Business Spotlight

WEBSITE: capitolhillflorist.com HOURS: MON – FRI 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. SAT 9:00 A.M – 1:00 P.M. SUNDAY CLOSED

Capitol Hill Florist Going Strong After 91 Years of Operation

In an age where so many businesses and products seem to come and go, it’s remarkable to find a local business that is closing in on a century of doing business in the South OKC area. And when that business has been family-owned and operated for the entire time, it’s even more extraordinary.

It was 1928 when Chester Whitnah began selling flowers out of his father’s greenhouse. Demand grew for those flowers, and it didn’t take long for Chester and Nell Whitnah to start selling fresh-cut flowers in 1932, the year that Capitol Hill Florist was officially born. The Whitnah’s moved their business to its current location at 58th and Western in 1964 and Capitol Hill Florist has remained a family-owned and operated business to this day.

Chet Whitnah, Capitol Hill’s marketing coordinator, is a fourth-generation member of the business family. He says the passion his family has for their work is one of the things that sets them apart.

“The fact that we’ve always been a family business is very important to us,” said Whitnah. “We all love the business and we have extended family that come in to help with Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and our other busy seasons. they all come and help out to make deliveries arrangements. And really the family is what drives the business. I mean, without them, I'm not sure that it would be as successful because we've just got that tight knit group.”

Whitnah says Capitol Hill serves the entire OKC metro area, from Edmond to Norman, from Yukon to Choctaw, and all points in between. While they do weddings, they’re best known for floral arrangements for sympathy, birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays.

“We kind of pride ourselves in doing that everyday kind of work,” said Whitnah. “And of course, we’re extremely busy from Christmas through to Mother’s Day.”

Capitol Hill’s legacy looks to continue as the company is currently expanding at their current location to make more room for delivery vans and office space.

“We’re making room for a garage for the vans as well as office space and more design room,” said Whitnah. “We’re definitely planning to be here for a long time.”

Resolve to Take Charge of Your Health: Find a Physician in 2023

Around the start of the year, we are bombarded with headlines about New Year’s resolutions. Exercise more! Eat healthier! Quit smoking!

In 2023, finding a medical home base or a trusted primary care provider could not only keep you healthier but also be one of your easier resolutions to check off the list!

A primary care provider knows your medical history and can help not only when issues arise, but also keep you up-to-date on preventive screenings.

“Your PCP is your teammate, sort of like your health care quarterback – they help you navigate your health care because they get to know you and can address your concerns on a more personal level,” said Dr. Colleen Del Valle, a physician at Primary Care – NW Norman.

A primary care provider can track when you need to schedule a mammogram, colonoscopy and other tests. A yearly wellness exam is also an important appointment to make.

What should you be looking for in a physician or provider?

Availability. Does the doctor have available appointments? Do they offer virtual visits? Most Norman Regional physicians offer both in person and virtual visits for patients. You can also check the clinic’s hours of operation and factor in if they offer extended hours.

Location. Should you look for a doctor closer to home, to your work or to your kids’ school? Which will be most convenient for you?

Insurance network. Check with your insurance provider to make sure this doctor is in the network – it will be less expensive than visiting an out-of-network doctor.

Access to a health system. If you will ever need a specialist or a hospital procedure (most of us will in our lifetimes), it’s often easier to get a referral when your doctor is connected with a comprehensive health system.

Personality. Of course, you want a doctor you feel comfortable with. Look up your potential doctors on review sites like HealthGrades, RateMDs or Vitals. Norman Regional also publishes star ratings and patient comments on doctor’s profile pages to help people searching for a doc make a decision. It’s also OK to make appointments with a few different doctors to find one you like.

Norman Regional has several new physicians and nurse practitioners who are accepting patients. They include:

• Michael Cain, DO at Norman Regional Nine off

Highway Nine in Norman

• Colleen Del Valle, DO at Primary Care — NW

Norman

• Raghuveer Vedala, MD at Primary Care —

South OKC

• Jennifer Taylor, APRN-CNP at Primary Care — Tri City in Newcastle

• Brooke Walling, APRN — CNP at Primary

Care – West Norman

To make an appointment with these providers or any of Norman Regional’s network of primary care clinics, please call our Community Call Center at 405-515-5000.