Presence A publication of Saint Francis Health SummerSystem2022 REMEMBRANCE AND THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT
Finny Mathew
Meridith Coburn Chief Information Officer, Saint Francis Health System
Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny Vice President, Mission and Ministry, Saint Francis Health System
President, OSU Medical Center
Collin Henry, J.D. President, Warren Clinic Michele Keeling President, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee
Cindy Leathers Chief Nursing Officer, Saint Francis Health System
Jamie Payne Chief Human Resources Officer, Saint Francis Health System
Judy Kishner, Vice-Chair Cliff Robertson, M.D. Michael Case Michael Cooke, J.D. Tom ReverendCooperGary Kastl William R. Lissau Charles McEntee, M.D. Laura Stuemky, M.D. Saint Francis Health System
Mike Lissau, J.D. Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Saint Francis Health System
Todd Schuster President, Saint Francis Hospital South and Saint Francis Hospital Vinita Reetu Singh, M.D. Chief Medical Officer, Saint Francis Health System
Lauren Landwerlin Vice President, Strategy, Marketing and SaintCommunications,FrancisHealthSystem
Board of Directors
Cliff Robertson, M.D. President and Chief Executive Officer, Saint Francis Health System
CONTENTS 8624 22 263024101220Amanda StephanieGlennHusen, D.O. William Love In Remembrance June 1, 2022 Preston Phillips, M.D. Presence in Pictures Grief and Healing Talking to Kids about Trauma Extending the Healing Presence, One Paw at a Time 2021 CampBenefitCommunityReportSTRONG
Saint Francis Health System
John-Kelly C. Warren, Chairman
Barry Steichen Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Saint Francis Health System
President, Saint Francis Hospital
Jim Medendorp Chief Strategy Officer, Saint Francis Health System
Executive Leadership Team
Deborah Dage Chief Financial Officer, Saint Francis Health System
Doug Williams
A LETTER FROM President and Chief Executive Officer
1
“When an Oklahoman is hurt, Saint Francis is there to help them. When Saint Francis is hurt, Oklahoma is here to support them,” was a comment someone left on one of our Facebook posts. We definitely felt the support, and we are grateful.
Cliff Robertson, M.D.
Thank you.
Cliff Robertson, M.D. President and Chief Executive Officer Saint Francis Health System
This issue of Presence is unlike any other. Not only does it include our annual report to the community about the stories and scope of our charitable activities, but also it includes tributes to the four souls who were taken from us on June 1, 2022, and starts to tell the story of our recovery. While we experienced the darkest day in Saint Francis’ history, we have also experienced a coming together that has and will continue to strengthen our bond as a Saint Francis family.
If I had a transcript of the words that have come out of my mouth over the past several weeks, I hope that ‘thank you’ would be the phrase most frequently recorded. We do a lot at Saint Francis to ensure our employees are recognized and feel the genuine appreciation and gratitude we have for their being part of this ministry. The scope of our gratitude and appreciation also extends to our region and to everyone who supported us during our pain, grief and healing— everyone who wore their pink, shared their prayers, thoughts, cards and love with us became part of our extended family. For a moment in time, we were all Team Pink.
Saint Francis Health System presence
Amanda Glenn Stephanie Husen, D.O. William Love Preston Phillips, M.D.
2 saintfrancis.com
Please
On June 1, 2022, the Saint Francis community lost four people to an unspeakable tragedy. We are grieving their loss and honor their memory. keep their families in your prayers.
IN REMEMBRANCE
Eternal rest grant unto them dear Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of Amanda Glenn, Dr. Stephanie Husen, William Love and Dr. Preston Phillips, and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
A prayer said during a moment of silence on June 8, 2022, throughout Saint Francis Health System marking one week since the tragedy.
4:52 p.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Lord, behold our wounds, our fatigue, our fear, our loss. We commend to Your loving care the souls of our Saint Francis family members: Amanda Glenn, Dr. Stephanie Husen, William Love and Dr. Preston Phillips. We commend to your loving care the staff and patients who are particularly afflicted by the evil that assaulted us on June 1. We commend to Your loving care all our staff, administration and every patient past, present and future. Just as You have instructed us to do, Lord, we now ask You to do for us: heal us who are sick of heart; bind our wounds, comfort us in our affliction and so enable us to encourage those who are in any affliction with the same comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by You.
Lord, Holy Father, You have so loved the world that You sent us Your Only Begotten Son who walked as a Man among men and who commissioned His followers to heal the sick, bind their wounds and comfort the afflicted.
In His Name, Saint Francis Health System has aspired, in all that we do, to extend the healing presence and ministry of Christ. We come to You today as wounded healers contemplating the wounds of Christ our Healer, and we say with Him and the prophet David: “they have pierced my hands and my feet, they have numbered all my bones,” and “my heart melts like wax within me.”
We ask for the special intercession of our patron, Saint Francis Xavier, and all the holy angels and saints as we renew the prayer of Mr. William K. Warren and Natalie O. Warren, joining our words with theirs in saying: “our continuing prayer shall be that all those [who work here,] who seek admittance here, will find life.”
A PRAYER
“Amanda was my go-to,” Trine said. “She was my rock star. If any nurse, doctor or backoffice worker had a question about Epic or authorizations, I went straight to Amanda.”
