Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Pathways to
Progress
Health Wellness
Norman Regional Health System and its partner physicians are among the state and national leaders in moving into the sphere of electronic medical records. An electronic system keeps records reliable, integrates scheduling, billing and lab, radiology and pathology results and helps coordinate referrals across the NRHS organization and physicians. Read all about it, Pages 6-7
Norman, with five bicycle shops, three nightly rides a week and countless riders, is rapidly becoming a bicycle friendly community. The Bicycle League of Norman’s July 16 “Norman Conquest” is considered a tune-up ride for the annual Hotter than Hell ride in Wichita Falls, Texas. — Read all about it, Page 4
Coming June 7: Pathways to Progress / Community Living
The Norman Transcript
Pathways to Progress
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Let’s get moving Norman f the warmer weather isn’t a signal to Ianother get us up and off the couch, here’s catalyst: Central Oklahoma ranks 50th out of 50 — dead last — in the latest American Fitness index of the country’s most physical fit metropolitan area. Norman may be a few points off but it’s still a wake-up call that has been sounding for a number of years. In 2010, we ranked 50th; In 2009, we ranked 45 out of 45 and 42 out of 42 in 2008. There’s a pattern emerging. There’s a saying in the education establishment that goes like this: Thank God for Mississippi. It makes Andy Rieger: all state education Executive rankings look better. Editor / Fitness advocates may General soon say the same Manager about Oklahoma. The state has a higher-than-average incidence of diabetes, heart disease and asthma. We smoke more, too. Today’s second Pathways to Progress looks at health and fitness in our community. Cycling is spotlighted. It’s a recreational and fitness pursuit that I discovered early in life and then quit riding for about 35 years. Now, I try and get in as many miles as possible on my own or through sponsored rides. There are many such support groups for fitness in Norman. Whether it be tennis, Frisbee golf, church league softball or just hiking the paths at Sutton Wilderness, Legacy Trail or on campus, there’s likely a pack of others that enjoy it, too. Some day, there may be a public, indoor swimming pool. So, let’s get moving Norman. Together, we can move that needle.
Surgical innovation
Norman doctor pioneers procedure By Andrew Knittle Transcript Staff Writer
T
he rotator cuff is something every human being has and it’s something they use on a daily basis. A group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder and allow people to throw and raise their arms, the rotator cuff often can become so damaged that patients run out of options as far as treatment goes. Years ago, there was little a person could do but live the pain and the limitations a severe rotator cuff injury can bring. But now a Norman surgeon is changing the prognosis for many those people. Dr. James L. Bond is doing so with the help of tissues harvested from frozen cadavers. He said injuries often leave “a gap” in the rotator cuff, which occur when there is a massive tearing of the tendons. “We roll it up and fashion it to the gap we need it to fit,” Bond said of the surgery, which is aided by digital cameras. “Kind of like building a ship in a bottle.” Bond is the only surgeon in Oklahoma to perform the GraftJacket procedure, a highly
specialized surgery he learned six years ago in California under Dr. Stephen J. Snyder. “I brought this back to Oklahoma, pioneered it here, and people are now trying to emulate it,” he said, adding that the procedure, despite being relatively new, boasts a high success rate. “With the first 16 that we did here (in Oklahoma), 13 of them worked, so it’s a highly successful procedure.” The procedure allows surgeons to replace tendons that are too damaged for traditional repair. And contrary to popular belief, his clients aren’t exclusively athletes. “There are 300 million (people) in the U.S. and all of them have a rotator cuff,” Bond said, adding that a successful GraftJacket procedure can enhance a patient’s quality of life many times. “There’s a lot of rotator cuff (injuries) out there and a lot of people who can benefit from the procedure.” Bond, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, is one of the managing partners of the Oklahoma Sports and Orthopedics Institute, where he specializes in sports medicine and orthopedic disorders of the shoulder and knee.
Dr. James Bond received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He specializes in orthopedic surgery and his sub-specialty is in sports medicine. He completed his residency at OU Health Sciences Center and completed his fellowship in sports medicine at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute. Dr. Bond specializes in sports injuries and orthopedic disorders of the shoulder and knee. — Source: osoi.com
The name’s Bond; Dr. James Bond With a name like James Bond, you’d better grow up and do something remarkable. Right? Well, for Dr. James Bond, that mission has been accomplished. He’s pioneered a cutting edge shoulder reconstruction surgery using the tissue of cadavers and cofounded the Oklahoma Sports and Orthopedics Institute in Norman, where he graduated from medical school.
