Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City is expanding neurology services with the creation of the Herman Meinders Center for Movement Disorders at Mercy NeuroScience Institute (NSI), adding an expert physician and cutting-edge new treatment.
Dr. Cherian Karunapuzha, a neurologist specially trained in treating movement disorders, has joined Mercy NeuroScience Institute. A movement disorder is a neurological disease that impairs a person’s ability to move naturally. The most common types include Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and dystonia.
“At Mercy, we have developed a comprehensive multidisciplinary program which serves as a one-stop shop for care for all aspects of movement disorders,” Dr. Karunapuzha said. “This first of a kind center for Oklahoma will provide patients and referring physicians access to advanced care without having to travel out of state.”
As part of the comprehensive approach to care, Mercy will now offer deep brain stimulation (DBS) for patients living with movement disorders. Dr. Eric Friedman, an experienced neurosurgeon, will perform the new procedure at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City.
Deep brain stimulation involves implanting electrodes in the brain to help regulate abnormal body movements using electrical impulses.
“DBS essentially acts like a pacemaker for the brain,” said Dr. Richard Vertrees Smith, medical director of Mercy NeuroScience Institute. “Movement disorders may progress very slowly, often over decades, and some patients reach a point where medications no longer work. We are proud to be able to offer this exciting new technology that can dramatically improve the quality of life of our patients.”
The creation of the new comprehensive movement disorder clinic was made possible through a $1.7 million donation from local philanthropist Herman Meinders.
In 1970, Meinders founded American Floral Services Inc. (AFS), an international flowers-by-wire service based in Oklahoma City. AFS grew to be ranked as one of the largest floral wire services in the world. Meinders sold AFS in 1994, and it merged with Teleflora in 2000. He remains chairman emeritus of Teleflora.
Herman and his wife were longtime supporters of Parkinson’s research and treatment before he was diagnosed in 2014.
“When I became a patient of Dr. Karunapuzha, I realized what a great doctor he is and when I learned he was considering joining Mercy, I wanted to do whatever I could to make that happen,” said Meinders. “The fact my donation provided the funding necessary to create a comprehensive center for movement disorders and also allowed Mercy to add the best Parkinson’s doctor in Oklahoma to its outstanding staff made this an easy decision for me.”
At the Herman Meinders Center for Movement Disorders, patients will also have access to the most up-to-date imaging services, group exercise classes and a specially trained team of nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists.
“We couldn’t be more grateful for Herman Meinders and his extreme generosity,” said Jim Gebhart, president of Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City and regional strategy officer. “This donation will have a profound impact on our patients and families for years to come.”
Dr. Karunapuzha will begin seeing patients May 21 at Mercy NeuroScience Institute Suite 218. To schedule an appointment, please call the movement disorder center at 405-302-2661 or the administrative office at 405-749-7000.

INTEGRIS, Oklahoma’s most comprehensive health care system, announces the selection of Timothy Pehrson as its president and chief executive officer following completion of a national search. Pehrson comes to Oklahoma from Intermountain Healthcare in Utah where he most recently served in a dual role as regional vice president/CEO for the North Region and vice president of continuous improvement for Intermountain Healthcare.
Like INTEGRIS, Intermountain is widely recognized as one of the most innovative, high-quality health systems in the country. In his role as CEO of the North Region, he was the market leader of a five-hospital region in Utah and Idaho, responsible for integrating the efforts of physicians, hospitals and health plans to improve care for the communities Intermountain served. In addition to his role in charge of regional operations, as vice president of continuous improvement he led the enterprise-wide improvement efforts across Intermountain Healthcare to drive caregiver engagement and strong performance in safety, quality, patient experience, access, caregiver engagement, costs and growth.
“Tim distinguished himself throughout the interview process with his impeccable record of accomplishment, an impressive understanding of not only today’s health care industry and its challenges, but more importantly his insights into areas of opportunity for sustainability, affordability and even greater success,” said INTEGRIS Health Board Chairman Pete Delaney, who added, “Tim’s strong physician and employee focus and his genuine enthusiasm for the possibilities that exist here make him the right choice to lead INTEGRIS.”
“I am both humbled and pleased to be joining INTEGRIS, a health system also recognized nationally for excellence, pioneering medicine, innovation and commitment to community,” said Pehrson. “The physicians, clinical professionals and employees at INTEGRIS are some of the most accomplished anywhere. Professionally and personally, my family and I are excited to be making the move to the Oklahoma City area and being part of a growing community that offers an excellent quality of life.” He succeeds Bruce Lawrence, who retired last December, and Pehrson officially steps into his INTEGRIS leadership role Aug. 1.
Pehrson’s career at Intermountain began in 2000 as operations officer at one of its hospitals, and he was named that hospital’s CEO in 2004. Prior to his career at Intermountain, Pehrson worked for United Healthcare, Samaritan Health and Henry Ford Health System.
Tim earned his B.A. in history from Brigham Young University and his master’s in health services administration from the University of Michigan.

