The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation presented scientific awards to four scientists and announced another as an endowed chair during Wednesday’s annual spring board meeting.
Florea Lupu, Ph.D., received the Edward L. & Thelma Gaylord Prize for Scientific Excellence, OMRF’s highest scientific award. Lupu joined OMRF in 2001 and holds the H. Allen and Mary K. Chapman Chair in Medical Research, which focuses on the study of cardiovascular and circulatory diseases and disorders. His lab aims to find a new treatment for sepsis, which kills about 270,000 people per year in the U.S. — more than lung cancer, breast cancer and drug overdoses combined.

The Merrick Award for Outstanding Medical Research was given to Benjamin Miller, Ph.D., an internationally recognized leader in aging research. Miller, a physiologist, seeks to prevent the onset of chronic diseases by slowing the biological process of aging. His current work focuses on whether metformin, the world’s most prescribed diabetes drug, is effective at slowing aging.
Gaurav Varshney, Ph.D., received the J. Donald & Patricia H. Capra Award for Scientific Achievement. Varshney uses revolutionary gene-editing technology to understand human hearing loss, a condition that affects 1 in 6 American adults. Last year, he received NIH funding to study 21 genes believed to be involved in developmental disorders such as hearing loss, autism and schizophrenia.
The Fred Jones Award for Scientific Achievement was presented to Wan Hee Yoon, Ph.D. Yoon uses fruit flies to investigate how disruptions or failures in mitochondria — the driver for energy and metabolism in cells — can lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Last year his research uncovered a rare genetic mutation deemed responsible for neurological disorders in nine children in Europe and the Middle East.
Also at the meeting, Darise Farris, Ph.D., was named the Alvin Chang Chair in Biomedical Research. Farris’ lab studies conditions that range from Sjögren’s disease to bacterial infections such as anthrax. Her focus is the body’s abnormal immune responses in these conditions and how countering those reactions can result in better health outcomes.
“Dr. Farris is internationally recognized for her innovative research on immune responses in health and disease,” said Rod McEver, M.D., OMRF’s vice president of research, who held the Alvin Chang Chair from 2009 to 2020. “She is a highly valued colleague at OMRF and other institutions, and most importantly, she is a dedicated mentor to younger scientists.”

In case you missed it, the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released a report last week highlighting the growing number of nursing home closures. More than 1,000 nursing homes have closed since 2015, displacing as many as 45,000 vulnerable residents. As nursing homes and assisted living communities struggle with the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of sustainable government funding, AHCA/NCAL projects that hundreds of add
* Since 2015, facility closures have included 776 before the pandemic and 327 during the pandemic.
* Over 400 nursing homes may close before the end of this year.
* During the pandemic, nearly half of nursing home closures (46 percent) were facilities with the highest ratings by the federal government.
In response to the findings from the report, Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, said:
“Every closure is like a family being broken apart, with the lives of residents, staff and their families impacted in the process. With hundreds of nursing home closures looming now and thousands more anticipated if government funding is cut, state and federal policymakers need to step up to support our social safety net. We need to do better than just keep nursing home doors open—we need to make significant investments to better support our frontline caregivers and transform facilities for a growing elderly population.”
In many cases, facilities are faced with the difficult choice of limiting admissions or closing their doors for good as a result of financial challenges and a historic workforce shortage. Earlier this month, the Eliza Bryant nursing home in Ohio announced its impending closure because of financial and staffing troubles, and the Kensington, a nursing home in Nebraska made a similar announcement a week later.
Nursing home closures mean reduced access to care for vulnerable seniors who need around-the-clock care. Policymakers must act by allocating the resources necessary to address this urgent crisis and support long term care for the future.