The procedure has been successful thus far, giving some lucky patients back the use of their rotator cuffs when all other options had failed. The name, well, it is what it is. “It’s definitely something they remember about you so you better do a good job,” Bond said of his name, one shared by the fictional British agent currently being portrayed by Daniel Craig. — Andrew Knittle, Transcript staff
On the cover
Advertiser index
• Top photo: Dr. Brian Yeaman is involved in efforts locally and statewide to switch physician practices to electronic medical records.
Animal Emergency Center . . . . . . . . . . 3 Brockhaus Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Desire Consignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Havenbrook Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . 2 Health for Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Immediate Care Clinic. . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Ladies Workout Express . . . . . . . . . . 10 Le Visage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
• Bottom photo: Buchanan Bicycle Shop owner Tobin Vigil gives a last-minute tuneup before the 2010 Norman Conquest. • Background photo: Norman Regional Healthplex opened at I-35 and Tecumseh Road in 2009 and celebrated its first anniversary in October.
Moore Norman Technology Center . . . 6 Norman Radiology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Norman Regional Hosital . . . . . . . . . . 8 Primrose Funeral Homes. . . . . . . . . . . 7 Rivermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 The Norman Transcript . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Yeaman Signature Health Clinic . . . . 10
Family Owned. Family Focused. Meet Our Staff
Rick Brown, a resident of Norman for the past 30 years, is Havenbrook Funeral Home’s pre-arrangement specialist. Rick’s attention to detail, focus, and financial knowledge allows him to tailor specific funeral and cemetery needs to you and your family. A proven professional, Rick is the recipient of numerous awards from New York Life Insurance Company and Physicians Mutual Life Insurance Company. He is married to his wife of 28 years, Jacqueline Demps Brown, a respected medical administrative professional for the FAA. He and his wife attend Norman’s St. John’s Episcopal Church. They both enjoy spending time with their son, Ricky, attending movies, working out, and of course supporting and attending the University of Oklahoma athletic events. If you have a simple questions or a situation you think may be difficult, Rick has the experience and the knowledge to help you.
RICK BROWN
Gerald Bratcher, Ambassador to Family Services, joined the Havenbrook staff in 2010. Gerald is a graduate of Cameron University and Oklahoma State University with a Bachelors Degree in Animal Science. Gerald also enjoys providing watch repair to area jewelry stores and has chauffeured hundreds of people over the past 12 years, traveling across the United States in his motor coach. Gerald was married to his wife, Clarice, for 34 years before her unexpected death in July of 2008 at the age of 57. Gerald enjoys riding his motorcycle and spending time with family and friends.
Ermon Dyer, Havenbrook's lead Ambassador to Family Services, joined the Vice Family in April of 2010. Ermon is retired from the United States Air Force, the FAA and Tinker Air Force Base. He also spent a career traveling across the State of Oklahoma refereeing hundreds of Football and Basketball games. A known professional and fair referee, Ermon officiated at numerous state championship games. Ermon enjoys his children, grandchildren, and traveling to New Mexico. He is active in his church and enjoys helping and ministering to people.
ERMON DYER
Paula Norris joined the Havenbrook Family in 2010 as an executive assistant. She is a lifelong resident of Oklahoma, graduating from Southeast High School in Oklahoma City. She later attended Oklahoma City Community College, earning an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Insurance Education. Paula began a career with Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance in 1984 remaining there for the next 25 years before retiring in 2009. Paula was widowed at an early age with a small child and became interested in grief support training. As a result, she became a volunteer grief counselor for Calm Waters in Edmond, Oklahoma. Paula enjoys spending time with her daughter, her mother and father and many additional family and friends.
PAULA NORRIS GERALD BRATCHER
3401 Havenbrook St., Norman, OK 73072 405-329-0101 www.Havenbrookfuneralhome.com
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Provided Photo / Greg Gaston
Brightly colored cyclists begin the 2010 Norman Conquest from the J.D. McCarty Center. An estimated 700 riders are expected for this year’s Norman Conquest on July 16.