Once Amanda got everything prepped for the injection, Jones braced for her next “Iembarrassment.wasnotexpecting this procedure that day so she asked me to get on the table and lay on my side, but I was horrified because my feet were lacking a great pedicure,” Jones said. “I told them both, ‘Don’t look at my feet!’ And we all just laughed. She was warm-hearted, kind, considerate, professional and thoughtful. Her passing is a tremendous loss but her legacy will live on forever.”
“She was special to everybody,” Trine said. “She didn’t have any enemies. I will miss her forever.”
Trish Jones, who works in the information services department, was a patient of Dr. Ebert and “MyAmanda.mostrecent visit back was for a hip issue and we joked about those super great and flattering paper shorts that they have you wear,” Jones said.
4 saintfrancis.com
Amanda also mentored younger staff members, helping them with patient care and with life, even sharing the occasional roast recipe.
Amanda Glenn was an orthopedic medical assistant who is remembered as being a devoted wife and mother and a compassionate Shecaregiver.graduated from Charles Page High School in 2000 and was married to her husband, Beau, for 19 years. She also had two sons, Gabe, 18, who just graduated from Charles Page, and Ian, 16, who is currently a high school student there. She was especially involved in her sons’ Sandite baseball and football teams and never missed a Janisegame.Pitts, a social worker for Saint Francis Hospice, met Amanda through the football booster club. Her son just finished ninth grade, so he was a newcomer to the team, and so was Janise as a new supporter and volunteer.
Trine also recalls that everyone in the office depended on Trine for answers about technical issues, such as records and software.
“Her voice would go to a different octave when she talked to patients,” said Rana Trine, Amanda’s supervisor in Warren Clinic Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. “She was so sweet to patients and talked with them from her heart. She had a way of making her patients feel comfortable, that everything would be OK.”
She was known for holding patients’ hands during injections and gently guiding them down the hallway as she patted their shoulder.
“The Sandites are small enough to be family,” Pitts said. “Amanda encouraged the newer parents to sign up and get involved. She was always smiling and happy, and she made sure that everyone had a role in supporting the team. She let us newbies know that we could do this.”
AMANDA GLENN
At home, Amanda was the one who would wash dishes and clean up after family events so that everyone else could have fun. At work, she was a compassionate medical assistant for orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Ebert.
Becky Blair, a baseball mom, recalled that Amanda was the person in charge of ordering concessions and the ingredients so that the volunteers could make sandwiches for the “Sheplayers.hadawillingness to put everyone before herself,” Blair said. “The spotlight was never on her. She was very quiet, but her presence was always felt at every game.”
“Amanda was my medical assistant when I had surgery,” said Elaine Thornburg, a patient representative in the Saint Francis Neurophysiology Lab. “She was very professional and made me feel comfortable. Any time that I had a question about my shoulder surgery, she was very kind and efficient. You just knew by the way she carried herself that she liked her job.”
She also was involved with Muddy Paws Pets Helping People, a Tulsa nonprofit organization that provides training for women with criminal backgrounds and prepares them for careers in the pet care industry.
That was also where she took her two dogs, Sooner, a Westie, and Boomer, a Scottie, for grooming. It was only the best for Boomer and Sooner, who had regular recurring appointments and always got the spa package, which included a facial, conditioning treatment, teeth brushing and a treat.
When she wasn’t at work, Dr. Husen loved supporting the OU Sooners and attended football games.
Another Warren Clinic employee experienced that same level of compassion.
“Dr. Husen took care of a miserable shoulder problem for me a few years ago,” said Becky Day, who works at Warren Clinic Owasso. “She was so sweet and compassionate and, thankfully, completely solved my problem. Her expertise and kindness will be greatly missed.”
6 saintfrancis.com
Dr. Stephanie Husen worked at Saint Francis for seven years as a sports medicine specialist. She graduated from Ponca City High School in 1992 and received a degree in physical therapy from the University of Oklahoma, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority. After an automobile accident, she decided to attend medical school. Dr. Husen earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Oklahoma State University College of Medicine in 2004. She completed a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at Greenville Memorial Hospital in South Carolina and a fellowship in sports medicine at Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas. She previously worked at Integris Medical Center, Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Center and Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City before moving to Tulsa. Her patients describe her as caring and attentive.
“Her dogs were her children, and they were mine, too,” said salon manager Kristen Suarez.
Suarez graduated from the program in 2016, when she was released from the Turley Women’s Correctional Center and now works full-time at Muddy Paws.
“When we are starting our lives over, we’re a little bit lost,” Suarez said. “And the dogs… well, this little creature is depending on us. I just adored Stephanie because she cared for her dogs and for the women in our program.”
Kim Hill, who works as a secretary in the Mother-Baby unit at Saint Francis Hospital, knew Dr. Husen because she went to appointments with her daughter, who has had scoliosis since childhood.
“When she came in the room, she was so kind and attentive as if we had been to her before,” Hill said. “She listened to my daughter with no judgement. She was so professional and put my daughter at ease. She ordered tests for her and always kept in contact. My daughter said since she has been dealing with her scoliosis since she was 12, Dr. Husen was the kindest doctor she had met. I was so grateful for what Dr. Husen had done for my daughter. She was definitely doing what she was called to do and has been a blessing to so many people.”
Suarez said that Dr. Husen was one of the organization’s biggest cheerleaders. For Christmas, Dr. Husen gave every employee and student in the Muddy Paws program a Starbucks gift card.
STEPHANIE HUSEN, D.O.