by Greg Schwem

“I am currently on the “adjective” diet, meaning I will swallow anything that describes how I want my body to look.
It’s not the first time I have tried to obtain a better shape via attractive sounding nutritional titles. I strode into a vitamin store recently and walked out with something called “Serious Mass.” It’s a product that, judging by the physiques of other guys buying it, would make my neck the size of my thighs.
Perhaps the product worked for them. For me, it should have been titled “No Mass. Seriously.”
Next up was “Joint Mobility,” a supplement that, according to its manufacturer’s website, prevents inflammation that can result in “unwanted pain, stiffness, cracking, or even popping joints.”
Sadly, those cracks and pops persisted although I felt very mobile when making my way to the couch.
Have I learned my lesson? No, as evidenced by an initial trip to a local smoothie store, where a whole new batch of enticing and promising verbiage awaited me.
I have never been a fan of smoothies, particularly as a substitute for actual food. If I am going to drink my lunch, I want to feel as full as if I had just exited McDonald’s after polishing off a double quarter pounder with cheese and large fries. This has never happened. One time it didn’t happen because I spit out the entire contents after seeing my receipt. Who knew something called “Acai” would require a second trip to the ATM?
Nevertheless, smoothie stores and juice bars now occupy most of the retail space not already acquired by Starbucks. A relative recently purchased a “faith based” juice franchise.
“So, if Jesus ever wanted a smoothie, this is where he would go?” I texted her shortly after the grand opening.
I still have not received a response. Hey, I thought it was funny.
I decided to give a recently opened smoothie bar near my home a chance. I had just left the gym after a particularly spirited workout and wanted to retain that good health feeling for as long as possible, meaning until 5 p.m. when I planned to join a friend for beer and wings.
Striding up to the counter, I ordered something called “Island Green,” containing spinach, kale, mango, pineapple and banana. It sounded inviting, never mind that it was the color of Augusta National.
“Would you like any supplements?” asked the “smoothierista,” or whatever you call the person tasked with grinding kale into a liquid.
“Such as?” I responded.
I was shown a list of powders including collagen, vitamin B12 and whey protein. But my eyes immediately went to another one: “Fat Burner.”
Excuse me? A scoop, or several, of sand-colored powder could burn unsightly fat from my frame? Why was this even in stock? I mean, who is ordering a smoothie and saying, “No, no, I don’t want to remove fat. In fact, I want just the opposite. Can I have a scoop of flab? Do you have any plump? And while you’re at it, gimme two scoops of low self-esteem!”
I didn’t ask what exactly was in Fat Burner; for all I know it’s the color of sand because it actually IS sand. It was also an extra dollar. I ordered it.
The only burn I felt was the one in my stomach, which disappeared after 20 chicken wings.
A friend recently introduced me to the term “SUPERFOODS,” which sounds like, if eaten, would give me the ability to fly. I have tried most of them; I can report there is nothing “super” about chia seeds and lentils.
As of today, I vow not to base my daily food intake around descriptive titles. Instead, I will continue hitting the gym, drinking copious amounts of water and limiting my ice cream intake.
Unless that ice cream is SLOW CHURNED. That’s healthy, right?
(Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of two books: “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at Amazon.com. Visit Greg on the web at www.gregschwem.com.
You’ve enjoyed reading, and laughing at, Greg Schwem’s monthly humor columns in Senior Living News. But did you know Greg is also a nationally touring stand-up comedian? And he loves to make audiences laugh about the joys, and frustrations, of growing older. Watch the clip and, if you’d like Greg to perform at your senior center or senior event, contact him through his website at www.gregschwem.com)

