The American Cancer Society of Oklahoma (ACS) is one step closer to groundbreaking on a new Hope Lodge, thanks to a generous $5 million donation from Chad Richison, founder and CEO at Paycom.
“Everyone is either zero or one degree away from cancer,” said Jeff Fehlis, executive vice president for ACS South Region. “It’s a disease that touches us all, and that’s why it is so important to bring Hope Lodge to Oklahoma. The investment Mr. Richison has made will be felt in all corners of the state.”
This year, the American Cancer Society estimates that 20,540 Oklahoma residents will be diagnosed with cancer and that 8,420 will die from the disease. It also estimates 3,700 cancer patients will travel 40 miles or more for treatment in Oklahoma City.
“We firmly believe your ZIP code should never determine whether you live or die,” Fehlis added. “We are very fortunate to have partners like Mr. Richison investing in the state’s health care and for his compassion and contributions to patient’s recovery and peace of mind.”
The Chad Richison Hope Lodge of Oklahoma City will have 34 guest rooms, each with a private bathroom. Free, on-site parking will be available, as well as fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, common guest lounges and a dining room. It will serve approximately 2,400 patients and caregivers annually, providing approximately 14,600 free nights of lodging valued at$1,971,000 in annual savings.
“Providing community style lodging and other essentials to patients and families during their battle with cancer is a much-needed service that hopefully takes one less stress off their minds,” said Richison. “I’m pleased to be part of bringing this new concept to Oklahoma and grateful for what the American Cancer Society is doing with the Hope Lodge experience.”
The new facility will be built near the Stephenson Cancer Center at NE 8th St. and N Phillips Ave., with land leased for $1 per year from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The Chad Richison Hope Lodge of Oklahoma City will be the only free lodging program available for adult cancer patients and their caregivers.
“Our world has turned upside down the past few months as a result of COVID-19,” Fehlis said. “But cancer hasn’t stopped and neither has ACS. The pandemic has created challenges which we must now factor into construction, making sure we are creating a safe environment for our guests. We have a chance every day to do good in the world, and partners like Mr. Richison are a great example.”
Currently ACS operates more than 30 Hope Lodge locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Groundbreaking on the new Hope Lodge Oklahoma City is set for fall 2020. Additional information can be found at: cancer.org/hopelodgeoklahomacity.

OKC Zoo celebrated with a BIG announcement – Asian elephant, Asha, is expecting a calf in February 2022!

In honor of World Elephant Day, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden was thrilled to announce that Asian elephant, Asha, 25, is pregnant and due to give birth in February 2022! This will be Asha’s fourth calf born at the OKC Zoo. The Zoo’s bull elephant, Rex, 51, is the father. The pair are also parents to Achara, 5 and Kairavi, 1.
“We are extremely excited to have a calf on the way and look forward to this new addition joining our multigenerational herd, and watching as our elephants interact with a little one,” said Rachel Emory, OKC Zoo’s curator of elephants and rhinos. “Asian elephants are endangered so every pregnancy is valuable to the survival of this beloved animal as their wild counterparts continue to face extreme hardships in their native habitats.”
Though it’s early in the pregnancy, both Asha and her calf appear healthy, and the Zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams are optimistic everything will go well for this experienced mom. Asha has given birth to three female elephants including Achara born in 2014 and Kairavi born in 2018. In 2011, Asha gave birth to her first calf, Malee who at 4 years old died unexpectantly from the Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV). Malee was the first elephant born at the OKC Zoo.
As Asha’s pregnancy progresses, her daily routine including diet, exercise and training will stay consistent, and she will continue living with her family group. She is receiving exceptional care and attention from her caretakers who are working closely with the Zoo’s veterinary team to monitor both mom and calf through ongoing exams and ultrasounds. Asha voluntarily participates in these exams thorough positive reinforcement training making it a comfortable experience for her. Elephants have the longest pregnancy in the animal kingdom, lasting 22 months from conception to birth. Newborn elephants can weigh 200-300 pounds at birth.
The breeding recommendation for Rex and Asha was part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan®, a cooperative breeding and management program responsible for maintaining a genetically healthy population of Asian elephants in AZA-accredited zoos.
The OKC Zoo is committed to the conservation of Asian elephants and their habitat through its global partnerships. Asian elephants are endangered, facing unique challenges that threaten the species’ survival. Asian elephant populations in the wild have fallen below 40,000. The 13 nations that make up the natural habitat of Asian elephants contain the most dense human population on the planet and, as a result, vital habitat for elephants has been reduced by 85% in 40 years. Furthermore, Asian elephants are much more susceptible than African elephants to EEHV, a fast-moving virus with a 60% fatality rate.
Since 2010, the Zoo has contributed more than $400,000 to elephant-related conservation. In addition to supporting the Northern Rangelands Trust since 2009, which protects elephants and other native species in Kenya, the Zoo partnered with the Rainforest Trust to purchase and preserve 13,000 acres of forest in central Sumatra and 18,000 acres of forest in Borneo, both of which are natural habitats for Asian elephants. The Zoo has also supported a number of other elephant conservation projects, including the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range Project in Myanmar and International Elephant Foundation’s conservation efforts in Sumatra. These projects support boots-on-the-ground teams that work to protect forests, prevent poaching and habitat encroachment.
The OKC Zoo’s elephant family includes Asha, 25; Chandra, 24; Bamboo, 53; Kandula, 18; Rex, 51; Achara, 5; and Kairavi, 1 – plus, a new baby arriving in 2022!
For “tons” of updates about Asha’s pregnancy and the OKC Zoo’s entire elephant family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Advance tickets are required for all guests and ZOOfriends members and can be made at http://www.okczoo.org/tickets. Daily attendance is limited to ensure adequate social distancing between guests. The OKC Zoo is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. now through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2020.
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. Zoo fans can support the OKC Zoo by purchasing a ZOOfriends membership when they visit the Zoo or online at ZOOfriends.org. To learn more about this event and other Zoo happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.

