FA L L 2021
A PUBLICATION OF INDIAN HEALTH CARE
RESOURCE CENTER OF TULSA
IHCRC FALL 2021
1
About Indian Health Care Resource Center Since 1976, Indian Health Care Resource Center has been dedicated to improving the health of Tulsa’s American Indian population. Over 45 years after its inception, Indian Health Care Resource Center (IHCRC) remains dedicated to its mission of providing quality, comprehensive health care to Tulsa area Indian people in a culturally sensitive manner that promotes good health, well-being and harmony. IHCRC’s commitment to quality is evident in its accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Centers (AAAHC) and its certification as a Medical Home by AAAHC. IHCRC’s services are specifically designed to address one of the most important aspects of care for American Indians, attentiveness to the four elements of an individual’s nature (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual). This focus on the whole person requires a complete integration of services, including those that positively affect behavioral as well as physical health. IHCRC’s medical home model of care allows patients to see the same care team on every visit. The wide array of integrated services operates through a multidisciplinary, patient-centered, medical home model of care. The one-stop shop houses: Primary Care Internal Medicine Pediatrics Optometry Dentistry Pharmacy Laboratory Radiology
Behavioral Health Systems of Care Suicide Prevention and Intervention Domestic Violence Awareness and Counseling Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Health Education and Wellness Transportation Programs for Youth
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, IHCRC is not an Indian Health Service program nor is it tribally affiliated.
2
IHCRC FALL 2021
In This Issue of Healthy Spirit Operationally Speaking................................................................ 4 Peace, Love, and Harmony......................................................... 6
CLINIC HOURS Doors Open: 6:45am Doors Close: 6:00pm
Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic...................................... 12
WALK-INS SPECIFIC HOURS
Well Child Exams and Immunizations....................................... 14
Mondays: 6:45am- 5:00pm Tuesday- Friday: 6:45am - 5:15pm Department Specific Hours May Vary
Improving Access to Behavioral Health Services...................... 17 Meet Our Pre-Doctoral Psychology Interns............................... 18 What Does Two Spirit Mean?.................................................... 21 Quality Improvement Corner...................................................... 24 Family Fun and Fitness.............................................................. 26
WIC NUTRITION HOURS Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS To schedule an appointment, call 918-588-1900. If you are unable to get your preferred appointment time, please schedule for the first available appointment. Patients may call back and check to see if an opening becomes available that better suits their needs.
IHCRC ADMINISTRATION Carmelita Skeeter Chief Executive Officer Deanna Holman Chief Financial Officer Stacie Nutt Chief Human Resource Officer
TANYA CAIN, RN - COVID CHAMPION Tanya Cain, RN, BSN, and Chief Operating Officer of Indian Health Care Resource Center has been recognized as a Health Care Hero COVID Champion by the Journal Record. The COVID Champion award was given to individuals whose performance over the past year during the pandemic has exemplified their caring service and commitment to the health care field. Tanya’s strong leadership continues to keep IHCRC’s patients and staff safe while continuously looking for ways to improve access to testing, care, and vaccines. Her unwaivering dedication to solving some of the toughest problems presented by the ongoing pandemic have made her an incredibly worthy recipient of the COVID Champion award. Congratulations Tanya!
Tanya Cain, RN Chief Operating Officer
DEVELOPMENT STAFF Debbie Starnes Director, Development & Programming dstarnes@ihcrc.org Tonia Gist Community Relations Coordinator tgist@ihcrc.org John Young Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator jyoung@ihcrc.org Matthew Pate Marketing Specialist mpate@ihcrc.org
IHCRC FALL 2021
3
Operationally Speaking By Tanya Cain, RN, Chief Operating Officer
The onset of the pandemic brought many changes to IHCRC. However, it could not stop us from expanding our programs to fit the needs of our patients. Not only did we receive The Upswing Fund grant (page 17 of this magazine), we also received a generous grant from the United Health Foundation. The goal of the project is to reduce health disparities and disease complications in Tulsa’s Native American community ages 65+. The United Health Foundation is the philanthropic arm of UnitedHealth Group, a diversified health care company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and helping to make the health system work better for everyone. UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through two distinct platforms: UnitedHealthcare, which provides health care coverage and benefits services; and Optum, which provides information and technology-enabled health services Elders play a vital role in the preservation of American Indian culture. The proposed project consists of five integrated parts designed to increase access to services and improve health outcomes for the IHCRC patient community ages 65+: (1) comprehensive medical care; (2) internal referrals for behavioral health services, including memory and dementia testing; (3) expansion of fitness activities to include additional opportunities for ages 65 and up; (4) medical social work services to assist with basic needs, crisis intervention, and assistance with documents and forms for programs, identification, or services; and (5) health education for individuals ages 65+ and their caregivers, including support for individuals raising grandchildren. We are excited to begin this new geriatric program this month. Be watching our social media for an introduction to our new Geriatric Nurse Practitioner and her team.