story and photo by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

It’s all fun in the sun when you’re young.
But as you start to age all that exposure to the sun can begin to take its toll, resulting in blemishes and forms of skin cancer.
That’s where Dr. Elise Brantley and Scissortail Dermatology come in.
Brantley is a board-certified dermatologist who has been practicing since 2009.
Her practice focus is evaluation and treatment of growths of the skin with emphasis on detecting and treating skin cancer.
She is a native Oklahoman from Broken Arrow.
After graduating high school from the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics she attended the University of Tulsa for undergraduate studies.
She received her medical degree from the University of Oklahoma and completed her residency training at the University of Cincinnati where she served as chief resident.
While her husband was completing additional training in orthopedics she served on the faculty of both the University of Cincinnati and Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia before returning to Oklahoma.
She has been serving the Oklahoma City metro area for nearly 10 years.
She started Scissortail Dermatology this past September to better serve her patients.
“Over the years I’ve accumulated a practice of people who have had years of chronic sun exposure and a high rate of skin cancer development,” Brantley said. “Many of them are elderly because skin cancers come from years and years of sun exposure. It’s basically insult after insult after insult.”
Years of data have taught us about the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. Unfortunately, for many, that information wasn’t available when they needed it the most.
“We didn’t know then what we know now so when they were younger they were accumulating damage that no one had any idea how dangerous it was,” Brantley said. “Luckily, now, we have a lot more knowledge about how the sun’s rays cause damage but back then people just burned and kept going.”
Brantley has heard stories of patients trying to get sun tans when they were younger. Baby oil, Crisco, aluminum foil, iodine were just a few of the concoctions people thought might help them tan.
The wisdom of trying to get a “base tan” before the summer is also one that Brantley says is a myth. Base tans do not protect from sun damage or skin cancers.
Brantley educates her patients so they can become more knowledgeable about what to look out for.
She focuses on prevention and protection from the sun as well as skin cancer detection and treatment.
“It’s never a bad idea to come in and get a full body skin check from head to toe, at least for a start,” Brantley said. “We can look at your overall risk factors, your history and personal history and even clues from your skin as to how much sun damage you’ve already accumulated.”
“From there we can determine how often you should come in and we can go over how to detect things on your own.”
Three main types of skin cancer exist and some may have genetic components.
Non-melanoma skin cancers include basal cell and squamous cell cancers.
Melanomas are the quicker, more dangerous forms that – if left untreated – can become fatal.
“Those can take off within only a few weeks for the more aggressive ones,” Brantley said. “Anytime you have a brown spot or black spot that is not part of your normal skin that you don’t recognize or is behaving differently you definitely should come get that checked out sooner rather than later.”
“It doesn’t mean it’s melanoma. There’s a whole category of things that are benign that look similar but are hard to tell unless you are trained.”
It’s never too late to hedge your bet against skin cancer. Seeking shade and not being out in the hottest part of the days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. are recommended.
There is more SPF protective clothing now than ever before including hats and shirts.
Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is also a great idea, reapplied every two hours.
Brantley notes that seniors are also at a higher risk of damage as they age, particularly if they spend more time in the sun.
“The more you are in the sun the less effective your immune system is at fighting off skin cancer,” said Brantley, who also noted the benefits of getting Vitamin D from the sun can as readily be achieved through vitamin supplements. “If you are immune-compromised you can start growing more and more skin cancers as your system gets weaker.”
Keeping a watchful eye over her patients is something that brings her immense joy.
“It’s very satisfying how you can get to know someone young and develop a relationship and know these patients over years and years. I love that once you get established with patients you build that relationship and it’s a privilege to get to know someone throughout their entire life. It’s very much a part of who a patient is, not just what their skin looks like.”
You can visit Dr. Brantley at one of her two OKC offices, Collier Skin Cancer Center, 3030 NW 149th St, or 401 SW 80th St, Bldg D, Ste 101. You can make an appointment by calling (405) 562-6222 or visiting her website at www.scissortaildermatology.com

