area compliments the menu with a variety of both classic and craft cocktails. The drinks and Long’s menu can also be enjoyed on the new patio retreat called FLORA at The Colcord. For assistant general

manager Justin George, the new look, feel and taste of FLINT is something both visitors and locals can enjoy.

“No matter what we did in the space, it had to remain comfortable,” says George. “That was our direction for chef – take the food that you know and present it in a beautiful way.”

Comfortability, rich tastes and Southern hospitality are what diners can expect from the newly-remodeled restaurant.

"America as a whole is a melting pot, and one of the things I want to do is embrace the core values of what Southern cooking means,” says Long. “When you walk into my restaurant, you expect to get a good meal on a good size plate. They get a meal that they would get from mom, but with an elevated feel."

HEIDE BRANDES

Chef Derrick Long, a Guthrie native, says Flint feels like “the home I’ve been searching for.” Photos courtesy the Colcord Hotel

Que Gusto

South American gourmet food is the name of the game at Que Gusto, a hole-in-the-wall joint in downtown Tulsa. Handmade, organic and grass-fed cuisine awaits. Even better, there’s ample outdoor seating so you can enjoy the skyline and people watch while you nosh.

Snacks kick off your dining experience, with options ranging from parfaits and morning oats to yucca bread, fried plantains, smoothies and patacones (plantain chips.) Heartier options on the lunch and dinner menu include the beloved empanadas, which come with 5 ounces of your choice of beef, chicken, pork, veggies, tomato and cheese, or breakfast goodies– with ground pork, cheese, eggs and spinach. Don’t miss the slow roast pork sandwich, arroz con pollo, a quinoa and black bean salad or choripan, which comes with pork sausage, diced tomatoes and chimichurri sauce.

Weekly specials include arepas on Tuesdays and wild fish and shrimp stew on Friday and Saturday. Que Gusto also offers catering, alongside desserts, coffees, sodas and wines.

Cous Cous Cafe

You’ll experience Morocco and the Mediterranean in every bite at OKC’s Cous Cous Cafe. The restaurant is also vegetarian and vegan friendly, so make sure to invite your herbivore pals or venture there for a healthy option!

Start with a variety of soups, salads or trio platters to hit all the right notes. If you want to venture out of your comfort zone, try a tagine – a North African aromatic stew. Options include salmon, chicken, lamb, beef and veggie, all coming with different combos of veggies, rice and meatballs.

Kabobs are another popular menu choice, with numerous meat options, plus herbs and spices, Moroccan salad and rice. The restaurant’s namesake is a must-try; there are lamb, veggie, moussaka and chicken iterations of the couscous. Burritos and sandwiches round out the menu, along with traditional desserts and drinks.

Harmony House

A Muskogee mainstay, Harmony House offers just about anything you’d need for a delicious brunch, lunch or bakery treat.

Lunch items include comfort food favorites you won’t want to miss. Try the pimento cheese sandwich; the ‘Hobbit’ – a spicy grilled cheese with Pepper Jack, tomato and spinach; veggie burgers, taco soup, chef’s salads and so much more. Brunch options range from avocado toast to omelets, club sandwiches and charcuterie boards.

Harmony House’s bakery is where the magic happens. Try homemade cakes, cupcakes and pies with a variety of buttercreams, fillings and flavors. It’s also the place to go for wedding cakes, custom cakes and catering orders.

Katy’s Pantry

Located in Enid, Katy’s Pantry has been sharing its family recipes with locals for over 40 years. The team believes that the best memories are made around the table, after all.

Comfort food abounds, from hearty vegetable beef soup to crisp salads. Highlights include the Pantry Salad, with spinach, mushrooms, eggs, bleu cheese crumbles, red onions, cheddar cheese, bacon and homemade croutons; as well as the Old Fashioned Garden Salad, with iceberg, romaine and leaf lettuce, fresh vegetables, cheddar cheese, turkey, ham and croutons. Other goodies include savory quiches, casseroles and made-to-order sandwiches. Make sure you try the BLT, Reuben, grilled French dip or the chicken avocado.

But the sweet treats really make Katy’s Pantry shine; they typically change daily, so make sure to call ahead if you’re looking for something specific. General offerings include cream and fruit pies, hand-iced cookies, breads, bars and cinnamon rolls.

Photo courtesy Cous Cous Cafe

Photo courtesy Harmony House

Photo courtesy Katy’s Pantry

Photo courtesy Que Gusto

Where & When

GREAT THINGS TO DO IN OKLAHOMA

EVENTS LISTED ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK INDIVIDUAL WEBSITES FOR UPDATES.