Cycling city
Cycling heats up with Norman Conquest By Andy Rieger Transcript Executive Editor
I
t’s Tuesday night and dozens of riders in brightly-colored cycling jerseys are busy unloading their wheels in the Brookhaven Village parking lot. They’ll divide into groups and head west and north, on mostly flat roads. That scene repeats itself on Thursday nights at 405 Bicycles and at Reaves Park. But come 7:30 a.m. July 16, those riders and hundreds of others will gather at the J.D. McCarty Center on East Robinson for the annual Norman Conquest. They will ride east and south, where the county’s topography is more hills than flatlands. The sponsoring Bicycle League of Norman offers 10, 22, 46 and 66 mile loops that’ll teach riders that Cleveland County is not so flat after all. The ride is considered a training ride for the Hotter than Hell 100 mile ride in Wichita Falls, Texas. “We definitely advertise it as a tuneup for Hotter than Hell,” said Steve Slawson, president of the sponsoring Bicycle League of Norman. “It makes Wichita Falls look flatter than a pancake compared to our hills.” Riders often participate in the Baptist Children’s Home ride, Spin Your Wheels in Bethany and then the Norman Conquest to get ready for the Wichita Falls Classic that can draw as many as 14,000 riders. Sponsors stress that the Noman Conquest is not a race. It’s a bicycle tour that provides four levels of participation for all experience levels of riders. The ride formerly started and ended at the U.S. Postal Training Center on Highway 9. Interest dipped a bit when they moved to the J.D. McCarty Center but that has now returned to higher levels of participation. “We had a temporary drop-off when we moved from the postal training center to the J.D. McCarty Center but we were back up last year. We had 611 riders,” he said. Slawson said he thinks cycling interest is on the rise in Norman. The presence of five bicycle shops is also a good indicator
of interest. “Our Tuesday and Thursday night rides have increased. Especially with the addition of the 405 ride on Thursday nights,” Slawson said. “Their ridership increases every week.” The first route of Norman Conquest is a 10-mile family tour of Norman. The second route is a 22-mile run through eastern Cleveland County with some hills along the way for some challenge. The third route is a 45-mile trek. This route provides more challenge with more hills along the route. The fourth route is the very hilly, very challenging 66-mile tour of Cleveland County. Registration before July 8, is $25 for single riders. The family tour is $10 per rider. After July 8, the registration costs are $30 for single riders, and $15 per rider on the family tour. Riders may register for the Norman Conquest on-line at www.active.com, or register at the J. D. McCarty Center conference center on Friday, July 15, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., or the morning of the ride beginning at 6 a.m. Riders also can register through the Bicycle League of Norman websiste, www.bicycleleague.com or the Oklahoma Bicycle Society site, www.oklahomabicyclesociety.com. All riders in the Norman Conquest are required to wear an ANSI or Snell approved helmet. For the third year, a portion of the proceeds from the Norman Conquest will go to support the Camp ClapHans scholarship endowment fund. Camp ClapHans is a summer camp project of the J. D. McCarty Center. The scholarship endowment fund will help to provide varying levels of scholarships to help campers offset the cost of camp tuition. Camp ClapHans is projected to open during the summer of 2011. The tour is fully supported with mechanical and SAG support on the routes, plus plenty of manned rest stops strategically placed along the routes. After the ride, lunch will be provided to the participants and there will be a drawing for prizes including a bicycle from 405 Bicycles.
Bicycle League of Norman ■ 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Brookhaven Village
Jerry Laizure / The Transcript
A young rider rounds the corner at Main and Crawford streets in a race in downtown Norman.
Injured cyclist: Laws as good as education, enforcement By Andy Rieger Transcript Executive Editor
On the ’Net www.bicycleleague.com www.oklahomabicyclesociety.com
■ 6 p.m. Thursdays, Reaves Park ■ 5:45 p.m. Thursdays, 405 Bicycles
Safety Town teaches road rules Safety Town, a village set up to teach 5and 6-year-olds the importtance of bicycle, fire and personal safety will begin its 34th year at Sooner Mall. The program is seeing a second generation of graduates. It was started by Harold McGregor, former mall manager. The original instructor was retired Norman police officer and deputy sheriff Lahoma Nelson. Classes are 50 minutes in length and offered free to the public. Safety Town classes are conducted in a "safety village" located on the northeast corner of the Sooner Mall parking lot. That location was first used in 1990 and a new schoolhouse was built in 2002 in honor of
Safety Town’s 25th anniversary. Classes are conducted by the Norman Police Department and include visiting instructors from the Norman Fire Department and EMSTAT. Each Safety Town session consists of five classes offered Mon-Fri at 9 a.m., 10:10 a.m. and 11:20 a.m. Class sessions run June 610; June 13-17; June 20-24, and; June 27 July 1. Evening classes are held the weeks of June 6 and June 20 beginning at 6 p.m. Parents and caregivers can register by calling the mall office, 405-360-0341 or by stopping by the mall’s office. — Transcript staff
Kyle Phillips / The Transcript
Retired firefighter Rick Bacon still rides on his own and in groups.
