Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare cover any weight-loss treatments for overweight retirees? I just turned 65 and need to lose about 100 pounds and would like to know if Medicare can help. Overweight Owen 

Dear Owen,
Yes, traditional Medicare does indeed cover some weight-loss treatments like counseling and certain types of surgery for overweight beneficiaries, but unfortunately it doesn’t cover weight-loss programs or medications. Here’s what you should know.
Who’s Eligible
For beneficiaries to receive available Medicare-covered weight-loss treatments your body mass index (BMI), which is an estimate of your body fat based on your height and weight, must be 30 or higher.
A BMI of 30 or above is considered obese and increases your risk for many health conditions, such as some cancers, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and sleep apnea. To find out your BMI, the National Institutes of Health has a free calculator that you can access online at nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm.
What’s Covered
If you find that your BMI is 30 or higher, Medicare Part B will cover up to 12 months of weight-loss counseling conducted by a medical professional in a primary care setting (like a doctor’s office).
Most counseling sessions entail an initial obesity screening, a dietary assessment and behavioral therapy designed to help you lose weight by focusing on diet and exercise.
Medicare also covers certain types of bariatric and metabolic surgery for morbidly obese beneficiaries who have a BMI of 35 or above and have at least one underlying obesity-related health condition, such as diabetes or heart disease. You must also show that you’ve tried to lose weight in the past through dieting or exercise and have been unsuccessful.
These procedures make changes to your digestive system to help you lose weight and improve the health of your metabolism.
Some common bariatric surgical procedures covered include Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, which reduces the stomach to a small pouch that makes you feel full even following small meals. And laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, which inserts an inflatable band that creates a gastric pouch encircling the top of the stomach.
What’s Not Covered
Unfortunately, original Medicare does not cover weight-loss programs such as fitness or gym memberships, meal delivery services, or popular weight-loss programs such as Jenny Craig, Noom and WW (formerly Weight Watchers).
Medicare also does not cover any weight-loss drugs, but it does cover FDA approved diabetes drugs that have unintentionally become very popular for weight loss.
Medicare Part D plans cover Ozempic and Mounjaro for diabetes only, not for weight loss! So, your doctor will need to prescribe these medications for diabetes in order to get them covered.
Medicare also does not cover Wegovy or Zepbound because they’re approved only for weight loss.
The reason behind the weight-loss drug omission is the Medicare Modernization Act, which specifically excluded them back when the law was written 20 years ago. They also excluded drugs used for cosmetic purposes, fertility, hair growth and erectile dysfunction.
Medicare Advantage
If you happen to be enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage plan, you may have coverage for gym memberships and some weight loss and healthy food delivery programs. These are considered expanded supplemental benefits and have gradually been added to some plans to provide coverage for nutrition, health and wellness. Contact your plan to see what it provides.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit https://savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