4
IHCRC FALL 2021
IHCRC FALL 2021
5
Peace, Love, and Harmony By Deb Starnes, Director, Development and Programming
It may have been two months late but the party of the century DID happen. It was our own private Woodstock without the rain and the mud and all those “other” things. Guests dressed the part as we partied like it was 1969 during Dance of the Two Moons 2021: Peace, Love, and Harmony. The evening was exactly what we had hoped it would be - one of the most outta sight, far out, fab, unreal, and way out nights of the year! There is no doubt, Peace, Love, and Harmony blew our minds. The IHCRC employee parking lot was transformed into a colorful tented city reminiscent of 60’s tie dye. Our good friends, The Fabulous Mid Life Crisis Band had us dancing in the streets, literally. Friends and co-workers were able to enjoy one another’s company for the first time in months. We did our best to create a safe, yet rowdy environment for all, including offering our sponsors and their guests vaccinations in the months prior to the event. Williams was recognized as our 2021 Circle of Life Community Partner. Their ongoing dedication to our youth programs before and during the pandemic is unparalleled. We are grateful to Sara Delgado and
6
PROMOTING COMMUNITY
everyone at Williams for investing in the future of the Native American community. They along with our other Eagle Sponsors, The Muscogee Nation and the Chickasaw Nation have been instrumental in helping us redesign and enhance our youth programs. We were thrilled to be joined by our 2021 featured artist Greg and Lisa from Cherokee Copper. Our Early Bird Sponsors stayed with us through uncertainty, postponement, and finally a new date. A very special thank you to those individuals, companies, and tribes: OSU Medicine; Jim and Sharon Ruley; Flintco, Inc.; ONE Gas; Janice Edmiston and Ceasar Williams; Dr. Jay and Nancy Anderson; Tiger Natural Gas; Commerce Bank, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. One of the highlights of the evening was our special photo booth. A one-of-a-kind fully restored VW Bus photo booth. Thank you Vintage Wagon for joining us. Finally a huge shout out to the evening’s caterer, Justin Thompson Catering and our bar caterer, Three Sirens Restaurant Group. We could not have done this without you! Jonathan Cooper became an honorary staff member as he served as our Emcee for the second year in a row. Our partnership with Griffin Communications and News on 6 remains very special to us. Together our sponsors and patrons raised more than we ever dreamed during this pandemic year. Someone asked me what we were going to do in 2022 to “top” the amazing evening of peace, love, and harmony. How about an out of this world theme and an exciting new location? DTM-SF (That’s Science Fiction) is planned for March 12, 2022 at River Spirit Casino and Resort. Check out all the fun and information on our website at www.ihcrc2moons.org.
River Spirit Casino Resort www.ihcrc2moons.org
IHCRC FALL 2021
7
THANK YOU TO OUR GROOVY SPONSORS! WHITE BUFFALO
The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation
EAGLE
WOLF
BEAR
Jim and Sharon Ruley Carmelita Skeeter
BUFFALO
Childers Architect Commerce Bank Eller & Detrich/CamGlass Flintco, LLC Global Scaffolding & Insulation Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa Interior Logistics Mabrey Bank Magellan Midstream Partners, LP Oklahoma City Indian Clinic ONE Gas ONEOK OSU Medicine The Phillips Family Public Service Company of Oklahoma Quest Diagnostics/DLO Southern Plains Tribal Health Board Tiger Natural Gas UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
YOUTH
Aetna Aflac Dr. Jan and Susan Cobble Janice Edmiston & Ceasar Williams Jeremy and Crystalle Evans Deanna Holman Homeguard Construction Kimberly-Clark Magellan Midstream Partners, LP Lee Marks Vivian Murphy Ruth K. Nelson Bill Osburn Joyce and Arden Roberts Edward Rogers Mr. David Krapff & Dr. Geeta Silas Larry and Janet Smith Rodney and Patti Sumner Judy Supernaw Robert and Pam Wamego
MEDIA
PATRONS
Dr. Jay and Nancy Anderson Janice Edmiston and Ceasar Williams Ken Ray Underwood and Leslie Paris
STAGE & LIGHTING Omni Lighting, Inc.
Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic By John Young, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator
Indian Health Care Resource Center (IHCRC) has been on the forefront of the pandemic for more than 18 months, offering testing, educating patients and community members, combating misinformation, and providing vaccines as they became available. At the onset of the pandemic IHCRC redirected all available resources to maximize safety for patients and staff and increased access to COVID-19 testing. Clinic leadership met regularly to discuss evolving data and made changes accordingly. Those changes included rerouting the clinic’s patient flow, further opening the channels of communication and even changing the utilization of space to ensure the highest level of care and safety for IHCRC patients and staff. One of the most important changes implemented is the addition of the COVID-19 clinic. The pharmacy lobby has been closed to serve as space for the new COVID-19 team, as well as an area for COVID-19 vaccinations. Additional staff, including Public Health Nurses, Registered Nurses, Receptionists, and Medical Assistants have been hired to manage the COVID-19 clinic.
12
PROMOTING HEALTH
IHCRC now offers patients a COVID-19 specific hot line, curbside testing, same day appointments for those experiencing symptoms, patient follow-up, as well as education on quarantining, isolation, reducing home spread, and when to seek COVID-19 testing. With the release of vaccines the COVID-19 clinic grew to include vaccination appointments and regular mass vaccination events that have vaccinated as many as 250 people in a four-hour period of time. As vaccination supply increased IHCRC partnered with local non-profits, community centers, restaurants, and small businesses to ensure no vaccine went to waste. Overcoming COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, procrastination, and rejection are among the greatest challenges currently presented by the pandemic. IHCRC is working with local broadcasting stations, tribal magazines, and social media platforms to combat misinformation and increase awareness regarding the vaccine. “We are incredibly proud to be a trusted source in the community,” said Carmelita Skeeter, IHCRC’s Chief Executive Officer. “Over 98 percent of our staff have been vaccinated and they would encourage others to take the shot to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the community.” The streamlined processes developed at IHCRC make getting the vaccine incredibly quick and easy. The average appointment takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. If you or someone you know would like a vaccine from IHCRC please call 918-382-2264 to set an appointment. Currently vaccines are available to anyone age 12 and older.
IHCRC FALL 2021
13
Well Child Exams & Immunizations By A.D. Hopkins, MD MPH, Pediatrician
Preventative checkups are vital to the health of your child. Well child visits usually start within a few days of birth and continue until the child is 18 years old. The well child visit is the perfect opportunity for a parent to ask questions about any worries regarding your child’s growth and development and update vaccines. During a well child visit, expect your child’s doctor to: • • • • •
Perform a physical exam Monitor growth, developmental milestones, and behavior Discuss nutrition, physical fitness, and sleep Address prevention and safety issues Update vaccines
Well child visits don’t stop after your child has started school. Teenagers also need regular visits to address their physical and mental health, evolving social skills, and teenage vaccines due at 11 and 16 years old. Along with routine well child visit topics, anticipate that your child’s doctor may also address: • • • •
Puberty and mental health issues including depression and anxiety Tobacco, alcohol, and drugs Preventing violence in relationships or dealing with bullying Preventing STIs and pregnancy
Ensure your child is healthy and prepared for the new school year by scheduling a well child visit today.
14
PROMOTING HEALTH
THE HEART OF WILLIAMS Williams is committed to being an exceptional neighbor in the communities where we live and work. We are thankful for our partnerships with organizations that inspire change and improve lives every day.
(800) WILLIAMS | williams.com © 2021 The Williams Companies, Inc.
IHCRC FALL 2021
15
Throughout history, our warrior tradition has helped us survive and thrive in the face of adversity. Perseverance is a defining characteristic of Chickasaw culture that has led us to where we are today— continuing to serve our Chickasaw citizens and communities in the face of a global health pandemic.