IN TULSA Performances

1964 ... The Tribute June

7 Tulsa PAC For more than 30 years, "1964: The Tribute" has thrilled audiences with what is considered by many to be the most authentic and endearing tribute to the Beatles. tulsapac. com

Big, Scary Animals June 7-16 Tulsa PAC What begins as polite dinner conversation with their gay, multi-ethnic neighbors careens out of control. tulsapac. com

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse presents: Always a Bridesmaid June 7-16 Broken Arrow Community Playhouse Laugh out loud at the plight of four women who promise to be bridesmaids in each other's weddings, despite a string of misadventures. bacptheatre. com

Michael Carbonaro June

15 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa The actor, improv artist and magician comes to Tulsa. hardrockcasinotulsa.com

Andrew Schulz June

15 River Spirit Casino Resort Andrew Schulz, a New York-native, is known for his hilarious and unfiltered comedy. riverspirittulsa.com

Brad Williams June

20 Tulsa PAC Pound for pound, Brad Williams is the funniest comedian in the country right now, and has become one of the most in-demand comedians working today. tulsapac.com

Trey Kennedy June 29 River Spirit Casino Resort Trey Kennedy is a born and raised Oklahoman who never expected to enter the entertainment industry. While attending college at Oklahoma State University, Trey found fame on the mobile app Vine, amassing more than 2.5 million followers. Now he's a comedy star! riverspirittulsa.

com

Concerts

Brit Floyd June 1 Tulsa Theater Brit Floyd returns to the stage in 2024 with P·U·L·S·E, their biggest and most spectacular production to date. tulsatheater. com

#RocktheBlock June 6 BOK Center This free block party will take place outside BOK Center

PERFORMANCES

Comedy, Plays and Tributes

While many of our major performing arts companies take the summer off, there are still plenty of shows to enjoy in June.

At the Tulsa PAC, Beatles fans won’t want to miss 1964 ... The Tribute on June 7, which will wow audiences with what many believe to be the best Beatles tribute band in existence. Don’t forget to swing back by on June 20 for comedian Brad Williams.

Speaking of comedy, River Spirit Casino Resort offers two such performances this month: Andrew Schulz on June 15 and Oklahoma native Trey Kennedy on June 29. Other Tulsa offerings include magician/improv artist and actor Michael Carbonaro, June 15 at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and the play Always a Bridesmaid, June 7-16 at the Broken Arrow Community Playhouse.

In Oklahoma City, visit the Civic Center Music Hall for e Flying Dutchman, presented by Painted Sky Opera. The show follows a sea captain, cursed to roam the waters for eternity until he finds his true love. Lyric Theatre welcomes Mary Poppins – the story of the quirky, lovable nanny – at the Civic from June 25-29. And you should make a trip to Edmond’s Armstrong Auditorium for the stunning sounds of the musical trio Barnatan, Zorman and Peled.

Across the state, don’t miss Raise the Roof at Duncan’s Little Theatre, June 7-9; Sunday in the Park with George, through June 9 at the Ponca City Playhouse; and comedian Kevin Hart, June 22 at Thackerville’s Winstar World Casino and Resort.

on 3rd & Denver before the Justin Timberlake concert. bokcenter. com

Justin Timberlake June

6 BOK Center Justin Timberlake is bringing his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to BOK Center. bokcenter.com

Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire June 7 BOK Center Lionel Richie is bringing his Sing A Song All Night Long tour to BOK Center with very special guests: Earth, Wind & Fire. bokcenter.com

Tedeschi Trucks Band June 14 Tulsa Theater Enjoy the band on its Deuces Wild Tour tulsatheater.com

Todd Rundgren June 14 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa Todd Harry Rundgren is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer. hardrockcasinotulsa. com

Bachman-Turner Overdrive June 22 River Spirit Casino Resort After many decades,

selling tens of millions of records with multi-platinum and number 1 awards, Bachman-Turner Overdrive is back in gear! riverspirittulsa.com

Art

Celia Álvarez Muñoz: Breaking the Binding June 5-Aug. 25 Philbrook Spanning forty years, this exhibition is the first career retrospective of conceptual artist Celia Álvarez Muñoz featuring over thirty-five artworks. philbrook.org

Wyeth: Textured Visions Of Nature Through June 9 Philbrook Through three successive generations, the bountifully creative Wyeth family closely observed the world around them to produce artworks that reflect their textured visions of nature. philbrook.org

Old Country to the Plains: Kosher Pop SK8 Art Through June 14 Sherwin Williams Museum of Jewish Art New York City artist Steve Marcus created 40 new works specifically for The

Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art. jewishmuseumtulsa.org Here Be Dragons: Mapping The Real And Imagined Through Dec. 29 Philbrook This exhibition presents artworks from the Philbrook collection that span over three hundred years of history, and that build a sense of place, whether real or imagined. philbrook.org

Timo Fahler: Shrug Atlas Through Dec.

