William K. Warren, Sr. breaking ground for Saint Francis Hospital in 1958 with his wife, Natalie O. Warren. Beside them are Russell Hunt and then mayor of Tulsa, George Norvell.
Contents
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Saint Francis Health System
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The Call to Service is a Family Affair
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Our Catholic Heritage
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Inspired by the “Great Physician”
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A Profound and Lasting Presence
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I Sing for Him
Then. Now. Always.
About the Cover In celebrating Saint Francis Health System’s 60-year legacy, we pay tribute to the two people who made it all possible—Natalie O. and William K. Warren, Sr. Together, they shared a vision of creating not just a hospital— but a truly great hospital serving the community they dearly loved and their neighbors in need. The front cover of this issue of Presence is an image of the Warrens as they were seated years ago for a service in the original chapel of Saint Francis Hospital. That enduring image is set amidst the images of hundreds of others who have helped sustain their vision through Saint Francis Health System’s ensuing 60 years.
a publication of Saint Francis Health System
Letter from Jake Henry Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer This issue of Presence tells the story of Saint Francis from early days, to present state and the promising future. That said, a system like Saint Francis can’t be defined by a snapshot in time. Before dirt was turned at 61st and Yale, our story had already started. When the first piece of pink modure was laid, our brand was born. And now, as this epochal year comes to a close, we stand more united than ever. Despite what this year may have served us, we remain strong—Saint Francis strong. So much has changed over the past 60 years, but in many ways much has remained constant. Examples of Saint Francis’ consistency of culture and character are interwoven into each story in this issue. Read the letter Sr. Blandine Fleming, Saint Francis’ administrator from 1969-1993, wrote for staff in 1971. Her message of mission and gratitude to the Saint Francis family of yesteryear is no different than my thoughts today. My dear hospital family: As we approach the beautiful feast of Christmas, it is natural to gather our loved ones and friends closer to our hearts and focus our thoughts upon our many blessings. During the holiday season I am always reminded of the tremendously important role each of you plays in the work of Christ to which all of us are dedicated—the care of the sick. To us more than to many others is given the opportunity to do daily what Christ did with such love and simplicity. As we read in the word of Ecclesiasticus, it may truly be said of you. “In their labor is their prayer.” With these thoughts in mind, the Sisters and I wish to convey to each one of you our debt of appreciation for the conscientious work which you perform each day in our Hospital. It is a joy to me to hear daily praise of your excellent performance from our patients and I hope with God's help we may look forward to many more years of working together for our truly great hospital. May God bless you and your families and grant you a holy and happy Christmas and a New Year filled with the peace of Christ.
Saint Francis Health System Board of Directors John-Kelly C. Warren, Chairman Judy Kishner, Vice-Chair Jake Henry Jr. Michael Case Michael Cooke, J.D. Ashley Gable, M.D. Reverend Gary Kastl William R. Lissau Charles McEntee, M.D.
Saint Francis Health System Executive Council Jake Henry Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Saint Francis Health System
Barry Steichen
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Saint Francis Health System
Eric Schick
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Saint Francis Health System
Mark Frost, M.D.
Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs, Saint Francis Health System
Mike Lissau, J.D.
Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Saint Francis Health System
Tom Neff
Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Corporate Business Development, Saint Francis Health System
Charley Trimble
Senior Vice President, Quality, Saint Francis Health System
Doug Williams
Gratefully in Christ,
Senior Vice President, Saint Francis Health System and Administrator, Saint Francis Hospital
Sister Mary Blandine
Collin Henry, J.D.
On behalf of the entire Saint Francis Health System family, thank you, eastern Oklahoma, for your trust over the past 60 years. Thank you for allowing us to serve you and your families—from Vinita, Muskogee, McAlester and Glenpool, to Sand Springs and Tulsa. Thank you for inspiring us every day to be better than the day before. I wish you a blessed holiday season and peace in the New Year.
Vice President, Saint Francis Health System, Warren Clinic Operations and Physician Recruitment
Michele Keeling
Vice President, Saint Francis Health System and Administrator, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee
Todd Schuster
Vice President, Saint Francis Health System and Administrator, Saint Francis Hospital South
Jake Henry Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer, Saint Francis Health System Saint Francis Health System
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Breaking Ground on Saint Francis Hospital During the mid-1950s in Tulsa, it was considered a risk to build a hospital way out south of the city. Yet Mr. W. K. Warren, Sr. wasn’t overly concerned about that since Tulsa was thriving at the time and access to hospital beds for patients was becoming a problem. From his point of view, if history demanded this new project take shape on a rolling hill at the edge of town, then so be it. Consequently on April 14, 1958— after two-and-a-half years spent on drawing up the plans for the future hospital—Mr. Warren, alongside his wife, Natalie, broke ground on what was destined to become a healthcare institution that would rank among the region's best. And, now on the occasion of Saint Francis Health System’s 60th anniversary, it is only appropriate to thank our founders for casting their lot here.
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A Sacred Event of Timeless Significance The date was August 22, 2014. Despite the fact it has been over six years since the dedication of Saint Francis’ new chapel and consecration of the altar, the historic significance of this sacred event is timeless. Led by The Most Reverend Edward J. Slattery, former bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa, this ceremony was—and continues to be—of unique relevance to Saint Francis Health System as well as to the community as a whole. The magnitude of the ceremony was summed up at the time of its occurrence by the late Sister Barbara Anne Gooding, former director of Saint Francis’ department of religion: “Essentially, the dedication of a church or chapel is an historic event conducted with great solemnity setting it aside as solely dedicated to God. While the dedication encompasses the whole church, the ceremony centers on the consecration of the holy altar. And the anointing of the altar and the walls of the chapel signifies that it is given over entirely and perpetually to worship.”
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A Life of Service There was never a doubt in Armenda Cann’s mind about what she wanted to do with her life. In fact, she was 17 years old when she began living out her dream of being a nurse. Pictured here in November 2013, at Saint Francis Health System’s “All Employee Party,” Cann received a standing ovation for achieving 50 years of service—as well as personal thanks from president and CEO Jake Henry Jr. At this time, Cann was just one of a few in the health system’s entire history to achieve such a momentous milestone. Now, on the occasion of her retirement this year after nearly seven decades (57 years of which were spent working for Springer Clinic and Saint Francis Health System) Cann is not one bit opposed to the idea of returning as a volunteer one day. “I'll be glad when Saint Francis opens up its volunteer program and I can get back to caring and sharing,” she said. And she is quick to say even though she’s retired, she’s not finished—because a nurse’s work never really stops, especially after 70 years.
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Serving Our Neighbors in Need The pandemic has not only impacted the health of Oklahomans, but its economic effects have also strained individuals, families, local businesses and community service agencies. That’s why Saint Francis Health System and Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma recently teamed up for ‘Saint Francis Serves Day’ on Saturday, December 5 to help serve our neighbors in need. Hundreds of Saint Francis employees volunteered their time at six local community sites to distribute free food boxes, fresh produce, meats, bread and dairy products provided by the USDA Farmers to Families program. Locations included Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Muskogee, McAlester, Glenpool and Vinita. Barry Steichen, (center) executive vice president and chief operating officer of Saint Francis summarized the day best: “The ‘in all we do’ charge in our mission doesn't stop at our property lines. Saint Francis Serves Day is a way for us to come together as a work family to serve our region and to offer ourselves as the hands of Christ to our community.” At each location, drive-through distribution allowed for social distancing with all recipients remaining in their vehicles. At the end of the day, the community service project resulted in blessings to approximately 6,000 families in eastern Oklahoma.
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Serving Our Neighbors in Need The pandemic has not only impacted the health of Oklahomans, its economic effects have also strained individuals, families, local businesses and community service agencies. That’s why Saint Francis Health System and Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma recently teamed up for ‘Saint Francis Serves Day’ on Saturday, December 5 to help serve our neighbors in need. Hundreds of Saint Francis employees volunteered their time at six local community sites to distribute free food boxes, fresh produce, meats, bread and dairy products provided by the USDA Farmers to Families program. Locations included Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Muskogee, McAlester, Glenpool and Vinita. Barry Steichen, (pictured center) executive vice president and chief operating officer of Saint Francis summarized the day best: “The ‘in all we do’ charge in our mission doesn't stop at our property lines. Saint Francis Serves Day is a way for us to come together as a work family to serve our region and to offer ourselves as the hands of Christ to our community.” At each location, drive-through distribution allowed for social distancing with all recipients remaining in their vehicles. At the end of the day, community service project resulted in blessings to approximately 6,000 families in eastern Oklahoma.
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THEN.
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NOW.
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ALWAYS.
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Driven by faith and a determination to give back to the community, Natalie O. and William K. Warren, Sr. set about the most ambitious goal of their storied life, to build a Catholic-based hospital to serve those in need. After two years of planning, that dream became a reality when their family opened the doors to the “pink hospital on the hill” and officially dedicated it on December 3, 1960.
During the past six decades, Saint Francis Hospital has transformed into Saint Francis Health System, a regional leader in healthcare, extending its presence beyond the Tulsa-area into communities across eastern Oklahoma. The health system features notable facilities and services that include the Heart Hospital at Saint Francis, a Level II Trauma and Emergency Center, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, Warren Clinic, the Saint Francis Cancer Center and several key regional sites.
For 60 years, Saint Francis Health System has been leading the way in healthcare by staying true to three main pillars: Faith. People. Innovation. We continue to dedicate ourselves to our Catholic mission by extending the presence and healing ministry of Christ in all we do. We continue to recruit and retain talented healthcare providers and staff, committed to Saint Francis’ values of excellence, dignity, justice, integrity and stewardship. As we look to the future, our vision statement says it best—“Inspired to create a sustainable and just healthcare system, Saint Francis will be the technology-enabled health ministry that delivers integrated, market-leading, high-quality, affordable care through engaged caregivers to the people of eastern Oklahoma.”
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The Warren Way To hear William K. Warren, Jr., talk about his father, William K. Warren, Sr., is as inspiring as it is humbling. He’s surprisingly blunt regarding his father’s upbringing. So much so, you could almost breathe in the dust and grit of rural, pre-industrial Tennessee, where Warren, Sr. was born. His voice warms with pride and emotion as he reflects on the life of a man who cut his own path, instilling in his son the belief that faith and determination are all that you need to realize your purpose. “My father came from nothing, dirt,” said Bill Warren, Jr. “But he was inspired by his Catholic faith. He worked hard, long hours… just had a fighting spirit and a will to win.”
Saint Francis Hospital in 1960
Even at an early age, Warren had a tremendous drive. After his father, who suffered from tuberculosis, was forced to leave Nashville for the drier climate of New Mexico, the young Warren dropped out of school to help support his family. He was resourceful and entrepreneurial. During his induction into the Tulsa Historical Society hall of fame, he said he had a variety of jobs growing up “... a newspaper carrier, a Western Union messenger, a peanut vendor in a baseball park, a drug store employee, a door-todoor salesman and even a dance hall instructor.”
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However, it was his job as a newspaper carrier that set him on his path to fame and fortune. It was delivering papers to Nashville’s St. Thomas Infirmary where he met Myrtle McDougal. Mrs. McDougal was the wife of the former mayor of Sapulpa. She was being treated for an ankle injury while visiting friends in Nashville. After dropping off the newspaper each day, Warren would sit and listen to her share stories of the oil boom adventures happening in Oklahoma. After she returned home she wrote, encouraging Warren to give Oklahoma a chance, eventually helping him land his first job here.
William K. Warren, Sr. and Natalie Overall Warren
In late 1922, the industrious Warren and his lovely bride, Natalie Overall, had $300 in savings. They used it to launch their new family business, Warren Petroleum. It would become the world’s largest marketer of natural gas, eventually selling to Gulf Oil in 1953. As their company grew, so did their family. He and Natalie had seven children: six daughters, one son and an interesting prenuptial spiritual agreement.
Saint Francis Hospital in the 1970s
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“Obviously, my father was a devout Catholic, but my mother was Methodist,” said Warren, Jr. “They decided that when they had children, the girls would be raised Methodist and the boys would be raised Catholic. Of course, they had six girls. So, dad and I were the only Catholics.” That unique bond between father and son proved to be the lifeline in building an enduring legacy. According to Bill Lissau, Bill Warren, Jr. is just like his father, a visionary with the drive to make things happen. It would be that second generation of determination that would turn Saint Francis Hospital into a true, comprehensive health system. “Before serving as CEO of the Warren Foundation, I had built a career of my own,” reflected Warren, Jr. “I served in the Navy as a fuel officer. And later, like my father, worked in oil and gas. But where I found my real success was in the emerging cellular phone technology market.” It was a diverse career path that eventually prepared Warren, Jr. for the role of a lifetime.
In 1983, before heading into surgery for a broken hip, Warren, Sr. had a heart-to-heart with his son. This conversation would prove to not only alter the direction of Warren, Jr.’s life but that of the hospital’s future. In this moment, Warren, Sr. asked his son to assume all of his responsibilities at Saint Francis. From 1983 to 2005, under Warren, Jr.’s leadership, The William K. Warren Foundation flourished, as did the hospital. Highlights from those 22 years include establishing Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, Warren Clinic, Heart Hospital at Saint Francis, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis and Saint Francis Hospital South.
Warren, Jr. was transforming the hospital; it was becoming a health system. “Now, people could have access to whatever they needed under one roof. It was a collaboration of departments. It improved the quality of healthcare,” said Judy Kishner, Saint Francis board member and President of the Zarrow Family Foundation.
John-Kelly Warren
With this growing ambition, Warren, Jr. knew the health system demanded an experienced healthcare administrator who was also business savvy to serve as CEO. “As head of the Foundation, I was responsible for Saint Francis, legally, financially and administratively,” said Saint Francis Health System
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At left, Bill Warren, Jr., and his son John-Kelly Warren pictured at the groundbreaking for Saint Francis Hospital’s expansion in 1967. At right, both Warrens pictured in 2020.
Warren, Jr. “The Foundation supported the health system and it needed to become selfsustaining, it had to operate like a business.” “Fortunately, Bill Lissau had gone to Houston to recruit my son, John-Kelly, to come back and help me run the Foundation,” Warren, Jr. continued. “I put John-Kelly in charge of our CEO search. He found Jake Henry. That’s when our entire business changed. It became more professional. Having Jake and John-Kelly working together, it was a huge shift.” Just three years after hiring Henry, JohnKelly Warren, like his father before him, took the helm as CEO of the Foundation, which he still presides over. “I grew up with Saint Francis. I remember spending time with Sister Blandine and Lloyd Verret. My first communion was in the hospital chapel. Even my first job in high school was filing documents in the records department,” said John-Kelly. “But after college, I moved away and never thought I’d come back.”
