The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is working to make sure Oklahomans have widely available access to N95 masks in the state.
In partnership with the Oklahoma Pharmacists Association and pharmacy partners around the state, the OSDH will be distributing N95 masks around the state to local pharmacies through a distribution system that will provide Oklahomans the opportunity to go to their local pharmacies to receive N95 masks, free of charge.
Through the OSDH and Federal Government distributions, local, independent pharmacies and pharmacies that are a part of the Federal Retail Providers program will have N95 masks available to Oklahomans throughout the state.
“With the highly transmissible omicron variant we know that the quality of the mask someone chooses to wear matters,” said Michael DeRemer, director of emergency preparedness and response service for the OSDH. “We want to make sure all Oklahomans have access to the best mask possible to protect themselves and others from this virus, no matter where they live and at no-cost.”
The first shipment of masks was sent to select pharmacies on Thursday, Jan. 27 with the next shipment, to additional pharmacies, occurring on Monday, Jan. 31.
In total, the OSDH will be distributing a total of just over 500,000 N95 masks across the state

Honey Springs Battlefield is excited to announce a special presentation, “The First Indian Home Guard,” to be held at the battlefield’s Visitor Center on Saturday, February 26, at 1 p.m. Dr. Jane Johansson, professor in the Department of History and Political Science at Rogers State University and editor of the book “Albert C. Ellithorpe, the First Indian Home Guards, and the Civil War on the Trans-Mississippi Frontier,” will speak about the regiment’s unique history in relation to the Civil War in Indian Territory and the Battle of Honey Springs.
“Recruited in Kansas refugee camps in the spring of 1862, the First Indian Home Guard was a unique Civil War regiment,” said Johansson. “Comprised of whites, refugee Muscogee Creeks and Seminoles, and African Creeks, the regiment served in a variety of military operations from 1862–1865. Notable actions that the unit engaged in included Locust Grove, Fort Wayne, Cane Hill, Prairie Grove, Honey Springs and many smaller encounters. This presentation will explore the regiment’s background, its composition, notable personalities, military actions, relations with the federal government and the postwar era,” Johansson continued.
Johansson is a native Oklahoman and graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU). After completing her bachelor’s degree at OBU, Johansson attended the University of North Texas where she earned a master’s degree in library science and a doctorate in United States history. She has written three books about the Civil War west of the Mississippi River, and co-edited two volumes of the papers of Will Rogers. Her most recent book, “Albert C. Ellithorpe, the First Indian Home Guards, and the Civil War on the Trans-Mississippi Frontier,” was honored with the Founders Award given by the American Civil War Museum in recognition of “excellence in the editing of primary source documents.” Johansson especially enjoys traveling to historic sites and visiting used bookstores with her husband, Richmond, an English professor at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
After the presentation, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Visitor Center’s exhibits, view the new “Battle of Honey Springs” film, buy newly stocked items from the gift shop, and tour the largest Civil War battlefield in Oklahoma.
For more information regarding the presentation and Honey Springs Battlefield, please email honeysprings@okhistory.org or alynn@okhistory.org, or call 918-617-7125.
Honey Springs Battlefield is located east of U.S. Highway 69 between Oktaha and Rentiesville. The Visitor Center is located on a hill within close proximity to the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame in Rentiesville. Take the second left after reaching the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame Museum (driving from the west).

By Marty Coffin Evans, Columnist

Recently a friend who had relocated from her two-story house of many years to a one- bedroom apartment commented, “I realize I just called this home.” In her case, she had closed her mother’s home of many years with all those old treasures from times past. Two homes to close in less than eight months was significant. Additionally, her husband in a memory care facility, could now be moved closer to her new home.
Perhaps all these factors played into the sense of home. She’s managed to grapple with the idea of home. Where is it? What makes a space or place home? Poetry has become her means of exploring and making sense of finding home.We’ve heard “Home is where you heart is.” Or, it might also be said: “Home is where your stuff is.” Years ago chairing an accreditation in Japan, I asked my team mates where home was for them
A very blond Cathy, who looked like someone from the California beaches said, “I guess this is home since I’ve lived in Taiwan longer than any other place.” Does length of time mean a place is now home? We comment about a church home or feeling at home in certain places. Perhaps having family nearby, or readily accessible, provides a sense of home. Quite possibly returning to where we grew up, or lived in different parts of our lives, gives us a sense of homecoming.
We celebrate homecoming during the fall, often around football games. We reconnect with friends from years ago. In so doing, we return to roots established at some point in time. Reunions provide us with a sense of connecting with home whether where we grew up or just plain being with others significant to us – family, friends or both. Where is home after all? Maybe it’s what we make it no matter the location.
Martha (Marty) Coffin Evans, Ed.D. is a freelance writer with MACE Associates, LLC. She can be reached at itsmemartee@aol.com.