INTEGRIS announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase all associated assets of Deaconess Hospital located near NW 50th & Portland in Oklahoma City from an affiliate of Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE: CYH) headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee.
Deaconess operates under the AllianceHealth brand name in Oklahoma and the purchase does not include other AllianceHealth facilities in the state. INTEGRIS will continue operations in the Deaconess facility offering quality health care to area residents.
“This purchase will provide much needed additional capacity for INTEGRIS,” said Chris Hammes, Interim President & CEO, who added, “We see tremendous community benefit and anticipate a seamless transition.”
“Deaconess has offered quality health care services to local residents for many years,” said Damon Brown, Interim CEO, AllianceHealth Deaconess. Brown added, “We believe the combination with INTEGRIS sustains and enhances Deaconess’ commitment for delivery of quality health care and services to the community.”
Due diligence efforts continue, and the transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2018, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
Kaufman, Hall & Associates, LLC is acting as the exclusive financial advisor to INTEGRIS Health on this transaction.

by Bryan Painter

Jill DeRusha wears her hands-on love for agriculture with pride.
Before the sun has snuck a peek at the new day in southwestern Oklahoma, the 60-year-old who lives northwest of Mangum in the Jester/Willow Community, is out at the barn feeding. Depending on the day, she’s checking to see if heifers are calving. She’s checking water on the places with no ponds. She’s running after parts for the machinery. She’s making sure everyone has lunch and that the paperwork is filled out for the Farm Service Agency office. She’s checking on markets for cattle and crops, and selling crops “when appropriate.” She’s feeding hay to cattle and, when time permits, she’s mowing the yard.
So by the end of the day, DeRusha is always wearing her love for ag not only in her heart, but on her button down shirt and blue jeans.
“On any given day, I can have manure, hay, dirt and grease on me somewhere,” DeRusha said.
Paying attention
She and husband Randy raise cattle, cotton, wheat, alfalfa and some milo. They’ve had roughly 2,000 acres of cotton in recent years. They also have 350 mama cows. They own some acres and lease the rest.
DeRusha said, “We have a sign that says, ‘Jill Ranches, DeRusha Farms.’ That sums up our roles around the place. I can operate most of the machinery, but Randy is who keeps it running and in good shape. I take care of the cattle and he helps with them when needed.”
When DeRusha says she checks on her cattle, that doesn’t mean she’s simply counting them. She knows her mama cows – and the reason for that dates back more than 50 years.
“My granddad would take me everywhere with him,” she said. “He taught me to tell one cow from another. He would say, ‘Just look at their faces or look at them closely. That’s ole curly face, that’s short tail.’ To this day, I don’t tell my 350 mama cows by an ear tag. They all look different or have different personalities.”
DeRusha firmly believes agriculture has shaped her entire life.
“I think the way of life on the farm or ranch teaches a person to deal with everyday living in a positive way,” said DeRusha who’s quick to point out that their ag operation is four generations deep. “One learns there are many different paths to reach a goal or complete a task.”