29 Philbrook Today, artist Timo Fahler is known for artworks that combine earth, stained glass, metal rebar, plaster and other materials to speak to the history of land and labor through material and form. philbrook.org

Jacob’s Ladder Through Dec. 31 Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art The Museum’s archives are home to many imaginative winged beings. Join us on a trip up Jacob’s Ladder and encounter these charming and artistic pieces from our collection. jewishmuseumtulsa.org

Curator’s Curios Through Dec. 31 Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art Digging deep into the Museum’s massive Judaica collection, curator Sofia Thornblad displays her all-time favorites from oil paintings by Theodore Freid to fun vintage Israeli posters. jewishmuseumtulsa.org

Slumgullion: The Venerate Outpost Ongoing Philbrook Philbrook is proud to partner with award-winning artist Karl Unnasch to present Slumgullion, a full-scale log cabin built from the skeleton of a late-1800s pioneer home. philbrook.org

Sports

Tulsa Drillers Baseball June 1-2, 11-16, 25-30 ONEOK

Stadium America’s favorite pastime is back and better than ever! milb.com/tulsa

Tulsa Oilers Football June 1, 15, 29 BOK Center Come see the Oilers take on other teams in the league. bokcenter.com

Tulsa FC Soccer

Matches June 8, 19, 22 ONEOK

Field See Tulsa's pro soccer team take on regular season foes. fctulsa.com

Pinto World Championship

Show June 10-22 Expo

Square Incorporated in 1956, the Pinto Horse Association of America was formed to encourage the promotion of quality horses, ponies and miniatures with color and to establish a registry for maintaining their show records and pedigrees. You won't want to miss their annual show. exposquare.com

Simulcast Horse

Racing Through Nov. 2 Expo Square Place your bets for one of Tulsa's most exciting equine events. exposquare.com

Community

Miss Oklahoma June 5-8 River Spirit Casino Resort The Miss Oklahoma Competition is a high energy production featuring the state’s brightest and most talented young women. riverspirittulsa.com

Photo by Steven Gardner

Mecum Auction June 6-8 Expo Square Visit the SageNet Center to view one of the most entertaining and exciting car auctions around. mecum.com

First Friday Art Crawl June 7

Downtown Tulsa Since 2007, the Tulsa Arts District has presented the community with rotating art displays as part of the First Friday Art Crawl. travelok.com

Saint Francis Tulsa

Tough June 7-9 214 N. Main

St. Saint Francis Tulsa Tough is an annual three-day cycling festival designed to promote fitness and healthy lifestyles while showcasing the beautiful city of Tulsa. tulsatough.com

Second Saturday Architecture Tour June 8 100

E. Second St. Take a fun and educational walking tour during the Second Saturday Architecture Tour. tulsaarchitecture.org

Tulsa Juneteenth

Festival June 13-15 Greenwood

Historical District Juneteenth is the oldest holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. tulsajuneteenth.org

Route 66 Roadfest June

22-23 Expo Square The Route 66 Road Fest is a one-of-a-kind celebration giving you the chance to take your own journey through the history, attractions, characters, and fun of one of America’s most enduring treasures. It’s also a great opportunity to experience the Route itself. route66roadfest.com

Charitable Events

Every Moment Counts Walk and Run June 1 Tulsa River Parks Help raise money for Clarehouse by running or walking a 5K, 10K or 15K. clarehouse.org

Inspire: A Night of Entertainment June 1 Cox

Business Convention Center Join The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges for a night of dinner, drinks and dancing. nighttoinspire.org

National Garden Week June

2-8 Citywide The Tulsa Garden club is Oklahoma's oldest garden club. Help raise money to keep beautifying Tulsa. tulsagardenclub.org

Montereau Invitational June

3 Southern Hills Country Club Join Montereau for a day of camaraderie, friendly competition and most importantly, a chance to contribute to a noble cause. montereau.net

Tulsa Parkinson's Walk June

8 Downtown Tulsa Support the Oklahoma Parkinson's Alliance and walk for a cause. oklahomapa.org

Zoo Nights June 14 Tulsa

Zoo Come enjoy an adults-only summer night out at Tulsa Zoo! Guests are invited to explore the zoo with an immersive experience. tulsazoo.org

I Am Equality: Be Your Own

Masterpiece June 22 Cox

Business Convention Center This event serves as OkEq's anchor fundraising endeavor, garnering support for our mission of seeking equal rights for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and families through intersectional advocacy, education, programs, alliances and the operation of the Dennis R.

