As new state leaders are sworn in today, John D. Doak reflects on his eight years as Oklahoma’s insurance commissioner. Doak was elected the state’s 12th insurance commissioner in 2010 and was re-elected for a second term in 2014.
“I’m honored that Oklahomans chose to elect me to represent them, both in terms of insurance company solvency and ensuring fair claims handling,” Doak said. “I’ve been privileged to witness the courage and resilience of Oklahomans in the face of difficult natural disasters. It’s also been a pleasure to work with our state Legislature and governor and to travel to every one of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, meeting and working with the people who live there.”
During his tenure, Doak has tirelessly worked to raise awareness of the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) and how it can help Oklahomans. He started a field representative program to reach every corner of the state. He also made it a mission to have boots on the ground as soon as possible after a disaster. Many times Doak himself would visit with storm victims to reassure them that his office was there to help, if needed.
Another issue Doak worked on during his time in office was lowering the rate of uninsured motorists. Oklahoma has one of the highest rates in the country. Just a few months ago, the OID announced it would host the Auto Insurance Verification System which allows law enforcement to verify a driver has insurance in real time.
“One of my proudest accomplishments is that, as I leave the OID, it is now being recognized as a global leader in insurance regulatory issues,” Doak said.
Doak’s recognition that government must be ready to accept new and innovative ideas and products has helped frame that thinking. His belief that the OID should not only to protect consumers but allow the free market process to bring new quality products to consumers is recognized by many leaders worldwide.
More of Doak’s accomplishments include:
*Recovering $27,675,828 for Oklahomans since 2011
*The passage of House Bill 2308 which allows the OID to construct and own an office building
*OID employees earning more than 160 professional designations
*Co-hosting the National Tornado Summit since 2011
*The passage of the Insurance Business Transfer law
*Developing an earthquake education requirement for insurance professionals
*Testifying before a U.S. Senate sub-committee about insurance fraud
*Helping launch the University of Tulsa Cyber District
“I wish the best to the new leaders of our state, Gov. Kevin Stitt, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready,” Doak said. “Commissioner Mulready has already proven that he is a dedicated public servant with expertise in the insurance industry, and he will continue that tradition in this new role.”

Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble presents fine classical music in an intimate, family-friendly setting. All concerts will take place at 7:30 pm on Tuesday evenings at the beautiful and historic St. Paul’s Cathedral in downtown Oklahoma City at 127 NW 7th Street (at Robinson). Bright Music website, www.brightmusic.org, contains more detailed information about this concert, including the musicians who will be appearing. Season passes are available online, and individual tickets are available at the door for $20. Admission is free for children and students with student ID and for active-duty military service personnel with ID.
“Reeds-A-Plenty”
Experience the Richness
Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 7:30 pm at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 127 NW 7th Street (at Robinson).
Experience the exquisite richness of woodwinds as the Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble presents a diverse sampling of 18th- through 20th-century works for reeds in its fourth concert of the 2018-19 season Tuesday evening, March 19, 2019. On the program are worthy works by Saint-Saëns and Glinka, as well as three of the worthiest French composers and a Czech you’ve probably never heard of. This is a rare opportunity to hear these delightful but less frequently performed works, some by composers who are best known for their compositions for the wind ensemble. Plenty of charm! Plenty of delight! Plenty of reeds!
The works on the program are:
Francois Devienne, Trio No. 5 in B-flat Major (for flute, clarinet & bassoon), Mikhail Glinka, Trio Pathétique in D Minor (for clarinet, bassoon & piano), Florent Schmitt, A Tour d’Anches (“Reeds in Turn”) (for oboe, clarinet, bassoon & piano), Clemence de Grandval, Trio de Salon, op. 8 (for oboe, bassoon & piano), Lukasš Hurnik, Fusion Music for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon & Piano, and Camille Saint-Saens, Caprice on Danish and Russian Airs (for flute, oboe, clarinet & piano).
Musicians appearing:
Parthena Owens, Flute, Lisa Harvey-Reed, Oboe, Chad Burrow, Clarinet, Rodney Ackmann, Bassoon , Ruirui Ouyang, Piano and Sallie Pollack on the Piano.
The performance will take place at St. Paul’s Cathedral, 127 NW 7th Street (at Robinson). Individual concert admission is $20 per ticket. Children, students and active-duty military personnel are admitted free with ID. More information about this concert is available on Brightmusic’s website at http://www.brightmusic.org.