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation this week welcomed U.S. Reps. Stephanie Bice (OK-05) and Frank Lucas (OK-03) for updates on work at the Oklahoma City-based nonprofit biomedical research institute.
Bice and Lucas met with OMRF President Andrew S. Weyrich, Ph.D., and scientists from three of the foundation’s research programs.
Bice received a briefing on Covid-19 research from OMRF Vice President of Clinical Affairs Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., who leads a team of scientists studying the body’s immune response to Covid-19 and whether the virus may trigger autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. James is also the lead investigator on a nationwide National Institutes of Health-funded trial to assess how to elicit a stronger immune response to the Covid-19 vaccine in people with certain autoimmune diseases who did not respond well to an original vaccine regimen.
“Federal funding for biomedical research is vital,” said Bice, a member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. “I’m proud that OMRF is part of my district. The cutting-edge work scientists are doing here is inspiring and impacts not just Oklahomans, but all Americans.”
Lucas met with OMRF researchers Michael Beckstead, Ph.D., who is studying the role of the naturally occurring brain chemical dopamine in opioid addiction, and Courtney Griffin, Ph.D., whose work on blood vessels shows promise for restoring vision in those who have lost eyesight due to diabetes or premature birth.
A champion of ensuring rural students get access to quality science, technology, engineering and math education to bolster their career opportunities, Lucas applauded OMRF’s efforts to train the next generation of scientists through in-state recruitment as well as in the foundation’s Fleming Scholar Program and Langston University Biomedical Research Scholars Program.
“Basic research like what scientists are doing at OMRF is fundamental to advances in human health, but it requires a strong STEM workforce,” said Lucas, the ranking member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. “OMRF plays an important role in making careers in STEM a reality for Oklahomans.”
OMRF, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, has nearly 500 staff members and scientists in more than 50 labs studying cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and diseases of aging. The foundation’s discoveries have yielded hundreds of patents and three life-saving drugs available in hospitals and clinics worldwide. Most recently, Adakveo became the first targeted therapy approved in the U.S. for sickle cell disease, which affects an estimated 100,000 Americans.
“The Oklahoma congressional delegation’s commitment to biomedical research is steadfast and admirable,” said Weyrich. “Their decades of support for OMRF’s scientists and our mission of making discoveries that make a difference has changed and saved lives.”

by James Coburn, Staff Writer

Lisa Wariboko-Alali, RN, aspired to make a difference in patient’s lives and become a good employer. All Faith Home Care gave her the opportunity to serve the family of mankind as the owner of the company she founded.
Alali earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma and has been a nurse for 30 years. She began her career working in the post-coronary care unit at Southwest Medical Center before making the transition to home health.
She needed a more flexible schedule when she married and started raising a family. Home health met her needs.
“I fell in love with home health and found my niche,” she said of the business she opened in 1996. “It’s totally enriched my life. I think it’s been my calling. My mother was in the health care profession. As a little girl I watched her care for my sick dad. I watched her care for other families by sacrificing her time. And I think that really inspired me to be a nurse and caregiver.”
Home health is not only a business, but a ministry for Alali as well. Advantage waiver case management was added over a year ago, a program to help seniors stay at home and funded by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
The staff is what makes All Faith Home Care a success, she said.
“I love my staff so much. They are totally committed,” Alali said. “Some of my staff have been here for 15 years, some for 10 years. They are compassionate and caring.”
All Faith Home Care is also a blessing for families in need of knowing their families are secure.
“That’s so rewarding. It helps us to keep going, especially during this time of the COVID pandemic and nursing shortage. It’s a very challenging time to be in health care right now.”
All Faith Home Care wears personal protective equipment to enhance patient care during the pandemic, said Brenda Guthrie, RN, director of Clinical Services, who has been with the company for 10 years.
“With several COVID patients we make sure we go above and beyond what they need. So, it is a calling,” Guthrie said.
She aspired to become a physician when thinking of a career. Guthrie passed all her tests but could not afford medical school. She chose nursing school and has kept going since 1979.
“I get attached to all of my patients and I can’t imagine not seeing them. I took care of Lisa’s mom, and I took care of my husband while he was dying. I will hold someone’s hand if that’s what they want at the end,” Guthrie said.
Guthrie began her nursing career in an intensive care unit for trauma. She went on to be an ER nurse and did flight nursing. Guthrie also has the distinction of having served as the health services administrator for the state of Delaware Prison System. She managed the hospital there for eight years.
“Then I came back to Oklahoma to take care of my parents and here I am,” Guthrie explained.
Alali understands that her staff has family issues, too, and is given the flexibility to take care of that, Guthrie said.
All Faith Home Care will travel beyond its 50-mile service range whenever a doctor notifies them that nobody else will accept a patient, Guthrie said.
Most Medicaid insurers only provide 36 home health visits a year, Michael said. Currently more than 20 clients have exceeded the 36 visits. But All Faith Home Care did not discharge them. Alali ensures that her clients, some in a rural area, will continue being cared for beyond 36 visits.
“When the poor people don’t have anymore visits, we don’t cast them out,” he said.
Guthrie said their clients are their families and will not be deserted when All Faith Home Care will not be paid to see them.
“Time after time we’ve had patients that would not have lived if All Faith Home Care had not stepped in and provided the services,” Alali said. “There’s been several occasions when Brenda has gotten a call from a patient and has ended up saving that patient’s life.”
On many occasions Brenda will be in a home and do CPR on a patient.
“I just don’t know how to describe it, but I know it’s a divine assignment for her. She has left the office on the way to see a patient and she’ll come up on an accident and she’s there just at the right time to save someone’s life,” she said. “And other times, it’s been a family member and not a patient, and she’s gotten there just in time to save their life. That’s the ultimate calling.”
Guthrie said they have walked into homes with an empty refrigerator.
“All I have to do is call Lisa, and she’s calling Michael or one of the nurses and we’re out buying groceries, and we’re getting them set up with food banks,” she said.