All the state laws relating to bicycle safety will have little effect without better education and enforcement, according to cyclist Rick Bacon. The 49-year-old former Norman Firefighter suffered severe injuries when he was struck while riding his bicycle in south Oklahoma City. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, collapsed lung, broken clavicle and other injuries. “We’ve got pretty good laws but they need to be enforced,” says Bacon who retired as the department’s training officer nearly a year ago. He said the Oklahoma driver test doesn’t even have a question about giving cyclists three feet or when to yield. He visited with a state legislator and that may be improving. Regulations concerning cyclists will likely be included in future driving manuals. Bacon thinks an educational campaign, with signs, similar to the seat-belt enforcement campaign would help keep more cyclists safe. He is frustrated with the legal system and the punishment meted out to the driver that hit him. “She got a ticket for inattentive driving and was fined $132,” Bacon said. He spent two weeks in a coma and another eight weeks in an intensive rehabilitation program. His recall isn’t as good as it was but he still is able to ride his bicycles. “I started out on three wheels and now I’m on two wheels,” he said. He logs about 20 miles each time he rides, mostly with a group of friends around Lake Stanley Draper. He also rides on Saturday mornings with a group that leaves the Moore Public Library and participates in T-shirt rides around the state
The Norman Transcript
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Staying fit and healthy
J.D. McCarty Center plans summer camp By Meghan McCormick
Movie Day
Transcript Staff Writer
hildren with developmental disabiliC ties will have a camp of their own by summer 2012. Greg Gaston, director of marketing for the J.D. McCarty Center, said site work wrapped up in April on Camp ClapHans. Construction will begin on the facility this month. The goal is to have it built by the fall. Gaston said the idea for a summer camp for the developmentally disabled emerged more than a decade ago. It’s an on-going development. The center was founded in 1946. The staff cares for children with developmental disabilities. “We felt like there was a need for a summer camp for kids with disabilities,” Gaston said in April. “This camp will be the first designed and built for kids with disabilities.” Gaston said the facilities will have wheelchair ramps. Children will be able to participate in activities such as fishing, boating, archery, horseback riding and adaptive ropes course, Gaston said. “It’s going to look like a regular summer camp,” he said. Gaston said two cabins will be built for overnight accommodations. The center hopes to have eight oneweek sessions throughout the summer, Gaston said. The center will take 16 campers at a time. He said the camp will be intended for those ages 8 to 16. Gaston said the camp is named after Sammy Jack Claphan. He played football at the University of Oklahoma from 1974 to 1978. Claphan played professional football with the Cleveland Browns and
Cleveland County Family YMCA sponsors Movie Day for young adults with special needs. Movie times are 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on select Fridays during the school year, and 9 to 11 a.m. on select Thursdays during summer The PG movie viewing experience is free and refreshments are provided. The Y is at 1350 Lexington Ave. in Norman. Source: www.ymcanorman.org
San Diego Chargers. Gaston said Claphan returned to Oklahoma and became a special education teacher. He died in 2001. “He had a true love for the special needs kids,” Gaston said. In April, Director and CEO Vicki Kuestersteffen said she loved the idea for a camp geared towards children with special needs. Kuestersteffen has been with the center for 18 years. She was named director and CEO in July 2010. “I think kids with special needs a lot of times they find themselves on the sidelines looking at other kids participating,” Kuestersteffen said. Kuestersteffen said children will no longer be on the sidelines. “They’re in the middle of activities, laughing, learning and growing throughout the whole entire camp experience,” she said. Kuestersteffen said J.D. McCarty staff is specialized to work with children with special needs. “I think we will be able to achieve a lot through the program,” she said.