Five grants totaling $1.5 million have provided new cage-cleaning and sterilization equipment for the more than 20,000 mice that call the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation home.
Offices in the animal facility, known as the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Genetic Research, also are being renovated, thanks to grants from the Hearst Foundation, J.A. Chapman and Leta M. Chapman Charitable Trust, National Institutes of Health, Presbyterian Health Foundation, and Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation.
Researchers rely heavily on lab mice, which share more than 95% of their genomes with humans. These mice help deepen scientists’ understanding of diseases ranging from cancer to Alzheimer’s to multiple sclerosis and often play a crucial role in developing new treatments.
Mice receive a new cage every one to two weeks. Research technicians wash, sterilize and provide new bedding for nearly 1,000 cages per day. After 20 years, the highly specialized equipment was breaking down regularly: In 2020, OMRF’s contracted technician made 38 visits for repairs.
“What kept us up at night was the prospect of our repair technician getting ill or that the equipment would have a catastrophic failure,” said Jennie Criley, D.V.M., OMRF’s director of Comparative Medicine.
A catastrophic failure, Criley said, could have meant a six-month wait for new, custom-made equipment. This would have caused sweeping delays in research operations, including experiments involving a select group of “germ-free” mice for OMRF researchers like Matlock Jeffries, M.D. These mice have no detectable microbes, and everything that enters their environment must be sterile.
“Our lab studies the relationship between osteoarthritis and microbiomes in the gut,” Jeffries said. “The germ-free facility allows us to give mice a precise microbiome and examine the effects on knee cartilage when we perturb the microbiome. It’s critical that their environment is kept reliably sterile. These grants provide that assurance.” The grants replaced seven pieces of equipment utilized by researchers at OMRF, the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Oklahoma.
The new equipment provides not only reliability, but also energy savings, resulting in more efficient use of foundation funds.
“These facility updates will provide decades of support for OMRF researchers to garner new insights and treatment strategies for diseases that impact people everywhere,” said OMRF President Andrew S. Weyrich, Ph.D.
NIH funds for the renovation are from National Institute of General Medical Sciences Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence program grant No. P20GM139763-01.

Governor Kevin Stitt nominates current interim commissioner of health for commissioner position

Thursday Governor Kevin Stitt nominated Keith Reed the Commissioner of Health for the state of Oklahoma. Reed has been with the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) for 20 years, serving in various positions throughout the agency.
Reed has been serving as OSDH’s interim Commissioner of Health since October 22, 2021.
“I am honored to be nominated by Governor Stitt for consideration as Oklahoma’s next Commissioner of Health,” said Keith Reed, current interim commissioner of health. “I am proud to work alongside professionals that are truly dedicated to improving the lives of their neighbors. I look forward to the potential to serve in this capacity and continuing the transformation of OSDH, as it strengthens internally to ultimately be more responsive and a better partner for Oklahomans.”
Reed was born and raised in Monroe, Oklahoma located in Le Flore County.
“I often draw on my upbringing in a smaller Oklahoma community when thinking about the needs of Oklahomans that OSDH has the responsibility for meeting,” said Reed.
Reed has his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Oklahoma’s Northeastern State University and possesses a Master of Public Health Degree (MPH) from the University of Oklahoma. Further, he is Certified in Public Health through the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
In addition to his public health career, Reed is a Colonel in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, serving multiple tours in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. He is currently assigned as Commander, 137th Special Operations Medical Group, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma City.
“Keith Reed has done an exceptional job as interim commissioner of health and will continue to serve Oklahomans well in this permanent capacity,” said Gov. Stitt. “Keith has a proven track record of success, and he is the right person to lead the Oklahoma State Department of Health into the future.”
Before Reed is officially named as the Commissioner of Health, the senate must confirm his appointment.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) protects and improves public health through its system of local health services and strategies focused on preventing disease. OSDH provides technical support and guidance to 68 county health departments in Oklahoma, as well as guidance and consultation to the two independent city-county health departments in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Learn more at Oklahoma.gov/health.