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Yet, after careers in civil engineering and finance, he saw the same opportunity that had been presented to his father; the chance to make a difference, to have a significant impact on improving the lives of others. And in 1994, he returned to Tulsa, bringing plenty of life and business experience with him. “It’s been incredible, I got the opportunity to work with Bill Lissau and my dad, who is a big dreamer and just a fun guy to be around,” John-Kelly said. “Then with Jake Henry who really brought predictability and consistency into the fold, helping make it one of the top financially-stable health systems in the country.” “That has really allowed the Foundation to reevaluate its position and freed up funding for other programs and ambitions,” JohnKelly continued. This measure of flexibility will be critical as the health system moves forward into the future, where the landscape in healthcare is changing rapidly. From
embracing emerging technology that empowers patients to participate in their own healthcare, to proactively encouraging community wellness and prevention, to making healthcare easier to understand and more accessible—these evolving issues demand focus and a firm foundation. After 60 years of success, the health system and the Warren family are up to the challenge. “As goes Tulsa, so goes Saint Francis,” JohnKelly said. “As a Catholic health system, we hope to continue to serve as a beacon to all. We’re committed to my grandfather’s legacy of providing quality healthcare to our community.” Faith, hard work and purpose. That has always been the Warren way, never losing sight of their father and grandfather’s humble beginnings. And from dirt, rose a pink hospital on the hill.
“As goes Tulsa, so goes Saint Francis.” – John-Kelly Warren
John-Kelly Warren, Bill Warren, Jr. and his wife Suzanne Warren Saint Francis Health System
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And to think it all began when Natalie Overall Warren invited 22 friends for coffee... This propitious gathering of like-minded souls occurred in July 1960, a few months shy of the new hospital’s scheduled opening on October 1—and in plenty of time for Mrs. Warren to get an auxiliary group up and running for the big day.
Mrs. Natalie O. Warren (right) pictured with Sister Mary Blandine Fleming and two hospital volunteers in the early 1970s
Thanks to Mrs. Warren’s leadership and the group’s zeal, the initial auxiliary planning committee quickly grew from 22 to 180 volunteers in just a short amount of time. And on the highly anticipated opening day of the new Saint Francis Hospital, volunteers were fully organized, properly attired and at the door to greet people and answer questions. Today, approximately 700 women and men volunteer in 120 departments across Saint Francis Health System—directly and indirectly enhancing patient care. The Saint Francis Volunteers on average provide 150,000 hours each year along with a monetary contribution topping in the millions. These individuals share in their predecessors’ benevolent 60-year history of opening their hearts and spending their time and talents with an inestimable number of health system guests and patients.
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“From the very beginning, it was clear Mrs. Warren understood the importance and the sheer joy of giving back to others within the community,” said John Klos, director of Saint Francis Health System Volunteer Services. “I think she instinctively knew that in order for Saint Francis Hospital to be the type of place she and Mr. Warren envisioned, it must have the presence of a devoted group of volunteers close at hand. And, through the years, this presence of caring has been sustained by the many women and men who have selflessly devoted their time and energy to the service of others.”
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One Volunteer’s Storied Story of Giving Back Mrs. Betty Verrett has served as a member of the Saint Francis Auxiliary since 1970.
The year was 1969 when Betty Verrett, her husband, Lloyd, and their two children packed up their bags, left their home in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and began a new chapter in Tulsa. It was exciting for Betty and the kids, and a big step for Lloyd as he embarked on a promising new career as co-administrator (along with Sister Blandine) of Saint Francis Hospital. Once the kids had settled into their new lives in Tulsa, it became apparent the pink hospital on the hill was not only destined to be an integral part of Lloyd’s life, but Betty’s, as well. In 1970, she joined the Saint Francis Hospital Auxiliary and to this day, she is still a committed member. GROWTH IN EVERY IMAGINABLE DIRECTION At the time Betty became a volunteer, Saint Francis Hospital was equipped with approximately 200 beds. Noting that today, it is a 1,112-bed tertiary center, she is amazed by the exponential growth Saint Francis Hospital has undergone over the past six decades. “The hospital has experienced all kinds of growth and change in every imaginable direction. And, as far as the city itself, there wasn’t much south of 61st Street in the early days—now it’s hard to know where Tulsa ends and Bixby and Broken Arrow begin,” she said.
Betty also marvels at the fact that her service as a Saint Francis volunteer has spanned 50 years. Now living at the nearby Montereau retirement villa, she finds herself in good company as far as fellow long-time auxiliary members are concerned. “There are a number of fellow volunteers who live at Montereau—which is great!” she said. “The entire group is close, and we all share a pride in doing our part to provide this important service.” FINDING HER NICHE As for Betty’s service as a volunteer, it began with the Cheer Cart—a popular attraction within the hospital that traveled from floor to floor offering candy, gum and other goodies. Before too long, she then gravitated to the gift shop and working with floral services where she has happily remained ever since. “Of course, there have been many changes through the years—keeping up with the times and all,” Betty said. “For instance, when I started out, we were required to wear a uniform dress. But, for some time now, the uniform changed to slacks—which I think is for the better since they are much more comfortable. And, there was a time when the Auxiliary was comprised of women only. Now, of course, we work aside many very capable men.” Saint Francis Health System
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FOREVER GRATEFUL In reflecting back over the years and her rich experience with the Saint Francis Auxiliary, Betty fondly recalls the person who made it all happen in the first place. “I had the pleasure of personally knowing Mrs. Warren—a lovely lady who put her heart and soul into the auxiliary. It was her ‘baby’ and I have often thought how much it would delight her to see how it is going stronger than ever today,” Betty said. “Since my tenure as a volunteer, I have met more wonderful people than you can imagine. I have always been grateful for the opportunity and have genuinely enjoyed every minute.”
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A PAUSE IN SERVICE Every day since October 1, 1960, the caring presence of the volunteers has been a constant at Saint Francis—every day that is, until COVID-19 entered the global scene earlier this year. In March of 2020, the program was temporarily paused in the interest of the health and safety of one of Saint Francis’ most treasured assets—its volunteers. “I want to be clear when I say this is just a temporary setback and that the presence of our volunteers is deeply missed,” Klos said. “Our volunteers are so important to the health system and without them, Saint Francis just wouldn’t be the same. We miss their smiling faces! Saint Francis is so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of volunteers who are always willing to help out and make a difference. That is a quality about the Saint Francis Health System Auxiliary that I know will never change.”
“Things just aren’t the same without your spirit and smiles in our halls. I look forward to the day when it is safe for you to resume your posts and again grace us with the pleasure of your company.” – Jake Henry Jr., President and CEO, Saint Francis Health System
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Faith, Hard Work and Purpose “It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards one’s progress, nor the nature of the task, but by the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken.” – SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER
SISTER MARY BLANDINE FLEMING, WILLIAM K. WARREN, JR. AND LLOYD VERRET
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Contrary to common belief, the namesake of Saint Francis Health System is not Saint Francis of Assisi, the popular patron saint of animals, but Saint Francis Xavier, one of the greatest Catholic missionaries in history. Why was Saint Francis Xavier—who was born in Spain, whose missionary work took him to the shores of India, Southeast Asia and Japan, but who never once stepped foot on North American soil—chosen for our namesake? Saint Francis Xavier’s feast day is December 3, the birthday of our founder, William K. Warren, Sr. But perhaps more notably, Saint Francis Xavier is also the ideal model of a servant-leader. He devoted his life to extending the presence and healing ministry of Christ to faraway lands, guided by three immutable tenets: faith, hard work and purpose. Four centuries after his death, Saint Francis Xavier’s life and leadership inspired Mr. and Mrs. Warren to found a hospital in his name. For the past six decades, the leadership of the health system has been guided by the same three tenets both our namesake and our founders lived by. Faith inspired our founding, hard work makes the dream a reality and an unwavering sense of purpose motivates everything we do. “Everything flows from our mission, vision and values,” said Jake Henry Jr., president and chief executive officer of Saint Francis Health System. “Without it, we’d still be a world-class health system with state-of-the-art medical services. With it, we’re a team of more than 10,500 people united around a common goal of healing the mind, body and spirit, and doing it in His name.”
A HISTORY OF LEADERSHIP The dictionary definition of “leader” as “someone who guides other people; someone who is in charge,” sounds more like a boss or manager. Leadership at Saint Francis follows the Christian model of servant leadership. Job descriptions and titles vary; the mission does not. Every Saint Francis team member takes leadership over his or her own duties and responsibilities, while the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors set the vision of the health system. Together, the entire health system is united in serving the sick, hurt and suffering who walk through our doors. It has always been this way. Six decades and counting, Saint Francis has been blessed with some of the finest leaders in healthcare, or any field for that matter. From a Tennessee man born into poverty, whose God-given talents made him a massive success in the Oklahoma oil fields, and who devoted his life and fortune to serving others, William K. Warren, Sr.; to the unexpected executive dyad of a Cajun and a nun, Lloyd Verrett and Sister Mary Blandine Fleming; to the current-day leadership team led by Henry. And the results speak for themselves as Saint Francis has blossomed from a pink hospital on a hill, to Oklahoma’s largest locally governed and operated health system, with one of the largest employee bases in eastern Oklahoma, serving untold thousands of patients and their families, for six decades and counting. “Saint Francis’ leadership being based here in Tulsa is very important,” said Judy Kishner, health system trustee and president of the non-profit foundation established by her parents, Anne and
JAKE HENRY JR., PRESIDENT AND CEO SAINT FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM
Henry Zarrow. “Those key decision makers are based here, they can fit in one room, and can make sound choices together for the good of the community, the health system, its employees and its patients.” Local health systems, especially ones that have Saint Francis’ size and reach, are increasingly rare, not only in the state or region, but across the United States. But Saint Francis has never sought to “fit the mold” of what a health system should be; it has made its own mold, letting its mission guide its growth to wherever the need was greatest. This extends far beyond the original campus at 61st and Yale Avenue. Managing this expansive and evergrowing operation—and most importantly serving the patients who depend on it—means not only attracting the top talent across several disciplines, but retaining them. It is not uncommon to find employees, managers, physicians or executives who have served Saint Francis for more than thirty years. For some, service to Saint Francis even spans several generations (see A Family Affair, page 74). Long-term leaders allow for longrange planning. Tenure breeds tenacity. Decades of service motivates a devotion to shared success. “One of the things that I believe strongly contributes to our success—and more importantly to our culture—is the longevity of our people,” said Henry. “In Wayne Gretzky’s words: ‘It helps if you know where the puck is going to be.’ Everyone on the team at Saint Francis anticipates everyone else.”
Henry knows about longevity, as he is concluding what will be a 19-year career at Saint Francis next summer, a remarkable tenure in a position often noted for high turnover. While Saint Francis prides itself on finding the best and brightest, it has been more than good recruiting practices that account for the quality of the health system’s leadership at all levels. “When Sr. Blandine left and Lloyd Verret retired [in the early 1990s], the whole system was growing more complex. We had a tough time finding lasting replacements,” said Bill Lissau, former president of the William K. Warren Foundation. “God put Jake Henry in our hands and he’s turned this around.” TIMES CHANGE. VALUES DON’T. Saint Francis’ 60-year history has coincided with some of the biggest milestones in American medical history. The introduction of Medicare in 1966, the birth of managed care in the early 1980s and the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010; the development of breakthrough, life-saving technology in virtually every medical specialty, including innovations in trauma care spearheaded by Saint Francis’ own staff (see Everybody Deserves A Chance, page 28); and more recently, COVID-19, the first global pandemic to strike American shores on a massive scale since the Spanish Flu in 1918.
Even in tough times—especially in tough times—Saint Francis has not simply survived, but thrived, thanks to a shared focus on faith, hard work and purpose. “People who have worked alongside each other and served the organization together understand it better; they’re devoted to it,” said Henry. “Saint Francis is a job and career, yes, but it’s a second family. That makes a tremendous difference.” No matter where you work within the health system, every person who figuratively carries Saint Francis’ torch (and literally wears it on their chest), is part of a shared legacy of servant leadership. This legacy may trace back six decades, but its origins date back centuries. It has included thousands of people, and has served thousands upon thousands of patients; but it has been built by three bedrock precepts: Faith. Hard work. Purpose. “It has been a privilege working with the finest administrative team I have ever experienced,” said Henry. “Not just the finest team I have ever worked with; some of the finest people I’ve ever known. They’ve made me better, and certainly made our health system better.”
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Saint Francis Health System Timeline 1954
1960
1963
Plans for Saint Francis Hospital announced publicly on December 3, the Feast Day of Saint Francis Xavier
September 24: Open house attended by 20,000
Medicall, the doctor paging system, installed
1958 Groundbreaking on the southeast corner of 61st Street and Yale Avenue
First auxiliary planning committee attended by 22 prospective volunteers October 1: Saint Francis opens with 275-bed capacity
1962 Saint Francis opens city’s first intensive care unit
1977
1981
West wing dedicated
Oklahoma’s first angioplasty performed at Saint Francis
1979 Tulsa Life Flight launched— the first helicopter service of its kind in the city
2002–Present Jake Henry Jr. President and CEO, Saint Francis Helath System
2002
2011
Jake Henry Jr. arrives and leads Saint Francis through almost two decades of rapid growth and expansion.
Newly remodeled Health Zone at Saint Francis opens
2008 Saint Francis Hospital South opens with 96 beds Relocation of the Heart Hospital at Saint Francis to the Yale campus Opening of The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis
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1969–1993 Sister Mary Blandine Fleming Administrator, Saint Francis Hospital
1970 1969 Saint Francis Hospital expanded to 735 adult and pediatric beds and bassinets—expansion included a new "Y" section to match original structure and a seven-story specialty wing
1985
Cardiac catheterization lab built
1975 Natalie Warren Bryant Cancer Center dedicated—radiation therapy, chemotherapy services, laboratory and support services
1988
1989
1995
2001
The first Warren Clinic opens in Stillwater, Oklahoma
Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital opens
The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis opens inside Saint Francis Hospital
Xavier Medical Clinic opens
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner installed
2014
2017
2020
Opening of new Trauma Emergency Center and Patient Tower
Saint Francis acquires Eastar Health System in Muskogee, Oklahoma—now Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee East and Warren Clinic Muskogee.
Expansion of Saint Francis Hospital South Emergency Room
2016 The children’s hospital oncology clinic becomes the nation’s eighth St. Jude Affiliate Clinic Saint Francis acquires Craig General Hospital in Vinita, Oklahoma—now Saint Francis Hospital Vinita.