The Board of Directors of the Hearing Loss Association of America Central Oklahoma Chapter (HLAA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 HLAA Scholarship. This year’s scholarship award winners are Zachary Burlison, Mackenzie Chesnut and Cassidy Floyd.
The HLAA established the scholarship program to assist Oklahoma high school students with hearing loss to continue in higher education.
Traditionally, scholarship winners are announced at the annual HLAA Ice Cream Social which was cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions. The awards were presented in person at their home by members of the Scholarship Committee.
“Hearing loss in the classroom can be extremely difficult and our scholarship recipients have excelled despite the challenges,” said Sharon Hendricks, Scholarship Committee Chair. “We are confident in their futures and look forward to hearing their success stories.”
The HLAA is one of Oklahoma’s oldest nonprofit groups, founded in 1990 to help Oklahomans with hearing loss live successfully in the hearing world. The scholarships are offered through donations from members and local businesses. The HLAA is currently accepting matching donations from Oklahoma audiologists and hearing professionals.
Zachary Burlison was born with severe complications and started wearing hearing aids at 10 weeks. His parents, Keith and Tammie Burlison from Bethany, OK believed hearing was extremely important to a child’s development and they took immediate action to see that he had every opportunity. Burlison found that he was able to compete and excel where ever he applied himself including varsity football, National Honor Society and achieving the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts. Burlison is headed to Oklahoma State University this fall where he plans to major in marketing and to work in social media. Burlison hopes to spread the word to parents of children with hearing impairment that wearing a hearing aid will not affect their ability in the classroom or on the sports field.
Mackenzie Chesnut is the daughter of Darwin & Bridgett Chesnut from Coctaw, OK. Her hearing loss journey began at age 14 when she woke up with an ear infection. She soon became the one of her pediatrician’s oldest patients and received her first hearing aid as she entered high school. The adjustment was made easier by her mother who also wears a hearing aid. Chesnut discovered her hearing aid helped in school, especially with the male teachers with low voices because her hearing loss is in the lower register. She experienced the common embarrassment when she first received her hearing aids, but her mother empowered her to be unafraid to be different. The advice soon became her motto that flaws are beautiful and should be embraced. Becoming hearing impaired as a teen gave her a drive and purpose. She hopes to encourage people with hearing loss to talk about it and not be embarrassed. She says that her audiologist, Dr. Emily Mills from Hearts For Hearing in Oklahoma City has made such a positive influence in her life that she wants to do the same for others. Chesnut plans to study audiology and will attend OSU-OKC this fall.
Cassidy Floyd will be attending Northeastern State University in Tahlequah after attending Eastern Oklahoma State College and playing softball for two years. Cassidy plans to become a math teacher and coach so she can give back and show her students that while life may not be perfect, it is wonderful and anything is possible. Floyd is the daughter of Tony & Clara Floyd of Roland, OK and was born with hearing loss in one ear which made a major impact on her life. The hearing loss required her to learn to be more self-reliant, but also showed that it is OK to ask for help. Many teachers, coaches, family & friends supported her through her schooling. Floyd learned that when you put on a hearing aid you almost become a different person; one who can be involved in a classroom discussion, can communicate in a group setting with background noise, and doesn’t feel left out. With her hearing aid Cassidy said, “I feel more comfortable out in the world and am ready to take on more challenges.”
The HLAA Central Oklahoma Chapter has cancelled the remainder of the 2020 group activities to protect our members and families but offers online support through their website OklahomaHearingLoss.com and on Facebook @oklahearingloss.