Kyle Phillips / The Transcript
The J.D. McCarty Center, 2002 E. Robinson, sits on an 80-acre campus with more than 100,000 square feet of hospital space.
Staying fit ■ All American Fitness Exp 24 7 1282 North Interstate Drive 405-364-9494 ■ Athletic Loft 3058 Classen Suite 100 405-360-5638 ■ Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy 3206 Bart Conner Dr. 405-447-7500 bartconnergymnastics.com ■ Boyer's Fitness 1610 W Lindsey St. 405-321-8369 ■ Cleveland County Family YMCA 1350 Lexington Ave 405-364-9622 www.ymcanorman.org ■ Conan's Kick Boxing Karate Boxing Academy 322 E Gray St. 405-366-1204 www.conansacademy.com ■ Coredination Pilates 128 E Main St. 405-701-8140 www.coredinationpilates.com ■ Downtown Fitness 119 West Main Street, Norman 405-801-2927 ■ Fitness In Norman LLC 1520 24th Ave Sw 405-443-3073 fitness.innorman.org ■ Fitness One Norman LLC 2301 36th Ave NW 405-701-4004 www.fitnessoneclubs.com ■ Fitness Together 231 34th Ave. SW (405) 310-3111 ■ Heart String Beads & Yoga 219 W Main St. 405-321-4222 heartstring.org ■ Ladies Workout Express 522 N Porter Ave. (405) 701-3725 www.ladiesworkoutexpress.com ■ Sooner Health & Fitness Inc. 1321 East Lindsey Street ■ Steel Fitness & Tanning 1051 12th Ave Ne (405) 360-3282 steelfitnessandtan.com ■ The Health Club 3720 W Robinson St 405-329-5050 ■ The Rock Fitness 203 Hal Muldrow Dr. (405) 366-7625
Moore ■ Anytime Fitness 1023 SW 19th Street 405-759-7900 ■ Flex Fitness Center 901 North Moore Avenue, 405-912-4994
Kyle Phillips / The Transcript
Connie Rider, left, and Jan Maze workout at Ladies Workout Express. “My fitness center is a place for women to come and be healthy,” owner Deborah Brown said. “We are working on lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar levels, combating diabetes.”
Variety of centers help residents get fit By Michael Kinney Transcript Sports Writer
Diabetes runs in Emily Cowan’s family. The Norman hairdresser hasn’t been diagnosed with it, but she wants to do everything possible to make sure she doesn’t. For Cowan, that means making her way to the Cleveland County Family YMCA every morning before work. There she makes use of the gauntlet of fitness and wellness programs that she hopes will not only keep her in shape, but also extend her life. “Hopefully, being healthier will help keep me from being stricken with diabetes,” Cowan said. “It also makes me feel good about my self. Makes a big difference how I feel. I am a lot more energetic.” Cowan didn’t just go to lift weights and jump on the stair master. She was looking for energy. It took her a while to find the right programs, but two years ago she discovered Zumba, which is a dance-fitness program. She has been hooked every since. “Somebody told me about Zumba and I went and checked it out,” Cowan said. People told me to find something you enjoy. I hadn’t found it before Zumba. There is a lot of energy in the class.” Cowan also takes part in several other of the
clubs fitness programs. They include yoga, fitness boot camps, body sculpting and more. They are all challenging in their own way. “It’s great to be able to go to the Y,” Cowan said. “It’s like a little family for me that hour or two a day. It’s not just a class. But it’s a group of friends. It’s a support group.” Fitness has become a booming business in Cleveland County. In the past decade, gyms and fitness centers have popped up all over the area. While the YMCA is a general purpose fitness center open to anyone, The Ladies Workout Express is designed to cater to select groups, according to owner Deborah Brown. “My fitness center is a place for women to come and be healthy,” Brown said. “We are working on lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar levels, combating diabetes.” The Express opened its doors in December of 2005. At the time there were two other women only gyms in the area. Since then, the Express is the last one standing. “The majority of our ladies are older women, retired between 60 and 80,” Brown said. “But I have a lot of working women also. They like the camaraderie. We are a more personable gym. We are all about health and aging well.” One of the newer centers in Norman is Fitness One Norman. It’s been open for less
than a year but offers a robust selection of fitness programs. That includes cardio, aquamassage, personal training, core training and strength training. Cleveland County has a varied number of fitness centers that range from hard core weight lifting gyms, to Pilates and jazzercise classes. They include All American Fitness, The Health Club, Downtown Fitness, Steel Fitness & Tanning and dozens more. But none may be as unique as Heart String Beads & Yoga. The one year old business teaches yoga while also selling meditation beads. “We average two or three yoga class a day,” Heart Strings owner Tawni Maughan said. “Then I opened the shop and we sell beads. We found they are good therapy for people. People who are suffering from stress and anxiety.” Maughan said she studied with Deepak Chopra for two years and his certified through him to teach yoga. She said yoga is for anyone who is looking to become physically and spiritually fit. “There are huge physical benefits to practicing yoga,” Maughan said. “But also spiritual growth. Just makes you more aware of your body and mind. It also helps men with their golf game and concentration.”