2019 Opening of Saint Francis Glenpool
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Saint Francis Trauma and Emergency Services 28
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“Everyone deserves a chance...” Years ago, a man was brought in to an emergency room in Ohio in grave condition. He was a store clerk who had been shot through the abdomen during a robbery; now he was caught in the gap between this life and the next. His faint heartbeat meant he still had a chance, but only if doctors and ER staff acted fast. The attending physician typically takes over in situations like this. Tonight, chief resident Dr. Brock Goodwin was on duty. The young surgeon was more than up to the task. Shooting victims don’t always get up from the surgery table. This one did. The man survived, pulled from death’s grip by people trained in science and forged by faith. That young chief resident is now Medical Director of the Saint Francis Trauma Institute. That story he recalled is reflective of so many patients who have passed through Saint Francis’ doors over the years—but the lesson Dr. Goodwin learned that night as a resident still inspires him to this day: “Everyone deserves a chance.”
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WHEN IT OPENED IN 2014, THE NEW SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL TRAUMA EMERGENY CENTER DOUBLED THE SIZE OF THE PREVIOUS ER.
WORLD-CLASS TRAUMA CARE, RIGHT HERE IN TULSA
C.T. THOMPSON, M.D.
The simple, profound belief that everybody deserves a chance is the guiding light at the Saint Francis Hospital Trauma Emergency Center (TEC). The TEC can serve up to 120,000 patients annually (300 per day), 24 hours-a-day, seven daysa-week. With a world-class facility, state-of-the-art equipment and a highly trained team, the TEC is a massive, efficient operation that is powered by the human spirit and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for patients in the most dire of circumstances. Trauma is the great equalizer, as life-threatening emergencies don’t discriminate. Trauma can happen to anyone, at any time, for any reason. Tragically, it often does.
GERALD GUSTAFSON, M.D.
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“For many diseases or health problems, you have options and time. If you’re bleeding to death in a ditch you don’t have that luxury. You need help now,” says retired Saint Francis trauma surgeon Dr. C.T. Thompson. Dr. Thompson should know. He helped write the book on trauma care—literally. Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured is “the Bible of trauma care” according to Dr. Goodwin. Now in its sixth edition, it was first developed during Dr. Thompson’s tenure as Executive Director of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Insights in the guide came from the battlefields of North Korea and Vietnam, and cutting-edge trauma departments in hospitals nationwide—including Saint Francis.
EVER SINCE THE BRICKS WERE PLACED ON THIS HOSPITAL, TRAUMA WAS ESSENTIAL
ambulances and hospitals, and Tulsa Life Flight, one of the first emergency medical helicopter services in the nation.
When the hospital was founded in 1960, William K. Warren, Sr., commissioned a small group of experts to help establish Saint Francis as a center of healthcare excellence in the region. Mr. Warren’s “think tank” included Dr. Thompson, as well as fellow general surgeon Gerald Gustafson, M.D. Together with their teams, they helped spearhead revolutionary advances in trauma care, both in Tulsa and beyond. Dr. Thompson and Dr. Gustafson helped transform Saint Francis trauma and emergency services into a model program that was heralded nationwide.
Among his numerous accomplishments during his Saint Francis medical career and beyond, Dr. Thompson is the only Oklahoman honored for his Distinguished Service by the American College of Surgeons. Yet Dr. Thompson’s greatest accolade is one you cannot hang on a wall.
“It’s not just the medical staff,” says Dr. Thompson. “We recognized the need for trained people on the scene to stabilize and safely transport the patient, and communicate with the hospital.” The need inspired the innovation, including a radio communication system between
“As a trauma surgeon you have the opportunity to save one life on the operating table,” says Dr. Thompson. “But by establishing a trauma system you can save millions of lives. People you’ll never even know. Any time there’s a shooting or some disaster in a community anywhere across the nation, and the media asks the lead trauma surgeon how they are able to treat 30 or more patients with severe, life-threatening injuries, the doctor always answers it’s because of the trauma system they have in place,” says Dr. Thompson. “We helped develop that system.”
The Saint Francis Hospital Trauma Emergency Center (TEC) is the only hospital in the community that provides in-house trauma surgeons and critical care for adult and pediatric patients facing lifethreatening emergencies, 24-hoursa-day/seven-days-a-week. The TEC’s list of attributes proves Saint Francis’ unrivaled commitment to excellence. Level II Trauma Center designation by the Oklahoma State Department of Health DNV-Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center with acute stroke care, including endovascular stroke services and a stroke response team. Saint Francis Trauma Institute clinic services Four trauma/resuscitation rooms and twelve acute/critical care rooms. Multiple surgical specialists, including neurosurgery, plastic surgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, among others. Continuum of care with Saint Francis rehabilitation specialists and physical therapists from surgery through rehab and recovery, ensuring the patient achieves the highest quality of life.
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“Trauma is unpredictable. It’s untimely. Psychologically speaking, we’re somewhat prepared for COVID-19. We show up, put our heads down and get through it.” – BROCK GOODWIN, D.O.
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STILL BREAKING NEW GROUND The legacies of Mr. Warren, Dr. Thompson, Dr. Gustafson and thousands of others who started key hospital services were etched in steel, glass and concrete with the completion of the new Saint Francis Hospital Trauma Emergency Center (TEC) in September 2014. The new patient tower is the largest expansion project in Saint Francis Health System’s 60-year history, with ample space, state-of-the-art equipment and the time-proven, patient-focused system that makes it all possible. “Everyone has a role,” says Dr. Goodwin. “From the triage nurse who coordinates with emergency medical services, to the surgeons, nurses and support staff who work together to rapidly deliver lifesaving care, to the team of specialists who strive to give the recovering patient the highest possible quality of life, all of the processes are in one place.” That preparedness has proved especially true during the recent pandemic. Whether it’s responding
to the flood of patients coming to the hospital with COVID-19 or responding to the ongoing trauma and emergency needs that come in each day, Dr. Thompson and Dr. Goodwin agree there’s a guiding force that inspires the entire team. It is what inspired Dr. Thompson and Dr. Gustafson’s groundbreaking advances years ago. It is what continues to motivate Dr. Goodwin and his colleagues to not only go the extra mile every day, but to always strive to be better. “There is a spirit in the hospital. It inspires everyone on staff,” says Dr. Thompson. “You have to be the voice of the people who can’t always speak for themselves.” “Ultimately it’s in God’s hands, we try to do all we can,” says Dr. Goodwin. “Many times there are patients where you think there’s no hope, but they survive. Besides the first-class equipment, facilities and staff, all we can do is give God room to work. Because everybody deserves a chance.”
“There is a spirit in the hospital. It inspires everyone on staff.” – C.T. THOMPSON, M.D.
IN 2014, SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL OPENED THE FIRST PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY CENTER IN THE AREA.
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Saint Francis Extends Excellence in Emergency Care to the Region Saint Francis Health System’s mission “to extend the presence and healing ministry of Christ” started sixty years ago at 61st and Yale, and now more than ever it is spreading throughout Tulsa and northeastern Oklahoma.
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What brought Saint Francis to each of the areas it serves is every bit as unique as the communities themselves. For example, Saint Francis Hospital South started as a heart hospital in 2007 and has grown to meet the needs of south Tulsa residents, while Saint Francis Glenpool was built from the ground up in 2018 to serve one of the fastest-growing communities in the state. Meanwhile, Saint Francis expanded its longstanding presence in Vinita and then later acquired Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, filling the gaps left behind in rural communities. “Every region has its own unique concerns,” says Todd Schuster, vice president and administrator of Saint Francis Health System regional facilities in Glenpool, Vinita and Saint Francis Hospital South. “There’s not a one-sizefits-all, but they each should have access to a high level of care.” While each hospital’s healthcare services will continue to expand and evolve based on the specific community’s needs, there is one need that will always remain: emergency care. “Patients in emergency situations don’t always have time to wait,” says Schuster. “We strive to deliver the same level of emergency care at all of our facilities.”
Consistently delivering the excellent emergency care and patient experience that Saint Francis is known for, especially to facilities spread miles apart, is never easy—but it is always essential. It is a daily, ongoing process that includes such highlevel functions as utilizing the same policies and procedures, equipment, and even staff across hospitals, to intangible attributes, like using the same uniforms, functional and interior design. In the most critical situations, each hospital is able to transport patients as quickly as possible to Saint Francis Hospital’s Trauma Emergency Center if needed. “I’ve been to every outpost around the state and region, and Saint Francis means something to all of them,” said Schuster. “You assemble the pieces that result in the quality.” From 61st and Yale to areas throughout eastern Oklahoma, Saint Francis’ mission of hope and healing is stronger than ever. To find out more about the healthcare facilities throughout the entire Saint Francis Health System, please visit saintfrancis.com/locations.
Saint Francis Glenpool
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Cardiac Care 36
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Advanced cardiology and vascular care has always been at the heart of Saint Francis Health System. There’s a pewter crocodile on the desk of Michael Spain, M.D., of Warren Clinic Cardiology of Tulsa. But it isn’t your ordinary knick-knack. Years ago an eldery patient was planning a trip to Australia. For decades, she’d dreamed of visiting down under, but it looked like she may not get to go because of her age. Dr. Spain would be the decider. When the moment of truth came, Dr. Spain looked across his desk at the woman and said, “Have a great trip.” She did, and brought Dr. Spain back a gift: that pewter crocodile, sitting amongst the sea of papers on his desk. “This is where I developed my philosophy,” says Dr. Spain. “Don’t take things away from people. Let people live their lives.” It’s a sentiment shared by Ajay Joseph, M.D., of Warren Clinic Cardiology. “We make it our ethos is to make sure we’re doing what the patient wants,” said Dr. Joseph. “Our goals should not be different from the patient.” But providing cardiac care at Saint Francis Health System means more than letting people live their lives. For that matter, it even involves more than saving lives, as the health system’s cardiac care team empowers people to live their fullest lives possible. And it starts with the heart.
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LIVING A HEART-HEALTHY LIFE Living a heart-healthy lifestyle isn't just good for you; it's important for your loved ones too. “It’s not just one person,” says Dr. Ajay Joseph. “When you help a patient change his/her lifestyle to improve their health, you're changing the trajectory of the family.”
Here are some simple recommendations to help improve your heart health: Move your feet: “People just aren’t moving enough,” says Dr. Joseph. He says a good remedy is at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, including a mix of resistance training (e.g. lifting weights) and cardio (e.g. walking or jogging). Also, consider ways to move more during your daily routine, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking your car farther out in a parking lot.
Watch what you eat: “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food,” said Greek physician Hippocrates around 2,500 years ago. It’s still true. Dr. Joseph recommends eating more of a plant-based diet, but says “the point isn't to go vegan overnight but to transition towards a diet which includes more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, etc., into your diet, and limit animal protein and processed foods.”
De-stress: “The level of stress people are seeing these days is unheard of,” says Dr. Joseph. “We almost take stress for granted, as our obligations seem insurmountable,
THE HEART OF SAINT FRANCIS’ MISSION In the 1960s, Saint Francis Health System founder W.K. Warren, Sr., assembled a small team of healthcare professionals whose mission was to establish Saint Francis as a center of excellence, not just in the city, but the state, region and beyond. The group concluded that the hospital needed to focus on four core pillars of care: neonatal, trauma, cancer and cardiology. From those meetings sprang an institution, which today includes the Heart Hospital at Saint Francis and additional cardiac care services in Tulsa, Muskogee, Vinita, McAlester and Glenpool. Saint Francis is able to treat many different types and stages of heart disease, from interventions and surgery, emergency and critical care, to cardiac rehabilitation. Pediatric cardiology is also available through The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis. “The reach of this hospital is massive,” says Dr. Joseph, who notes he has treated patients from as far away as northwest Arkansas. “And in these difficult times with COVID-19, this hospital is still running like clockwork. That’s a testament to the ethos of Saint Francis.” The reason for Saint Francis’ six decades of success in cardiac care is simple, but that doesn’t mean it has been easy.
“It always comes down to excellence,” says Dr. Spain. “But everybody says they’re excellent. We add one word that makes it harder: ‘sustainable’. It’s not easy to do. Sustainable excellence is the mantra we focus on.” ANSWERING THE CALL WHEN THE NEED IS GREATEST Saint Francis is answering the call, delivering sustainable excellence in cardiac care now that the need is greater than ever. Heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women across most racial and ethnic groups in the country, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). About 655,000 Americans die from heart disease annually, accounting for 25 percent of deaths. With staggering numbers like that, it is no surprise cardiac care is more than a job. “It’s personal,” says Dr. Poorya Fazel. “My grandfather died of cardiac issues suddenly when I was eight. That opened my eyes. I saw medicine through the prism of heart disease.” And while heart disease is the leading chronic illness in the country, physicians say the advances in technology and breakthroughs in treatments are helping people live longer and healthier lives. “Devices and technology that are happening now—we could not have
but de-stressing is critical to a healthy heart. Physicians recommend activities such as yoga, meditation and mindfulness or simply take a walk to decompress.”
Get more sleep: Lack of sleep doesn't just leave you groggy in the morning and fatigued in the afternoon—it's bad for your health. Make some slight adjustments to your routine to try and get in a good night’s sleep, such as going to bed at a regular fixed time, limiting screen time before sleep and other healthy sleep habits. Regular exercise also helps improve sleep.
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“It always comes down to excellence. But everybody says they’re excellent. We add one word that makes it harder: ‘sustainable’. It’s not easy to do. Sustainable excellence is the mantra we focus on.” – MICHAEL SPAIN, M.D.
“Eighty percent of cardiology diseases are due to lifestyle. It’s mopping the floor while the faucet is running. Lifestyle medicine is the future of cardiology. Prevention is better than cure.” – AJAY JOSEPH, M.D.
thought about five years ago,” says Dr. Joseph. “Procedures we couldn’t have thought about ten years ago, we’re doing four times a week.” “Now is the second golden era of cardiology,” says Dr. Fazel. “New, gamechanging therapies are changing the landscape. A 95-year old woman can get a valve replacement and go back home the next day. That would never have happened ten years ago.” THE FUTURE OF CARDIOLOGY IS PREVENTION The state-of-the-art treatments Saint Francis offers are truly awe-inspiring, and it continues a long legacy of breakthroughs in cardiac care. From performing the first angioplasty in Tulsa, to serving as the original trials for numerous medicines and therapies that are now standard nationwide, Saint Francis has always been at the forefront of cardiac care.