Neill Equality Center. okeq.org

IN OKC Performances

Painted Sky Opera presents: The Flying Dutchman June 20-23 Civic Center Music

Hall Painted Sky Opera opens our eighth season with this supernatural tale of redemption and betrayal. Cursed to wander the sea for eternity until he finds true love, a sea captain meets Senta and wonders if his long journey is at an end. okcciviccenter.com

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma presents: Mary Poppins June 25-29 Everyone’s favorite, practically perfect nanny, Mary Poppins, soars into Lyric’s 2024 summer season at the Civic. lyrictheatreokc.com

Barnatan, Zorman, Peled June 30 Armstrong Auditorium Three internationally acclaimed Israeli-born musicians celebrate the world-premiere exhibit “Kingdom of David and Solomon Discovered” with their thrilling program titled “Uncovering Greatness,” featuring composers and pieces honoring the rich musical tradition of the Jewish culture. armstrongauditorium.org

Concerts

The Kid Laroi June 3 The Criterion See the artist live for one night only. criterionokc.com

Fuerza Regida June 14 Paycom Center Hitmaking Mexican music act Fuerza Regida is coming to Oklahoma City with their Pero No Te Enamores Tour paycomcenter.com

ART

Excision: Nexus Tour June

19 The Criterion Jeff Abel, better known by his stage name Excision, is a Canadian DJ and electronic music producer. criterionokc.com

Art

Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer June 22-Sept. 29 OKCMOA Organized by OKCMOA and presented by The Ann Lacy Foundation, this exciting retrospective of award-winning costume designer Edith Head (18971981) will feature 70 costumes that capture the height of Head’s career and were worn by stars such as Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Ginger Rogers, Shirley MacLaine, Veronica Lake, Barbara Stanwyck and Kim Novak. okcmoa.com

Magnificent Beauty: Georgia O’Kee e and the Art of the Flower Through July 7 OKCMOA Enjoy an exhibition of work by Georgia O’Keeffe and photographer Imogen Cunningham, both of whom shared a fascination for flowers. okcmoa.com

HOME1947: Sharmeen

Obaid Chinoy Through July 22 Oklahoma Contemporary HOME1947: Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy explores the lives and stories of the millions displaced in 1947 during the creation of two new independent nation-states, India and Pakistan. oklahomacontemporary.org

Shelter Through Aug. 19 Oklahoma

Contemporary SHELTER by artist Lisa Karrer explores the experiences of displaced peoplesseeking shelter in refugee communities across different

Beat the Heat

parts of the world through oral interviews and video projections. oklahomacontemporary.org Prix de West Art Exhibition and Sale Through Aug. 4 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Prix de West is the nation’s premier Western art exhibition and sale showcasing original works ranging from historical depictions of the American West to more contemporary and impressionistic pieces. nationalcowboymuseum. org

Eva Schlegel: Multiple Voices Through Jan. 13 Oklahoma Contemporary Multiple Voices is the first public artwork in the United States by Eva Schlegel, the Austria-born and -based artist known for engineering steel and mirrors into spectacular, architectonic sculptures. oklahomacontemporary.org

Chihuly Then and Now: The Collection at Twenty Ongoing OKCMOA Redesigned in collaboration with Chihuly Studio, Chihuly Then and Now: The Collection at Twenty incorporates a unique design, featuring five decades of glass and painting and tells a comprehensive story of Chihuly’s groundbreaking career. okcmoa.com

Sports

Oklahoma City Baseball Club June 4-9, 18-23 Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark The OKC Baseball Club – formerly the OKC Dodgers – takes on foes at home this month.

milb.com/oklahoma-city 2024 National Reining Horse

Association Derby June 1223 OKC Fairgrounds Top riders and horses from around the country visit this annual derby. okcfairgrounds. com

Twister City Roller Derby

Bout June 15 Arctic Edge Ice Arena, Edmond Catch the buzz as the Twister City Roller Derby put on an electrifying dance of athleticism and grace when jammers and blockers race against each other and the clock. twistercityderby. com

Oklahoma Summer Classic June 26-30 OKC Fairgrounds Enjoy this all-breed dog show with special attractions and trials. oklahomasummerclassic. com

National & Youth World

Appaloosa Horse Show June 27-July 4 OKC Fairgrounds Beautiful Appaloosa horses will be on display at the show. okcfairgrounds.com

Community

UCO Endeavor Games June

6-9 University of Central Oklahoma The University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond hosts the annual UCO Endeavor Games for athletes with physical disabilities. uco.edu

deadCenter Film Festival June

6-9 Downtown OKC Hailed as one of the Top 20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine, deadCenter Film Festival is an annual independent film showcase that highlights over 1,000 indie films from around the world. deadcenterfilm.org

LibertyFest June 14-July

4 Citywide, Edmond The more than five-decade tradition includes patriotic events like a parade, rodeo, live music, car show, and of course, fireworks. libertyfest.org

Father's Day Fest June 16 Scissortail Park This June, celebrate fathers and father figures in Scissortail Park during Oklahoma City's annual Father's Day Fest. scissortailpark.org