The well-known drought in the 1950s ended the year Jill DeRusha was born, 1957. However, Jill and Randy found themselves right in the middle of the historic drought that sank its teeth into Oklahoma less than a decade ago.
“One of worst times we have faced was the drought of 2010-2011,” she said. “We had to decide whether or not to hold on to our cattle. We kept all but the 50 head and sold those. We fed hay. We hauled water. Every other day, I hauled a little over 3,000 gallons of water. It paid off, because when it rained and the grass came back we didn’t have to buy all the cattle back that we needed.”
It was a lesson of life, of carrying on, to pass along to family, regardless of their professions. Between them, they have five children. Her daughter Jaclyn and son-in-law Trey Christensen live in Oklahoma City, daughter Kelsey and son-in-law Kelby Merz live in Elk City, and son Kolby Miller and daughter-in-law McKenzie live in Oklahoma City. TaShina DeRusha lives in Somerville, Tenn., and Jared DeRusha lives in Dallas.
Jill and Randy have six grandchildren.
“I’m thrilled that the fifth generation loves coming to visit us at the farm,” DeRusha said. “I am so proud of our family.”
Always a part of her life
DeRusha’s parents, Jimmy and the late Joyce (Wheeler) Heatly, were partners in the family farming and ranching operation which included a cow-calf operation, cotton, wheat and hay.
The first tractor DeRusha drove was a Massey Ferguson 65. She was in second grade.
“I could jump across the width of the plow, so you didn’t seem to get much accomplished in a day’s time,” she said. “I loved the cattle part of the family business the most and my brother Jack would rather be on some piece of machinery, so it worked well. We learned teamwork was always the best way to get things done and that hard work usually pays off.”
Through 4-H and FFA their family traveled near and far showing cattle.
“It taught us more about hard work and responsibility for our animals, as well as sportsmanship and competition,” DeRusha said. “Through 4-H I grew to love Oklahoma State University. While there I was the Agriculture Queen, and even won the wild cow milking contest.”
She finished in the top 10 in the “Ag college.” That college experience only deepened her love for agriculture and she went on to work in the OSU Extension Service at the county level as an Ag Agent. She was a pacesetter in that regard.
She uses that knowledge and experience daily in their ag operation.
Knowing a little about a lot
Paul Harvey’s “So God Made a Farmer” includes a heartfelt description of just some of what is required of a farmer and rancher.
“I love Paul Harvey’s poem, ‘So God Made a Farmer,’ and it is on our wall,” DeRusha said.
Why does she love it? Because she believes that in agriculture you not only have to be determined, you have to be flexible.
“I think farmers and ranchers wear many different hats and I have worn a lot of them,” she said. “I love the spring or fall when the weather is cool. We calve both spring and fall and I love seeing the calves running around their mothers. I love the smell of fresh cut alfalfa hay and the sound of rain on the roof is music to my ears.”
So whether it’s mud, manure or grease that she has on her shirt and jeans at the end of the day, DeRusha will be found wearing every bit of it with pride.