“Dr. Husen was my doctor about two years ago, and she was the nicest, sweetest person you’d ever want to meet. She had a very sweet and humble spirit. She helped me with the pain I was having and was very good with my treatment. She had me back to normal really quick and I loved her personality. I could tell she really had a passion for her work.”
“There are no appropriate words to express my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Husen. She took care of my daughter for her broken leg in a crucial time of a competition season. She was thorough and honest, but so very kind and sweet. We valued her dearly for taking such good care of my daughter. She is missed greatly and our prayers are with everyone.”Brandi Henson, LPN, Warren Clinic General Surgery
Ewing, Saint Francis Hospital South
Tricia Wells-Burkhalter, Pre-Arrival Department, Saint Francis Hospital
Saint Francis Health System presence
“I remember accompanying one of my Sisters to the orthopedic urgent care for evaluation after a fall. It was toward the end of their clinic hours, but Dr. Husen fit her in. Being very thorough, my Sister proceeded to recount in detail her orthopedic history. I found myself becoming impatient and worried that we were taking too much of Dr. Husen’s time, but Dr. Husen was so patient. She listened carefully to my Sister’s report and explained a plan of care to her clearly. I remember her as a model of patience that day. At Dr. Husen’s funeral, her family joked about ‘Stephanie time’ and how she seemed always to be running late. But if my experience of Dr. Husen is any indication, I imagine her lateness had something to do with her patience and generosity in service.”
7
“My daughter was a previous patient of Dr. Husen’s. Dr. Husen was so kind and helpful. We appreciate her time, her knowledge and her compassion. Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones, friends and co-workers of those lost.”Jennifer
Sister Marie Josepha Kluczny, Vice President of Mission and Ministry
William Love of Mannford, the only non-employee killed on June 1, is being remembered as a hero because he held a door closed to give others a chance to Heescape.was in the Natalie Building to be with his wife for her orthopedic appointment.
8 saintfrancis.com
“My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Love’s family and friends. He will always be remembered for honoring his wife in his last act of life. May God Bless them.”Brandi Henson, LPN, Warren Clinic General Surgery
His hobbies included restoring old cars, playing dominoes, dancing and playing with his grandchildren. He grew up on a farm and never lost his love of hard work. In recent years, Mr. Love and his wife bought an RV and had started traveling in their retirement.
After 27 years of service in the Army, he retired with the rank of First Sergeant. He was buried with full military honors. He was known for wearing patriotic shirts or a baseball cap emblazoned with “Army Veteran.”
According to the Tulsa Police Department, Mr. Love heard the gunshots and knew his wife would not be able to escape the building on her own. He sacrificed his life for her. He married his wife, Deborah, in 1967, and the following year, he enlisted in the Army. During his career, he served one tour in Vietnam, as well as tours in Korea and Germany.
WILLIAM LOVE
“My heart absolutely breaks for everyone involved in the tragedy. I pray that God gives you all lots of strength to get through these hard times. May the good Lord bless all of you and your families and continue to watch over you.”
9Saint Francis Health System presence
Lu Piszek, Patient Information Representative, Breast Health Services, Saint Francis Hospital
Even after his retirement from the military and being a military hero, he kept right on protecting the ones he loved, and you can’t be a bigger hero than that. I am grieving with you, and I pray that you will be comforted while you carry on as best as you can. What a wonderful person he was with such a wonderful reputation and such a radiant smile! He will not be forgotten. I will continue to pray for all of you. I hope that in time you all will go on and get to do the fun things that he would have enjoyed doing and to have happiness again someday. I think he would want that for each of you. There are no words to make it better, but just know that there are so many of us thinking of him and caring about what you are going through. I pray that God will comfort each of you and give you peace.”
Misty Basey, BSN, RN, Warren Clinic
“Sgt. Love, I would like to thank you for your act of courage under fire. I take pride in the fact I’m a military brat. My dad served 28 years in the Army, and I’m very proud of his service. Your act of bravery shows the true character of someone serving his country in the Army for 27 years. You still served your country when you tried to help those in need. Thank you, First Sgt. Love, for your bravery and willingness to protect others.”
“To the Family of William Love, I am so heartbroken for the pain you must be feeling as you grieve for your husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. My thoughts are with all of you that were blessed to be a part of his life. He was truly a hero, and I can’t make any sense of this horrible tragedy that has taken him from you early, but I pray that God will give you strength to keep on living through this grief.
Kyle Terry, MBA, Director, Saint Francis Hospice
At his memorial services his youngest daughter, Elise, recalled that as a child, when she would hear her dad coming home at night, she would squeal, “Daddy!” and without warning, she’d leap off the top of the stairs to surprise him.
“I hear him saying, ‘The best is yet to come. Goodness and mercy follows those who care for others,’” Adesokan said.
“He gave out hope like it was candy,” Moore said. “He trained to be a physician, but we, and all the world I think, came to see him as a person called by God to be a healer. He didn’t just fix broken bones; he helped people with broken spirits. I admired him because he was concerned for the downtrodden, the less fortunate, the poor. He loved and served people. He is leaving all of us an incredible Atlegacy.”work, Dr. Phillips is remembered as praying with his patients and spending time with every single one to ensure that they all understood their upcoming surgery. Because of his thoroughness, his medical assistant, Carlene Gaddy, joked that he was almost always running late.
PRESTON PHILLIPS, M.D.
“He was a gentle giant who doubled as a father and mentor to many of his colleagues and people in the community,” said Amos Adesokan, vice chair of the Light in the World board. He said that he is sure Dr. Phillips would want his surgical mission work to continue. Dr. Folly and Dr. Phillips were scheduled to travel in late June for Dr. Phillips’ fifth mission trip to Togo. They had 25 people scheduled for surgeries in their five-day stay.