Brightmusic Summer Chamber Music Festival June 17-23 First Baptist Church of OKC Audience members will be treated to a series of chamber music pieces from composers like Debussy and Sibelius. brightmusic.org

Heartland Cannabis Expo June 21-22 OKC Fairgrounds Talk with experts and get quality product at the cannabis expo. okcfairgrounds.com

Oklahoma Auto Expo & Hop June 30 OKC Fairgrounds Car enthusiasts won't want to miss this exciting show. okcfairgrounds.com

Charitable Events

OKC Networking Fair June

5 Rake 59 OKC This gathering is your chance to immerse yourself in a tech-centric environment designed to facilitate interactions, collaborations, and mentorship opportunities. techlahoma.org

Lynn Institute Charity Auction June 7 The Shoppes at Northpark Attendees have the opportunity to bid on unique home items and furniture that have been turned into one of a kind art pieces. lynninstitute.org

If the summer weather is a little too sweltering for you, cool off in one of Oklahoma’s many world-class museums. In Tulsa, Philbrook is debuting a new exhibition this month: Celia Álvarez Muñoz: Breaking the Binding. Running June 5-Aug. 25, this show is the first career retrospective of the titular conceptual artist, featuring over thirty-five artworks spanning forty years. Another must-see at Philbrook is Timo Fahler: Shrug Atlas, which highlights the artist best known for works that combine earth, stained glass, metal rebar and plaster. You can visit the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art for Old Country to the Plains: Kosher Pop Sk8 Art through June 14. There, you’ll see 40 new artworks created by Steve Marcus specifically for the museum. Other shows at SMMJA include Jacob’s Ladder – highlighting “imaginative winged beings,” and Curator’s Curios – which digs into the museum’s Judaica collection. Both run until Dec. 31. The Oklahoma City Museum of art debuts Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer on June 22. Presented by the The Ann Lacy Foundation, the retrospective showcases works from award-winning costume designer Edith Head, with 70 of her pieces. Head dressed stars ranging from Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Ginger Rogers to Shirley MacLaine, Veronica Lake, Barbara Stanwyck and Kim Novak. The exhibition runs until Sept. 28. Other OKC offerings include the Prix de West Art Exhibition and Sale, happening at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum through Aug. 4; and Oklahoma Contemporary’s Eva Schlegel: Multiple Voices through Jan. 13.

EDITH HEAD: HOLLYWOOD’S COSTUME DESIGNER, OKCMOA

Where & When | Entertainment

OKC Zoo Gala June 7 OKC

Zoo The OKC Zoo Gala is a fundraising celebration that recognizes the dedicated individuals who have amplified the Oklahoma City Zoo’s mission of connecting Oklahomans with the world's wildlife and wild places to inspire conservation action. okczoo.org

Walk for Kids June

8 Scissortail Park Walk for Kids is a fun, family-friendly event that raises funds and awareness for families served by Ronald McDonald House Charities of OKC through teams of walkers. rmhcokc.org

Gift of Love Gala June

15 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Benefiting the Center of Family Love, this evening will offer dinner, cash raffle drawings, live auction and entertainment. okcnp.org

Wes Welker Foundation Golf Tournament June 17 Quail Creek Golf and Country Club For the 4th year in a row, the Wes Welker Foundation will welcome a full field of players to its annual golf tournament. okcnp.org

The Care Center's Singo Night June 18 Chicken N Pickle Singo Night, hosted by The CARE Center’s Young Professionals Board, featuring prizes, raffles, food and fun. carecenter-okc.org

THE STATE Performances

Duncan Little Theatre presents: Raise the Roof June 7-9 515 N. 19th St., Duncan Get tickets to see Raise the Roof, Duncan Little Theatre's high-energy variety show, this May. duncanlittletheatre.com

Ponca Playhouse presents: Sunday in the Park with George Through June

9 Featuring music and lyrics by Steven Sondheim, the musical follows the life of painter Georges Seurat as he completes his most famous painting. poncaplayhouse. com

Kevin Hart June 22 Winstar World Casino Resort, Thackerville From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kevin Hart is easily one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood. winstar.com

Concerts

The Conert King and Queen June 1 Choctaw Casino Resort Durant Welcome to The Concert King and Queen performance with Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez! choctawcasinos.com

Lovers in the Night 20 June

2 Choctaw Casino Resort

Durant Get ready for a very spectacular music program produced by Ruby Blvd Entertainment, featuring the most popular singers today such as Thu Phuong, Lam Truong, Bao Anh, Ung Hoang Phuc, Dan Nguyen and Maya. choctawcasinos.com

Gerardo Ortiz with Aldo Trujillo June 7 Choctaw Casino Resort Durant Spend an evening with this crooner and his special guest. choctawcasinos.com