WE THRIVE BILL ANOATUBBY, GOVERNOR
16
PROMOTING WELL-BEING
Improving Access to Behavioral Health Services By Debbie Starnes, Director, Development and Programming
IHCRC is home to perhaps the largest culturally-sensitive behavioral health department for Native Americans in Northeastern Oklahoma. Consisting of psychiatrists, psychologists, LPCs, LCSWs, and CADCs, IHCRC’s Behavioral Health Department is able to provide a wide variety of services for all ages. In addition to testing, counseling, therapy, and outpatient substance abuse treatment, IHCRC also offers: youth substance abuse and suicide prevention; bullying and interpersonal violence prevention; domestic violence prevention and counseling, and wraparound services for youth at-risk. All services are integrated with the health services offered at the clinic. Even with one of the most robust behavioral health departments in Indian Country, IHCRC still had 60 adolescents on a waiting list for therapy. New referrals for therapy averaged 24 per month. Referrals from IHCRC’s in-house pediatric department doubled from an average of 41 annually to 87 during the first 10 months of 2020. It is no surprise that the pandemic has intensified behavioral health needs, especially for adolescents who are LGBTQ2S+. Oklahoma is second to California in the number of Native American residents. A study by Kids Data found that 7.6% of California’s Native American youth identified as LGBTQ2S+. Using that percentage to extrapolate Oklahoma numbers, more than 1,800 Native American adolescents ages 10-18 are LGBTQ2S+. (2,610 when adolescents who are dual race or ethnicity are included.) Tulsa LGBTQ2S+ youth attempt suicide at three times the national average. Two of three youths have had a negative experience at school and reports of bullying are 15% higher than in the survey from 2009. Forty percent of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ2S+. (Tulsa Reaches Out Survey of LGBTQ2S+, Dec 2019) In November of 2020, IHCRC applied for a grant from The Upswing Fund. The grants goals: (1) reduce the wait list for youth to receive behavioral health services, and (2) increase in the number of LGBTQ+ adolescents served throughout the clinic. Recognizing the critical need to serve additional LGBTQ2S+ Native American (alone or dual race) adolescents, IHCRC utilized The Upswing Fund grant to hire a fulltime counselor. This individual specializes in working with adolescents, especially adolescents who are LGBTQ2S+. Today Tulsa’s LGBTQ2S+ Native American youth are assisted with issues related to coming out, gender identity, family dynamics, self-esteem, body dysphoria, and trauma related issues (sexual assault, abandonment, bullying) which are often both historical and current in character.
IHCRC FALL 2021
17
Pre-Doctoral Psychology Interns Pictured with David Bright, Psy.D. and Joanna Shadlow, Ph.D.
Meet Our Pre-Doctoral Psychology Interns By Pre-Doctoral Psychology Interns
The aim of the internship program at IHCRC is to develop psychologists to work effectively in underserved communities, particularly American Indian communities, and work in integrated care facilities. IHCRC has been fortunate to receive ongoing funding from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program to help support their training. Additionally, the internship is part of the Northeastern Oklahoma Psychology Internship Program (NOPIP), an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited consortium, which further helps support the interns’ training. The interns come from all over the United States and have interesting and diverse backgrounds. They put together short biographies to share a little bit about themselves and the journeys that brought them to IHCRC. I was born and raised in Accra, Ghana and spent roughly 7 years there before moving to Fort Benning, GA. A few years later, I moved to Virginia and have lived in Alexandria, Woodbridge, and Fredericksburg. I received my bachelor’s in Psychology from Virginia Tech and my master’s in Professional Counseling from the University of Oklahoma. I am currently a student at Texas A&M, pursuing my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. My clinical experiences have included trauma work with children and adolescents, community mental health, a university counseling center, working in Veteran’s Affairs, and outpatient telehealth for veterans, veteran family members, and firefighters. I am excited to be a part of the IHCRC team because the experience and knowledge I will receive as an intern will enhance my ability to work across the lifespan and with the Native community. My goal for the future is to continue working with individuals across the lifespan in underserved communities with an emphasis on trauma.