The Oklahoma History Center is honored to present Colonial Williamsburg’s Katharine Pittman in a portrayal of America’s “Lady Washington,” Martha Dandridge Custis Washington. The performance will be Thursday, February 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will take place in the Chesapeake Event Center. Admission costs are $10 for Oklahoma Historical Society members and $20 for nonmembers. There is no reserved seating, so early arrival is recommended. Tickets may be reserved by calling 405-522-0765. The Oklahoma History Center is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City.
Katharine Pittman has been an actor/interpreter for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for six years. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University and holds degrees in theater and history, and performed for many years around the country in musicals and operas. However, history was always her passion and, when given the opportunity, Pittman developed the Martha Washington portrayal and became one of the Nation Builders for Colonial Williamsburg.
While in Oklahoma, Pittman will make an appearance at the annual Colonial Day event at the Oklahoma State Capitol and Revolutionary Day in Tulsa.

WESTVILLE – A number of years ago, Terry and Pam Lamb began sharing a mustard recipe with friends and family. Now, they’ve created a business out of it.
“After being asked to bottle our lemon dill mustard so friends and family could share it with others, we decided to look into making it a business,” Terry Lamb said. “We had no experience in producing a food product. We looked to our local SCORE office for assistance. They suggested we market more than one product. We started playing with flavors and came up with over 10 we felt would be marketable and decided to start marketing three.”
Partnering with Pam’s mother, Vienna Willard, the Lambs converted their shop into a commercial kitchen. After approval from the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Tajour Specialty Products was ready for production.
“We currently manufacture three flavors of mustard,” Terry Lamb said. “Our flavors include lemon dill mustard, rosemary garlic mustard and cranberry orange mustard. We have a number of other flavors developed with the intention of introducing more flavors as our company grows.”
The Lambs chose to incorporate a Hand Up Program, in which they donate 2 percent of every sale to go into an account to help people in their community build local businesses and fight food insecurity.
“We also try to make our products versatile,” he said. “Our mustards can be spread on a cracker with cheese or used on a sandwich. They can also be used as an ingredient in recipes. Our favorite is to make a dressing out of our cranberry orange mustard by mixing it with equal amounts of honey and using it on a salad or as dip. Making deviled eggs using any of our mustards runs a close second.”
Lamb said the goal is to create flavorful, healthy products without added sugar, salt or fat. Tajour Specialty Products was established in November 2017 and started sales in December 2018. The owner is a member of the Cherokee Nation. Tajour Specialty Products recently joined the Made in Oklahoma Program. To learn more about the business, visit www.tajoursp.com, www.madeinoklahoma.net/products/tajour-specialty-products-llc/ or find them on Facebook.