But today, being at the forefront of cardiac care means preventing heart disease in the first place. “Eighty percent of cardiology diseases are due to lifestyle. It’s mopping the floor while the faucet is running,” says Dr. Joseph. “Lifestyle medicine is the future of cardiology. Prevention is better than cure.” As an expert in lifestyle medicine, Dr. Joseph gives patients with heart disease the resources to lead healthier lives. Dr. Joseph says these skills can help prevent heart disease in healthy people as well (see sidebar). “Patients look at me and say ‘Doc if you do this you’re going to run out of business’,” says Dr. Joseph. “I know that! But that’s not the point. You have to give patients the skills to close the faucet.”
“Now is the second golden era of cardiology. New, game-changing therapies are changing the landscape. A 95-year old woman can get a valve replacement and go back home the next day. That would never have happened ten years ago.” – POORYA FAZEL, M.D.
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Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital 40
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An unmet need for local mental healthcare spawns a vision, a gift and an enduring legacy. The doorbell rang and Dr. Scott Moseman answered, bucket of Halloween candy in hand. He recognized one of his young patients. Moseman, the medical director for the Laureate Eating Disorders Program, was hesitant to call the child by name, given privacy rules. The child said, “Hi, Dr. Moseman! How are you?” There are several other kids around and as I close the door they ask, “Who is that?” “Oh, he’s my psychiatrist,” the child said. They asked what we do, and the reply was, “Well, we talk.” Then I heard them say “Wow, I wish I had a psychiatrist.” It was almost like, “This is my dentist.” Mental healthcare—seen as just another form of healthcare— by a child. Finally, the rest of the world is getting there, too. It’s part of what might have seemed like a simple vision to Bill Warren, Jr., who more than 30 years ago envisioned a local facility where those seeking behavioral healthcare would be treated the same as patients having any other health concern. “Building Laureate is the one thing that I’m proud of the most,” said Warren, Jr. “From our own experiences, we knew there was a need. So, I went down and visited various mental health facilities in Dallas and lobbied our legislature to set aside money for mental health because Tulsa could do better.”
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SCOTT MOSEMAN, M.D., MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE LAUREATE EATING DISORDERS PROGRAM AND ATTENDING PHYSICIAN FOR THE ADOLESCENT PROGRAM
In 1988, a gift of 47 acres on a hill above Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa and the money to build a psychiatric clinic and hospital were only the beginning of what today is an internationally recognized approach to mental illness research and treatment. The story began with the construction of Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, which opened in 1989. Laureate, which now has 106 patient beds, is dedicated to providing patients with the latest diagnostic services and medical technologies, including inpatient and outpatient treatment programs for children, adolescents and adults. Laureate also offers intensive outpatient programs for patients with chemical dependency and mood disorders.
staff to patient ratio is low. Therapists have no more than three patients each, and the entire treatment team—physician, therapist and dietitian—meets daily for an in-depth discussion of care for each patient. Monthly events planned for patient families also provide support and education to loved ones. In 2009, the William K. Warren Foundation opened the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) for the purpose of conducting studies aimed at developing more effective treatments and prevention strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders. LIBR is on the same campus as the Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital. The William K. Warren Foundation continues to be the lead sponsor of LIBR research studies, which are led by scientists from diverse backgrounds, including physics, cognitive neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, developmental neuroscience, computer science and genetics.
The Laureate Eating Disorders Program, which also began in 1989, is nationallyrecognized for its outstanding care and treatment provided to adolescents and adult women who are battling anorexia, bulimia and related conditions. Patients keep the same physician, The Laureate Eating Disorders therapist and dietitian Program is nationally-recognized for throughout multiple phases its outstanding care and treatment. of treatment, including acute care, residential care and partial hospitalization. The
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KATHERINE GODWIN, M.D., MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE LAUREATE EATING DISORDERS PROGRAM AND ATTENDING PHYSICIAN FOR THE ADULT PROGRAM
Today, these three entities, Laureate, its eating disorders program and LIBR, work in tandem to advance neurobiological research, develop new treatments and therapies and improve patient care for those suffering from mental illness. It’s all part of a larger effort for mental illness to be viewed and treated as any other illness—just as Mr. Warren envisioned.
medication management services through a clinical pharmacist located at Laureate.” Moseman also pointed to the integration of behavioral healthcare into the Warren Clinic model as evidence that mental health treatment is more readily embraced as just another form of treatment.
“We know now that it’s impossible to separate mental health from overall health. Dr. Scott Grantham, medical director for People who have depression have higher Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital, rates of a second heart attack, for example, and people with depression and anxiety have higher rates of autoimmune illness, requiring more care and “One of the myths that persists more hospitalizations.” is that mental illness is separate
and different from other illness, but that’s not the reality.”
SCOTT GRANTHAM, M.D., MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR LAUREATE PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC AND HOSPITAL
sees advances in research and therapies as critical for the improvement of overall mental health. But he’s particularly enthusiastic about the integration of mental health treatment into overall patient care. “One of the myths that persists is that mental illness is separate and different from other illness, but that’s not the reality,” he said. “I’m very proud that over the past five years we have not just expanded service offerings here at the Laureate campus, but as a professional staff have expanded our involvement in other areas of Saint Francis.”
COLLEEN MCCALLUM, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR THE LAUREATE INSTITUTE FOR BRAIN RESEARCH
As of last year, there is now a virtual clinic embedded within the Warren Clinic primary care infrastructure that’s available for patients with major depressive disorder. Warren Clinic includes nearly 100 locations throughout northeastern Oklahoma, so this has been an important step forward for access to mental healthcare. “We now have e-consults available, where a Warren Clinic primary care physician can send a question to Laureate psychiatrists through the medical record we share. Plus, Warren Clinic patients can receive
Colleen McCallum, chief operating officer for the Laureate Institute for Brain Research, sees the stigma of mental illness fading and society moving beyond the era when mental illness was often seen as a character flaw. McCallum, who joined the institute in 2009, said a unique aspect of LIBR is that its researchers don’t have other obligations in terms of teaching, providing medical care or fundraising. They can focus solely on research, but they continue to work closely with Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital and the Laureate Eating Disorders Program. LIBR has numerous research studies in progress. Its largest research project is the Tulsa 1000 (T-1000) study, which recruited participants with mood, anxiety, eating and substance abuse disorders to complete more than 24 hours of baseline testing. The goal of the study is to determine whether neuroscience-based measures can be used to predict outcomes in patients with mental illness. The treasure trove of data from the study allows researchers to look for trends and target more tailored treatment for people based on specific characteristics. “The mental health treatment field has such long lead times, and there have not been a lot of great developments in the last 30 years. Antidepressants have been somewhat
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successful, but they don’t help everybody and they do have side effects. Everyone in the field would like to do better,” she said. “We wouldn’t be here without the passion and support of our board and The William K. Warren Foundation,” she said. “They want change and are willing to take down barriers to help make that happen so we can stay focused on our goal.” Dr. Martin Paulus, LIBR Scientific Director and President, said the T-1000 study is a step towards developing a science-based personalized medicine approach in mental health. “Mental health treatment providers are still using intuition in matching treatments to patients, he said. “As a consequence, mental health treatment is fundamentally a trial and error endeavor, which can result in prolonged suffering if treatments do not work. The hope is that we will be able to use scientific approaches to more precisely match patients to treatments." MARTIN PAULUS, LIBR SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT
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McCallum cited another example of work being done at LIBR using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which is a noninvasive technique for measuring and mapping brain activity. The technique allows researchers to watch how the brain reacts to certain stimuli, how people with and without depression respond differently, and how people with depression respond after a treatment intervention. Grantham sees the collaboration with LIBR as a significant advantage for patients, because front line clinicians have a closer view into what kinds of treatments are possible, in addition to exposure to guest speakers, teaching and research that otherwise might be found only in an academic setting such as a large university. He cited some of LIBR’s research into treatments beyond medication and therapy, such as direct current stimulation of the brain, floatation therapy and transcranial magnetic brain stimulation.
“Those things have a lot of promise for patient treatment regimens if the right answers can be found through research about which patients are the best candidate, and what are the best frequencies and intensities. Working in partnership with LIBR helps us offer patients the opportunity to participate in research, and the opportunity to benefit from new therapies we may be developing. The fact that we are all part of the Saint Francis Health System makes it seamless.” Moseman sees hope that we can one day erase the stigma of mental illness, and find ways to diagnose it earlier, treat it successfully and even prevent it.
“I want my field to better the life of the family, so that my job becomes less necessary, and people have a better quality of life. Saint Francis is on the forefront of integrating services in a way that takes care of the whole person. “One of the things that the Warrens have asked is, ‘how do we do science in a way that helps people...that over the next 20 to 30 years, makes a difference?’ Here we have great small treatment facilities, research and state-of-the-art clinical care in one place. That wouldn’t happen were it not for Saint Francis and the Warren Foundation.”
Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital • Outpatient services (including video visits) • Adult inpatient care • Senior behavioral health unit • Eating disorders program • Intensive outpatient program • Chemical dependency program 6655 South Yale Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 918-481-4000 saintfrancis.com/laureate
“Saint Francis is on the forefront of integrating services in a way that takes care of the whole person.” – SCOTT MOSEMAN, M.D.
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The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis 46
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A place just for kids. Today, it’s hard to imagine the Saint Francis campus at 61st and Yale without its “hospital within a hospital” that was created especially for younger patients. Nor is it easy to comprehend that The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis is a relative youngster itself—established within Saint Francis Hospital in 1995. Yet, that was only the first chapter in the children’s hospital’s legacy of providing lifesaving care for children within the area. Thirteen years later, in 2008, a new facility opened its doors featuring the region’s only Level IV NICU, pediatric hematology/oncology clinic, pediatric intensive care services and so much more. Without question, this five-story, 155,000-square-foot children’s hospital is fully equipped with the finest and most advanced technology and equipment available anywhere. But what’s every bit as impressive is the people who work there—a dedicated group that in large part contributes to The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis’ excellence. NEVER A DULL MOMENT “I have always been so impressed with the amazing and brilliant people that work here. One of the best things about working at the children’s hospital—and Saint Francis, in general—is the mental stimulus of being surrounded by others who are constantly reaching, growing and learning new things. This is really good for all of us and there’s never a dull or boring moment around here. Who wouldn’t love that?” said Shannon Filosa, R.N., Ph.D., executive director of The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis. “For example, every time we recruit a new pediatric subspecialist, that
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means we will be adding a new program. So, our team bands together to determine what this new specialist will need in order to do their job; and, in the process, we all learn more about that particular specialty. It’s an environment in which we’re constantly being challenged to ensure we are providing the best care possible for the kids.” A CAREER AT SAINT FRANCIS
Shannon Filosa, R.N., Ph.D. is retiring as executive director of The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis and a 40-year career with the health system.
Ask anyone and they’ll agree that Shannon Filosa has built an impressive history all her own. After 40 years of distinguished service, starting as a nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit, to The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, she plans to retire on January 1, 2021. “By the time I graduated from the University of Tulsa in 1978 with a degree in nursing, I’d been hearing a lot of great things about Saint Francis Hospital (which seemed way out in south Tulsa to me at the time); but I knew it was the best place for me to look into,” she said. Turns out she made the right call.
“I’m so proud to have spent the last 40 years at Saint Francis. It is a wise and strategic organization that stays on the cuttingedge—and even more important—focused on patient care.” – Shannon Filosa, R.N., Ph.D.
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Reflecting back on her years in women’s and children’s services, several milestones stand out in Filosa’s mind. “During the 1980s and 1990s, the neonatal world expanded in large part due to the development of surfactant, a liquid that assists newborns with breathing issues. This changed everything. Premature babies who previously might not have done well, were now thriving. And, when nitric oxide was developed, it made a huge difference for bigger babies affected by infections or meconium aspirations. This is just an example of the many times when being in the neonatal field was super exciting,” Filosa said. “I’m so proud to have spent the last 40 years at Saint Francis. It is a wise and strategic organization that stays on the cutting-edge— and even more important—focused on patient care. As we commemorate Saint Francis’ 60th anniversary, I’m confident it’s well-positioned to celebrate many more.”
Sam Leung, M.D., pediatric gastroenterologist
Providing Specialized Care Just for Kids When asked why he generally just goes by “Dr. Sam,” pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Sam Leung, boils it down to this: “I know ‘Dr. Sam’ sounds pretty informal, but basically we are all human beings just trying to take care of each other—plus, most kids find it easier than pronouncing my last name,” he said. In terms of Dr. Sam’s role at the children’s hospital as a pediatric gastroenterologist, he and his colleague Dr. Michael Pickens specialize in treating diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas of children from infancy until young adulthood. Principal conditions he treats include reflux, chronic constipation, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, some liver diseases and esophagitis. “I was drawn to this specialty because I’ve always been interested in the organ system—something about that really clicks
with me,” Dr. Sam said. “I enjoy what I do because it allows me the opportunity to spend time with my patients in both an acute and more chronic setting—which means I get to know my patients better. I’ve also found that as pediatric sub-specialists, we are often able to take on a larger role in our patient’s lives—almost like being a second primary care physician to them— which is something I really enjoy about my profession.” In addition to Dr. Leung and Dr. Pickens, several other sub-specialists provide care at The Children’s Hospital in areas including cardiology, oncology, neonatology, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, pulmonology, critical care and more. “As the area’s regional center for children’s health services, it is important to have this level of comprehensive care available so that patients have access to services they need— closer to home,” Dr. Sam said.
A WELCOMING PRESENCE A year-and-a-half ago when Dr. Sam joined The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis after recently completing his fellowship training in Baltimore, Maryland, it was his first time in Tulsa. “I moved here alone and knew no one,” he said. “But, in no time at all, my new fellow staff members made me feel like a part of their family. That’s something I will always appreciate and knew it was further validation that I’d made an excellent choice in joining the children’s hospital staff. And the longer I am here, the more clearly I understand that it is the people that truly make a difference for our patients and their families. They are a very welcoming, friendly and talented group of professionals who truly care about what they do to help kids in our area.”
“…it is important to have this level of comprehensive care available so that patients have access to services they need—closer to home.” – Sam Leung, M.D.
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THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS AND ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL:
Making History in the Fight Against Childhood Cancer HIGH ON THE LIST OF THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS’ MANY MILESTONES IS ITS AFFILIATION WITH ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL, WHICH BECAME OFFICIAL ON JULY 1, 2016. SINCE THAT TIME, THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS GROWN EVEN STRONGER DUE TO THE TWO HOSPITALS’ SHARED MISSION.