18
PROMOTING WELL-BEING
My life has been shaped by a passion for science and helping others. I grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs with a strong focus on the natural sciences throughout high school. I completed my B.S. at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in Biotechnology in 2008, after which I worked in the biotech industry for a year. I very soon realized that my passion was grounded in gaining a deeper understanding of the brain. This motivated me to complete graduate work at New York University in New York City, where I graduated with an M.S. in Neuroscience and Physiology with a focus on the primate visual system in 2013. After taking a step back to reevaluate, I realized that my academic training thus far had been lacking a more direct human element. I decided to pursue a joint Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder to engage in clinical research and work with clinical populations. There, my research has focused on understanding the role of the immune system in mental health, particularly in the context of novel therapeutics. Clinically, I have focused on working with underserved populations and acute mental illness. I completed a two-year externship in a bipolar specialty clinic, as well as a one-year externship at a substance use facility, in addition to the practica associated with my program. Most pertinent to my work here at IHCRC, I completed two summer externships working with native teens as a part of the Upward Bound program. I’m thrilled to be completing my internship here at IHCRC, and am excited for the opportunity to continue to grow as a clinician. In my free time I pursue a variety of different creative passions, including video production, public speaking, illustration, and special effects makeup artistry. I was born in Georgia and was raised in rural Appalachia. As a teenager, I became interested in learning more about other cultures and began exploring and challenging some of my own cultural attitudes. I carried my cultural journey through my undergraduate studies, completing my bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Antillean Adventist University, a small private institution nestled in the mountains of western Puerto Rico. I then relocated to California to pursue a Psy.D. in clinical Psychology through Loma Linda University, where I lived for the five years preceding my move to Oklahoma in July of 2021. During my time in Loma Linda, I had the opportunity to work with individuals from a range of personal backgrounds and with a variety of presenting issues. My practicum placements have included community mental health, college counseling, Indian Health Services, and an intensive outpatient/partial hospitalization program focused largely on recovery from substance abuse. My research interests align with my passion for cultural humility, and my doctoral project explored outcomes of a bias-reduction intervention with medical students. My career goals are to practice in underserved treatment settings, with particular interest in working for Indian Health Services. I am excited to join the behavioral health team at IHCRC, and I look forward to a year of collaboration, new challenges, and growth through service.
IHCRC FALL 2021
19
Protect What Matters Most The IHCRC Planned Giving Department offers a variety of ways that you can protect your family’s future, achieve your financial goals and help to ensure a brighter future for Tulsa’s Native American Community.
www.ihcrc.org/legacy
Let us help you get covered. American Indians have the option to enroll in health insurance coverage year-round and many may qualify for a $0 monthly premium.
You may qualify for financial help.*
Individuals with incomes below $51,520
Couples earning less than $69,680
Family of four with an income under $106,000
Call 888-346-9636 or visit BlueNearYouOK.com to contact one of our local enrollment specialists. *Source: healthcare.gov/lower-costs Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association
20
PROMOTING WELL-BEING
611689.0321
What Does Two Spirit Mean? By Elena Gore, MS, LPC, Therapist
Two Spirit people predate LGBTQ+ awareness by centuries. Native American traditions represent a greater understanding of human sexuality and gender expression than Western Societies have today. A Two Spirit person may be gay, but a gay person is not necessarily Two Spirit. Understanding this rich heritage is vital to supporting our Native American LGBTQ2S+ adolescents. The term “Two Spirit” is used as an umbrella term encompassing people of all nations. Prior to 1990, the term used for these people was Berdache, but many nations have had specific names for such people such as Winkte in the Lakota language and Nadleeh in the Navajo language. There are images from the 1800’s showing Two Spirit people, one of the most well-known being We-Wha of the Zuni nation. Two Spirit identities vary greatly from nation to nation, but some characteristics remain among them. Two Spirit people have a male spirit and a female spirit both inside them, understanding gender as a spectrum instead of a dichotomy. Two Spirit people, in most nations, are not referred to as “male” or female” but instead given an alternative gender. Depending on the nation and Indigenous language, a Two Spirit person was referred to by a third gender (when the Indigenous language did not have a distinction between male and female-bodied Two Spirit people) or a fourth gender (when the Indigenous language did specify between male and female-bodied Two Spirit people). A Two Spirit person may enjoy activities of the opposite sex, work in environments typical of the opposite sex, and have characteristics and temperaments typical of the opposite sex. Two Spirit people and their traditions were forced to go underground with European colonization. Two Spirit people were fed to dogs, forced into schools were assigned sex at birth was forced onto them. Male sex children were forced to cut their hair and wear male clothing and female sex children were forced to wear dresses. Many traditions were lost due to marginalization and violence, but in the last 20 years Two Spirit gatherings, Pow Wows, and traditions have become more common.