“He caught me every time,” she said.
10 saintfrancis.com
Dr. Preston Phillips is remembered as a devoted husband of 34 years, a humble servant, dedicated surgeon, faithful missionary and a gentleman. With a distinguished 17-year career at Saint Francis and Warren Clinic, he held several leadership positions, including as a member of the Saint Francis Health System Board of WithDirectors.hisfriend and colleague Dr. Komi Folly, he co-founded the Light in the World Development Foundation. Together, they traveled to the West African country of Togo to perform surgeries and provide medical care to those in need. Together, the two doctors delivered supplies and equipment, including Dr. Phillips’ favorite surgical bed from the Saint Francis operating room, and it is still in use today in Togo.
“He called me son, and I called him father,” Dr. Folly said. “He had many more years of life saving ahead of him. I pray for the strength to carry on the legacy of hope, healing and Dr.compassion.”Phillipsearned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in organic chemistry, pharmacology and theology from Emory University. He graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed two fellowships at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston in 1986 and While1996.heworked long hours at the hospital, his three adult children said that he always made time for them playing board games, sports or video games, and he was always very competitive. His son, Jarrett, said that his father always had a piece of advice in the form of a question, “What would a gentleman do?”
He also made time for the community, serving on the board of the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation and the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity/Epsilon Iota Boule. His friend and fraternity brother Calvin Moore recalled that his passion was for students who had applied for the fraternity’s scholarship. He would hand-deliver applications to high school guidance counselors, and when applications came in, Dr. Phillips would advocate for students whose academics may not have been stellar but who excelled in other areas.
“God taught—and continues to teach—me through Dr. Phillips how to treat people with more dignity,” Sister Marie Josepha said, “to treat them as Christ himself.”
“Dr. Phillips was one of the kindest and most approachable doctors I’ve ever met. My first week on the job seven years ago, he and I shared an elevator together. Most people would not speak to a stranger much less introduce themselves in an elevator, but he did just that. He asked me where I worked and what I did and welcomed me to the Saint Francis family. He never forgot my face or my name and made a point to greet me any time he saw me. On occasion when he had time, he would ask me a random question just to get my viewpoint.”
“I will miss your kind smile and gentle spirit walking these halls between the operating room and our buildings. Thank you for making sure my OR staff made it safely into the hospital each morning. The walk will be bittersweet remembering your kindness and protective manner. I loved seeing you on the tennis courts all over town and so glad my husband got to meet you. You were such a bright light in this world, and I’m grateful to have known you for just a moment in time. I will never forget you and your low, rumble laugh that brought a smile to everyone. May we all pray for God’s Grace and learn to walk with Him through this tragic loss. May God hold your family in this unthinkable tragedy and know that we are all sending love and prayers across the miles.”
Jennifer Hartfelder, RN, BSN, Nursing Supervisor, Saint Francis Hospital
“He was joyful,” Adesokan said. “He laughed from his heart.” His friendliness extended to the hospital Sisterhallways.Marie
Josepha Kluczny, Vice President of Mission and Ministry, recalls that when she was in a hurry, and she would often see Dr. Phillips, she knew that he would want to visit.
Everyone who knew Dr. Phillips comments on his sense of humor and loud laugh—just like Santa.
“Years ago, I worked as an inpatient bedside nurse with Saint Francis and was privileged to care for some of the same patients as Dr. Phillips and see firsthand the extraordinary, compassionate and thorough care he provided to each one of his patients I saw him care for. I also recall how his smile in the hospital hallways was contagious. One couldn’t help but also smile and their mood be lifted. I recall how his presence radiated genuine care and kindness not only for his patients, but also the staff he interacted with within the hospital. He was also my orthopedic surgeon for the past several years and provided excellent care to me in surgical care and in routine office visits. My sister, who is an ER physician, accompanied me on the day he performed my surgery. He was very thorough in explanation and what to expect and asked if he could pray with us before my surgery. After he left the pre-op area, my sister said, ‘Your surgeon has such a presence about him. I feel so good to know you are in such great hands.’ Dr. Phillips just had a way of impacting those he came in contact with for the better.”
Marcie Raglin, RN, Care Guidance Nurse, Warren Clinic
Kanitta Schula, Credentialing Coordinator, Saint Francis Hospital
“He never seemed in a rush,” Sister Marie Josepha said. “He always took time to stop and speak with you and to give you his full attention.”
11Saint Francis Health System presence
She also recalled that she kept quarters on her desk because Dr. Phillips was known for joking that he’d charge 50 cents for each of the papers she needed him to sign.
Several times as she was rushing through the halls of the hospital, Sister Marie Josepha would tell herself that she needed to be more like Dr. Phillips.
Lit in
presence in pictures
For 62 years, the color pink has been the identity of Saint Francis Hospital. It represents strength, family, faith and our commitment to the community. On June 3, we turned the lights from white to pink in honor of those lost in a senseless act of violence on June 1. Now, pink also represents our love and prayers for those we have lost, their grieving loved ones and our own Saint Francis family. We are so thankful to the community for supporting us as we grieve.