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn t4z@aol.com

Sometimes you just have to grab an important birthday denotation by the horns and plan a celebration yourself. Sound egotistical? Not really. When a landmark birthday approaches, particularly ending in a year with a zero, you reflect on your life, you discover your longtime friends and family were the joys along the way. To insure your landmark in the highway of life is not neglected you can organize your own celebration for not just for your life, but for the people along the way that have shared it with you and supported you through the decades.
This is what I did six months ago as I was surprised that a multiple decade birthday would be here next June. I started making a hand-written list of the people that I thought might like to attend and could attend taking in to consideration that some are almost a continent away, and some may not be in good enough health for an extended event. Then I thought to myself what I would like to do in a long weekend of events that I would enjoy, and as importantly could afford?
I came up with a Friday night come and go cocktail party in my garden and home, a Saturday brunch, and Saturday evening entertainment and a Sunday morning brunch, knowing some guests might need to catch a plane or get back home early.
I tempered this idea with my meager budget and decided to let the guests pay their own way at dinner events. This ala cart method is not unheard of and gives the guest the opportunity to choose the food they would most enjoy, what their budget allowed, and in a way was their gift to me. I included this information in a multiple page hard copy invitation, four to six weeks before the weekend, to enable them to “save the date” and to reply with their intention, the names of their guests and what events they would be attending, in a deadline announced RSVP SASE reply sheet.
In this day of email, I was afraid that many would not use the hard copy reply sheet to let me know their intentions, but ninety percent did just that. This gave me a written page account I could tally and record. I even asked their adult beverage preference so I could have it on hand for the garden cocktail party.
The Friday night garden party would take the most planning and preparations but was happy to share the enjoyment of my garden and my collectible cluttered house with those congenial friends I had not seen in years. I would serve all in crystal glass ware.. No red solo cups – this was not a college style bacchanal. As the weather predicted record breaking temps for my 7 pm event I purchased a number of fans for air circulation[T1] [T2] in the house and out on the deck. These seemed to do the trick, as I was the only one affected by the heat. Months before I had also purchase a mosquito killing machine that cut down on those pesky party poopers. To insure the safety of my evening guests in my “transitional neighborhood” I hired an off-duty policeman to patrol the parking lot. After all one must foresee what might mar the guest’s party remembrance. No drinks without food, so I offered a homemade spinach and avocado hot dip, a favorite spice cake, strawberries and grapes, a variety of cheeses and dips along with a tray of vegies and good ole Southern pimento cheese spread.
For my Celebratory Saturday Bruch I chose Oklahoma City’s newest contemporary hotel, 21c Hotel, (https://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/oklahomacity/) as well as for my host hotel for out of town visitors. The event managers are a joy to work with especially when you have special requests for a memory video screen, music, table arrangements, and preparation for my gift bags and table top party favors of an original small canvas abstract painting I did. Free valet parking for my guests was a boon and with an ideal installment plan to reserve the private dining room, all was ideal. The gathering was greeted with a fluted orange juice or bubbly which was offered next to the 21c hotels’ static penguin mascots.
For the evening entertainment I chose the Remington Park Casino and Race Track (https://www.remingtonpark.com/dining/silks-restaurant/) for their end of season running of the quarter horse races. By reserving 6 weeks in advance I was able to secure tables at the finish line in the glass enclosed Silks restaurant with their large delicious entrees, one would not expect at a race track. By following the advice of the jumbo screen MC I placed a 2 dollar bet and won to the amount of $14. I quit while ahead.
The casual yet elegant Sunday brunch was at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art Cafe, (https://www.opentable.com/museum-cafe?page=1) which always delivers the best of food and beverages. The upscale atmosphere was under samplings of the Dale Chihuly art glass, which is exhibited in more quantity in the museum permanent collection. It’s always a joy to tour the Museum, as I and some of my guests experienced.
You may not be able to host in your house, but perhaps a community center or condo common place can be reserved for an evening cocktail party. Also you need not wait for a decade birthday, as the Holidays are approaching, or just a celebration gathering of your long time friends, showing them and they showing you their love.

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
http://realtraveladventures.com/author/zin