For more information visit: http://www.allfaithhc.com/ or call 405-340-5100.

Every year many elderly and vulnerable adults become victims of financial exploitation. Financial exploitation is defined as illegal or improper use, control, or withholding of property, income, or resources.
Many people fall victim to financial exploitation at the hands of both strangers and family. This crime is a felony under Oklahoma law. Penalties include jail time, thousands of dollars in fines, and restitution.
Signs of financial exploitation can include, but are not limited to the following:
• Unusual bank activity • Change of statement delivery address • Unpaid bills • Unexplained withdrawals or transfers • Large purchases that don’t fit the persons income level
How to protect against financial exploitation: • Estate planning • Choose a Power of Attorney ahead of time • Consult an Elder Law Attorney If you or someone you know are experiencing financial exploitation contact Adult Protective Services (APS). 800-522-3511 or okhotline.org
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is in place to advocate for elderly Oklahomans who reside in Long Term Care facilities. As our aging population grows, so does the need to make sure our loved ones are being cared for. If you have question or concerns regarding Resident’s Rights in a long term care facility there are several ways to contact an Areawide Aging Agency Ombudsman. Call 405-942-8500 to speak to an Ombudsman Supervisor, visit the agency website at www.areawideaging.org, or find us on Facebook.

By Nick Thomas

The movie world was shocked when the body of 43-year-old Natalie Wood was found floating lifeless in the ocean off Catalina Island on the morning of November 29, 1981. Forty years later, sister Lana still can’t accept that the incident was nothing more than a tragic accident.
Natalie’s watery demise remains one of Hollywood’s enduring mysteries recently resurrected in Lana’s “Little Sister: My Investigation into the Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood” published last November, 40 years after the beloved actress’s death (see www.amazon.com/Lana-Wood/e/B001KDRGZ8?).
Despite a morbid fear of drowning, Natalie would often go boating with husband Robert Wagner but, according to Lana, remained especially terrified of “dark ocean water.”
“How did she end up in the sea at nighttime?” asked Lana from her home in Los Angeles. “The circumstances remain a question for many people. I wanted to present the facts about her death in this new book, including the police and coroner’s reports, as well as a new witness who heard screams that night.”
Natalie and Wagner, along with fellow actor Christopher Walken, had embarked on a weekend cruise aboard Wagner’s motor yacht skippered for the trip by Dennis Davern. Although the group had been drinking and the couple apparently argued, Lana doesn’t believe her sister merely fell overboard or that she tumbled into the water while attempting a nighttime launch of a dingy attached to the boat to leave after the argument.
While no one on board at the time has ever been charged with involvement in Natalie’s death, speculation on how Natalie got into the water the night before her body was discovered continues to haunt her sister.
“I wrote another book (in 2011) that looked at Natalie’s life and happier times,” recalled Lana. “But the new book wasn’t as easy to write because I’d get emotional and have to walk away from it periodically.”
Both sisters were close, having been thrust into acting by their mother. But each took a different career path with Natalie working mostly in film to reach true superstar fame while Lana embraced the television route and enjoyed modest success in films such as the perky Bond girl Plenty O’Toole in “Diamonds Are Forever.” And while Lana may have lived in her famous sister’s shadow, she appears to have been comfortable in that shade.
“Natalie loved being a movie star,” said Lana. “Any time she left home, she would put on her make-up, do her hair, and dress impeccably because she never wanted to disappoint when out in public. While I enjoyed working, I didn’t want to be scrutinized everywhere I went or be constantly photographed. I didn’t seek that fame.”
She is, however, still convinced there’s more to the story of her sister’s death.
“I don’t know if the truth will ever come out,” she says. “I hope my book will keep people probing for answers and keep Natalie’s memory alive.”
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, in Alabama, and has written features, columns, and interviews for numerous magazines and newspapers. See www.tinseltowntalks.com.