Pink
theRememberingFallen On Friday, June 3, two vigils were held in the community. trying to come to grips with what had happened, hundreds of people, including Saint Francis employees, gathered at LaFortune Park and John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park to remember those we lost, support their families and pray for the Saint Francis Health System community.
presence in pictures
While
Words of Comfort In the days and weeks that followed June 1, the health system received numerous letters, emails and messages of support and condolences. Someone shared these words in a comment on one of our social media posts: “When an Oklahoman is hurt, Saint Francis is there to help them. When Saint Francis is hurt, Oklahoma is here to support them.” The support came from our communities, from across our state and country. We are sincerely grateful. Thank you. presence in pictures
A STATE WEARS PINK FOR SAINT FRANCIS Hillcrest Claremore Hillcrest Health System Leaders Norman Regional HealthFOXSystem23 Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital Hillcrest SouthHillcrest AscensionCushingSt.John Broken Arrow Ascension St. John Ascension St. JohnKellerSapulpaWilliams Preferred Tulsa Premiere Home Team FC Tulsa Oklahoma Heart Institute Ascension St. John Owasso Hillcrest Pryor
Apex Title & Closing Tulsa Police Department Villas at Bailey Ranch LuxuryIntegrisApartmentsONEOKHealth Bailey Medical Center Tulsa Fitness SystemsCentral State Community Services Tulsa Bone and Joint Quality Heating, Cooling and Plumbing Tulsa Fitness SystemsDay Center for the Homeless Tulsa County Employees Tulsa Tough Divas Life Senior Services Gala
Two doctors at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) have some advice.
“It is possible for individuals and a community to experience the consequences of a traumatic event for years to come,” said Dr. Robin Aupperle, a clinical psychologist and principal investigator at LIBR. This is especially true because news of other shootings near or far can continue to cause people to feel unsafe. The week of the Saint Francis tragedy, there were also mass shootings in Taft, Oklahoma; Uvalde, Texas; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“If someone is considering if they need help, they should reach out.
20 saintfrancis.com
First, they stress that each person goes through the process of grief and trauma differently and at different rates. Those who were closest to a traumatic event most likely will experience the strongest reactions, such as anxiety, depression, feelings of uncertainty, anger or numbness, but even those far removed—employees who were not at work that day or community members who simply drive past the hospital—can also have an emotional response.
Dr. Robin Aupperle, clinical psychologist and principal investigator at LIBR
After tragedies like what happened at Saint Francis on June 1, everyone wants to know what to do to heal and how long the healing will take.
Grief and Healing
“Everyone doesn’t have the same progress of recovery,” said Dr. Sahib Khalsa, a psychiatrist and director of clinical operations at LIBR. “It can come in waves. It can be an intrusive thought or a new detail that comes to light, and all of a sudden, they’re right back to experiencing the Thereevent.”areseveral healthy coping strategies, including getting enough rest, keeping a normal schedule of activities, eating a wellbalanced diet and exercising. And there are unhealthy strategies to avoid, such as staying awake all night, monitoring media reports constantly and engaging in risky behaviors that could harm oneself or others.
It’s never a wrong response to seek out help.”
Now more than a month out from what happened, people can expect to be recovering, but also can anticipate some hard times to come.
21Saint Francis Health System presence
“It’s the effort and intention that also counts,” Dr. Khalsa said. “Nobody’s perfect.”
“Resilience is the notion of looking to the future,” Dr. Khalsa said, “and celebrating one’s own strengths and the community’s strengths, then embracing the opportunity to heal.”
needs. WHAT TO DO • Maintain your regular schedule • Take a walk • Maintain your normal sleep schedule • Engage in activities you enjoy • Connect with family and friends • Engage in spiritual or contemplative activities • Enjoy nature • Unplug from media and screens WHAT NOT TO DO • Don’t increase use of alcohol or drugs • Don’t consume too much media • Watch out for reckless behaviors, such as overspending, fighting or driving too fast MENTAL RESOURCESHEALTH Laureate’s Outpatient Clinic 918-481-4000 COPES Mobile Crisis Line 918-744-4800 CrisisCare Center through Family & Children’s Services 918-921-3200 Morton Comprehensive Health Services Counseling Program 918-587-2171 CREOKS Crisis Line 877-327-3657 Live help for any social-service need, including mental health services Dial 2-1-1 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Dial or text 9-8-8
In time, the community will move toward being “Saint Francis Strong,” a term coined in the early days of the COVID pandemic.
“Resilience is the notion of looking to the future, and celebrating one’s own strengths and the community’s strengths, then embracing the opportunity to heal.”
Dr. Sahib Khalsa, psychiatrist and director of clinical operations at LIBR
Both doctors also encourage counseling.
But the doctors caution not to expect yourself to be too perfect all the time, but rather give yourself some grace—don’t feel bad for taking a little time to be by yourself or for indulging in things that you enjoy, like your favorite dessert or binge watching your favorite TV show.
For these doctors, strength means resiliency and hopefulness—not acting like a tragic event never happened.
“If someone is considering if they need help, they should reach out,” Dr. Aupperle said. “It’s never a wrong response to seek out Theyhelp.”can start at whatever place they feel most comfortable: their family doctor; their mental health provider; COPES, a mobile crisis service through Family & Children’s Services; Morton Comprehensive Health Services; or CREOKS, which is located in Promenade Mall. Or simply dial 2-1-1, which is Oklahoma’s Help Hotline, offering assistance with a variety of social services
4. Expect kids to personalize the information. A child’s world doesn’t extend very far, so conceptualizing another state or city may be difficult for them. Am I OK? Are my friends and teachers OK? Are my parents going to be OK? It’s their way to process events—even those that are far away.