story and photo by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer

Finding the right financial advisor to handle your investments can be challenging for anyone, including seniors.
Mike McCall, a financial advisor with Blue Crest Financial, located at 1300 North Walker Avenue, Suite 200 in Oklahoma City, said transparency is important to him and his clients.
“I’ve been doing this for 23 years,” he said. “Everyone’s had different experiences in life. They may have gotten burned buying an annuity. They may not have a financial advisor. They may not know who to trust. They might’ve had an experience where they put their money in banks and the bank crashed. I don’t have a cookie cutter approach to planning. I sit down with a client, interview them, and find out what’s important to them. I try to find a solution to make it fit. So maybe telling that story might be something that they consider. “
McCall has worked at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Metlife Securities Inc, Mml Investors Services, LLC and Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company.
“MML is my broker dealer, and the office that I’m in is Blue Crest Financial Group,” he said.
MML Investors Services, LLC performs a broad set of services, including financial planning services, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for institutional clients, pension consulting services, selection of other advisers, educational seminars and other services.
McCall offers total financial needs analysis through a network of experienced professionals with expertise in:
• Retirement analysis and programs
• Estate strategies
• Employee benefit and retention services
• Business continuation strategies
• Trust services*
McCall said his senior clients are generally concerned about interest rates, stock market investments, and they’re more inclined to do safer investments.
“The number one concern for people is running out of money in retirement. And, that’s quickly followed by, I don’t know what to believe,” he said. “When you look at marketing today, it’s usually trying to scare the hell out of you. Like going to gold, the world’s collapsing. People don’t know who to trust, and so they need a guide and an advisor. So, a good way to look at me and my practice would be your general practice doctor, the guy you go to for checkups every year, because I’ve got a wide breadth of knowledge in a lot of different areas, I’ll run some tests to ask some questions, find out what’s bothering you, and then we may need to go to a specialist. I don’t want to just sell you a product. I’m more interested in building a relationship.”
McCall said he gives clients the options of what financial planning route they want to pursue.
“I have a process for financial planning, whether we do a fee-based plan or we do an annual review strategy with no fee. I’m going to approach it both ways,” he said. “I’m going to be your guide. I’m going to figure out what are you trying to accomplish, show me where everything’s at right now, and then I’m going to go through and find the best route up that mountain. There might be two or three routes we can take, and I’ll explain that to you.”
McCall also outlines to customers or prospects how he gets paid.
“If they understand that we operate in a levelized commission world, we’re not married to one company, and then our company has a process, a procedure called best interest contract,” he said. “In other words, as a fiduciary, I’ll act in the best interest of my client. Explaining to people my legal status as far as my licensing is concerned, I think that helps. It goes a long way in easing the client’s mind. Either the company’s paying me overcharging the financial fee, and I kind of let the client decide which route or path they want to take because everybody’s different. I think explaining that to somebody goes a long way.”
McCall said he enjoys building relationships with his customers.
“You really need to develop a relationship with that person,” he said. “Transparency means full disclosure, spending time talking to somebody, trying to find out what they’re trying to accomplish. When we engage a client, we lay out a calendar of activities, which can be anywhere from quarterly to annual review. Annual review is just once you get something set up. It doesn’t mean we’re only going to talk once during the year. It just means that we’re not going to do a formal review until the end of that year. Now, a lot of seniors don’t have a lot of moving parts. They don’t need a lot of reviews that may be appropriate to do once a year, and then if you get something in the mail or you can talk to somebody. I’ve got a full-time assistant, especially in that age group. They want to talk to a human being so that they can call me and bounce something off of me during that year. It’s what the client needs or wants to accomplish.”
McCall said it is important to research financial advisors before signing for services.
He said one way to know if a financial planner has good reviews is through what is known as a clean Form U4.
The Form U4 is the Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer. Individuals seeking to register as an investment adviser representative (“IAR”) of a registered investment advisor firm typically must use this form to become registered with a state securities regulator. This document is filed electronically via the Central Registration Depository (“Web CRD”) system.
Beyond these basics, applicants are required to self-report information relating to customer complaints, arbitration claims, regulatory proceedings, bankruptcies, certain criminal history record information, certain civil litigation and unsatisfied liens and judgments, among other things.
“I have a clean U4,” McCall said. “It (clean U4s) helps people from getting scammed because advisors out there that don’t have clean U4 and they just need to be aware of the problems that they’ve had in the past.”
For more information about Form U4 visit https://brokercheck.finra.org.
For more information about McCall’s financial advisory services call –
(405) 486-1400.

The Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Heath Care System is currently notifying local Veterans that the North OKC VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic will be closed between 3 to 6 months due to water damage from a broken water riser valve.
The OKC VA hospital is asking patients that had previously scheduled appointments at North OKC Clinic and are unsure of their new transitioned appointment location, please contact the VA scheduling staff at 405-456-1000, select option 2.
During this temporary closure period, Veterans medical needs are a priority and Veterans will be contacted and redirected to alternative clinic locations around the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.
For any questions or concerns about upcoming scheduled appointments, Veterans can call the Oklahoma City VA to ensure every Veteran previously scheduled at North OKC CBOC has a new rescheduled appointment location.
The OKC VA understands this is an inconvenience and wants to assure Veterans that every effort is being made to minimize the impact on their healthcare experience. They are tentatively targeting January 16, 2024, for confirmation of the new appointment locations.
The building owner is currently working diligently with the insurance company, cleaning crews and construction teams to repair the site as soon as possible.
Again, if you are unsure of your new North OKC appointment location, please contact the VA scheduling staff at 405-456-1000, select option 2.