“The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis has tremendous leadership, and since the outset, it’s been clear how great our Tulsa partners would be,” said Dr. Carolyn Russo, medical director of the St. Jude Affiliate Program. “A key component that has cemented this partnership is our shared mission of extending care to every child— regardless of their family’s ability to pay." ONE OF ONLY EIGHT IN THE NATION The affiliation between St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis is the first of its kind in Oklahoma and has brought the experience of St. Jude to the children and families of Oklahoma and the surrounding areas. Upon affiliating with St. Jude in 2016, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis became the eighth hospital in the nation to do so. Being a St. Jude Affiliate Clinic allows pediatric hematologists and oncologists at the children’s hospital to enroll patients in St. Jude clinical research trials. So, it essentially enables young
Dr. Carolyn Russo, medical director of the St. Jude Affiliate Program
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patients to have the best of both worlds close to home. In addition to all forms of pediatric cancer, the reach of St. Jude also extends to finding cures for and treating other childhood catastrophic and neurologic diseases. “Our colleagues from Tulsa have brought a large pediatric oncology and hematology group under the St. Jude fold. In fact, The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis is one of our larger affiliates,” Dr. Russo said. “What’s more, our partnership with The Children’s Hospital has provided us with added diversity since a fairly large population of the children living in eastern Oklahoma are Native American. This has been wonderful because in order to benefit everyone, you must include everyone. This is just one of the many reasons we are pleased to have The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis as an affiliate and a partner in fighting childhood cancer.” For more information about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, please visit stjude.org.
When St. Jude Children's Research Hospital first opened its doors in 1962, the survival rate for childhood leukemia was 27%. Today, the survival rate for this type of childhood cancer stands at 96%.
Children's Hospital pediatric oncologists Greg Kirkpatrick, M.D., Martina Hum, M.D., and Shilpa Shukla, M.D.
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Giving Sick Newborns the Best Start at Life THE HENRY ZARROW NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Before The Children's Hospital at Saint Francis was founded in 1995, Saint Francis Hospital had established itself as a local leader in the field of neonatal care. With more than 40 years of being a key service of Saint Francis, today the Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provides state-ofthe-art, lifesaving care for our community's tiniest patients. “While our families are so grateful for what we do for them, we feel so blessed to be part of helping them and their babies get through a difficult time,” says Rachel Everette, M.D., a board-certified neonatologist who oversees the NICU’s transport, clinical outreach and ECMO programs. The NICU's story begins in 1978 when it was known as Eastern Oklahoma Perinatal Center (EOPC). It had the distinction of being Tulsa's first NICU. In 2009 it relocated into the newly-built children's hospital and was named for Henry Zarrow, iconic Tulsa businessman and long-time board member and supporter of Saint Francis Health System. “The original NICU was outstanding,” says Raymond Sanders, M.D., medical director and board-certified
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Saint Francis Hospital NICU in the 1970s
THE LEGACY OF HENRY ZARROW AT SAINT FRANCIS Although iconic philanthropist and businessman, Henry Zarrow, passed away in 2014, his legacy lives on.
neonatologist who began in 2007 alongside Dr. Everette at the original location. “With the building of the new children’s hospital in 2008, we had an opportunity to create the region’s premier NICU.” Dr. Sanders and team have certainly accomplished that goal: the Henry Zarrow NICU is one of only two Level IV NICUs in Oklahoma. That certification is the highest rating by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This honor is hard-earned each and every day by the team whose sole mission is serving Saint Francis’ most vulnerable patients: newborn children. The NICU delivers around-the-clock care for the approximately 850 newborns each year. The staff of the NICU includes eight physicians, 11 certified neonatal APRNs, an eight-person ECMO team, 125 nurses, more than a dozen respiratory therapists, a social worker, case manager, pharmacist, lactation consultant, and a speech therapist, who helps infants overcome feeding challenges.
“While our families are so grateful for what we do for them, we feel so blessed to be part of helping them and their babies get through a difficult time.” – Rachel Everette, M.D., Co-Medical Director, Henry Zarrow NICU
Henry’s generosity knew few bounds. The causes he supported were many, but two stood out as stars in his constellation of charity—those living in poverty and those who have only begun to live. The latter is where his affection for Saint Francis grew roots. The NICU was one part of the Saint Francis Health System that had a permanent place in his heart. As such, there was never a question of whose name Saint Francis’ NICU should bear; and, in 2009, the Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care was dedicated. Henry’s gentle, loving image is engraved in a tribute that looks over the entrance to the unit as if to reassure all who enter that they are in good hands, and that they are exactly where they need to be. As the only Level IV NICU in the region, the Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit provides specialized care and lifesaving services for babies as young as 24 weeks gestational age. Being a Level IV neonatal center also means specialists at the Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are highly qualified to provide sophisticated types of respiratory support, as well as a wide variety of neonatal surgeries for very sick babies. “A person like Henry Zarrow doesn’t come along all that often,” says Shannon Filosa, R.N., Ph.D., executive director of The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis. “He cared so deeply about helping others and all of us at the Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are forever grateful.” Among Mr. Zarrow’s many honors and distinguished posts was his service on the Saint Francis Board of Directors for over 45 years. “I am honored to recognize a man who, in every respect of his life, was the embodiment of community benefit. For over four decades, he was a constant source of counsel, guidance and support to Saint Francis Health System,” says Jake Henry Jr., president and chief executive officer of Saint Francis Health System. “The ways he impacted this organization are many and the lives that have been changed by his spirit and generosity are innumerable.”
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Delivering excellence and innovation for infants in need What began as the first NICU in Tulsa has grown to become one of the most prestigious in the state. Forty-two years later, the Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit continues to deliver incomparable care to infants in need. One of only two Level IV NICUs in Oklahoma. That certification is the highest rating by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Only facility in the region that offers neonatal/ pediatric ECMO, a life-saving procedure for infants with heart and lung failure.
“What distinguishes our NICU is the breadth of surgical and subspecialty services we offer.” – Raymond Sanders, M.D., Co-Medical Director, Henry Zarrow NICU
The 30,000-square-foot facility features 58 beds, including 38 private rooms and six semi-private/ twin rooms. Eight-bed stabilization unit located near the labor and delivery area in Saint Francis Hospital. Team of eight physicians, 11 certified neonatal APRNs, an eight-person ECMO team, 125 nurses, more than a dozen respiratory therapists, a social worker, case manager, pharmacist, lactation consultant and a speech therapist.
“We have five teams led by physicians delivering a continuity of care,” says Dr. Everette. “There is at least one physician and one APRN on-site 24/7.” “Our job here is to get the babies healthy enough to go home, and that includes helping families with their transition home,” says Dr. Sanders. “We have a case manager and a social worker to assist families, and we educate parents on caring for their baby. We always send our patients home with the appropriate level of care.” What’s a typical day like in the NICU? That’s an oxymoron; there is no typical day. While the most common services required are preterm infant care, general surgery and cardiology, each infant’s needs vary greatly. Therefore, the NICU team offers a variety of specialty services, including orthopedics, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, pulmonology and genetics. Every one of the NICU’s 58 beds is usually occupied by a newborn, with an average patient stay of 19 days. “What distinguishes our NICU is the breadth of surgical and subspecialty services we offer,” says Dr. Sanders. “This includes being the only facility in eastern Oklahoma that offers neonatal/pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, ECMO, a life-saving procedure for infants with heart and lung failure.”
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NICU Lifesaving Transport Services While it’s true highly trained NICU transport services have always been provided at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, it wasn’t until recently that a newly updated and dedicated mobile NICU vehicle came onto the scene. “It’s basically a ‘mini NICU on wheels’ that is completely outfitted with specialized equipment and staffed with medical specialists who provide lifesaving care for babies throughout the area. Since about onethird of our annual admissions come from smaller hospitals in our region, this is a vitally important part of what we do,” said Kindra Thomas, clinical manager of the Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis.
The mobile NICU covers an approximate 150-mile radius—ranging from areas throughout the eastern part of Oklahoma, and into Kansas and Arkansas. “Many of the rural hospitals are only equipped to provide care for ‘well’ newborns. So, when our dispatcher receives a call for a baby that falls out of that category, our transport team immediately hits the road,” Thomas said. “I think it’s important for people throughout the surrounding area to know the lifesaving care provided at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis and its NICU is accessible to them— and that this is in large part due to the specially dedicated neonatal transport services we work so hard to provide.”
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Neonatal Care at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis Delivers Generations of Lifesaving Care When Brad and Alexa Foster’s son, Nolan, first entered the world on October 8, 2020, they were euphoric and thought he was perfect in every way. Yet, it wasn’t long before their excitement shifted to concern.
“We began to notice his breathing was becoming kind of labored and asked the nurse if that was normal or not. They immediately ran some tests,” Alexa said. “The tests showed Nolan was struggling for breath. The tests also indicated his respiratory rate was below average and his oxygen levels were dropping at an alarming rate. On top of that, he was slowly turning a dusky shade of blue. We were terrified!” 56
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Once the baby was placed on positivepressure ventilation (a form of respiratory therapy), further testing was conducted which confirmed his condition was indeed quite serious and would require the most advanced medical care available anywhere. “At this point, the team at the Claremore hospital (where Nolan had just been born) told us he needed to be transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis,” Brad said. “It was nerve-wracking because we didn’t know how long the transfer process would take. But soon the Saint Francis NICU transport team arrived. They quickly stabilized Nolan and were on their way. As Alexa and I jumped in our car and followed along to Tulsa, we were scared, but also reassured, because we knew our baby was in good hands.” As the Fosters approached The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis and their son’s story with it was beginning to unfold, a strikingly similar story was replaying in Brad’s mind. In fact, it almost seemed as if history—their family history, that is—was repeating itself. A GENERATION AGO In 1995, when Brad Foster was born on September 7, his parents also believed their newborn was perfect in every way. Yet, four days later, they knew something was not right. Their newborn son simply wasn’t responding normally. They had no idea what was affecting him, but they knew in their hearts something was very wrong. At first glance, doctors confirmed Brad had a severe infection of some type. Following further tests and examination he was diagnosed with meningitis, an infection of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. “All in all, I ended up spending a total of two months in the NICU at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis. From what my parents have told me, it was ‘touch and go’ at several points. There were many moments when they weren’t sure I’d make
it to the next hour or the following day, but I always ended up beating the odds. There were times when they feared if I did survive, I wouldn’t be able to live a normal life,” Brad said. “Above all else, what they ultimately believe is that the level of care I received at the NICU at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis is why I am here today—a healthy, 25-year old man telling his story.” 25 YEARS LATER Fortunately, the story of baby Nolan’s first few days turned out to be much less serious than his dad’s 25 years ago. Nonetheless, those five days in the hospital were frightening ones for the Fosters. However, through it all, they knew their baby was where he needed to be—receiving the lifesaving care he so desperately needed. Upon arrival at the NICU, Nolan was placed on a high-flow nasal cannula, which is therapy that provides warmed, humidified oxygen to infants and children in respiratory distress. “Throughout the entire experience at the NICU at the children’s hospital, our baby received nothing but extraordinary care,” Alexa said. “And, in each instance, everyone—doctors, nurses, the entire staff—treated us with compassion and kindness. They also took all the time in the world to explain everything to us and make sure we understood all that was going on regarding our son’s care.”
“My parents believe the Saint Francis NICU saved my life—and 25 years later, I believe they saved our son's life as well.”
–Brad Foster
Following specialized care in the NICU, baby Nolan’s condition steadily improved and his breathing pattern normalized. By day five, he was discharged and headed home with his mom and dad. “The story of my first few months has been retold many times; but this experience with our son has given me a whole new perspective and appreciation of what my parents actually went through,” Brad said. “My parents believe the Saint Francis NICU saved my life—and 25 years later, I believe they saved our son’s life, as well.”
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Since Warren Clinic was established in January 1988 as a single clinic location, its tremendous growth since then has followed the expansion of Saint Francis Health System. Warren Clinic Springer Building with Warren Clinic Tower in the background
Today, Warren Clinic has grown to be one of the largest multi-specialty physician groups in the state with nearly 600 providers in numerous clinical locations throughout the area. This Saint Francis Health System-employed network of physicians and advanced practice providers offer patients primary care, a broad range of medical specialties, hospitalbased care and urgent care for adults and children. “Warren Clinic has made tremendous strides in terms of overall growth as well as outreach to rural communities— and in the sheer number and variety of specialists we provide throughout the clinic,” said Dr. Preston Phillips, Warren Clinic orthopedic surgeon. “This is remarkable, especially when you consider Saint Francis started as a relatively small hospital on a hill ‘way out South on the outskirts of Tulsa,’
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Warren Clinic Sand Springs
to its standing now as the leading healthcare provider within the entire region. When I think about the health system’s founders, Mr. and Mrs. W.K. Warren, Sr.—and their dream of giving a gift to the city of Tulsa that would serve its citizens for years to come— there is no question they would be very proud with just how far its reach extends today.” A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP When asked to what he attributes Warren Clinic’s longevity and success, Dr. Phillips expressed it this way: “Physicians are the backbone of any health system—and the symbiotic relationship between Warren Clinic physicians and the health system enhances and mutually benefits one another. The hospital cannot stand alone without the doctors and the doctors cannot stand alone without the hospital. I liken it to the right hand and the left hand. They each have separate functions; yet when they work together, great things can be achieved.”
SAME TEAM SAME GOAL Another source of Warren Clinic’s strength—and of any other successful partnership for that matter—is collaboration. “As Warren Clinic physicians, we are all members of the same team who share the goal of providing quality healthcare in a seamless manner. As such, we continually interact and work together with the various sub-specialist physicians within our network,” Dr. Phillips said. “With each conversation, our goal is to remain focused on what will be most beneficial to the health and well-being of that particular patient. I believe this is what allows Warren Clinic and the health system as a whole to be highly effective.”
WARREN CLINIC MEDICAL SPECIALTIES:
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Allergy and Immunology
General Surgery
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Psychiatry
Breast Surgery
Hospitalists
Oncology/Hematology
Pulmonology
Cardiology
Infectious Disease
Orthopedic Surgery
Rheumatology
Cardiovascular Surgery
Internal Medicine
Osteoporosis
Sleep Medicine
Colorectal Surgery
Interventional Neurology
Otolaryngology
Surgical Oncology
Dermatology
Maternal/Fetal Medicine
Pain Management
Trauma Services
Diabetes Education
Medical ICU
Urgent Care
Endocrinology
Mohs Surgery
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Family Medicine
Nephrology
Vascular Surgery
Family Medicine/Obstetrics
Neurology
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Gastroenterology
Neurosurgery
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Podiatry
Urology
DEEPLY INSTILLED MISSION In addition to sharing a common goal, Dr. Phillips believes his fellow colleagues at Warren Clinic also share a commitment to Saint Francis Health System’s long-standing mission. “Inevitably, there are times when we get caught up in the challenges of the ‘day in and day out’ and getting things done. But the thread that binds us all together is our commitment to caring for our patients and the health system’s mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ in all that we do,” Dr. Phillips said. “The health system’s mission is a powerful thing. So long as we are true to our mission, we can move forward and meet our challenges with conviction and purpose.”