Dr. Scott Moseman, board certified child and adolescent psychiatrist and medical director of the Laureate eating disorders department, offers suggestions for how parents can talk to children about traumatic events:
Talking to Kids about Trauma 22 saintfrancis.com
First, he has five ground rules for parents to follow:
5. Find balance in the tragedy. Look for helpers and point out compassionate people so that the situation doesn’t seem so overwhelming.
3. Be honest, open and real. Kids know if you’re being patronizing or keeping information from them. So set an environment in which you talk about your own emotions without letting your feelings dominate the conversation.
1. Keep an open environment. Allow children to ask questions rather than the parent telling the child exactly what’s going on in the news. Ask questions like: What have you heard? What do you think about it?
2. Allow repetitive questions. Especially for children 12 and younger, asking the same question again and again is normal. It’s a way for them to seek reassurance.
Certain children, especially those previously exposed to trauma, such as abuse, neglect or domestic violence, may be especially sensitive to violence that they see or hear about on the news. So if you notice that your child insists on watching the news, be prepared to set some boundaries and have a deeper conversation about their feelings. Prepare to get their counselor involved because the images can cause more anxiety than you anticipate. Other children may say, “Yeah, I heard about it,” but they’re ready to ride their bike. If this is the case, parents shouldn’t force them to talk but allow them if they’re ready.
A parent’s approach will differ based on a child’s age. For pre-schoolers, their very understanding of shootings is limited. They may not understand that death is permanent. For such young children, parents can wait to see if the child brings up the topic. If not, that is fine because they may not have the developmental understanding to comprehend what happened.
For teens, conversations can be deeper. For example, teens may want to discuss public policy or what they can do as they move into adulthood or in their career to help the situation in the future.
The bottom line for any parent is to provide children with a safe space for discussion.
“Let them know,” Moseman said, “there is a forum to talk about difficult topics in this family and with me as your parent.”
“All of us are wired with brains that have different stress sensitivities,” he said.
He also advises parents to keep their own news viewing in check to ensure that they have the balance to talk with their children.
“How we react to situations and how we deal with things are absorbed directly by our kids,” he said. “So if you’re too emotional or too unemotional, try to find a balance in yourself before talking to your kids.”
For older children, ask them what they’ve heard and what they’re thinking. Make sure they know that home is a safe place to talk and that no topic is off limits.
“…if you’re too emotional or too unemotional, try to find a balance in yourself before talking to your kids.”
The bottom line for any parent is to provide children with a safe space for discussion.
– Dr. Scott Moseman
23Saint Francis Health System presence
Dr. Moseman says before parents start a conversation with their children about violence or a traumatic event on the news, they should pay attention to their own emotions first.
OnePaw at a HTime ealing EPresence, xtending the OnePaw at a HTime ealing EPresence, the
And when the unimaginable happened on June 1, even more pet therapy teams reported for duty.
came the four-legged friends with their volunteer handlers to visit nurses, doctors and techs.
So on June 2, the day after the shooting, therapists, psychiatrists, Employee Assistance Program clinicians and representatives from pastoral care were And as the Saint Francis family deals with the emotions of June 1 and the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, some furry members have been recruited to support employees.
xtending
“After the shooting, I wondered if it was appropriate to bring dogs in,” said Chrissy Streeter, community outreach coordinator and director of the pet therapy program at the children’s hospital. “I didn’t want to downplay the significance of what had happened. So I told some nurses that we were bringing counselors. And the group said, ‘We want the dogs, too.’ Sometimes people feel more comfortable with the dogs than with a human counselor. Once they started petting these dogs, they really started sharing and opening up.”
24 saintfrancis.com
“We were pretty raw, emotions were heavy and our hearts were tired,” said Lauren Landwerlin, vice president of Strategy, Marketing and Communications. “Then the therapy dogs walked into our office area and the energy changed instantly. We were smiling and laughing as a team for the first time in days.”
Research has shown that sessions with therapy dogs can reduce blood pressure, ease depression, reduce muscle tension and lessen pain.
“We need to throw these dogs a party,” Streeter said, “because they are helping so many of our staff members in a very special way.”
The therapy dogs have been so popular that they have a new program name: Pink Paws.
First, they gathered in the Saint Francis Education Center so that employees could come to them. Then they started branching out. During the week following the shooting, they visited every floor, department, building, doctor’s office, administrator’s office and business office, starting with the Natalie Building.
“So many people were affected by the shooting,” Streeter said. “The dogs were able to connect with all of them.”
“A few nurses just patted them on the head,” said Teresa Powell, director of Volunteer Services. “But many sat on the floor and hugged them. Some just cried and held the dogs. Seeing the emotion and seeing the smiles made me realize this truly is God’s work.”
Therapy dogs are unique from service dogs and emotional support animals because their role is to give attention and affection to all people, not just their owner or handler. Each dog comes to campus with its handler, who is a fully vetted hospital volunteer, and the handler’s job is to make sure the interaction is safe. Otherwise, the human usually stands back and watches the magic happen as the dog and clients have some time with each other, which is what happened when a therapy dog visited the administrative offices.
joined by a pack of pooches never before seen at the hospital. Fifty therapy dogs— terriers, poodles, retrievers, shar peis and mixed breeds—all stood ready to help Saint Francis employees.