by Major Lesley Norman, Risk Reduction Officer, Oklahoma City Fire Department

At the beginning of the year, we set goals to make positive improvements in your lives. Most people never consider improving safety around their residents. The Oklahoma City Fire Department (OKCFD) has a few safety suggestions for 2019. Ensure the following safety recommendations are completed to provide a safer year for you and your family at home.
Smoke alarms should be installed inside each bedroom/sleeping area and one outside those areas. Smoke alarms should also be installed on every level of the home including basements. The Oklahoma City Fire Department “Project Life” smoke alarm program allows Firefighters to install smoke alarms at no charge for qualifying residents of Oklahoma City. Contact 405-316-2337, www.smokealarmsokc.com or www.Gratisalarmasokc.com to request smoke alarms. Residents outside of Oklahoma City can contact your local fire department or Red Cross. The hearing impaired can contact the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT), 888-885-5588 or email [email protected]. OkAT will install smoke alarms with strobe lights and bed shaker for qualifying Oklahoma residents. Apply at www.okabletech.okstate.edu.
Carbon Monoxide alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas created from incomplete combustion of natural gas, propane, methane or gasoline. Running vehicles and generators also produce CO. Make sure gas appliances are professionally serviced every year to avoid possible CO leaks inside your home.
Fire extinguishers should be located in a kitchen, garage or both, ready to extinguish small fires. If there are smokers in the home, consider additional locations. Small “ABC” extinguishers can be purchased from the local department store and are disposable. Review the manufacturers’ recommendation for a disposal date. Always call 911 or have someone call 911 before extinguishing a fire. When using the extinguisher apply the PASS method for extinguishment, stand six to eight feet from the fire. P – pull the pin, A – aim low at the base of the fire, S – squeeze the lever slowly, S – sweep from side to side. An OKCFD training video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_ZYolzwMX4 or follow instructions provided with the extinguisher.
Fire drills should be practiced monthly while testing your smoke alarm. The OKCFD has a program called “EDITH,” Exit Drills In The Home. The EDITH program’s purpose is to inspire residents to develop an exit plan for their home. The exit plan should include two ways out of every bedroom, a meeting place outside the home, and practicing the fire drill. Practice your exit plan around your mobility and the plan should be shared with everyone sleeping in your home.
Fall prevention measures should include installing grab bars inside your home if you or other family members have a fall risk. Suggested location for grab bars is near toilets and bathtubs. Make sure you have a clear path to the restroom from your sleeping area. Use your walking aid or lift chair on those days you feel weaker than normal. Speak with your physician if your strength starts to fade. Begin this year making fire and fall safety improvements a priority in your life.
* According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or the alarms are not working.”
Additional fire safety information is available at www.nfpa.org/Public-Education.

The stabbing pains in David Key’s armpits awoke him from sleep one night in 2006. “It was excruciating,” said Key, 53, who lives in Oil Center, about 10 miles northeast of Ada.
He cycled through hospitals and clinics, his condition worsening. He developed uncontrollable tremors and neurological problems and gave up his business. After a pair of strokes, he was forced to go on disability. Years passed, yet still he had no answers.
Finally, one physician thought he recognized Key’s condition. A subsequent biopsy of lymph nodes proved the hunch: sarcoidosis, a rare disease that causes lumps of immune cells – known as granulomas – to form in organs throughout the body.
“Unless patients’ first symptoms are in the lungs, they’re usually misdiagnosed,” said Courtney Montgomery, Ph.D., who studies the disease in her lab at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
Scientists know little about what triggers sarcoidosis. It seems to start in the immune system, eliciting rampant inflammation. The tumor-like lumps can appear in the eyes, liver, heart, skin and brain and, most often, in the lungs.
The disease can strike anyone, but it disproportionately affects African Americans. And, said Montgomery, it can be fatal.
“The most common causes of death are cardiac conditions,” she said. Heart complications claimed the disease’s two most famous victims – NFL Hall of Famer Reggie White and comedian Bernie Mac – at the ages of 43 and 50, respectively.
For Key, doctors have largely managed to control his symptoms through steroids and long list of other medications for the tremors, pain, depression and neurological issues. Still, he continues to experience near-constant pain in his chest. “Sometimes, I can swear I’m having a heart attack,” he said.
Last year, in an effort to help Montgomery and her OMRF scientific team better understand the disease, Key traveled to Oklahoma City to participate in a research study of sarcoidosis at the foundation. After filling out questionnaires detailing his disease and medication history, he donated blood for the researchers to analyze.
“By studying what’s going on at a genetic level in patients with active disease, we hope to identify environmental triggers that initiate sarcoidosis,” Montgomery said. Ultimately, that work might point scientists to an effective treatment.
Key understands that volunteering in OMRF’s research study likely won’t help directly. Still, he said, “If it can help somebody down the road, it’s worth it.”
For more information about sarcoidosis or to participate in research studies of the disease at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, call (405) 271-2504 or email [email protected].