IHCRC FALL 2021
21
Weekdays at 5, 6 & 10
OKLAHOMA’S OWN
22
IHCRC FALL 2021
Quality Improvement Corner By Nancy O’Banion, MS, Quality Improvement Director
Increasing the Number of Newly Diagnosed Diabetes Patients Who Complete Initial Diabetes SelfManagement Education and Support (IDSMES) Diabetes Self-Management Education is a key component for patients to learn how to manage their diabetes. This study followed the group of newly diagnosed diabetes patients in 2020-2021, to determine how many were successful in completing the new patient education program. In this group, 77% of participants completed the program, surpassing the goal of 75%. This education allows patients to be successful in lowering their HBA1c and making healthier lifestyle choices. Increasing Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine When the COVID-19 vaccine became available in December 2020, it was in high demand. In January, we were able to provide 471 vaccines to our patients. This was not enough to meet the demand, and we set a goal of 1,000 vaccines per month. In order to better serve our patients we improved our process for vaccination by establishing vaccine clinic events. This allowed us to accommodate 150 – 200 participants in a four-hour period. We typically held two of these clinics each week, allowing us to meet the need for patients and community members. It was a team effort, with staff from medical, development, and medical records departments. We opened the clinics to non-patients, to reach out to the community to improve the “community immunity”. Our efforts allowed us to surpass our goal, with 1,158 vaccines in February, 2,207 in March, and 1,457 in April.
24
IHCRC FALL 2021
EXPRESS CARE NOW OPEN No appointment necessary | Monday - Friday, 7 am to 7 pm Weekend hours coming soon Conveniently located at 81st and Hwy 169 10109 E. 79th St. Tulsa, OK 74133 IHCRC FALL 2021
25
Family Fun and Fitness
By Jennie Howard, Fitness Education Coordinator Family Fun and Fitness Day originally started as an event held once or twice a year to encourage youth and their families to get moving together. Many people view exercise as a chore so our goal is to encourage families to think outside of the box when it comes to fitness using games and experiences. Once COVID-19 numbers improved in the spring and early summer we wanted to get back to these activities because we heard from several of our families that they were eager to get out of the house. To meet our families’ needs and schedules we decided to offer monthly Family Fun and Fitness events. These events range from hiking and fishing to visiting local attractions. This summer we had the opportunity to host The AhMAYzing Race Family Game Night, Pokemon Go Challenge, a trip to the Oklahoma Aquarium, and Native American Hoop Dancing classes. Our families have really enjoyed these activities and some have continued to play the games we have shared with them on their own. Pokemon Go seems to be a family favorite. Some of the families that attended that night continue to meet up and play. Unfortunately due to the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases IHCRC has made the difficult decision to postpone in-person Family Fun and Fitness events until case numbers decrease. Be sure to watch our website at www.ihcrc.org/fun to be among the first to know when we can offer these events again. In the mean time we are offering virtual activities such as Bingo and virtual scavenger hunts that families can do together. Please consider getting vaccinated if you haven’t so one day we can put this all behind us. Call us at 918-382-2264 and we will take care of you and your family!
26
PROMOTING COMMUNITY
IHCRC FALL 2021
27
550 South Peoria Ave., Tulsa, OK 74120 918-588-1900 • www.ihcrc.org
Did you know diabetes harms our Native American community at a rate 3 times higher than other Americans? The good news is reports show diabetes education and care is having a positive impact! As a Circle of Blue Champion you make it possible for at risk adults and youth to participate in life changing diabetes prevention programs that help them live longer fuller lives. For a gift of $500 (that’s just $42 per month) you can join this caring group.
Join today! www.ihcrc.org/bluedonate Donate and receive a custom hand made stained glass suncatcher representing the Circle of Blue! Thank you to Agitsi Stained glass for gifing our donors with the custom designed suncatchers. Visit them at www.agitsi.com
CIRCLE OF BLUE Thank you to our 2021 Champions: Agitsi Stained Glass Dr. Jesicah Gilmore and Dane Bowin Dr. Joe and Mrs. Sarah Kennedy Mike McBride III and Dawnette Brady in memory of Donnie G. Brady Arden and Joyce Roberts Drs. Emmanuel and Divina Roman Mrs. Carmelita Skeeter Larry and Janet Smith