Jonah White Jonah White’s most vivid memory as a pediatric cancer patient at Saint Francis was seeing the children’s hospital, which broke ground in 2005, being constructed. “I remember sitting in the window watching the cranes and machines,” White, now 20, said. “I was mesmerized.”
“I’vevolunteer.hadseveral kids come up to me and say I’m an inspiration,” he said. “And they’re my inspiration, too.”
26 saintfrancis.com
When he was just 6 years old, and due to the type of cancer he had, Jonah had to have part of his leg amputated just below the knee. He remembers the sting of an IV going into his arm and how sore the medications made his throat feel—both memories that give him compassion for today’s cancer patients who are treated in the same hospital he saw being constructed. He remembers many good times at the hospital—playing with nurses and picking out crafts off the arts and crafts cart when it came down the hallway. He also remembers what seemed like a very long wait until he could go to camp.
Once he finally went to camp at age 8, he never stopped, even if it meant skipping his beloved Boy Scouts camp. Now in his 13th year at Camp Strong, he attends as a
Some of the same nurses and therapists from when White was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at age 5 are still around and get to see him every year at Camp Strong, a weeklong summer camp supported by The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis. It’s especially for kids with cancer or heart defects and their siblings. All of them require high medical supervision and would never be allowed at a traditional camp.
“I get to meet new people every time I come,” Arias said. “Everybody has their differences, and that’s what makes them stand out. But we all fit in.”
For 19-year-old Maddie Franklin, Camp Strong has been a staple in her summer vacation plans since she was 4 years old.
Many have multiple medications to take. Several need oxygen at night. A few have feeding tubes or Foley catheters. Some need to ride on golf carts because they can’t walk up hills, especially in the heat.
Campers run across a bridge at Shepherd's Fold Camp to the next fun activity.
Saint Francis Health System presence
“I love seeing kids who have struggled with a medical condition getting to do things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do,” said Christina Manley, director of Camp Strong and a Child Life Specialist at the children’s Therehospital.were 82 campers this summer, both patients and their siblings, who experience the ups and downs of having a sick brother or sister.
“The siblings live it every day,” said Becky Reinholz, clinical manager of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and regular camp caregiver. “They have to give up activities because Mom and Dad have to go to medical appointments. So they learn compassion on a whole new level.”
Each child and teen at Camp Strong has a favorite activity. For Liliana Arias, a 14-year-old from Bixby, it is tie-dyeing T-shirts, swimming and socializing.
27
The same nurses, Child Life Specialists and staff they know from The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis are with them at Camp Strong, which was back in person this year after two years of virtual camp due to COVID-19.
Arias was born with retinoblastoma and had her right eye removed when she was 2 years old. She now has a prosthetic eye.
Franklin was born with a heart defect called pulmonary atresia. She has had five open heart surgeries and recently had a defibrillator implanted to stop irregular heart rhythms.
DJ Hollins
Camp Strong alum Jonah White now volunteers for camp and encourages younger kids going through similar experiences as he did.
For some campers, their diagnosis is in the rearview mirror, only checking in yearly for follow-up appointments. For others, their battle is ongoing, as is the case for DJ Hollins, a 14-year-old who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in February 2021. He recalls that he had been staying with his grandfather over Christmas vacation 2020 because his mom had COVID. While he was away, he realized he was sick.
“My behavior completely changed,” Hollins said. “I was hurting. I was always on the couch. I’m typically smiling, but you could see in my eyes I was hurting. My mom facetimed and she could tell something was Forwrong.”the next month, he underwent testing and made the trip to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Now several months into treatment, Hollins is able to do most of his chemotherapy at the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis.
“I’m just like anybody else,” she said. “The only issues are the hills and running. Activities that take a lot of oxygen are hard, so I have to pace myself.”
28 saintfrancis.com
With his doctor’s OK, he was able to attend Camp Strong for the first time, and he was switched from an IV medication to an oral one so that he could take it at camp. His favorite activity was gaga ball, a variation of kickball played in a pit.
“The ball cannot touch your feet, so you hit it with your hands at other people’s feet,” he explained. “It’s a pretty competitive game, and I love it.”
29Saint Francis Health System presence
“I cried and was so scared because I knew no one could take care of him like I could,” said DJ’s mom, Kelly Edwards. “The only reason I said yes was knowing the nurse who would be there with him. I trusted her.”
Hearing all her son’s adventures has given her a new perspective for next year, and she’s open to the idea of letting him go back again.
“I go wherever they need me to go and do whatever they need me to do,” White said. “But I will always make time for Camp Strong. I love giving back as a volunteer.”
Parents, who usually have misgivings about sending their medically fragile children away, feel better about Camp Strong because they already have a comfort level with the staff from the children’s hospital, with nurses assigned to sleep in the cabins of kids who need medication overnight.
“He’ll definitely be a regular,” she said. And when he returns, he’ll have a whole team cheering him on—doctors, nurses and new friends like Jonah White. He is now a student at Tulsa Community College and leads a construction crew for a remodeler.
30 saintfrancis.com
31Saint Francis Health System presence
As we individually move through life, as we organizationally extend our mission, and as we collectively grow as a community, these threads of connection—these ties— remind us and inspire us to pursue what is good, what is just and what moves us to a better tomorrow.
BENEFITCOMMUNITYREPORT
SAINT FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM ANNUAL
There are some bonds that can never be broken. The bond Saint Francis shares with the community has been interwoven in such a way that it will never fray.