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

Like many, Karyl James, MSN, BSN, RN, Mercy Hospital CNO watched the frequent headlines marking deadly shootings.
And the reports of violence inside health care showed no signs of slowing down.
But what happens if the two scenarios combined? It was a question James and others in the Mercy system really didn’t want to think about, but one they knew they had to answer.
“With all the public shootings going on our safety team in collaboration with nursing said we have to educate and do something about it,” James said recently.
Through planning, discussion and scenarios Code Roscoe was born.
The code is Mercy-wide, so all 45 hospitals in the system use it for any active shooter situation.
Each unit must have at least two identified safe places that can prevent a shooter’s access to people.
“It’s not just nursing it’s registration, it’s all of those individuals. The front door of the hospital is registration so they need a safe place,” James said.
Planning for the unknown is a constant battle. Knowing who might have a gun is another.
A former ER nurse, James is familiar with both.
“Unknown was just kind of second nature for me and personally, I’ve had a gun pointed at me as an ER nurse many years ago,” James said.
It was an eye-opener to say the least.
“Yeah, I’m going to die. It was frightening,” James said of what flashed through her mind all those years ago. “He was not in his right mind and pulled out the revolver. Luckily, I had a police officer right next to me and he grabbed the gun.”
“The worst we can do is say ‘Oh, that will never happen to me because it might.’”
James knows working without a plan would shortchange everyone. That’s why she’s invested in the planning, hoping it will never be put to use.
The first drill that was run pointed out several instances where locking mechanisms didn’t work the way they should have.
The second time the code was called it wasn’t a drill.
“I got that call on a Sunday afternoon and I just froze,” James said of the scenario where the hospital locked down after a suspect in a nearby neighborhood was seen with a gun. “My stomach just sank because there was no drill.”
Out of instinct the first thing James did was call the house supervisor. That wasn’t protocol.
“The first thing you do is turn your phone off and text only,” James said. “I was the administrator on call.”
The house supervisor did answer and whispered to James she and several others were huddled under a table in the nursing administration offices.
“There was no lock on that door so they had the table pushed against the door,” James said. “The larger space you could just walk in. We’ve since put a badge reader on that door.”
Officials also learned the emergency locking button that seals all doors in the emergency department did not work.
“You could literally walk up and push open our ER so we got that fixed,” James said. “It really kind of opened our eyes to a lot of the safety measures we thought we had but really didn’t.”
Mercy has had Code Roscoe in place for nearly three years now. It’s evolved along the way.
“The reason I feel good about it is because the co-workers feel good about it,” James beamed. “After that actual event I went to the hospital after it was all said and done. It was a grueling 45 minutes because that was about how long it took for police to subdue the individual shooting in the neighborhood. I rounded on staff.”
“They knew exactly what to do. They knew where their safe spots were and the locks worked. They felt safer. For me, that’s a win.”
Planning for the unexpected is challenging to say the least.
“There’s always something new and I think you have to be flexible to understand you don’t have everything figured out and you never will,” she said.
“I get shocked every day with something new. Being open to accepting that and training as much as you possibly can for those bigger events – coworkers will figure out what they need to do and what is right to do for their patients and their safety.”