Turnpike Troubadors June

8 Winstar World Casino and

Resort, Thackerville Country superstars the Turnpike Troubadors come to Oklahoma. winstar.com

James Taylor and his All-Star Band June 15 Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville One of America's most beloved musicians comes to Thackerville with his band. winstar.com

Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy and Tracy Byrd June 21 Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville A trio of country music stars take the stage. winstar.com

Kelsea Ballerini June 28 Choctaw Casino Resort

Durant Kelsea Nicole Ballerini is an American country pop singer and songwriter as well as a four-time Grammy Awards nominee. choctawcasinos.com

Sports

NJCAA Division II World Series June 1 David Allen

Memorial Ballpark, Enid Bring the entire family to the NJCAA Division II World Series to cheer for your favorite team. travelok.com

Durant Pro Rodeo June 1 1901 S. 9th Ave., Durant Head to the Durant Riding Club Arena for two days of exciting rodeo competition as the road to the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas makes its way through Durant. durantrodeo.com

National Sand Bass Festival June 3-8 1 Courthouse

COMMUNITY

Square, Madill The National Sand Bass Festival free festival features food vendors, a carnival and numerous craft booths. sandbassfestival.org

101 Wild West Rodeo June 6-8 101 Rodeo Grounds, Ponca City Head to the legendary 101 Wild West Rodeo this summer, a PRCA rodeo that includes steer roping, team roping, bareback riding, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, bull riding and barrel racing. 101wildwestrodeo.com

FireLake Golf Classic June 15-16 1901 S. Gordon Cooper Dr., Shawnee The FireLake Golf Classic welcomes golfers to the spectacular FireLake course in Shawnee to compete for cash prizes. firelakegolf.com

Community

Magnolia Festival Of Oklahoma June 1 Choctaw Event Center, Durant Honoring the heritage of Durant, also known as the “City of Magnolias,” the annual Magnolia Festival of Oklahoma began in 1997 and features a variety of activities perfect for a fun-filled family weekend. magnoliafestival. com

Oklahoma Renaissance Festival Through June 2 The Castle of Muskogee Step back in time to the 16th century with Queen Elizabeth I of England and over 400 entertainers and artisans as they create the boisterous Village

A Little Bit of Everything

Your social calendar will be jampacked with community events this June.

of Castleton at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival. travelok.com

Guthrie Independence Day Celebration June 6 Jelsma Stadium, Guthrie Set up your camp chairs and kick back for an exciting evening of patriotic fun during the Guthrie Independence Day Celebration. travelok.com

Downtown Dogfest & June First Friday June 7 Courthouse Lawn, Enid Leash up your buddy and cruise to downtown Enid for an evening of pet-friendly fun at Downtown Dogfest during First Friday. mainstreetenid.org

Spirit of Oklahoma

Storytelling Festival June 7-8 Rose State College, Midwest City The Spirit of Oklahoma Storytelling Festival features a variety of storytelling styles and genres, including prairie stories, American Indian stories and more. territorytellers.com

OKM Music Festival June 7-9 415 S. Dewey Ave., Barltesville The OKM Music festival has been providing international music talent and education to northeastern Oklahoma since 1983. okmmusic.org

Fort Gibson Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show June 8 Downtown Historic Fort Gibson Bring the whole family out to the annual Fort Gibson Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show for an actionpacked day of fun. fortgibson.com

Le Tour de Vin June 8 Riverwind

Casino, Norman Head to Norman for a one-of-a-kind celebration of wine, food and generosity at Le Tour de Vin. letourdevin.com

Golden Eagle Poker Run June 8 575 Number 9 Marina Rd., Eufaula Test your luck at Lake Eufaula's Golden Eagle Poker Run, one of the most exciting events on the lake. visitlakeeufaula.com

Enid Chautauqua June 11-15 Humphrey Heritage Village, Enid Attend the Enid Chautauqua to dig deep into history and have fun doing it. csrhc.org/chautauqua

Elk City Route 66 Festival June 14-15 Ackley Park, Elk City Elk City's Route 66 Festival features fun and excitement for the whole family this summer. elkcitychamber.com

Okie Noodling Tournament June 14-15 Wacker Park, Pauls Valley Bring your lawn chair to Wacker Park in Pauls Valley and celebrate the sport of noodling at the world-famous Okie Noodling Tournament. okienoodling.com

Vinita Route 66 Festival June 14-15 Downtown Vinita Nothing says summer like a family road trip. Gather up your crew and embrace the season at the Vinita Route 66 Festival. vinitaroute66festival. com

Dancing Rabbit Music Festival June 15 304 E. Choctaw Ave., McAlester Don't miss the exciting evenings of live music during the 2024