32 saintfrancis.com 2017 $108,492,088 2018 $119,692,708 2019 $125,759,930 2020 $141,536,927 $155,176,5202021 Community benefit is defined by the Catholic Health Association as programs and services offered by healthcare providers that are designed to: • improve the health of a community; • increase access to healthcare; and • advance public knowledge on issues impacting health and wellness. Providing these benefits are core functions of not-for-profit healthcare and the basis of their tax exemption. Saint Francis seeks to not only meet these core functions, but to exceed them whenever possible. In fiscal year 2021, Saint Francis Health System provided in community benefit to the region. $155,176,520 Over the past 5 years, there has been a $46 million increase in the amount of benefit provided to the communities we serve.
33Saint Francis Health System presence $155,176,520 $87,425,713 Charity Care $41,278,352 Uncompensated Care $10,776,272 ContributionsCommunity $4,136,260 Xavier Medical Clinic $2,710,613 Community Benefit$773,279 Medication Support $8,076,031 TraumaIn-HouseCoverage The total community benefit provided by Saint Francis Health System represents these seven key aspects and offerings of this ministry. • Charity Care • Uncompensated Care • Community Contributions • In-House Trauma Coverage • Xavier Medical Clinic • Community Benefit • Medication Support
One of the images that stands out in my mind from the shooting on June 1 was one from the Trauma Emergency Center (pictured lower left). It wasn’t one of our team trying to save lives; it wasn’t actually related to treatment at all. It was the team that never got the chance to intervene. It is a picture of the trauma hallway lined with nurses, techs, doctors and others waiting... waiting for the injured, waiting to serve, waiting to save. This is part of our community benefit. Each year, the system subsidizes the trauma program to ensure that there is a full team of trauma experts inhouse 24/7. All trauma centers have emergency medicine physicians inhouse around the clock, but regionally, Saint Francis Hospital is the only one that has a team of board-certified surgical intensivists. Why does this matter? It means we’re ready when we’re needed and when we’re not.
34 saintfrancis.com
EMERGENCYTRAUMACENTER
Ryan Parker, MD Associate Chief Medical Officer Emergency Medicine Physician
35Saint Francis Health System presence
Sr. Marie Josepha Vice MissionPresidentandMinistry
In the fall of 2021, Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma received a call asking if they would be able to accept 800 Afghan refugees. Their answer was immediately yes. When Saint Francis got the call from Catholic Charities asking if we would be able to help, our answer was immediately yes. What we were committing to when we said yes was unclear, but it didn’t matter. We knew what we had to offer and we knew, whatever was asked of us, it would be our privilege to assist. From helping with supplies, setting up apartments and delivering care through Xavier Medical Clinic, we were there to help. Why does this matter? Because these refugees are now our neighbors; they are new Tulsans. As such, they are part of the communities we are proud to serve.
REFUGEESAFGHANWELCOMING
36 saintfrancis.com
The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis offers many things not available anywhere else in eastern Oklahoma. One program that truly takes our mission into the community is the Neonatal Transport Team. The transport team is on call 24/7. They go where they’re needed to pick up critically ill neonates and get them to our NICU as quickly and safely as possible. When minutes matter and more miles mean more risk, closer to home means closer to care. “It is our honor to care for the most fragile babies and children as close to home as possible,” said Dr. Rachel Everette, Co-Medical Director of the Henry Zarrow NICU. Xavier Clinic is a community benefit— everything about it—the place, the people and the passion. As the medical director, I have a unique viewpoint of being able to see and oversee all aspects of this ministry. This is an incredible place to be, to see the presence and healing ministry of Christ in action every day as we care for people who otherwise may not have any healthcare at all.
Rose E. Sloat, MD Medical Director, Xavier Clinic
THE HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS
Rachel Everette, MD Co-Medical Director of the Henry Zarrow NICU
Taking care of the communities we serve means taking care of every member—or soon to be member— of that community. Without the technology and expertise at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, critically ill and injured babies and children would have to travel across the state to get help.
CHILDREN’S
MEDICALXAVIERCLINIC
“Training these students is such an honor,” Veldstra said. “It is beautiful to see the drive and dedication of this next generation of nurses. They are so inspired to become nurses because they know there is a real need out there and because they want to be part of the healing process of fellow human beings.”
37
All the work is paying off, as Saint Francis was just named a Best Employer for New Graduates by Forbes, one of only four employers statewide to receive the recognition and the only healthcare organization in Oklahoma to make the list.
Being an employer of choice comes with a responsibility to make sure we’re an employer of choice for ALL. Saint Francis has formed partnerships with universities and high schools in the area, now reaching out to juniors and seniors, and soon promoting healthcare careers to middleschoolers.
EDUCATING, EMPLOYING AND CARING
Carrie Veldstra, RN, BSN, CCRN Saint Francis Hospital
Saint Francis Health System is eastern Oklahoma’s largest private employer. And, outside of academic institutions, we are the largest provider of health and clinical training and education in the region. We understand that our roles as an employer and educator go hand in hand.
Saint Francis Health System presence
Additionally, Carrie Veldstra, a Saint Francis nurse for more than 20 years, is serving as an adjunct faculty member at The University of Tulsa, a way of building relationships between Saint Francis Health System and future graduates.
6161 South Yale Avenue • Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 Presence 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, high-quality, affordable care through engaged caregivers to the people of eastern Oklahoma. EXCELLENCEVALUES 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 CANCER CENTER | SAINT FRANCIS HOME CARE COMPANIES | SAINT FRANCIS GLENPOOL