The now infamous Quarantine of 2020 never had an official start date. Unlike Dec. 25, July 4, Feb. 14 and other calendar days synonymous with celebratory events, the world didn’t simultaneously lock its doors on one particular day and fire up Netflix.
Was it March 16? March 27? Did you hold out until early April before realizing that, because your favorite sports team was canceling its season and your beloved restaurant was locking its doors, maybe you should take this Anthony Fauci guy seriously?
For me, the quarantine began the day my wife returned from Costco, presented me with a 45-ounce container of Dunkin Donuts Medium Roast Original Blend coffee and said, “That ought to hold you.”
Her shopping run also contained the items Americans were grabbing as if the doors to a Brink’s truck had just flung open at 65 miles per hour, scattering $100 bills on the interstate. Toilet paper, sanitizing wipes and gargantuan containers of condiments vied for space inside her SUV. Should an asteroid smash into our home anytime soon, what’s left of my body will be coated in salsa.
The label on the Dunkin Donuts java monstrosity stated I should be able to brew 150 cups. As someone who limits his caffeine intake to one cup of coffee per day, and occasionally skips the beverage altogether in favor of tea or water, I calculated that I should be set for five months.
“Where will I be in five months?” I remember asking myself as I opened the container and scooped the first grounds into my office coffee maker. Surely, I’ll be traveling again, spending nights in myriad hotels as I’ve been doing for the last 25 years due to my profession as a corporate comedian and keynote speaker. With so much time away from my home office, it might be upward of a year before I needed to replenish my coffee supply, I estimated.
Yesterday, while preparing my lone cup, the coffee measuring scoop touched plastic. That’s right, I was approaching the bottom. And, as the coffee brewed, I realized how little had changed from the day I opened the container.
There have been no plane trips or hotel stays. The only change to my morning routine was that I replaced the coffee maker’s charcoal filter after about the 60th cup. Five months after the country shut down, give or take a week, our routines have become so singular that we struggle to remember what they were like pre-pandemic.
Many of us can’t remember the last time we packed a suitcase. Bellied up to a bar. Visited a hair salon. Went to our closet and picked out a suit and tie or a cocktail dress. Hell, I can’t remember the last time I wore pants. Chalk that up to an inordinately warm Chicago summer and the fact that Zoom meetings and Skype video chats only require me to look presentable from the shoulders up.
And yet, I now consistently remember tasks that slipped my mind pre-quarantine. Watering flowers for instance. In previous summers, I would sometimes arrive home to dried up geraniums, as I erroneously assumed they could tough it out for 48 or 72 hours. Not so this year. Each day, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. they receive a drenching and have never looked better.
I walk the dog more, change the bed sheets more often and scrub my bathroom sink more frequently. I cook more, exercise more and watch more television.
Were COVID-19 to be eradicated from the earth tomorrow, I wonder how much of my new routine would remain. Would I return to neglecting the dog and the flowers? Or would I figure out some way to merge my pre- and post-pandemic lives?
Like the rest of the world, I am anxiously awaiting that day. In the meantime, I had better replenish my coffee supply.
Being an optimist, I’m going to stay away from Costco.
(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)

Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Deputy Director Dr. Kelly Williams has been named Interim Director. Williams took the lead position after the promotion of Director Travis Kirkpatrick.
Dr. Williams is a life-long Oklahoman who earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Oklahoma City University, followed by a Masters and PhD from the University of Oklahoma, both in Quantitative Psychology. Before joining OMMA, Williams served as Oklahoma City University’s Institutional Research Director for seven years. She has been in two Leadership Oklahoma City classes and serves on the Board of Directors for Family Builders as well as the United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Research and Community Initiatives Committee.
Dr. Williams plans to continue and expand on outreach programs to the patients and commercial licensees that are involved in the Medical Marijuana Industry, stating “this is a young agency and we have seen massive growth over the past two years. I look forward to the challenges and the rewards of growing the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority into an agency that will make Oklahomans proud and that happens by ensuring this agency is devoted to our patients, businesses owners, and the citizens of Oklahoma. I look forward to working with these groups as we continue to build the agency and make progress toward our goals.”
Former Director Travis Kirkpatrick was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Prevention and Preparedness at the Oklahoma State Department of Health. His new role includes oversight of several regulatory areas, including OMMA.

Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready announced today the 2021 preliminary rate filings for health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Insurers that currently offer coverage through the Oklahoma Marketplace filed plans requesting average statewide increases of 2.7 percent.
The same three insurers that offered individual health plans on the 2020 Exchange will return for 2021 — Blue Cross Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) , Bright Health and Medica Insurance Company. In addition, Oscar Health, UnitedHealthCare (UHC) and CommunityCare Oklahoma (CCOK) will join the marketplace in Oklahoma for 2021 allowing consumers to have more choices. BCBSOK and Medica offer statewide plans while Bright Health, CCOK, Oscar and UHC serve limited areas of the state.
Moderate rate increase requests and new insurers looking to offer plans in Oklahoma revealed that the Oklahoma insurance market is stable and able to offer multiple health insurance options for all Oklahomans.
“Creating more choices for consumers has been a top priority of mine and it is encouraging to see more insurers enter the Oklahoma market and another year of modest rate change requests. It demonstrates our efforts to stabilize and improve affordability in this market have been working,” Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said. “Oklahoma continues to have a healthy, competitive individual health insurance market, and insurers are committed to providing more options for Oklahomans who seek health insurance on the Marketplace.”
Rate filings for 2021 health insurance plans were approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and are posted at https://ratereview.healthcare.gov/. Final approved rates will be made public in September.
If you have questions about other insurance issues, contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.