Story by Darl DeVault, Contributing Editor

In a conversation with an early-career friend and actor Michael McGreevey, Kurt Russell, 71, provided detail about his long career in TV and movies before a standing-room-only audience the morning before he received a great honor. Many seniors with a lifelong appreciation for Western heritage and culture gathered to hear him speak.
He was in Oklahoma City on April 9 to be inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers along with his father, Bing Russell, later that night during the Western Heritage Awards at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Russell’s father, Neil Oliver “Bing” Russell, who died in 2003, acted in many Western TV and film productions, including Bonanza. For several years Bing played Deputy Clem Poster in the TV series Bonanza.
Russell treated the crowd of 440, of whom 100 stood for the hour-long conversation to candid, sometimes humorous and unrehearsed insights into his career. He took corrections from the audience several times to keep his stories moving forward.
Russell explained some of his early work. He described meeting Elvis Presley as a 10-year-old uncredited bit player in one of his films, “It Happened at the World’s Fair” in 1963.
Russell talked about his move from Hollywood to buy a ranch near Aspen, Colo., when he was 25.
He discussed how acting in the super successful 1979 ABC Movie of the Week “Elvis the Movie,” playing Presley at 27, earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination. Later a shorter, re-edited version of “Elvis” played in theatres throughout Europe and Australia. He said the highly-rated TV movie performance sparked his film career, and he has not done TV since. Russell’s father Bing co-starred in the biopic as Elvis’s father, Vernon Presley.
The discussion then turned to his roles in Westerns, where he starred as legendary lawman Wyatt Earp in the iconic 1993 film “Tombstone.” While some writers cite the movie as an absolute cult classic because it was a box office, purists realize it is one of the most iconic Westerns ever in depicting Western dialog.
Russell told the audience, “Tombstone” is getting what it deserves (continued acclaim). As far as I’m concerned, when it comes to dialogue, no Western stands up to “Tombstone.”
Oklahomans agree, as evidenced by the Oklahoma State University football program’s use of a scene from the film shown on their stadium’s big screen as the Cowboys run onto the field. They loudly play 10 seconds of the scene near the movie’s end where Earp screams, “the laws coming, you tell’em I’m coming and hells coming with me, you hear, hell’s coming with me.”
Although screenwriter Kevin Jarre (“Glory”) began directing his script for “Tombstone,” producers fired him after a month. Russell said, “After helping secure financing for the film, the director was fired. They wanted me to take over the movie. I called Sylvester Stallone, who recommended George Cosmatos, who had done Rambo II with him. When he arrived, I said to George, “I’m going to give you a shot list every night, and that’s what’s going to be.”
Russell revealed other fascinating bits of the behind-the-scenes drama on the movie’s set. He was forced to cut 22 pages from the script and yet still respect all the great actors he had helped gather for the production.
This extra effort on the film explains Russell’s understated role as Earp for most of the movie, whose character was supposed to be retired from gunplay to be a gambler. Instead, Val Kilmer played the majority of the scenes involving a feared killer, Doc Holliday, capable of instilling fear and dispatching his opponent without a hint of remorse. Some writers think Kilmer stole the many scenes he was in because of his edgy, extremely believable portrayal of all the physical tics of a person with tuberculosis living in a hot climate.
Not at the event in OKC, Kilmer confirmed much of this in a 2017 blog post (via The Hollywood Reporter), saying: “Russell’s totally correct about how hard he worked the day before for the next day’s shot list and the tremendous effort he and I both put into editing, as the studio [Hollywood Pictures] wouldn’t give us any extra time to make up for the whole month we lost with the first director. I watched Kurt sacrifice his role and energy to devote himself as a storyteller, even going so far as to draw up shot lists to help our replacement director, George Cosmatos, who came in with only two days prep.” Kilmer continued in 2017: “I have such admiration for Kurt. He sacrificed lots of energy that would have gone into his role to save the film. Everyone cared, don’t get me wrong, but Kurt put his money where his mouth was, and not many stars extend themselves for the cast and crew. Not like he did.”
Russell also starred in 2015 Westerns “Bone Tomahawk” and “The Hateful Eight”. In 2019, “The Hateful Eight” was again released as a re-edited four-episode miniseries on Netflix with the subtitle Extended Version. Russell explained his role in “Bone Tomahawk”, cited as Western horror, was so powerful it will be discussed 20 to 30 years into the future.
He finished by taking five questions from the audience in an approachable manner, including a child’s request for his autograph. An audience member has posted a YouTube video of the event at Kurt Russell Full Panel Discussion with Michael McGreevey 04-09-2022 2022 Western Heritage Awards – YouTube
The Museum’s website says it best: Through its three Halls of Fame, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum honors and memorializes the men and women who have, through their exemplary lives, careers, and achievements, embodied and perpetuated the heritage of the American West. Every inductee, whether a real cowboy in the Hall of Great Westerners, a “reel” cowboy in the Hall of Great Western Performers, or a rodeo cowboy in the Rodeo Hall of Fame, perpetuates and enriches facets of this Western heritage. By honoring them, the Museum, in a sense, provides a generational continuity with the past, present and future and bears witness to an evolving American West.