The Norman Transcript Page 6
Pathways to Progress
Health care
Physician moves records into digital age By Meghan McCormick Transcript Staff Writer
N
orman physician Dr. Cynthia Taylor, M.D., was the first Norman Regional Health System affiliated physician to convert patient files to the electronic medical records system. Taylor has practiced family medicine for 17 years. She came to Norman in October 1999. According to NRHS, Taylor also was the first in the nation to receive funds for meeting the criteria of Meaningful Use, a form of federal funding based off the health care bill. Taylor said the Norman Physicians Association pushed for the electronic system. In May 2009, Taylor and her staff began the process of putting patient files in the electronic medical record system, she said. The conversion process has been a learning curve.
“We have no paper files left,” she said. “They are all stored away.” Taylor and her staff also included new patients in the program. “When we went live, we had already planned for the patients we had booked,” she said. “We had their charts already scanned and into the system.” The system has the potential to achieve success, Taylor said. “I think it makes things better and we are able to keep things organized,” she said. “We have things we can look back on.” Taylor said a goal is to have the program set up where doctors can share records with other NRHS physicians. “The plan is to get where all the doctors are connected and then get where we Kyle Phillips / The Transcript can connect to the hospitals Dr. Cynthia Taylor’s medical practice has gone to the electronic medical record system. She is among the in Oklahoma City or the state’s first to participate in the electronic health record incentive program. hospitals throughout the state,” she said.
Health for Friends: Norman’s Community Health Resource What would you do if you didn’t have insurance? Thousands of Norman residents face this question every day. That’s why the mission of Health for Friends is to provide patient-centered care to the uninsured for better lives and better communities. UNIQUENESS HFF is the only provider of free health care to low-income uninsured residents of Norman. KEY SUMMARY HFF strives to provide patients the proper care at the proper place at the proper time. MEDICAL HFF’s medical program operates as a primary care office, just like your doctor’s office. It provided 4,531 free patient visits to 1,246 patients last year. DENTAL Most nonprofit dental settings offer only extractions and fillings, but HFF also offers preventive services and prosthetic work. The dental program does charge fees based on a sliding scale with most patients eligible for the maximum 80% discount. PHARMACY HFF’s pharmacy operates under a charitable pharmacy license. It does not dispense any controlled substances (e.g. narcotics). In 2010 the pharmacy filled 27,499 prescriptions. WHO HFF PATIENTS ARE Patients vary: low-income employed individuals who are not offered insurance through their employers, unemployed individuals who cannot afford private insurance, homeless individuals, and adults in transition. WHY YOU SHOULD CARE A 2006 NACHC analysis found that if avoidable visits to emergency rooms were redirected to health centers, over $18 billion in annual health care costs could be saved nationally. Health for Friends performs on the front lines of public health by serving at-risk populations with proven success in improving health outcomes.
FUNDING HFF is not federally funded and depends on community support for mission success. Two strong community supporters are Norman Regional Health System and United Way of Norman. HFF also receives support from foundations, individuals, churches, corporations, and clubs.
Donate To support HFF’s mission, visit www.healthforfriends.org, mail a check to PO Box 1224, 73070, or call Dana at 329-4161, option 6.