“The thread that binds us all together is our commitment to caring for our patients and the health system’s mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ in all that we do” – Preston Phillips, M.D., orthopedic surgeon
Warren Clinic Tower in Tulsa
WARREN CLINIC PEDIATRIC SERVICES AND SUB-SPECIALTIES: General Pediatrics Neonatology Pediatric Allergy/Immunology Pediatric Critical Care Pediatric Gastroenterology Pediatric General Surgery Pediatric Neurology Pediatric Neurosurgery Pediatric Oncology Pediatric Orthopedics Pediatric Otolaryngology Pediatric Pulmonology
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Warren Clinic in the Region
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In keeping with its mission of ensuring quality healthcare is accessible to residents throughout the region, Warren Clinic has become a common sight—and a welcome presence—in a number of rural communities throughout eastern Oklahoma:
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Warren Clinic Fort Gibson There are plenty of reasons Warren Clinic Family Medicine in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, feels like home to patients. First of all, it’s the welcome that patients get when they come to see family medicine physician Dr. Charity Johnson and nurse practitioners and staff.
Charity Johnson, D.O. Warren Clinic Fort Gibson
“Our patients know they are coming to their healthcare home when they come see us. We do all we can to make sure they understand that we’re here for them— whether they are dealing with a sniffle or something more serious,” Dr. Johnson said. “Our patients are family. We really do feel like they are our moms, dads and kids. When you grow up in a rural community (as I did), you develop lifelong friendships and close connections. It means a lot to me to provide care for people I actually know on a personal basis. I believe by investing myself into the people and the community I love, that our practice is enriched all the more.”
“It makes me beyond proud to be part of the largest and strongest physician network in the state of Oklahoma. The fact that I can openly communicate and consult with any specialist within the Warren Clinic system is amazing!” she said. “When I refer my patient to another Warren Clinic specialist, I tell them they are receiving care from one of my trusted partners within the health system—and that if I trust them, they can too. Warren Clinic has excellent providers. My patients have had good experiences from each specialist or surgeon with whom I’ve worked.”
Dr. Johnson also believes her patients’ care is further enriched by being part of Warren Clinic and Saint Francis Health System. It has been two-and-a-half years since she first joined the Fort Gibson Warren Clinic, time she emphatically considers “the best two-and-a-half years of her career.”
While growing up in southeast Oklahoma, Dr. Johnson saw a tremendous need. “When I was a kid, there was only one doctor in town—and I remember it felt like it took all day to get in to see him. That’s what inspired me to become a doctor here in this area and it was one of the best
A TREMENDOUS NEED
decisions I’ve ever made,” she said. “The personal reward of providing excellent care to my friends and neighbors is enormous.” Just so we are clear: If anyone within the local community ever had the idea that regular visits to their primary care doctor was optional… Dr. Johnson has news for them. “This is when I sit them down and explain what a primary care home is. I tell them I want to see their blood work every year; they need a physical every year and that I feel it is my personal responsibility to take excellent care of them for the rest of their lives. It seems to change their whole outlook on what primary care is,” she said. “All this is to say our team at the Warren Clinic Family Medicine in Fort Gibson shares a passion for providing the best possible care for our friends and neighbors, and that we will always be there for them.”
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Family medicine physician treasures his hometown roots
It’s accurate to say that family medicine physician, Dr. Terry Horton, knows just about everyone in Vinita.
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“I’m proud to say this is the only job I’ve had—and the only job I’ll ever have,” Dr. Horton said. “Having grown up in this area, I can’t go to the grocery store without bumping into a dozen people I’ve known since I was a kid. As a matter of fact, a lot of my patients are people I used to carry Arrow groceries for when I was Broken young.”
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In addition to family medicine, Warren Clinic Vinita and the Saint Francis Health Centers Glenpool near Grand Lake provide pediatric and adult healthcare services to residents of Craig County and the surrounding area.
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Terry Horton, M.D. Warren Clinic Vinita
Born and raised in the area, OwassoDr. Horton began his medical practice in 1989 at Warren Clinic Vinita—and continues his successful practice to this day.
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“Warren Clinic and now Saint Francis have been very well received in this area and have only solidified the patient care we can provide—in large part due to easy access to a wide range of specialists,” Dr.
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Horton said. “Many of my patients are over 65 years of age. I’ve noticed this age group in particular appreciates receiving specialized care locally—since most of 412 them don’t relish taking road trips to get the healthcare they need.” PRIDE IN THE COMMUNITY In December 2016 Saint Francis Health System acquired Craig General Hospital and reopened it as Saint Francis Hospital Vinita. Aside from preventing the closure of the local hospital, the health system completed major facility renovations that gave folks in the area another reason to exhibit their hometown pride.
Coweta
“It is a source of pride for all of us to have this beautiful, state-of-the-art hospital and these medical services in town,” Dr. Horton said. “Our staff members 351 are honored to represent Saint Francis Health System in providing high-quality healthcare to our neighbors.”
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“Warren Clinic and Saint Francis Hospital Vinita have done great things for my community and the surrounding area; and for me personally, it’s very gratifying to be a part of that legacy.”
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–Terry Horton, M.D.
Yes, Dr. Horton is proud of his hometown roots—and also of his 31-year career as a Warren Clinic family medicine physician. “During my time, I’ve experienced the full spectrum of providing care for generations of area families, friends and neighbors. Warren Clinic and Saint Francis Hospital Vinita have done great things for my community and the surrounding area; and for me personally, it’s very gratifying to be a part of that legacy,” he said.
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64 In 1978, Dr. Ronnie Carr opened a family medicine practice in his hometown of Coweta, Oklahoma— along with his wife, Dowana. As clinic manager, she handled the business side of things. Think about the television show Marcus Welby, M.D., and you have a pretty clear idea of how Dr. Carr ran his medical practice— and how his fellow community members regarded him. Dr. Carr, who retired in 2014, now reflects on the years he spent serving his friends and neighbors in Coweta— from the time the practice first opened in 1978, until it affiliated with Warren Clinic in 1994.
“The way healthcare was delivered back then was so different. Family practice doctors did practically everything, from house calls to checking on senior patients, to delivering babies; in fact, I delivered over 300 babies in my time,” Dr. Carr said. In addition to Dr. Carr and Dowana, the practice’s staff also included another family medicine physician, two nurses and a receptionist at the front desk. “Ronnie and I both grew up in Coweta—so we knew just about everyone. On the first day we opened
our doors to the community, people were lined up outside all the way around the block. I believe the opening of our practice was welcome news to everyone. From day one, our practice was busy,” Dowana said. And that pace continued through the years, with stories aplenty—from patients arriving on horseback for their appointments, to an urgent house call when Dr. Carr had to break down a door to provide care for an elderly patient (a story that made the local newspaper). ENTER WARREN CLINIC In 1994, when Warren Clinic first approached the Coweta Family Practice about affiliating, Dr. Carr was no stranger to Saint Francis Health System. His connection dated back to the early 1970s, when he enrolled in medical technology school at the Saint Francis Hospital laboratory. Later, when he joined the Broken Arrow Medical Center staff, he met Sister Mary Blandine Fleming and Lloyd Verrett, who were former co-administrators of Saint Francis Hospital. “When we were recruited by Warren Clinic it was the best thing that ever happened to our practice and the
community of Coweta, as a whole. Our practice grew from a staff of six, to (at its peak) 12—which included four physicians,” Dr. Carr said. “My gosh! Warren Clinic also gave us access to a referral base that was second to none 75 which made it so much easier to work with other medical specialists. All we had to do was pick up the phone and our needs were met. Our patients have greatly appreciated having access to Saint Francis healthcare close to home. I love Warren Clinic and would do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
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STILL LIKE FAMILY Dowana added, “Our relationship with Warren Clinic was excellent from beginning to end. Every step of the way,44 they made sure we were up-to-speed and comfortable with each new program or initiative. They always consulted with us and valued 75 our opinion on what would be best for the Coweta community. That meant a lot to us. I’d like to thank Warren Clinic—and the entire health system— for putting a stake in northeastern Oklahoma’s healthcare. There is no better partner than Warren Clinic— and the health system as a whole. We still consider them family—and we always will.”
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–Ronnie Carr, D.O.
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Saint Francis Health System’s people are the inspiration behind the innovation. Weeks before everyday Americans started worrying about COVID-19, Saint Francis Health System’s planning team was already hard at work preparing for the virus. Over-preparing, in fact. “As soon as it hit the U.S., we started trying to over prepare for the worst-case scenario,” says Doug Williams, Senior Vice President and Administrator. This included sourcing disinfectant wipes directly from the manufacturer, evaluating different versions of N95 masks, and finding supplies of gloves and gowns. The goal? Take care of the team. Saint Francis cannot outsource its most precious resource—the employees who care for patients. If employees cannot do their jobs most effectively, or worse, get sick, they cannot serve others. That is simply not an option. “When things get tough like they have during the COVID crisis, we are always here for our community,” says Williams. “It’s because we have such a committed staff who will rise up when the need is there. It’s a fascinating culture, where everyone is committed to the patients. We’re always looking to see how we can make a difference.”
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Saint Francis’ more than 10,500-strong team, spread across 100 locations, is the largest in the Tulsa area, and one of the largest in the state. It is also critical to the health and well-being of everyone in our community. As a non-profit, Catholic health system, Saint Francis is committed to the public good. Spreading the healing ministry of Christ is the mission, and it is thanks to the people who make it all possible. “THIS GENIE IS NOT GOING BACK IN THE BOTTLE.” Since Saint Francis first opened its doors 60 years ago, the health system has focused not only on hiring the most qualified team members, but hiring people who “fit” the culture of caring. As important as it is to hire these talented and compassionate team members, it is even more vital to retain them. “The beautiful thing about Saint Francis is that we invest in our employees to help maximize their potential,” says Williams, who notes this goes beyond
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career opportunities. “This hospital has a family feel. I realized a few years ago I never updated my resume’ since I left grad school, because I’ve never thought about leaving. Our people have always been the difference.” Johnathan Ledet, M.D., agrees. The dermatologist arrived two years ago from a smaller health system in Arkansas, hoping to raise his family in a metropolitan area, and work with a team of physicians who could help him grow. Choosing Saint Francis and Warren Clinic was an easy decision. “Our team members have come up with some game-changing ideas,” says Dr. Ledet. “Medicine is challenging and exciting and working with physicians only helps us get better.” Dr. Ledet is one of only two Mohs micrographic surgeons in Tulsa. This sophisticated, multi-phase procedure allows for the gradual removal of all cancerous cells, delivering the highest cure rate, while also sparing healthy
“…we have such a committed staff who will rise up when the need is there…everyone is committed to the patients. We’re always looking to see how we can make a difference.” – Doug Williams, Senior Vice President, Saint Francis Health System and Administrator, Saint Francis Hospital
tissue and leaving the smallest possible scar. Dr. Ledet is proud to be able to do what he does best, while also being part of a team united in the common cause of serving patients. Like every Warren Clinic provider, Dr. Ledet has seen his practice affected by the pandemic. But like his colleagues, Dr. Ledet has also overcome these challenges to create new opportunities to serve even more patients, with innovative solutions like virtual care, including Video Visits and eVisits. “It’s great for follow-up care, at-risk populations and people who have disabilities. It’s especially great for people who live a long distance away,” says Dr. Ledet, who notes he operated on a rural patient who lived near the Kansas state line, whose follow-up appointments were all done seamlessly via Video Visits. “As for the recent expansion of virtual care services, this genie is not going back in the bottle. It’s too convenient,” says Dr. Ledet.
“As for the recent expansion of virtual care services, this genie is not going back in the bottle. It’s too convenient.” – Johnathan Ledet, M.D. dermatologist and Mohs surgeon
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“THIS IS OUR FAMILY.” The genie may be out of the bottle, but it’s not magic that makes the difference; it’s a mindset. It’s one that unites Warren Clinic providers like Dr. Ledet, and others like Meridith Coburn, the health system’s vice president of technology services. She began training employees at Warren Clinic in 1996 when there was no internet, no electronic health records and the only tablets were the old-fashioned paper kind.
Put simply, Saint Francis hopes to one day not only help care for people, but to also help them avoid getting sick or injured in the first place.
In the 24 years since, Coburn has overseen numerous technological innovations that make patients lives healthier and happier. This includes electronic health records (EHR) that are securely accessible to patients and providers; the Saint Francis MyChart® patient portal; remote monitoring of vital signs, which can help rural patients avoid lengthy return trips to the doctor for routine checkups; and even data analysis to help identify ER patients who are high utilizers, allowing for home visits and remote monitoring of vital signs to help prevent a return trip to the hospital. As remarkable as this technology is, Coburn believes the possibilities for future innovations are endless—and frankly, breathtaking. “Using AI (artificial intelligence), we can look at data behind the scenes,” says Coburn. “We will be able to identify things like a patient’s fall risk,
or potential for sepsis before the patient becomes septic.” Put simply, Saint Francis is here to provide care for those who are sick or injured, but also to help them stay well. “We have and will continue to evolve to meet the person not just where they are, but to be several steps ahead of them guiding them to where they want to be,” says Barry Steichen, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the health system. “Our focus is always on the patient—and we are now in a world where that focus has greatly expanded. Providing bedside care is only part of what we do,” he says. “As a health system, we want to make a positive impact on peoples’ lives – even before they become our patients. It’s basically reframing ‘patient-centric’ into a broader view of ‘consumer-centric’.” “That includes recent advancements in technology and virtual health,” Steichen says. “These are some of the most significant innovations I have been a part of in my 27 years with the health system.” Everything may be different from when they started, but after more than a halfcentury of combined service, what still motivates Steichen and Coburn is what brought them to Saint Francis in the first place—excellence.
“The roots of this system are in excellence and innovation. That day-one driving force is still present today.” – Barry Steichen, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Saint Francis Health System
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“The roots of this system are in excellence and innovation,” says Steichen. “That dayone driving force is still present today.” “It’s our culture, the people, and everyone’s focus on patient care,” says Coburn. “This is our family. Our colleagues are our best friends.” “THAT’S THE HEART OF WHAT WE’RE ALL ABOUT.” “It’s not uncommon to walk into a nursing unit and see nurses that have been there for 30 or 35 years,” says Williams. A 20-year Saint Francis veteran himself, Williams believes that long-term employee knowledge and experience often translate to ideas that become innovations. “The fact that we have so much tenure within our organization means you can trust that ideas have been tested during difficult situations,” says Williams. This has never been truer than during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fast-thinking solutions like this form the foundation for the innovations that Saint Francis will continue to provide for years to come. It is why recruiting and retaining the best of the best, and encouraging employees with a positive, family-like atmosphere, is so important. This includes functions like employees volunteering with the homeless population and community service organizations to provide flu shots, food baskets, blankets, gloves and information about how to stay well this time of year. “Sometimes simple gestures can help people stay well, and that’s the heart of what we’re all about,” says Coburn. “It’s not just the leadership team—it’s everyone. We’re in it together.”