SENIOR LIVING TRUTH SERIES BEGINS NINTH YEAR OF EDUCATING

Story by Eddie Roach, contributing writer

Senior Living Truth Series is gearing up for its ninth year of offering free monthly seminars intended to educate, equip and empower mature Oklahomans as they enter new and often uncharted territories. This year, the series will focus more on a person’s stage in life rather than on a person’s age.
The 2024 series began on January 11 at 10 a.m. in the Atrium at Crossings Community Church with the “The Truth about Longevity: Stage Versus Age.”
“In a world where age often defines one’s abilities and limitations, this seminar challenges these stereotypes and encourages attendees to embrace the full spectrum of our life’s journey,” said series organizer Dr. Nikki Buckelew, PhD.
Buckelew is a native Oklahoman and nationally recognized speaker, educator, and coach known for her ability to deliver tough topics with enthusiasm and candor.
She said the first seminar will set the tone for coming sessions and will help attendees gain a better understanding of the distinction between lifespan (an age concept) and healthspan (a stage concept).
“Three people, all seventy years old, while the same age, may not have the same needs,” Buckelew said. “We have to be sensitive to this and share information that meets everyone at their unique stage in life.”
She highlighted topics for the first quarter of 2024. The remainder of the year’s schedule is available at www.seniorlivingtruthseries.com.
The February 8 topic is “The Truth about Staying Purposeful at Every Stage of Life.”
“Whether you’re planning to retire (or already have) or considering an alternative path, this discussion promises to offer fresh perspectives and truths often not shared,” Buckelew said.
The March 14 topic is “The Quest for Truth: Medicine, Healthcare, and Aging.”
“While we may not have all the answers, our seminar aims to empower you by providing key questions and trusted resources,” she said. “Join us for an enlightening discussion that navigates the complexities of healthcare, challenges the status quo, and points you in the right direction for informed decision-making in your unique stage of life.”
About a dozen education partners work with the Senior Living Truth Series to ensure a broad range of input to meet attendees’ needs. Education partners donate time, money, space, and resources so that programming can be provided at no cost to participants. While targeted toward mature adults in various stages, anyone is welcome to attend.
“We welcome anyone who believes the information would be valuable to them,” Buckelew said. “If you are not a senior (yet), but are seeking information to navigate your own stages in life as you mature, please join us.”
Thanks to Crossings Community Church which provides space for the 90-minute seminars held on the second Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. in the Atrium at Crossings Community Church, 14600 N Portland.
Pre-registration is available at https://seniorlivingtruthseries.com/ or by calling (405) 563-7501.

By Marise Boehs

I’ve been an avid trail bike rider for a number of years. I’ve ridden long miles over multiple days on trails across the US. In April of this year I retired from my daily newspaper job so I could ride as much and whenever I wanted.

Over Labor Day Weekend I went to a Kansas trail with some of my younger cousins to ride. About 15 miles in on the first day I got severe cramps and light headedness – so bad I had to call the EMTs to come get me off the trail. Two bags of IV fluids and a couple of hours in the ER and I was up and going again. Fortunately I did not damage myself physically.

This was a wakeup call for sure. I was about to have my 75th birthday. I was 30 pounds overweight and not very strong. I knew I had to change or give up riding trails and long distances.

When I got home, I hired a personal trainer and got to work. Four months later, I am two thirds to my weight goal and much stronger. I’ve learned new nutrition habits, how to stand up straight and breathe and how to rest and recover.

It’s an ongoing journey I’d like to share.

Back Story

I have struggled with weight loss and gain most of my adult life. Through 30 years of alcohol abuse and drug addiction my body has been sickly thin at times and bloated beyond comfort at others. In May of 1988, after two treatment centers and years of AA meetings, I decided to give sobriety a chance. What followed was emotional and economic stability leading to steady weight gain.

In the fall of 1997, at 180 pounds I was the heaviest I’d ever been. I tried Weight Watchers, and within a couple of years, reached my lifetime goal of 135. Having achieved the goal, I was tired of counting points and tracking steps, consequently over the next couple of years my weight crept up 20 pounds. Then I discovered the joy of trail riding on a Road Scholar trip to the Katy Trail in Missouri.

Sadly, I was too heavy to do the 30-50 mile days in the program, but they had a SAG wagon. When I couldn’t ride any further, I could get in the van. I came from that trip absolutely in love with trail riding.