Vickie Jenkins
Staff Writer

Meet Mr. George Martin, 69, an Army Veteran, a kind and considerate gentleman that believes in second chances in life. He is also an amputee. Martin is an amazing man that has a story to share with others.
Martin had a rough childhood with his parents and ended up going to live with his aunt. His aunt was attending a little, country church. “I remember being about 12 years old and I would go to church with her and then one Sunday, all of a sudden, I felt God calling me. It was a strong feeling that I had never experienced before,” Martin said. “It was as though God knew that I needed to know what love was. So, it was that Sunday that I got baptized in a horse trough. Back then, that is what they used,” he added.
It was the year 1967. Martin was in the Army, fighting the Vietnam War. It was on March 13, 1968 that Martin found himself in a foxhole. He got shot in the leg 3 different times with an AK47. “That is a mean weapon,” Martin said. “A tourniquet was placed on my leg to stop the bleeding but every time my heart beat, I felt the blood gushing out!” He was taken to the hospital where Martin had bled to death and was pronounced dead!
This is when Martin felt a peace come over him. He heard the nurse say, ‘we lost him.’ This is when Martin felt himself floating upward. “It’s true how people say they see a tunnel, full of light. I saw that tunnel and then, I saw Heaven open up! I saw all of God’s Glory!” Martin said. “I saw streets of gold; a pure gold that seemed transparent. It was beautiful! I had an overwhelming feeling of peace, love and joy! It was so magnificent! There was beautiful green grass, not a flaw in it. I heard a choir and orchestra, praising the Lord. I was surrounded by beautiful flowers! The praises were everywhere! I saw water in the distance and it sparkled like diamonds! Beams of glory were all around! I heard God speak to me…I am going to put you to sleep now. I have a purpose for you!”
“The next thing I knew, I was waking up in a body bag. It was dark and I felt a toe tag. With all my might, I tried to move, as much as I could. I heard a voice close by and then, a scream! I was out for 3 days but I was alive! The doctors and nurses were trying to get me stabilized, sending me to a hospital in Japan. I got very ill and spent 8 months in the hospital. Being in Vietnam, we had all been sprayed with Agent Orange. (A herbicide and defoliant chemical, causing many health problems for any individual who were exposed.) It was eating up the inside of my body!”
“That was 50 years ago. The Lord has seen me through so much but I am alive! I continue to give Him praises. I attend a little, country church and I share my testimony in different churches around Oklahoma. I am thankful to God for giving me a second chance and showing me that I still have a purpose here on earth.”
“Yes, I am an amputee; I am living my life for Him. A big thank you to Patriot Prosthetics and Orthotics for everything,” said Martin.
A big thank you to Michael Huggins and Dallas Curtis for taking care of the many Veterans and their prosthetics. The first prosthetic that Martin had was a wooden one, heavy, uncomfortable and bulky. That was in 1968. Now, thanks to Patriot Prosthetics and Orthotics, Martin’s prosthetic is light weight, comfortable and a digitized prosthetic. Martin has been going to Patriot Prosthetics and Orthotics for about 20 years.
“They are such great people over there and I trust them with everything.” Martin said.
It is of the utmost importance of the staff to treat each patient with respect, dignity and fairness. They strive to promote a greater acceptance of each prosthesis or orthosis through a positive spirit and education for each patriot’s individual potential and rehabilitation. They are committed to providing the highest quality of Prosthetic and Orthopedic care with compassion. The staff is dedicated to learning the latest advanced technology to better serve the needs of each patient.
A heart-felt thanks to the many men and women who have or are presently serving our country today. You have given us freedom.