“This is our family. Our colleagues are our best friends.” – Meridith Coburn, Vice President, Technology Services, Saint Francis Health System
“We had our first COVID-19 positive patient on a Sunday afternoon. By the following Saturday, we had opened the first drive-through testing site in northeastern Oklahoma,” he says. “It worked so well that we also provided drive-through flu shots.”
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FAMILY TIES
The CALL TO SERVICE is a
Family Affair at Saint Francis Health System
When you work closely with people for years, even decades, they can become more than coworkers, colleagues or even friends; they become family. Nowhere is that more true than Saint Francis Health System, where the team of more than 10,500 strong—the largest employee base in Tulsa—is united in a shared mission: “To extend the presence and healing ministry of Christ in all we do.”
That timeless, immutable mantra was first put into place by Saint Francis’ founders, Natalie O. and William K. Warren Sr., and has continued to this day. While the Warrens are the first family of Saint Francis, there are other employees who don’t just share the same mission, but also share a family bond. Proudly, these Saint Francis employees prove that the call to serve in Christ’s name is a family affair, one that lasts through the generations. Here are just a few stories.
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DETOUR LEADS TO THREE GENERATIONS OF SERVICE Saint Francis Health System opened its doors October 1, 1960, but Frank Hamilton had been hard at work in the warehouse since September 3. “There was a lot to do in preparing for the hospital’s big opening day,” says Hamilton. Those first four weeks turned into a career that lasted more than half a century, and came to include three generations of Hamilton’s own family. Nobody would have been more surprised than the patriarch himself. “It was ‘easy come, easy go’ in those days,” says Hamilton, who stopped in Tulsa on his way to California to visit his uncle. Hamilton ended up staying and chose Green Country over the Golden State, and
Frank Hamilton and daughter Bonnie VanOrsdol
“Everyone is connected. Everybody takes care of everybody.” – Bonnie VanOrsdol
went to work at the soon-to-open pink hospital on the hill, Saint Francis. Hamilton proved his skills in the warehouse, and in 1969 was asked personally by Mr. Warren Sr. to manage laundry and linen services, where Hamilton served until his retirement in 2015. Hamilton’s favorite part of his 55-year career was “the people I’ve met and the friendships I’ve made,” most especially his staff. “It’s been great to watch them have families and then see their kids and grandkids grow up.” Among the families Hamilton watched grow up at Saint Francis was his own. Hamilton’s two sons and daughter were all born at the hospital, and all of them launched their own lengthy careers at Saint Francis. “It was so amazing to work with him,” says daughter Bonnie VanOrsdol of her father,
who became a Saint Francis institution. “He always tried to do what was best for the hospital, not just laundry.” VanOrsdol started her own Saint Francis career in financial services on January 15, 1987, claiming her “accounting brain came from my mom” (who also, naturally, worked at Saint Francis). She was not the only one. Eleven members of the Hamilton family have worked at Saint Francis, including children, their spouses, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws and nieces.
employees would build this hospital,” says Hamilton. Three generations and eleven members of his family have proven this statement is true. “I stayed because Saint Francis is an extension of my family,” says VanOrsdol. “I bleed pink.”
Frank Hamilton in 1960
“I grew up at Saint Francis,” says VanOrsdol. “Everyone is connected. Everybody takes care of everybody.”
Eleven members of the Hamilton family have worked at Saint Francis.
The familial culture started with the Warrens and has carried on for six decades and counting thanks to employees like the Hamiltons. “The Warrens knew the
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IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY Isaac Roberson, a chemotherapy technician in the Saint Francis Pharmacy, says it was his wife—and his mom too, for that matter—that encouraged him to apply for a job at Saint Francis. “Ever since my wife, ShiQuela, began working at Saint Francis seven years ago or so, she kept telling me I should too. She loved her position as a phlebotomist at the Warren Clinic — especially her direct work with patients. Now, she is taking on another challenge at Saint Francis and is training to be a nurse in the ER at the main hospital,” Isaac said.
Isaac Roberson, chemotherapy technician, Saint Francis Pharmacy
“I grew up seeing how much my mom loved working at Saint Francis. l always wanted to work at Saint Francis too and I knew if and when I did, it would be the pinnacle of my pharmacy career. That’s why before applying, I felt I needed to build up my experience and skills.” That was over two years ago. Now, working at Saint Francis Hospital and the Saint Francis Cancer Center, Isaac believes he has been living the dream. In addition to that, Isaac was honored this year as one of five employees from across the health system to receive a
prestigious Saint Francis Health System Values Award. He was honored for the value of Dignity. “I was so honored to be recognized in that way,” he said, “In my work as a chemotherapy pharmacy technician, the best part of my day is when I am mixing a patient’s medication and saying a prayer dedicated especially to that person. I believe Saint Francis is a blessed placed to be because people truly do treat each other as they’d like to be treated. I see these actions not only among my coworkers in the pharmacy, but throughout the health system, as well.” And, as for Isaac’s mother, Lucinda Borlay, she has enjoyed a 27-year jump on her son and daughter-in-law as a respiratory therapy supervisor at Saint Francis Hospital. “It makes me so happy to have both my son and daughter-in-law here at Saint Francis. Despite the fact I rarely get to see them since I work the night shift, just knowing they are here is a wonderful feeling,” Lucinda said. “I have always worked in respiratory therapy and from the very beginning, I have considered my coworkers my second family and Saint Francis my second home.”
“Saint Francis is based on such a strong family dynamic. It is a place where people really do treat each o ther like family— whether they are related or not.” – Isaac Roberson
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Pictured with Isaac Roberson are the 2019-2020 Saint Francis Health System Values Awards winners: Cameron Nichols, Lisa Early, Carrie Veldstra and Maria Moore.
LOVE THE ONES YOU’RE WITH
“Once I started working here, my wife and mom said, ‘Finally!’ It really has worked out great because you want your loved ones nearby,” Isaac said. “Saint Francis is based on such a strong family dynamic. It is a place where people really do treat each other like family—whether they are related or not! So, as we celebrate Saint Francis’ 60th anniversary, here’s to my own
family’s anniversary with the health system—which I hope continues for generations to come.” Lucinda adds: “Our family is proud to be part of the Saint Francis family. The high standards that are set here— and the people who work here—are what have always set Saint Francis Health System apart.”
Lucinda Borlay, respiratory therapy supervisor, Saint Francis Hospital Saint Francis Health System
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Bill Lissau and son, Mike Lissau
“Everything we do is focused on d' oing the right thing.' ” –Mike Lissau
A COLD-CALL TURNS INTO A LIFE’S CALLING There are striking parallels between Saint Francis Health System founder William K. Warren, Sr. and the longtime president of the Warren Foundation, William (Bill) Lissau. Both were successful businessmen who sold their firms and set their sights on philanthropy. Both men also found their second careers, and their life’s true calling. “I had just sold my company and the Bishop (Bernard J. Ganter, who served as Bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa from 1973 to 1977) asked me to help with an endowment for Bishop Kelley High School,” says Lissau. His first major assignment? Cold call Mr. Warren, Sr. for a contribution. 78
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Lissau got in touch with Mr. Warren, but in addition to the contribution the conversation turned to the Warren Foundation’s future. “I said ‘you shouldn’t bring in [an outside consultant] for advice’,” says Lissau. “‘You need to teach someone your philosophy.’” That someone turned out to be Lissau. “Mr. Warren asked me to interview with the board,” says Lissau. “I stayed up all night and practiced in the mirror.” Whatever he did clearly worked, as he became president of the William K. Warren Foundation, a position he held from 1981 to 2011. During Lissau’s three-decade tenure, the Foundation contributed more than $400 million to the community. Lissau also became the bearer of the Warren family ethos.
“It was the best time of my life,” says Lissau. “He would talk to me in parables and he taught me every day.” After Mr. Warren, Sr. passed away, Lissau helped bring his grandson, John-Kelly Warren, back to Tulsa from Houston to help oversee the family’s business and philanthropic interests. Today his son Mike Lissau serves as general counsel for Saint Francis Health System. Saint Francis has been a part of Mike’s life since boyhood. “I had a model of the hospital in my train set as a kid,” he says. As an adult, he remained connected to Saint Francis. All four of his children were born at Saint Francis and baptized in the chapel. “This is our place,” he says. When Mike accepted a position at Saint Francis in 2018, the first person he called was his father. “It makes me proud to follow in my dad’s footsteps,” says Mike. “Those are big shoes to fill and I probably never will.”
He has certainly gotten a great start, providing keen legal insight during Saint Francis’ recent drive to recruit physicians in critical areas like cardiology, oncology, trauma, and surgery, as well as the expansion of Warren Clinics to new locations. The principles that built Saint Francis, which Mr. Warren, Sr. taught to Bill Lissau four decades ago, are as strong as ever. “It truly is a family,” says Lissau. “It’s given me a sense of purpose.” The purpose Lissau speaks about is summed up best by his son: “Everything we do is focused on ‘doing the right thing’,” says Mike. This purpose has guided the Saint Francis Health System family—from the 10,000-plus people working today to the thousands more who came before—for 60 years and counting. Because serving others is more than a career; it’s a calling.
“It truly is a family. It’s given me a sense of purpose.” – Bill Lissau
Dr. Dwight Holder, former governor Henry Bellmon, Bill Warren, Jr., Bill Lissau, Mayor Roger Randall and Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, breaking ground for Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital
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OUR CATHOLIC HERITAGE
ROOTED IN FAITH
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December 3, 1960 was the 63rd birthday of William K. Warren, Sr., and the day Cardinal Francis Spellman, Archbishop of New York, dedicated Saint Francis Hospital.
While the presence of Christ has guided humanity through the ages—on that day years ago, Saint Francis Hospital gave it a new home. Decades before “corporate culture” and “brand values” became part of the healthcare industry lexicon, Saint Francis Health System’s mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ was instilled by its founders, Natalie O. and William K. Warren Sr. The Warrens wanted to serve those who needed the most help—people who may struggle for full dignity within our society, but are still equal in God’s eyes. Believing that healthcare is a basic human right, the Warrens founded a Catholic-based health system that not only healed the body, but served the mind and spirit. “The body must be cared for as the vessel of the soul,” said Father Gary Kastl, Rector of Holy Family Cathedral, president of Bishop Kelley High School, and member of Saint Francis’ Board of Directors. “In the Catholic tradition, there’s a non-negotiable service that everyone needs and has a right to proper healthcare. Since its founding, Saint Francis has grown to meet that need.”
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“The body must be cared for as the vessel of the soul.” – Reverend Gary Kastl
Saint Francis is more than a hospital; it is a place where the medical and spiritual stand as one. Where every decision is made for the grace and dignity of the whole person, and every person. Where the Religious Sisters of Mercy live, pray, and help heal alongside many of the region’s leading healthcare providers. Where clergy provide spiritual support, anoint the sick and bestow the Blessed Sacrament.
The Warrens founded a Catholic hospital not only to serve the individual spiritual and medical needs of the sick and suffering, but to serve the community at large. Filling the gap and helping those left behind is critical to Catholic morality. “Societal ills that plague our communities always come to the hospital,” said Bishop David Konderla of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma. “Serving beyond is simply another aspect of the ministry of the health system.”
“Societal ills that plague our communities always come to the hospital. Serving beyond is simply another aspect of the ministry of the health system.” – Bishop David Konderla
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COVID-19 has opened these societal gaps even wider; true to its mission, Saint Francis is working to close them, providing our communities with a stable presence in an uncertain world. “The pandemic has pulled back the veil for all of us to assess what our faith is rooted in,” said Father Kastl. “No longer is it individualized pain, the human family is suffering. And the faith dimension, the need to pray and be lifted up, is even more necessary to get on the other side of this.”
Heavenly Father, For these last sixty years You have used Saint Francis The original chapel of Saint Francis Hospital
Health System to bring the healing love of Your Son Jesus to the sick. Instill in all who work for this healing ministry a deep desire to serve You and their brothers and sisters. Send Your Holy Spirit to guide us in the years ahead so we may give thanks for the many blessings You bestow on us and all those we serve. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bishop David Konderla Diocese of Tulsa
Faith will endure as a cornerstone of the health system. Saint Francis Health System
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CATHOLIC HER ITAGE
INSPIRED BY THE “GREAT PHYSICIAN” “There’s a reason why Christ is called ‘the Great Physician’,” said Bishop David Konderla. “Healing was, and is, part of His ministry.” Christ’s healing works are recounted throughout the four Gospels in the New Testament. In contrast to the magnitude of His life and ministry, the pages of the New Testament are thin and delicate, like butterfly wings, forcing you to slow down and contemplate the words they contain. In John 5:6, Christ asks a man who has been infirm for 38 years: “Do you want to be healed?” Ever the noble physician, He asks permission before providing care. His words are not unlike the Hippocratic Oath to “do no harm” coined by the Greek physician Hippocrates, who died 375 years before Christ was born, whose oath every physician must pledge. At this point in the scripture, the man is well beyond any known medical cure or treatment of the day. Yet by His divine hand Christ grants him the gift of health. Throughout the Gospels we find countless other references to Christ’s healing. The Warrens knew these stories well. More significantly, they understood and embraced the spiritual tradition of healing, for to truly serve others, the whole person must be treated. For where science and technology fall short, God can provide.
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Formal blessings are often held for newly constructed or renovated hospital facilities.
“For people in medicine who do have the gift of faith or are aware of Christ working through them, every day is a kaleidoscope of mystery,” said Father Gary Kastl. “Where is Christ showing up? Where is the healing and transformation happening outside the realm of scientific explanation? Medicine is a profound playground of seeing the body’s soul manifesting what it means to be human.”
Faith is often a bond with the patient. Sister Mary Benedicta Maier, RSM
Sister Mary Patricia Glowski, RSM
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“To be human” includes the tenacity of one’s spirit when facing a health crisis. Regardless of what faith a patient follows, even if they have no faith at all, patients inevitably bring their spirit with them. For some healthcare providers, they want it as part of their treatment plans. Ziad Hawa, M.D., a physician hospitalist at Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, has experienced this firsthand. He not only shares his
faith with his patients, but consoles them on their terms “Almost every day, I have the opportunity to experience Christ with my patients,” said Dr. Hawa. “I’m Middle Eastern but they’ll see the crucifix around my neck and say, ‘I didn’t know you were Catholic.’ We’ll talk, and oftentimes, I will sit at their bedside and pray with them. I see my work as an extension of my faith.” This sacred bond between healthcare provider and patient isn’t just found in the hospital or clinic room; it steers the discussions and decisions made in the health system’s boardroom. “I have been in Catholic healthcare since 1983. Most of that time I was an Episcopalian. It was during my time at Saint Francis that I converted to Catholicism,” said Jake Henry Jr., president and CEO of the health system. “My faith, and the faith of so many at Saint Francis, preserves us.”