I knew I was too heavy to successfully ride the miles scheduled on any trip I looked at. So once again I began to diet and exercise. This time I ate a keto diet and rode my bike for training. This worked, and I was fairly quickly back to my weight goal. In September of 2017, I flew to Pittsburg and met a Road Scholar group again. We rode from Pittsburg to Washington D.C. on the GAP and C&O Canal. Up on over the Continental Divide. A ride of a lifetime!

I’ve since been back to the Katy Trail twice and have ridden the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota and the Flint Hills Nature Trail in Kansas several times as well.

Wake Up Call

Saturday morning, September 2, was a beautiful, bright, sunshiny day with hardly any wind in Ottawa, Kansas. I was waiting for some of my riding family to arrive to ride with me for the day. We had planned this trip for months and were all excited for the day to arrive.

I was fat again and eating low carb food. That morning I ate low carb cereal and drank protein coffee, filled my two water bottles and was ready the ride.

We rode out and enjoyed the trail, stopping every mile or so to marvel at the beauty and sip some water. About 15 miles into the ride, cramps hit both of my legs in the inner thighs. I was in pain and unable to pedal. I got off my bike to ease my legs and nearly passed out. I knew I would need help getting off the trail.

I called 911.  Shortly the EMTs where there in a pickup truck. They sat me in the front seat and carefully backed out of the trail to the ambulance. As soon as I was stabilized, they started IV fluids, and the cramps began to ease.

New Plan

I came home, joined a gym, and hired Blake Mullen as my personal trainer. I was greatly intimidated and really really did not want to do any of it. The first day with him was September 11, and the gym was having a 9-11 Step Climbing Event. He put me on a huge, scary Stairmaster and it was not fun. But I did it and went through the other exercises he had for me. Then I went back in two days to do it again. And again in couple of days. Now I am at the gym 4 days a week.

I track my food on a phone app, trying to eat 900-1200 calories with 50% of those calories coming from protein. I walk at least 10,000 steps a day and burn enough calories to leave a 500 deficit between calories eaten and calories burned. (It takes 3500 calories to burn a pound of fat.) Being mindful each day is the key to success. Today I am 9 pounds from my goal.

What’s Next?

June 2, 2024 I will be back on the Katy Trail for a 6 day, 230 mile ride. All the miles, every day is the goal! I have a blog if you wish to follow my story. (www.mariseboehs.com/blog)

Side note: Thankfully, sobriety has not had the same on again off again scenario as weight loss. I have been clean and sober since May 11, 1988. Blessed and grateful.

Marise Boehs is a freelance writer, photographer and graphic designer. Recently retired from 25+ years in the newspaper arena, she fills her days with walks around her quiet Norman  neighborhood, bike riding, working out at the gym, all the while looking for new and interesting work projects.

Getting a flu shot protects you, your family and the community from getting sick. The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System provides flu shots and COVID vaccinations for Veterans and they are going one step further. Veterans can also visit participating pharmacies and community care partners and get free vaccinations closer to home. Eligible Veterans can get a no-cost flu shot from a nearby VA clinic or within your community from one of nearly 65,000 in-network pharmacies or urgent care locations.
Keep in mind:
To get a no-cost vaccine, the provider must be part of VA’s community care network.
If you receive a flu shot from a non-network provider, you may be responsible for the cost of the vaccine.
Retail pharmacies include most supermarket and local pharmacies.
Many urgent care locations offer walk-in care.
Call ahead to see if a pharmacy or urgent care site:
participates in the VA flu shot program.
offers the specific flu vaccine that you prefer
To learn more about the program the VA provides fact sheets, language options are available in English or Spanish versions. Flu vaccines are usually available September through April. Use our on-line VA locator to find locations.
And if you would like to get both vaccinations, you now can safely get shots for flu and COVID at the same time – one visit, two vaccines. (Call ahead to make sure COVID vaccine available). Remember, if you go to a local urgent care for your vaccine, the visit must be for vaccination ONLY for it to be covered. If you seek additional treatment on top of receiving the flu or COVID vaccine, you may be responsible for a co-payment.
You are eligible to receive a no-cost flu shot at an in-network retail pharmacy or urgent care location if:
You are enrolled in the VA health care system
You received care from a VA provider or an in-network community care provider within the past 24 months.
How do I know if I am eligible?
Call 800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) Select option 1 (urgent care information or check urgent care eligibility). The system will verify your eligibility for the community urgent care benefit, which includes the flu vaccination.
Or call the OKC VA at 1-405-456-1000 option 2 or find your local VA facility
Your state may have age and health-related restrictions.
For more information, please visit the below link: https://www.prevention.va.gov/flu/FluShots.asp