story and photo by James Coburn, Staff Writer

A glowing celebration was held in Guthrie at the recent coronation of Roxanne Parks, Ms. Oklahoma Senior America (MOSA) Queen 2022.
Parks was crowned by MOSA Queen 2021 Kathryn Gordon.
Several former MOSA queens were among the scores of guests who honored Parks at the Old Santa Fe Depot in Guthrie on Saturday, Jan. 22.
“To reign in life means we are filled with confidence in God and in our assignment,” Parks said. “It is that we are able to have peace in chaos. We’re able to have power and peace, regardless of the circumstances. We are able to be free of the grips of sin…”
MOSA is considered the senior version of the Miss America Pageant, said Dove Morgan-Schmidt, MOSA Queen 2016.
At the coronation, Parks presented three requirements of the national pageant. This includes her talent, philosophy of life, and her evening gown presentations.
She shared her original spoken and inspirational work highlighting her YouVersion Bible Plan that has close to 400,000 subscribers, as well as her latest book, “Breathe: 101 Life-Giving Devotionals.”
Parks said every person is created with a purpose in life.
“Each of us are uniquely gifted to serve and to bless others,” she said in her philosophy of life presentation. “I don’t want to miss out on one thing that God has in store for me to accomplish this year on earth. I want to live bold; I want to give bold and, in a world where depression and anxiety abound, I want to be that life-giving breath of fresh air.”
The Ms. Senior America Pageant is the world’s first and foremost pageant to emphasize and give honor to women who have reached the “Age of Elegance.” It is a search for the gracious lady who best exemplifies the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans, according to the mission statement. The Ms. Senior America philosophy is based on the belief that seniors are the foundation of America, and our most valuable treasure. It is upon their knowledge, experience and resources that the younger generation has the opportunity to build a better society.
An Edmond resident, Parks will represent the state of Oklahoma and its senior community along with state queens from 31 other states this September at the national pageant to be held at the Hershey Lodge and Resort in Hershey, Pa., said Carol Kallenberger, Oklahoma MOSA state administrator.
Parks is a certified life coach at Roxanneparks.com. She has served as president of a large marketing company, and is the founder, president, and CEO at Winter Summit Ministries, Inc. She studied at the University of Oklahoma’s Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering.
She and her husband Brian Parks have been married for 36 years. She is the mother of three adult children and a proud grandmother. Parks believes that families are the foundation of our society. Parks is also corporate chaplain. She appears at conferences and conventions throughout the US. Parks appeared inspired and enthusiastic in her talent presentation as she accompanied herself on the piano. Parks said she gathers her peace of mind with faith in God, and not to news or events.
“There has never been one like you before. There will never be one like you again. And since today is the first day of the rest of our lives, and life is not a dress rehearsal, let’s make today the best day of the rest of our lives,” Parks said. “Even though there are very many noises and choices in our head in the battlefield of our mind, we hear the voice of ourselves as loud as it speaks to you. And then, there is the voice of the enemy who likes to raise doubt and discouragement in our heart. And then, there is the voice of the other — your mother or your neighbor — your boss. And then, there is the voice of truth. Oh, we have ears, but do we hear. Oh, we have eyes, but do we see? The same God that fashioned you and me, assigned us with a thumbprint. He invited us to live a full life. Since today is the first day of the rest of your life, let’s choose today and the rest of your life to be the very best of your life.”
For more information about Ms. Senior America, please visit http://senioramerica.org.
“This is a sisterhood,” said MOSA Queen 2021 Kathryn Gordon. “And, if you’re sitting there thinking, ‘Maybe I might try it,’ just step out of your comfort, take a chance, believe in yourself. It’s a wonderful experience — it will help you grow into being the person that maybe you were supposed to be. And I challenge you to challenge yourself to take a chance and become a part of our 2023 pageant for Ms. Oklahoma Senior America.”