Chronicling growth and progress in Norman since the Land Run of 1889 For home delivery: 405-366-3573
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Health care
Yeaman leads charge for area database By Meghan McCormick Transcript Staff Writer
D
r. Brian Yeaman, chief medical information officer at Norman Regional Health System, helped NRHS set up its electronic medical records system. Yeaman said electronic medical records are essentially electronic versions of a chart with categories for notes, medical history, social history, drug allergies, medication lists and ways to document notes and phone messages. “They are designed to create a database of this information so we can potentially share the information more easily with patients, other doctors, find information when we need it quickly instead of digging through stacks of paper,” he said. Norman Regional Health System developed its electronic records system in 2008, Yeaman said. He said keeping health records in electronic form has benefits. “Benefits are that it makes data easier to find, track and trend, see medication history and share that data with other doctors,” he said. “It is difficult to transition to the workflow, but over time we adapt.” Yeaman said he strongly believes that patients should expect the most from their doctors
Transcript File Photo
Norman physician Dr. Brian Yeaman is among a handful of Oklahoma physicians pushing for conversion to electronic medical records. and their hospitals in regards to performing the highest quality and safest care possible. “When a patient is in a car wreck and in the ER in the middle of the night, there has to be a mechanism to find out about their medical history to avoid drug allergy reactions and drug to drug reactions and to avoid performing procedures that may be contraindicated with someone’s chronic conditions,” he said. “That
was our goal from the beginning and still is. Providing seamless and safe care for patients across our community to deliver at the highest standards for quality and performance and to maximize value to the patient.” Yeaman said federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are being distributed currently and NRHS and Norman physicians are benefiting from those dollars from
the investments made ahead of the curve nationally back in 2008. He said the electronic system keeps records reliable. The system also integrates with scheduling, billing and lab, radiology and pathology resulting and helps coordinate referrals across the NRHS organization and physicians. “NRHS and the NPHO (doctors) are in the top 2
Coming June 14
percentile nationally in technology infrastructure that is a large part of the modernization of healthcare,” Yeaman said. “We are recognized leaders and have been the recipients of significant national and state attention, grants and advisory groups. Norman is setting the curve nationally for best practices that are proven to impact the quality and safety of care we deliver.”
Yeaman recently was honored for his efforts by the Norman Chamber of Commerce as one of Norman’s 15 Under 40. The award honors young professionals, 21 to 40 years of age, dedicated to making a difference in Norman. Honorees were determined based on demonstrated leadership and an interest in making Norman a great community.
■ What is it about Central Oklahoma and Norman that make people want to return to live in this area? ■ What does it mean to be a Blue Ribbon School?
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Andrew Knittle / The Trznscript
The $130 million Norman Regional Healthplex at Tecumseh Road and Interstate 35 opened in October of 2009.
Health care
NRHS hiring more specialized doctors Specialized physicians of Norman Regional Health System
By Andrew Knittle Transcript Staff Writer
Over the past decade, the Norman Regional Health System has been hiring intensivists and hospitalists — two very different kinds of specialists — to better serve its patients. Ten years ago, the Norman
Regional Health System didn’t have a single intensivist or hospitalist on its payroll. Today, there are 14 of these specialized physicians employed by Cleveland County’s largest hospital system. NRHS officials say they are following a national trend that
began a decade ago and that specialized doctors like these help streamline the process for patients. David Whitaker, president and CEO of NRHS, said having the specially trained physicians on staff helps to ensure a “better outcome for our patients being treated in a critical care situation.�
“Having intensivists and hospitalists on staff provides for round-the-clock coordination of patient care,� Whitaker said. “It gives the health system the ability to provide interdisciplinary care by a single team.� See SPECIALISTS Page C9
â– Intensivists Amy Bacchus, M.D. Aaron Boyd, M.D. Mark Camp, M.D. Rebecca Eagle, M.D. R. Curtis Mullins, M.D. â– Hospitalists Lillian West, M.D. Nazir Balouch, M.D. Tasaduq Fazili, M.D. JO Johnson, D.O. Branson Kester, M.D.
More Than a Gym
Mudassir Nawaz, M.D. Mehran Shahsavari, M.D. Thomas Whalen, D.O. Andrew Knittle / The Transcript
Norman Regional’s Porter Avenue campus has changed some of its operations since the Healthplex opened, but still has the system’s emergency room.
Joe Womble, M.D.
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The Norman Transcript
Pathways to Progress
Page 9
Health care
Andrew Knittle / The Transcript
Moore Medical Center was purchased by Norman Regional Health System in 2007.