Oklahoma Trails is home for new female river otter, Hazel.

Guests visiting the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden will have an opportunity to see its newest animal family member, Hazel, a female North American river otter. Hazel, 1, recently arrived at the OKC Zoo from Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan, and can be seen at the Zoo’s river otter habitat in the Big Rivers building at Oklahoma Trails. The recommendation for Hazel to relocate to the OKC Zoo came from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan® (SSP) for North American river otters. AZA’s SSP programs are cooperatively managed programs created to oversee species populations within AZA accredited zoos and aquariums.
“It’s always exciting to connect guests to a new member of our animal family,” said Tyler Boyd, the Oklahoma City Zoo’s curator of carnivores. “Hazel is settling in nicely and becoming familiar with her new habitat space. At this time, she is our only river otter but we are working with the AZA’s SSP program for river otters to find her a companion.”
Located throughout North America and Canada, river otters are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as stable, meaning that their population in the wild is not in immediate danger of decline. River otters are just one of 13 different otter species found globally. River otters are known for their long slender bodies with short legs and their excellent swimming abilities. Adult otters can vary greatly in size, growing to about 2.5 to 5 feet and weighing between 10 and 30 pounds. A carnivorous species, river otters eat fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles and even some small mammals. They hunt either alone or in pairs but can also forage on land for insects and small mammals.
You “otter” make your way to the OKC Zoo to see Hazel! The Oklahoma City Zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry no later than 4 p.m. Purchase advance tickets for general admission at www.okczoo.org/tickets. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Regular admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free.
Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. To learn more about Zoo happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, located on the OU Health Sciences Center campus in Oklahoma City, recently marked more than a decade of delivering the most advanced, research-driven, comprehensive care for patients facing the challenges of a cancer diagnosis. Dedicated on June 30, 2011, Stephenson Cancer Center opened to patient care three weeks later.
A $12-million gift made in 2010 by Tulsa residents Charles and Peggy Stephenson, longtime supporters of the University of Oklahoma, capped a $50-million private fundraising campaign. Theirs was the largest single donation to the Health Sciences Center at the time. In 2019, the Stephenson Family Foundation presented a transformative $20 million gift to expand the center’s research mission. Extending the impact of the Stephenson’s generosity, the cancer center committed to raise an additional $20 million, dedicated to the discovery of new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. The philanthropic support of the Stephenson family served to sustain momentum that helped secure the cancer center’s designation as a National Institutes of Health (NCI) Cancer Center in 2018.
NCI designation became a specific goal for Stephenson Cancer Center in 2001, when the Oklahoma State Legislature approved House Bill 1072. Passed with bipartisan support, the bill called upon the university to create a comprehensive cancer center to provide leadership in cancer treatment, research and outreach. Further, the overarching goal was to achieve national recognition as an NCI-designated cancer center. Over the past decade, more than $400 million has been committed to the support and ongoing development of the cancer center, making it the largest public-private biosciences initiative in Oklahoma history.
Stephenson Cancer Center is the only NCI-designated center in Oklahoma. NCI designation belongs to only an elite group of cancer centers representing the top 2% of centers in the United States. Then and now, the cancer center demonstrates an unprecedented commitment to fighting cancer through improved treatment, clinical research, support programs and education.
Robert Mannel, M.D., Stephenson Cancer Center director, emphasized what it means to have such a resource in the state. “Cancer is the greatest challenge of modern-day medicine, possessing an intimidating force to irrevocably alter the lives of patients and their families. Cancer touches all of us, with one of two Oklahoma men and one in three Oklahoma women getting a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. Stephenson Cancer Center’s vision is to eliminate cancer in Oklahoma and beyond. Its mission is to provide patient-centered, research-driven multidisciplinary cancer care. Such care is available in Oklahoma at Stephenson Cancer Center.”
The presence of this unparalleled resource for the utmost in compassionate patient care makes it possible to offer a broad range of latest-generation therapies and research-driven clinical trials. Further, it allows patients to access world-class care close to home, eliminating the necessity of travel beyond state borders. This invaluable benefit preserves patients’ vital networks of physical, mental and emotional support found in family, friends and spiritual communities.
“We’re keenly focused on research-driven patient care that provides access to tomorrow’s therapies today. It is research that drives us toward a future reality in which the burden of cancer is reduced or eliminated,” said Mannel. “Here, we have harnessed the resources that will one day help to defeat this adversary, which has taken such a toll on families across the globe. Stephenson Cancer Center is an inspiring model of what we can accomplish as Oklahomans united for such a compelling cause.”
Mannel explained that the cancer center’s mission-critical components include recruitment of NCI-funded researchers and the education and superior training of oncology health professionals. “These strategies are part of the battle plan to defeat cancer.”