Community  •  Quality  •  Convenience

Belmont Cove Retirement Village 

for the 5o+ community

Belmont Cove sits on prime real estate in Yukon, Oklahoma. Our convenient location boasts easy access to I-40, dining and shopping districts, and a medical center. Our retirement village has walking paths and a community center and pool, which are currently under construction.

by James Coburn – Staff Writer

A patient-friendly hallmark in the health care industry has arrived at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Midwest, said Debbie Pender, RN, chief nursing officer/VP patient care services. SSM Midwest went live with Epic on December 11.
SSM Midwest has brought on board Epic, a leading-edge electronic health records system to streamline all areas of operation.
SSM has utilized the Epic technology platform since 2011 to seamlessly coordinate care without a paper trail.
Epic technology allows patients to have convenient digital access to their health information. Documentation of the patient medical record is stored in the easy to access hospital computer system.
Epic is one of the most preferred platforms to document health records in the nation. The patient’s entire encounter with SSM Midwest is secured, confidential, and easily accessible.
“Different departments can see that medical record,” Pender said. “So, it really helps facilitate quality of care through ensuring continuity of the communication from department to department, even from the in-patient to the out-patient phase when physicians have Epic in their medical offices as well. So, that medical record goes wherever the patient goes in any hospital that has Epic.”
Any patient discharged from SSM Midwest who somehow ends up in another hospital system using Epic will have their SSM record available to that hospital whether in Oklahoma or out of state. That whole record of care will go with that patient as a requirement of the Affordable Care Act. Hospitals for reimbursement purposes must come on board with an electronic medical record allowing portability of health care records from organization to organization.
“A patient’s medical history and all the medications that they take travels with that patient which is very important for safe care,” Pender continued. “There are some safeguards built within Epic that improve our patients’ safety here.”
The electronic medical record has been shown to prevent mistakes being made across the United States. Many elderly adults are known to take multiple medications. A lot of times they forget their medicine list, or they could have several doctors who have prescribed medicines as specialists. To avoid confusion, nurses can see all of a primary care physician’s record from the computer. Physicians using Epic can update a patient’s current medication list. Emergency rooms can easily access Epic records from a physician’s office. The continuation of care is simplified.
“We are very excited to upgrade the technology at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Midwest with Epic,” said Dr. Kevin L. Lewis, President, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Midwest & Regional President of SSM Health Medical Group Oklahoma. “We are committed to Midwest City and providing our patients with exceptional health care services.”
Epic allows for safe IV infusions with medication administration with warnings implemented if guidelines are not followed properly.
“There’s a lot of surveillance ability within Epic that tells us if a patient is having a stroke, if a patient perhaps has sepsis, and a lot of reports that we can get out of Epic that tell us about a patient’s care experience from a quality/safety perspective,” Pender said.
Several of the SSM Midwest nurses have stated that the Epic implementation was the best go-live event they’ve ever experienced. Nurses commented that SSM was well prepared in bringing Epic to SSM Midwest.
“We are enjoying Epic here at Midwest, since it is so user friendly,” said Joy Mathews, RN manager – CCU/PCU. “Documenting on one computer eliminates the need for paper, which is convenient in caring for our critically ill patients in the CCU. Additionally, it will be a huge tool for recruiting high quality nurses to our staff.”
Pender serves as a team builder as the chief nursing officer at SSM Midwest. She has been CNO of SSM Midwest since June, after SSM purchased the hospital from Community Health Systems in April. Her goal has been to enhance the leadership structure from a for-profit hospital to a not-for-profit.
A lot of SSM Midwest nurses have used Epic in previous health care organizations they have worked in. This was helpful in the transition.
“I have not met one person who thinks Epic was a bad thing,” Pender said. “Now it’s change, so they have to learn new work flows and the functionality within Epic, but everybody loves Epic.”
She said it’s nice to see seamless documentation utilized from department to department, all for the betterment of patient care.
“The care isn’t just in a silo wherever you are in the hospital. A physician can see every piece of the record,” Pender said. “It’s been very positive.”
The data analytics made available by Epic is phenomenal when evaluating best practices.
Safe and effective care is what patients deserve from any bedside nurse, Pender said.