Friday morning, January 12th was a cold and windy day in Norman.  Would the Elvis Day Event at the city’s Adult Wellness and Education Center be postponed? When I got there around 11 a.m. the parking lot was nearly full. Inside classes where in full swing and members where milling around, playing cards and billiards, watching TV or simply sitting and chatting.
Aging Services was preparing to serve lunch in the Multipurpose room. Velvet Elvis paintings were in progress in the Dry Craft Room and a few members were working out in the Fitness Center. All of that before lunch!
During lunch Elvis performed on stage!!
Later that afternoon I talked with Katherine Leidy, Healthy Living Norman Branch Manager. I asked her if it was usual for the parking lot to be full as it was when I arrived.
“I would like to think that more people came for the Elvis Day Event but in truth if you come here any day between 11 and 1 it will be full. Aging Services serves lunch during that time,” she said.
But lunch certainly wasn’t the only thing happening there  that day. The gym had people working out on the equipment and walking the indoor track. Others were in the pool exercising and relaxing in toasty warmth during this frigid day.
“Membership is $35 a month. But we do have a sliding scale for those with lower incomes. We also accept Silver Sneakers and Renew Active, which cover the monthly membership fee,” Leidy explained.
Membership includes access to the gym and pool as well as all activities and classes. While some classes may have a fee for materials, entry is included. For instance, during the Elvis Day Events, the painting classes had a small fee but the Cooking Class: A Healthy Twist on Elvis’ Favorites did not. Neither did the Elvis Movie Marathon or Jeopardy: Elvis Edition.
This is an awesome new center geared to 50+ persons to encourage  health, wellness and camaraderie. If you want to just check it out they have a day pass for $10. Check out the schedule of events at www.healthylivingnorman.com.

PS I heard a rumor about Beatle Mania in February!

How many daily steps do we really need for optimum health? Ten thousand steps seems to be the gold standard in most of what we read to keep diabetes and high blood pressure (as well as several other conditions) at bay. And how do we keep track of all our steps?
Before you decide on a target number of steps per day, call your medical provider and ask how many you should be doing. You might learn that with an otherwise active, healthy life, several thousand steps per day might be enough, rather than the whole 10,000.
How to count those steps is the tricky part. I have several of those little clip-on step counters, and unfortunately, they all come up with different results. I have no way of knowing which are accurate.
There is a popular tracker called Fitbit, a fancy step counter that looks like a watch. Each model has pros and cons, per thousands of online reviews. Some do more than just count steps; they also keep tabs on your location with GPS, your pace and how far you’ve walked, your sleep profile, your heart rate and your stress level. They can be pricey, especially if you want to unlock all the features and sign up for Fitbit Premium to see all your data on the dashboard.
Your best bet is to Google “best step counters for seniors” and wade through a few dozen choices. You’ll find Apple Watch, 3DTriSport Walking 3D Pedometer, Garmin Vivofit 4 activity tracker and so many more. If you have a subscription to Consumer Reports, check their reviews on activity trackers for seniors.
Before you opt for an expensive tracker, visit a store where they are sold and try them out. A watch font might be too tiny to read, or a clip-on might not stay clipped on.
Bonus: Several Medicare Advantage plans provide either free or reduced-cost Fitbit devices.