Dancing Rabbit Music Festival series dancingrabbit.live

Muscogee Nation Festival June 20-23 Claude Cox Omiplex This annual celebration includes cultural exhibitions, a 5K run, concerts featuring local and national acts, arts and crafts, great food, a parade, children's activities and many more festivities for the entire family to enjoy. creekfestival.com

Independence Day Celebration & Kiowa Powwow June 22 707 E. Boundary Rd., Lone Wolf Bring the whole family out to Lone Wolf for the Independence Day Celebration and Kiowa Powwow. travelok.com

Woolaroc Kidsfest June 22-23 Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve, Bartlesville The sounds and feel of an old-time circus come alive again at Kidsfest. woolaroc.org

Quanah Parker: One Man, Two Worlds June 25-Aug. 14 2150 Chisholm Trail Pkwy., Duncan "Quanah Parker: One Man, Two Worlds" is an exhibit featuring photographs that tell the story of celebrated Comanche leader Quanah Parker.

Green Corn Festival June 27-29 Charley Young Park, Bixby The Green Corn Festival is an old-fashioned, fun family festival held in downtown Bixby. bixbyoptimist.com

In Tulsa, fans of pageant life should visit River Spirit Casino Resort June 5-8 for the Miss Oklahoma competition. The exciting Mecum Car Auction is another great draw, happening June 6-8 at Expo Square. One of the city’s most beloved traditions, Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, returns June 7-9, with races in downtown Tulsa and on Riverside. Head to the Greenwood Historical District June 13-15 for the annual Juneteenth Festival, and circle back to Expo Square on June 22-23 for the Route 66 Roadfest, celebrating America’s Mother Road with displays, exhibitions and more.

In Edmond, the Endeavor Games kick off June 6-9; the tournament welcomes athletes with physical disabilities to compete in various sporting events. Also June 6-9, the deadCenter Film Festival returns to OKC, hailed as one of the Top 20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine. Get festive and patriotic a bit early with Libertyfest, happening citywide in Edmond from June 14-July 4. And all dads and father figures can venture to Scissortail Park on June 16 for the Father’s Day Fest.

Across the state, head to the Spirit of Oklahoma Storytelling Festival, June 7-8 at Rose State College in Midwest City, or get on the water for the Golden Eagle Poker Run, June 8 at Lake Eufaula. Other offerings include the Elk City Route 66 Festival, June 14-15 in Elk City’s Ackley Park; the Okie Noodling Tournament, June 1415 Pauls Valley’s Wacker Park; the Muscogee Nation Festival, June 20-23 at Okmulgee’s Claude Cox Omniplex; and the Woolaroc Kidsfest, June 22-23 at Bartlesville’s Woolaroc Museum and Wildlife Preserve.

SAINT FRANCIS TULSA TOUGH

Photo by Chris Barnes

Finding Cinematic Bliss

Escape the heat at the movie theater, where options are endless.

Half the year has already passed, but the slate of quality movies keeps coming! June has a smattering of genres to choose from so hopefully you’ll find something on this list that can get you out of the summer heat for a few hours of cinematic bliss. Start the month off with romance, action and comedy by setting your sights on Hit Man. Starring Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) and Adria Arjonas (Good Omens), the story follows an undercover police officer who poses as a hitman in order to arrest anyone who tries to hire him. Things take a turn when he attempts to save a woman in need. The teaser shows Powell in a variety of costumes, a winning smile paired with each. Directed by Richard Linklater (Before trilogy), it looks to have ample charm and likable leads to boot. It releases to Netflix on June 7. For a supernatural horror, check out e Watchers. Directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan, daughter of lauded (and sometimes panned) director M. Night Shyamalan ( e Sixth Sense), this will be Ishana’s writing and directorial debut. Starring Dakota Fanning, the movie sees our protagonist stranded in a vast forest somewhere in Ireland. She becomes trapped with three others inside a shelter, where they are watched by mysterious creatures. Being that it’s directed by an-

other Shyamalan, one can expect a big twist somewhere, but hopefully she doesn’t lean too heavily on the influences of her father when it releases on June 14.

For your drama film of the month, don’t miss e Bikeriders. Following a fictional Chicago outlaw motorcycle club in the 1960s, the plot takes place over a decade and watches the evolution of the club and its members. The cast includes Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Austin Butler (Elvis), Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road), and Norman Reedus ( e Walking Dead), and looks to show a gritty and authentic side of motorcycle life. Originally scheduled for a release in December of 2023, it was delayed by the SAG-AFTRA Strike and will now open on June 21.

If you want a bizarre anthology film, check out Kinds of Kindness. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor ings), the set up seems to follow three unrelated characters, all dealing with their own issues. Once their stories are combined together, it forms a complete and strange narrative. Lanthimos is well known for his unconventional stories, and this looks to follow in that path directly. Emma Stone (La La Land), Jesse Plemons ( e Power of the Dog), and Willem Dafoe ( e Lighthouse) all star in what will surely be a sight to behold when it releases on June 21.