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn [email protected]

Due to health limitations, I do not travel as much as I used to, but enjoy the travel I have had. I still enjoy looking back at my travel experiences, and sharing the best with you.
Love is defined as any of a number of emotions related to a sense of strong affection and attachment.
If this is true, then I think I’m in love – in love with a cruise ship and its crew! Regent’s Voyager of the Seas is worthy of love. On a Baltic Cruise I was delighted with the services provided and the expert delivery on those services. (www.rssc.com)
This state of the art ship is only half the story. With every cabin comes with a comfortable balcony and large picture window with a cozy balcony enabling you to soak up like an appetizer the exotic ports of call – or a calming day at sea. Breakfast room service is must for those not so early bird people when you have an 8:30 am shore excursion. Room service for any meal request is available 24 hours!
Seven Seas Voyager is the world’s second all-suite, all-balcony ship and the second to feature a restaurant operated by Le Cordon Bleu of Paris, following sister ship Seven Seas Mariner. The service at “Signature,” recalls the days of exquisite, formal yet friendly service in a fine Paris restaurant complete with synchronized Silver Bell service for your entree. It’s a real travel adventure in itself when you order a traditional French appetizer of sweet breads, and find it surprisingly savory. There are four other main dining venues for less formal dining,
You enjoy impeccable service thanks to some of the highest space and service ratios at sea. This is exemplified not only in the food and beverage services but in the shore excursions, housekeeping, Internet services, boutique requests and the friendly cruise social staff. I say that the Voyager of the Seas is large enough to serve you, yet small enough to know you. After alerting Ginalyn, my housekeeping stewardess, that I liked my ice bucket always filled, it was done without fail each day with her daily service and found in the mini fridge. It’s the small comfort touches that keep Voyager at the top of cruise ship ratings.
At 4 PM high tea is offered followed by a 4:30 trivia contest where passengers can team up together to win on board points, exchanged near the end of the cruise for souvenir items. After dinner entertainment is eagerly anticipated as it may be a song and dance performance by the Regent Entertainers, specialty acts, a champion ballroom dance team, a magician, virtuoso musical spotlights or a very special all crew talent show.
Late night, for me was always up in the Observation lounge where Pedro my favorite mixologist could prepare his one of a kind Crush Martini, to accompany the relaxing virtuoso musical talents of European Charming pianist Vlado. And should all this entertainment not be sufficient there are 150 free movies available in your suite to lull you, with the gentle ships sway off, to slumber land.
I believe that the ease of cruising gets you the biggest bang for your travel buck. You get what you pay for in cruising with the Regent Line, and more. And there’s much more to tell than space here can accommodate, so please feel free to ask.
I thoroughly agree with the quote printed on one of the chocolates left during turn down service. “We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.” – Hilaire Belloc For your travel fulfillment visit Regent at www.rssc.com.
I hope to someday cruise again, as it is the best travel invested money, and travel memories, you can have.

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
3110 N.W. 15 Street – Oklahoma City, OK 73107
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