Last year began as I was sworn into my second and last term as your Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner. I am always grateful for your continued trust and the unique opportunity it is to serve my fellow Oklahomans. Last year was also an eventful year from an insurance standpoint. From severe weather to changes in the insurance market, the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) was here with you through all of it. I want to highlight some of our work from 2023 and discuss what’s in store for this year.
We were here to help.
As we state in our vision, OID’s top priority is to protect Oklahoma consumers. Last year, our Consumer Assistance division assisted with 13,157 phone calls and 2,784 complaints, resulting in 327 external reviews and $8,295,011 recovered for consumers. Our Anti-Fraud division also assisted with 1,414 complaints. With the Life Insurance Policy Locator, we matched Oklahoma beneficiaries with $49 million in life insurance benefits…that they didn’t know they had! Additionally, through all the winter weather, wildfires, hail and tornadoes, we were ready to provide assistance and answer your insurance questions. We help Oklahomans in their time of need, and I want to reiterate that if you need assistance or would like to file a complaint, please contact us at 800-522-0071 or visit oid.ok.gov.
We met with those we serve.
My team and I love getting out in the communities we serve and meeting consumers and insurance industry professionals. We arranged Coffee with the Commissioner and attended Mix and Mingle events across the state, where we met with chambers of commerce, licensed agents, Rotary Club chapters and other organizations to learn ways we can better serve the community. In September, we set up a booth at the Oklahoma State Fair to inform thousands of consumers about our services while having fun in the process. In addition to these events, our Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) was active, giving 303 community presentations and engaging in 19,254 one-on-one client contacts, leading to 27,164 people reached. If you’d like to host an event with us, visit http://www.oid.ok.gov/speaker or call our office at 800-522-0071.
We informed and advocated for Oklahomans.
In 2023, we looked for new ways to reach consumers and licensed producers. We launched campaigns like Here to Help, Ask OID and Winter Weather to give guidance on what Oklahomans should know about insurance. We brought you 13 new episodes of the Mulready Minutes podcast, where we featured informative guests to share perspectives and information on topics such as Medicare Open Enrollment, captive insurance and the different divisions at OID. Our team also produced six episodes of the Medicare Monday webinar, and we hosted our first Insurance Day, where we connected with 125 industry professionals on issues affecting the insurance industry in Oklahoma and across the country. As a reminder, you can keep up with the latest news and events with us by following us on social media and subscribing to email news updates at https://oid.ok.gov/subscribe.
We’re looking forward to 2024.
Before looking ahead, I’d like to thank the OID team, who are dedicated state employees who make all of this possible. We expect 2024 to come with unique challenges and opportunities, but our commitment to serving Oklahomans will not change. We will keep you informed by bringing you new podcast episodes, webinars, campaigns and events in your own community. Check out our 2023 Annual Report for more information on all the work we do at OID. Here’s to a successful 2024!

By Marilyn Olson, Executive Director, VillagesOKC

VillagesOKC continues it’s free daylong workshops focused on senior health with “Listen to Your Gut” on February 21. The workshop at the Metro Technology Center, 1900 Springlake Dr. will feature two speakers, a light lunch and resource tables. Presented by VillagesOKC, the lead sponsor is CompleteOK Home Health and Hospice.
Gut health refers to the health of the entire digestive system and the health of the microorganisms living in the digestive tract. This includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. When you eat food or drink liquid, your body breaks those items down into nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, etc.) as they travel through your digestive tract.
Debbie Ozment, DDS, MS, will address “Vitality Takes Guts: How Your Microbiome Impacts Health.” Gut microbiome is the collection of all the bacteria that live within the gut. Candace Sturlin, PA-C, will be speaking on “Wellness and Longevity of the Gut.”
Contrary to what many people believe, not all bacteria are threats to health. In fact, the gut microorganisms are critical to many of the body’s processes, and when these bacteria are healthy, they have a huge positive impact on our overall health. However, chronic inflammation can accelerate disease progression.
Dr. Ozment is committed to early diagnosis and intervention of periodontal disease to positively affect not only the mouth, but the entire body. According to Dr. Ozment, gum disease is an early warning of larger disease problems: heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis among other afflictions.
She has been a private-practice dentist since 1985. A graduate of Oklahoma University College of Dentistry, she served as adjunct faculty there for seven years. Dr. Ozment completed a Masters’ degree in Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and is a Diplomate with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Trained at Mayo Clinic, she is a Nationally Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach.
Sturlin has extensive training and over 21 years of experience in Family Medicine, Anti-Aging, Emergency Medicine, Urology and Sexual Medicine. A graduate of Southern Nazarene University, she earned a Master of Science as a Physician Associate with Distinction from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center College of Medicine. She joined Total Healthcare Partners and Wellness and Longevity in 2010 working along side Dr. Paul Rothwell to promote individuals living healthier lives through wellness to reduce sickness.
Registration for the free workshop is required on the VillagesOKC events calendar
https://villagesokc.org/calendar or by calling (405) 990-6637.