Lastly, an epic two-part western film should satisfy anyone looking for a grand tale. Titled Horizon: An American Saga, the movie sees Kevin Costner returning to the director’s chair for the first time in twenty years, helming a giant piece on American history. Set during the American Civil War, the story depicts the expansion of the American West and includes a frankly gigantic cast with Costner, Sienna Miller (American Sniper), Sam Worthington (Avatar) and Giovanni Ribisi (Sneaky Pete) to name only a few. Chapter 1 releases on June 18, with Chapter 2 coming August 16.

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

The Bikeriders; photo courtesy Focus Features, all rights reserved

Hit Man; photo courtesy Netflix, all rights reserved

Closing Thoughts Rachel C. Holt

Rachel Canuso Holt, the 13th president and CEO of the United Way of Central Oklahoma (UWCO), has dedicated her career to helping those in need. A graduate of George Washington University and the University of Oklahoma College of Law, Holt has worked as an advocate for victims of domestic violence, an Oklahoma County assistant district attorney and most recently as the Executive Director of Juvenile Affairs for the State of Oklahoma. We caught up with Holt and got her thoughts on ...

... how her previous role prepared her to run the United Way. Leading a statewide agency prepared me for working in sudden, unexpected situations and avoiding potential pitfalls. When collaborating with employees, children and partners across the state, I learned to be ready for just about anything. My goal is to empower our team to survive and thrive through adversity.

... her passion for helping those in vulnerable positions.

Community service became a part of my life in high school. I have witnessed both the need and reward from helping others. My first job after college was an advocate for domestic violence survivors applying for protective orders in the Washington D.C. Superior Court. During and after law school, I worked at the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office in the juvenile court system so I could continue to assist crime survivors. I truly enjoyed the collaborative work of juvenile justice.

After becoming a mother, this deepened my passion to work for the well-being of children. I have witnessed how dramatically the outcomes can differ for a child based on the circumstances to which they were born. This fuels me to work so that every child feels loved, supported and hopeful whether through the juvenile justice system, an interaction with a child at one of our United Way partner agencies, or supporting community services to strengthen families. We all have a duty to care for children. Every child could and should be your child.

... replacing former CEO Debby Hampton.

Debby Hampton’s dedication to Oklahoma nonprofits spans decades. She is a legend in

nonprofit leadership and community-building. She is a force. She has left huge shoes for me to fill, but she was a strong support during the transition and continues to be a resource and a friend. Just knowing that she is there for me has been a huge asset.

... positive surprises.

My word of the year for 2024 is “inspired.” Every day I am inspired by our staff at Team United, our board members and their dedication of time and treasure to United Way, and our partner agencies and the work they do every day to truly change lives. It is an honor to be in this orbit of incredible people doing vital work.

... short- and long-term goals.

UWCO celebrated its centennial year in 2023. My goal is to continue the UWCO legacy of connecting people and resources to improve the well-being of those in our community. We want to engage new donors and volunteers and build our endowment fund. When people want to help, I want them to think of United Way and how sharing your time and resources with United Way makes a positive impact in our community. We want to engage the next generation of philanthropists so we may continue being a community builder and convener. There

are so many issues to tackle and we need United Way engaged in key community conversations.

... a key moment that confirmed she’s in the right profession.

Ten years ago, I returned from a pause I took in my career to raise my children. I returned to the District Attorney’s office part time and then transitioned fulltime to the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA). Consequently, the executive director left and ultimately, I was tapped to lead the agency through a global pandemic - certainly a milestone for me! I am proud that we made OJA a top juvenile justice agency in the nation.

... advice for those looking to get into philanthropy.

Find your passion. Find a nonprofit that is addressing a need close to your heart and support them financially, as a volunteer and/or as a social media follower and booster. My plug for you supporting United Way is that we vet and support 68 partner agencies in resourcing 140 proven programs so supporters know that their contributions make a deep, positive impact on our community.

Photo courtesy UWCO

OLD TOWN LEWISVILLE

Enjoy an amazing blend of DINING, SHOPPING, ENTERTAINMENT, AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES.

Experience the excitement of attending free festivals year-round, browsing the local vendor market on First Fridays, and immersing yourself in the vibrant live music scene across the city. The Lewisville Grand Theater hosts captivating live stage performances and music shows, complemented by thoughtfully curated art galleries. Come explore over 20 incredible works of public art throughout the area.

Old Town Lewisville will captivate you with specialty merchants, delectable food and beverage options, and charming local experiences.

Enjoy exploring the heart of Lewisville, Texas!

Photos by Blackall Photography

CHEVRON COLLECTION