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

Richard Bailey has spent his entire life in communication. Spanning Asia for the telecommunications industry and then working in the computer and internet industries, Bailey has always been focused on the best way to get a message across.
Retired since 2000, Bailey is now applying his talents as chairman to help the 21st Century Norman Seniors Association communicate their needs as the City of Norman prepares to build a new senior center.
Norman seniors have been watching intently as the city has wrestled with funding a new senior citizen.
For some, it’s been promises broken. For others, it’s simply been a long process that has the promise to unfold into not only a one-of-its kind center but a new wellness philosophy for Norman’s 25,000 seniors.
Welcoming seniors and “anyone who aspires to be a senior,” Bailey’s group is focused on not only seeing that Norman seniors have a place to call home but there’s a philosophy behind it that places value meeting ever-changing needs.
“I think (the value of seniors) is something that’s horribly overlooked,” Bailey said.
AN OLD CONCEPT
The first senior center built was in the 1940s in New York City. Built to provide leisure activities for primarily widows, the center allowed case workers a central location to reach the population.
About 30 years later the city of Norman moved its senior center into a 45-year-old Carnegie Library down the street from the county courthouse.
“And we’re still there,” Bailey said. “And we’re still basically operating under the same service concept that was developed in the 1940s.”
“The whole concept of senior centers has changed dramatically.”
Norman’s population has grown more than 50 percent to nearly 120,000 residents since 1990.
And the senior population is growing exponentially every day.
A NEW VISION
“Remember that every student at Norman North and Norman High School will be a senior citizen during the lifespan of this building so you have to think about not just the people who are there today but the people who will be there in the future,” Bailey said.
The building will be physical evidence the importance of Norman seniors has been recognized but Bailey says it’s about a concept that embraces senior wellness.
Norman’s current senior center has a half-hour wellness class once a day.
“The new concept is health and wellness on demand and has people there organized to help seniors get the best benefit out of the facilities that are there,” Bailey said. “It’s well-proven that the overall cost to society is reduced by spending money on senior activities to keep them healthy.”
The new concept embraces intergenerational activities. More and more high school and college students are seeing the benefit of spending more time with seniors.
“If you think really hard about it it could extend down to an organized latchkey operation for parents who needed it,” Bailey said.
The new concept also embraces volunteerism.
“The seniors that are there today are better educated, healthier and more involved in activities than ever before,” Bailey said. “And if you organize a set of services in the senior center around people who are willing to volunteer to do things you can get a tremendous number of people that will be active.”
And don’t forget about the ever-growing number of seniors or soon-to-be seniors who are serving as caregivers for their own parents.
Bailey has been through that experience.
“There should be an organized set of caregiver activities within a senior center so people can know they can go there and learn and understand from people who have been through it,” he said.
In March, the Wall Street Journal noted people over 65 years old would outnumber children by 2035, a first in U.S. history, according to updated projections released by the Census Bureau.
The milestone would be the latest marker of the nation’s aging, which has accelerated with baby boomers’ move into their senior years and recessionary effects on births and immigration over the past decade.
The growing elderly population will also put pressure on lawmakers to shift funding toward programs such as Medicare and Social Security, particularly because elderly Americans vote at high rates, said Kenneth M. Johnson, a demographer at the University of New Hampshire.
Norman’s senior center serves almost 150 seniors each week.
“We haven’t evolved our programs in our current vision enough to really meet the needs of a significant or even a small portion of the senior community,” Bailey said. “But the value of that senior community to the whole community is much greater than its use right now. It’s an overlooked resource.
You can find out more information online at www.normanseniors.org as well as the group’s Facebook page listed as Friends for a 21st Century Senior Citizen’s Center.

From stinging, blistering and swelling to more serious side effects like headache and nausea, even a run-of-the-mill sunburn can make you wish you’d applied your sunscreen before going out in the sun.
But as bad as the instant regret can be, the long-term effects pose the most substantial threat, said Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation President Stephen Prescott, M.D.
“A number of issues can arise over time, including premature aging, deep wrinkles, eye damage and, most significantly, skin cancer,” he said. “Ultimately, the takeaway is: sunburns are bad news and can have serious consequences.”
Although most people are aware of the dangers burns can present, that doesn’t mean they’re taking the necessary precautions. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than one-third of adults and 70 percent of children have been sunburned within the past year.
Those numbers, particularly in children, strike Prescott as alarming.
“There is a clear link between sun exposure and certain types of skin cancer. This is particularly true when children and young adults get bad burns, because it gives problems a longer time to develop as they age,” said Prescott.
“It’s almost impossible to prove, but many experts think even one bad burn, particularly in childhood, can make the mutations in your DNA that will eventually lead to cancer,” he added.
It’s not the acute burn itself that proves to be dangerous, he said. The infrared rays that cause you to look red or pink when you come out of the sun can cause pain and blistering, but it’s rare that a sunburn is severe enough to require medical attention. It’s the other rays—ultraviolet rays—in sunlight that cause longer-term issues.
Ultraviolet rays are the leading factor in causing skin cancer, the most common cancer in the U.S. In fact, more people have suffered from skin cancer than all other cancers combined over the past three decades, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
And sunlight might not be your only enemy when it comes to UV rays. Prescott said even tanning beds can lead to many of the same skin issues and elevated cancer risks.
Thankfully, the solution is a simple one: if you’re going to be exposed to the sun, wear sunscreen. You can also cover up with hats, long-sleeves and pants.
It’s important to note that all sunblock is not created equal, Prescott said. Use something that blocks UV rays, and the higher the SPF the better. OMRF’s Prescott recommends using SPF 30 or higher to be safe.
“We all want to have fun outdoors in the summer at barbeques and lounging by the pool, but taking a few minutes to apply proper sun protection can make a word of difference in the long run,” he said.