WALK BY FAITH, By Lisa Sydnor

Volunteers are the life-blood of non-profits. They may serve as board or advisory council members, in janitorial or maintenance positions, clerical, fundraisin, communications or as stockers in a food pantry. In other words, any position within the organization. On April 19, 2018, the Independent Sector, in partnership with IMPLAN, announced that the latest value of a volunteer hour is $25.69 – up 2.2% from 2017. That figure, estimated from data collected in 2017, shows the incredible contributions volunteers make to our communities and our country. Currently, 63 million Americans volunteer about 8 billion hours of their time and talent to improve people’s lives and the natural world. With the new value of volunteer time, these Americans are contributing approximately $197.5 billion to our nation.
When someone says, “I am JUST as volunteer”, they are truly missing the significant impact they have on the nonprofit world.
RSVP – Retired and Senior Volunteer Program – has served Oklahoma County since 1973. In 2017, 130 nonprofits in Oklahoma County were the beneficiaries of 136,700 service hours from 707 volunteers; a financial impact of $2.9 million.
Beth Patterson, Executive Director of RSVP of Central Oklahoma, said that the need for more volunteers is critical to help local nonprofits meet their missions and the needs of their clients. RSVP recruits and trains senior volunteers for agencies, such as; American Red Cross, Ronald McDonald House, Project 66 in Edmond, City Care’s Whiz Kids (tutoring), Upward Transitions Travelers Aid at Will Rogers World Airport, and RSVP Provide-A-Ride.
In 1994, RSVP started Provide-A-Ride, a service providing low-income seniors free transportation to medical appointments. RSVP volunteer drivers, age 55 and older, utilize their own vehicles, choose their own schedules, select the geographic areas they want to serve, receive free supplemental accident and liability insurance, and mileage reimbursement. In 2017, 85 volunteer drivers provided 7,476 rides or 261,660 miles driven to medical appointments for 367 seniors.
Provide-A-Ride participants must be 60+ and schedule rides in advance. Maintaining their independence and dignity, being self-sufficient, keeping medical appointments and becoming friends with the drivers are a few of the benefits participants receive through the program. For the drivers, knowing that they performed a much needed and valued service for someone, ensuring that they get their prescriptions filled and alleviating often burdensome transportation costs is what it is all about.
This program is so successful because of the people; that personal touch. One example is RSVP volunteer driver Pat Nebgen, “I do this to give added meaning to my life; to give back; to share my day with someone. The smiles, hugs and lively conversations are added benefits.” Pat began volunteering at RSVP after the death of his wife of 47 years. And, because of Don Blanding, who began volunteering in January 2017; “I enjoy driving and love that I can help seniors live more independently. I greatly enjoy being a part of RSVP. The elderly seniors that we serve are truly dependent on someone else for transportation to their medical appointments. They are always so appreciative of the help they receive. It makes me feel good to see how thankful they are.”
Some participants have shared their thoughts and appreciation:
· Provide-A-Ride volunteers are angels on wheels. Thank you for your kindness in my time of need. Angie G.
· The volunteer drivers are so friendly and courteous. I feel like I’ve made new friends. Now I look forward to my appointments because of them. Mildred M.
· RSVP Provide-A-Ride has made all the difference in ensuring I get the proper care my doctors want me to have. Jerri B.
· I am 91 and have macular degeneration so I can’t drive anymore. Provide-A-Ride volunteer drivers are my eyes on the road now, and I am so grateful. Ida Jean K.
· Provide-A-Ride is a bright cheery ride for those of us who are not able to drive anymore. Nan G.
· I don’t know what I would do for rides to my doctors without Provide-A-Ride. Loretta A.
· If I didn’t have Provide-A-Ride I wouldn’t be able to go to my medical appointments. Deborah M.
· I’ve lost my husband and children, and I don’t have family close enough to help me. Bless you for caring for us! Billie B.
If you are struggling with having reliable and affordable transportation to medical appointments, call RSVP to learn of your options. If you are looking for an avenue by which to give back to the community, what better way than to provide reliable, free transportation for fellow seniors. This is truly a win/win situation and the bonus is making new friends.
RSVP will recognize approximately 300 volunteers at the Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on April 17, 2019, at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Bennett Event Center. Sponsorships are available. To learn more about becoming a Provide-A-Ride participant, find out more about local volunteer opportunities with RSVP, or become a sponsor for the volunteer recognition, call 405-605-3106 or email [email protected].
RSVP is a part of the Corporation for National Service and a United Way of Central Oklahoma partner agency.