Specialists From Page C8 Hospitalists, who are typically internists, practice only in the hospital and thus don’t have an outpatient practice. NRHS officials also say
hospitalists give nurses faster access to patients if something unforeseen happens, possibly saving lives. Intensivists typically treat patients suffering from strokes, heart attacks and post-surgical
care. These doctors are typically charged with caring for the sickest patients. Health system officials say NRHS is the only non-teaching hospital in the metro area with an intensivist on duty 24 hours a day.
Greg Terrell, chief operating officer, said a recent trend prompted NRHS to begin hiring intensivists in 2006. “Over the past five years, we have seen a trend of patients being admitted to the hospital in
an acutely ill condition,” Terrell said. “Given the critically ill status of these patients, our intensivist program offers continuous care from highly skilled and experienced physician specialists.”
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The Norman Transcript
Pathways to Progress
Page 10
Innovation in animal health
Chiropractor helps four-footed patients By Chris Jones For The Transcript
R
ecently, Dr. Kreg A. Griffith received a thank you card from a rat terrier. Thankful dogs usually give him a lick on the hand. The Norman doctor of chiropractic treats humans as well as animals. The humans come to his office, HealthSource Chiropractic & Progressive Rehab, and he makes house calls to treat dogs and horses. The Chickasha native is in practice with his brother, Kyle L. Griffith, D.C. a certified acupuncturist. The idea of chiropractic treatment for a dog surprises some people, and seems perfectly logical to others. And there are skeptics who doubt it will help, and consider it a waste of money. “I get a lot of calls about dogs, horses, even a raccoon, and this morning I got a call about a cat,� Griffith said. Kreg Griffith is board
certified in animal chiropractic, and he said there is a definite need for the art of animal healing through chiropractic care. “If I can get to an animal right away I can often restore their mobility,� he said. “The way animals say thank you is pretty rewarding. I use my hands, and I talk to them and it soothes them. Horses shut their eyes, and it’s pretty cool.� After receiving four adjustments a dachshund with paralyzed back legs was standing on four feet. “She licked my hand,� Griffith said. Arthritis, disc problems, injuries, and heredity are among the reasons animals experience problems. Sherrie Carter asked Dr. Griffith to come out and look at her pet goat, Rosco, who was obese, and suffered from hip dysphasia. “People thought I was crazy having a chiropractor for my goat,� Carter
said. “They said, just put him down, but Rosco was my baby. Doc relieved his pain, and Rosco wasn’t scared of him. He knows what he is doing and he has a connection with animals. I would say, Doc’s here, and Rosco would get so excited.� Tom Lemons is a roper and a firm believer in the benefits of chiropractic treatment for himself and his horses. “It’s just like a human,� Lemons said, “if a horse is sore they won’t give 100 percent with the cattle. I can tell if my horse doesn’t feel good, if he is short stepping. Kreg adjusted one of my horses who was limping real bad.� Lemons said he has had people tell him he is throwing his money away, but he has seen the results. “I have asked people if they thought of having a chiropractor look at their horse and I got a funny look.� But Lemons said he also
knows several ropers who are believers in the benefits of chiropractic adjustment. Dr. Becky Wahkinney’s tiny dog Popi, half Yorkiehalf Papillion shivers and shakes when the wind shield wipers are on in the car. An adjustment by Dr. Griffith provided amazing results, Wahkinney, a psychologist, said. “I am not kidding,� she said, “Popi went from a bundle of nerves to calm. I think once she physically
relaxed this helped her emotions.� She said Griffith showed her how to massage Popi at the base of her ears, and now she can soothe her little dog during trips in the car. The use of chiropractic treatment is not uncommon, and Griffith said there are more than 30 chiropractors in Oklahoma that also offer their services to animals. There a few who work on birds. Many of the pet owners who choose chiropractic care for their animals are
seeking a way to help their pet without the use of drugs. Griffith said he doesn’t do X-rays of animals or prescribe nutrition plans or drugs. The relatively low cost of chiropractic care is another reason pet owners say they are willing to consider it. “There is a definite need for this care,� Griffith said. A lot of people aren’t sure what chiropractors do. They should come in and talk about their concerns.�
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Next week: OU’s Big Event Zoe Kimpell and 3 other OU students carry a railraod tie that will be used to mark a path to a nature area at Roosevelt Elementary during the 2011 Big Event. Kyle Phillips / The Transcript
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