As a Catholic-based institution, decisions are made based on a set of standards called the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. “Many other hospitals have similar stated values as we do,” said Sister Mary Nika Schaumber, RSM. “But we also have two that others don’t: dignity and justice. Dignity Respecting each person as an inherently valuable member of the human community and as a unique expression of life. Justice Advocating for systems and structures that are attuned to the needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged and that promote a sense of community among all persons.
“In many ways, our values and the Ethical and Religious Directives give us the opportunities to ask ourselves, is a particular technology or treatment really helpful for the dignity of the person sitting across from us?” said Sister Mary Nika.
“I carry Christ in my heart. It’s part of my identity and mission here,” said Dr.Hawa. “It’s so beautiful to have and see the faith in this environment. It’s what makes Saint Francis different than any other health system.”
The tradition continues. Faith endures as the cornerstone of Saint Francis, and the Catholic tradition of healing is even more important now than 60 years ago when Saint Francis first opened its doors. By staying firmly rooted in timeless Catholic virtues and values, Saint Francis has built the foundation for a state-of-the-art, world-class health system. This is not a coincidence; it is by design.
Sister Brigid Mary Meeks, RSM
“Almost every day, I have the opportunity to experience Christ with my patients.” – Ziad Hawa, M.D.
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CATHOLIC HER ITAGE
A PROFOUND AND LASTING PRESENCE
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It’s 5:00 a.m. The sun has yet to wake and crest the horizon. But the convent is already bustling. The Sisters are moving about their respective morning routines with brisk determination. After all, morning prayer begins sharply at 6:00 a.m.
on staff. It would be one of the most impactful ways to fully live the health system’s mission: To extend the presence and healing ministry of Christ in all we do.
“Our two apostolates are education and healthcare but our main work is prayer,” said Sister Mary Nika Schaumber, the local Superior of the House.
“My father always believed that the Sisters and religious here were the lifeblood of the hospital,” said William K. Warren, Jr. “Without them and the presence of the Catholic faith, he’d probably just shut the doors and move on to something else.”
From the very beginning of planning and executing his bold vision, William K. Warren Sr. was adamant about including a religious order as an active presence in the hospital. To him, it was as essential a need as having medical professionals
While the Religious Sisters of Mercy are the current occupants of the convent, which is located within Saint Francis Hospital and shares a wall with the Trauma Emergency Center, there have been two orders before them. Adorers of the Precious Blood
followed by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. In the early years, the Adorers of the Precious Blood played a role in the actual administration of hospital operations. However, as the hospital grew, so did its need to establish a new system in operational standards. “We more than doubled in size within the first few years. The Adorers of the Precious Blood eventually stepped down, so we made a trip to Houston to recruit the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word,” said Warren. “Thankfully, they agreed.” With them, came an influential force who would help fundamentally shape the future of the health system, Sister Mary Blandine Fleming. It was in 1969 when Sister Mary Blandine and her counterpart, Lloyd Verret, were installed as administrators of the
hospital. Together, they proved to be a dynamic team. Their talents and personalities were complimentary. They each leveraged their considerable gifts, creating strategic processes as well as an overall sense of calm that would better serve the staff and patients alike. Yet, one wore a habit and the other wore a suit, which in some ethereal way, demonstrated who was in charge. According to Dr. Jerry Gustafson, Sister Blandine was “the boss.” Like Verret, a seasoned healthcare administrator, Sister Blandine was well-versed in hospital work. She held a Master’s degree in hospital administration from Xavier University and had trained as medical records librarian for a decade. Prior to Saint Francis, she worked at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital in Beaumont, Texas. She was just 35 years old when she took the helm.
Sisters from the Adorers of the Precious Blood at the groundbreaking for Saint Francis Hospital
Sister Mary Blandine Fleming, Lloyd Verret, Robert Parker and Dr. C.T. Thompson
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“Sister Blandine was well-beloved and had a real impact on the health system. Just a tremendous influence who held very narrow standards,” said Sister Mary Nika. “She and Lloyd Verret had a wonderful relationship.”
Sister Mary Nika Schaumber, RSM
In early 2000, yet another recruiting trip was made by the Warrens. This time, at the behest of Father Denis Casey, to Alma, Michigan. Home of the Religious Sisters of Mercy. “They came to ask our Superior General if we could come to Saint Francis,” said Sister Mary Nika. “We’ve been here ever since.” Today, there are seven Sisters who live and serve throughout the health system. Of those seven, three are physicians, two serve in pastoral care and the other two, including Sister Mary Nika, oversee the department of religion, which is over pastoral care and ethics. Its focus is to promote the Mission, Vision and Values of the health system.
“With the convent right there, we’re always on call,” Sister Mary Nika said. “It does bring calm and a sense of peace to the staff knowing that the Sisters are here.” It’s a notable presence that also extends to the patients as well. For Sister Grace Miriam Usala, R.S.M., M.D., she sees it in those she treats each and every day in her practice as an internal medicine physician at Warren Clinic Muskogee. “As a doctor and a Religious Sister, I believe people are more likely to confide in me than they might with others,” said Sister Usala. “Maybe it has something to do with the habit that makes people feel more welcome to do so. There’s just an openness towards us.” Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, R.S.M, M.D., who also serves as a physician with Warren Clinic Muskogee echoes that sentiment. “It’s not just about physical healing, but we also are with patients as they address deeper questions such as the meaning of
“It’s not just about physical healing, but we also are with patients as they address deeper questions such as the meaning of suffering and of simply being human. It is a privilege to be with patients on this spiritual level. – Sister Gianna Marie Savidge, R.S.M, M.D., left, pictured with Sister Grace Miriam Usala, R.S.M., M.D.
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Sister Mary Rachel Nerbun, RSM, M.D., medical director of Xavier Clinic
suffering and of simply being human. It is a privilege to be with patients on this spiritual level.” While it has always been a focus of Saint Francis Health System, the Catholic tradition they represent isn’t always found in other medical facilities. Yet it remains as something special that elevates the care of the whole person.
“We don’t shy away from our Catholic identity, or conform to the pressures of secular culture,” Sister Usala continued. “From what I’ve observed, I believe patients appreciate Saint Francis’ Catholic values.”
pray for the particular intentions of the health system. They then have dinner and share stories and reflections of a busy day serving others. Then as their day comes to an end, just as it began… they pray.
As the sun begins to set, the Sisters make their way back to the convent. They gather for Holy Hour where they
Sister Mary Sarah Macht, RSM, APRN, serving at Night Light Tulsa Saint Francis Health System
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CATHOLIC HER ITAGE
I SING FOR
HIM.
The chapel at Saint Francis Hospital is not subtle. It’s cavernous and bright. But even as one stands in the middle of the beautiful expanse, there’s an overwhelming sense of warmth and intimacy. In many ways, it’s a reflection of God’s infinite love for us all. Deliberate in its grand design. This is where Cindy Guzman found her voice again.
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On most days, you can find Cindy pushing her housekeeping cart through the lobby and hallways of the hospital, cleaning and sanitizing with intention. It’s a role as important as any, maybe even more so these days. When Cindy was a young woman, she called to God, asking for the gift to sing. She wanted nothing more than to praise him through song, singing only to Him, for Him. “It was an amazing moment,” said Guzman. “When I asked for the gift, I felt this hand on my throat and I knew that He had answered my prayer.”
From that day on, she sang. For Him. It was how she prayed and connected with God. It brought a measure of calm and purpose to her life as she navigated the daily obligations we all endure. Raising a family. Working to make ends meet. Being a loving wife. Then tragedy struck. In an unfortunate turn of events, her husband unexpectedly passed away. That moment not only took her husband, it took her voice, too. While her love for God remained, the singing stopped.
Amazing Grace
“I just couldn’t do it anymore,” Guzman said. She fell silent—for six years.
While she continues to sing just for God, it has proven to have a tremendous impact on the hospital staff and even the patients.
Then one day the phone rang. It was a friend who had a job opportunity in Environmental Services at Saint Francis Health System. To say it was a last-minute call would be an understatement. Interviews were taking place in 15 minutes. She immediately turned her car around.
“I started off just singing before my shift, but once we were in the pandemic, one of our executives, Eric Schick, heard me sing and then asked me to sing at the end of my shift, too,” Guzman continued. “He said, we need to do everything we can to usher in the Spirit, including my singing.”
“I felt like if it was meant to be, God would get me to that interview,” Guzman recalled. “Of course, it was raining and my daughter and I got stranded in a flood. But like Moses, I asked for Him to clear the water. Needless to say, I made it to the interview.”
Without doubt, it does just that. Standing in the presence of her singing, you stand in the presence of the Holy Spirit. And it moves, without obstruction, through the entirety of the hospital, touching everyone’s soul whether they know it or not.
That was four years ago. Today, the chapel’s normal, quiet solitude is filled with song. Amazing Grace. It’s Cindy’s pre-and post-shift ritual. Standing in front of the altar in full reverence, her delivery is big and bold, coming from the deepest reaches of her heart. Every inch of the chapel reverberating with love. It has the power to move all that hear to tears.
“Everybody deserves to have His love,” Guzman concluded. So, she sings. For Him.
Amazing grace How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost But now I'm found Was blind, but now I see 'Twas grace that taught My heart to fear And grace my Fears relieved How precious did That grace appear The hour I first believed Through many dangers Toils and snares We have already come 'Twas grace hath brought Us safe thus far And grace will lead us home When we've been there Ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun We'll have no less days to sing God's praise Than when we first begun Amazing grace How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost But now I'm found Was blind, but now I see
“I came in one day to pray and wondered with the echo, what would my voice sound like,” said Guzman. “So, I started singing again. At first, I was a little nervous because it had been years since I sang but over time, my voice came back. And now, I sing before and after every shift, right here in the chapel.”
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Saint Francis Xavier:
Honoring Our Namesake “So, it’s not Saint Francis of Assisi?” It’s an honest mistake. A common assumption among most people, even clergy. While Saint Francis of Assisi is certainly a notable saint for all of his own good deeds, the fact is, the hospital and health system were named after Saint Francis Xavier, the “Apostle of the Indies” and the patron saint of foreign missionaries.
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Born Francisco de Jaso y Azpilicueta in Xavier Castle near Pamplona, Spain, on April 6, 1506, he was a Basque of Navarre, a region along the southern slope of the Pyrenees. His education, more to the point, his mission, began at the University of Paris under the tutelage of Ignatius Loyola. Saint Ignatius of Loyola himself, was a Spanish priest and theologian who founded the Jesuit order in 1534, which, by many accounts, helped lead the charge in modernizing the Catholic Church. Xavier was among the seven original Jesuits who, on August 15, 1534 at Montmartre, took vows of poverty and chastity. According to historical account, he was to “…enter upon hospital and missionary work in Jerusalem, or to go without questioning wherever the Pope might direct.” (Rose, Stewart, St. Ignatius Loyola and the Early Jesuits, Catholic Publication Society, Co., 1891). He eventually was ordained in Venice in 1537 and began his missionary work under the flag of King John III of Portugal in Goa, a Portuguese colony on the western coast of India. During his time there, he cared for the ill in the Royal hospital and preached in the streets for the conversion and salvation of non-Christian souls. It was in 1545, that he began his adventures on the sea, sailing to Cochin, the Malabar coast, Tamil Nadu, and as far as Malacca and Japan. These journeys would be the backdrop
to the many miracles he performed, including turning casks of sea water into fresh water for sailors and bringing a boy back to life after falling overboard. When it comes to understanding why Saint Francis Xavier was selected to be the namesake of the health system, some will point to the obvious connection that William K. Warren, Sr. was born on Saint Francis Xavier’s feast day, December 3. That, and the fact that Saint Francis Xavier had an affinity and devotion for hospital work. However, Bishop David Konderla of the Diocese of Tulsa and eastern Oklahoma has his own thoughts on why Saint Francis Xavier was chosen. “The stained-glass windows in the chapel depict Saint Francis Xavier as a calming presence in the midst of stormy seas,” Bishop Konderla said. “Life is like that, particularly, if we’re faced with a frightening health outcome. But if we know who holds our life, then even when it becomes a stormy sea, we can be calm because we know it’s God’s will.” Saint Francis Xavier passed on December 3, 1552 while on Shangchuan Island. He died praying between bouts of fever induced delirium at age 46. He was later canonized in 1622 by Gregory XV. Saint Francis Xavier remains an enduring figure in the Catholic tradition and the spiritual inspiration of our health system’s ongoing legacy of calmly caring for one’s body and soul.
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Making Saint Francis Stronger with Their Presence Celebrating Saint Francis Health System Nurses Since our founding and throughout our growth and expansion, Saint Francis Health System nurses have been foundational to the success of the health system. We often say our nurses are the crucial link between doctors and patients, but they are so much more than that. They are the compassionate caregivers that respond at all hours of the night and day. They comfort. They listen. They pray. They make our health system stronger with their presence. We celebrate their contributions over the past 60 years, their strength in the present and what they'll bring to our future.
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6161 South Yale Avenue • Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136
a publication of Saint Francis Health System
MISSION
To extend the presence and healing ministry of Christ in all we do
VISION
Inspired to create a sustainable and just healthcare system, Saint Francis will be the technology-enabled health ministry that delivers integrated, market-leading, highquality, affordable care through engaged caregivers to the people of eastern Oklahoma.
VALUES EXCELLENCE Promoting high standards of service and performance DIGNITY Respecting each person as an inherently valuable member of the human community and as a unique expression of life JUSTICE Advocating for systems and structures that are attuned to the needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged and that promote a sense of community among all persons INTEGRITY Encouraging honesty, consistency and predictability in all relationships STEWARDSHIP Ensuring prudent use of talents and resources in a collaborative manner
SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL | THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS | WARREN CLINIC | HEART HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS | SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL SOUTH | LAUREATE PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC AND HOSPITAL SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL MUSKOGEE | SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL VINITA | SAINT FRANCIS BROKEN ARROW | SAINT FRANCIS CANCER CENTER | SAINT FRANCIS HOME CARE COMPANIES | SAINT FRANCIS GLENPOOL
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