by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

Twenty five years ago, Deanna Waltens fled an abusive and threatening situation.
Life had put her in such a horrible situation that the prospect of leaving with nothing in hand was better than certain misery that waited for her at home.
“I was like Forrest Gump and I kept running and running and running,” Waltens laughed, looking back on her past heartaches.
“Maybe I could have done things better. Maybe I could have thought things out. Sometimes you don’t get that chance. So if you’re in that situation you just do what you have to do.”
Along the way she found people waiting to help.
She stayed at an emergency shelter.
“I saw all the hurt and all the need through all the little children that were there with their moms,” she said. “That really started opening my eyes a lot.”
Realizing she was homeless and chronically hungry she came back to Oklahoma.
Staying with her mom in Choctaw, she put her paralegal degree to work with a local attorney.
After more than a year she realized she needed something more permanent.
An application process through the federal government landed her a job with the immigration department.
After 15 years with the immigration department she retired.
Now she spends her days helping those in need at the Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area command food pantry.
“I came here because actually I saw something in Oklahoma’s Senior News and Living about them needing summer volunteers,” she said. “I realized what it is to be hungry, cold and scared and all the things that go with the situation.”
She stopped by and hasn’t left since.
“It’s a lovely place,” Waltens said. “The people are so great. All the other volunteers are so sweet I really love it here. I decided this was for me.”
Waltens volunteers now, largely because it was volunteers who helped her journey.
Liz Banks, volunteer director at the Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command, says that’s one of the beauties of the service. Lawyers, police officers, seniors, millennials – people from all walks and professions – come together with a common goal to help their fellow human being.
It truly is an army of people coming together to help those in need.
And the need is always great. That’s why Banks loves it when she gets a call for someone inquiring how they can help.
Right now, Banks is in immediate need of spanish translators. Help is ready but sometimes communication barriers make it difficult.
If you can help in any way with time or talent call 405-246-1107.
“I went to churches and they were good and helpful but nothing like this,” Waltens said. “To me this is the ultimate in food pantries. This is just really, really good.”
Waltens knows the need is there because it was once her.
Someday it could be you.
“I think maybe they understand some but unless you’ve been there you don’t understand the real impact of getting up and wondering if you’re going to have anything to eat today,” she said. “People don’t realize, I guess they think it’s third world countries that face it but you face it here.”
She likes the fact people can come and get short-term help while others can utilize services longer term.
“Makes me feel really good,” Waltens smiled. “I realize that the Salvation Army is just that, it’s salvation for a lot of people – not only temporarily but spiritually, too. So much good goes on here. I see the Red Shield Diner help people every day.”
“I know the shelter. I know it’s a great place to be. It’s just a helping situation.”
Waltens comes from a generation that takes great pride on self reliance. Hard times are just opportunities to pull up your bootstraps.
But sometimes life leaves you shoeless.
“Don’t worry about coming here if you need help because anyone of us is 24 hours away from something like that. Not only does it give them that experience and help but it gives us the opportunity to serve.”
“Everytime I help someone through there I think I’m getting a blessing.
“I get more out of it.”

The Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA) board of directors has named Patti Davis president, effective Sept. 5. Davis replaces Craig W. Jones, who will retire Aug. 31 after 21 years leading OHA. Davis is only the fourth executive to lead the organization in its 99-year history.
We are excited about the selection of Patti to lead the OHA as we enter our 100th year of the association,” said David Whitaker, FACHE, OHA board chairman, chief administrative officer, Mercy-West Community. “Her experience in both small, rural hospitals and large, urban medical centers, as well as her past experience on the OHA staff will be a tremendous asset as we continue our important work strengthening hospitals across the state.”
Jimmy Leopard, FACHE, chair of the search committee and CEO, Wagoner Community Hospital, said “After an extensive nationwide search, Patti emerged as the best possible candidate to lead the organization. As both an OHA member and as OHA staff, Patti has been instrumental in a number of key OHA advocacy initiatives and we look forward to working with her as hospitals in Oklahoma face many challenges.”
“I am humbled to be selected for this position and I’m ready to get to work taking on the important role of leading the association into our next 100 years,” Davis said. “Every day, Oklahomans depend on our members’ services, and we must work to ensure the highest quality care is available to those who need it.”
Davis comes to OHA from OU Medicine, where she has served as senior vice president of external affairs, and prior to that, senior vice president of strategy and business development since 2013. She was executive vice president at the Oklahoma Hospital Association from 2001 to 2013, where she coordinated operations and special projects and led advocacy efforts on state and federal issues. She was OHA vice president, government relations from 1996 to 2001.
Before joining the OHA staff in 1996, Davis was CEO of Carnegie Tri-County Municipal Hospital. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Davis will complete her Master of Legal Studies in Healthcare Law degree at OU this fall.
While in Carnegie, Davis served as chairman of the OHA board of directors and received the association’s highest award, the W. Cleveland Rodgers Distinguished Service Award. She has also served on the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma board, the Medical Advisory Committee of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and the Trauma Advisory Council for the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Davis is a resident of Norman, Okla.

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

It’s early afternoon in the hot, Oklahoma sunshine and Christa Boren, LPN, pulls back on the slingshot straps and lets a water balloon fly.
The wooden SpongeBob target 20-feet away survives a dousing as the balloon splashes to the ground.
Boren laughs.
It’s good to be home.
“It’s amazing,” she says. “I really miss the center so when they gave me this opportunity I had to jump on it.”
Boren worked at J.D. McCarty Center in Norman for a number of a years as a nurse and nurse manager. When family business moved her away she thought she’d never get to work at the center for children with developmental disabilities again.
She was wrong.
Boren has worked as the evening and night shift nurse at Camp ClapHans for three years now.
Horseback riding, movie nights, talent shows and dance parties are just some of the events offered at camp ClapHans. Several members of the University of Oklahoma football team visited this summer as well as some church groups.
“That allows our kids to interact with other kids who are age-appropriate,” Boren said. “Our kids get to really play with those kids and they’re not being judged. It also allows those kids from these groups to come out and interact with our kids and learn. Maybe next time they’re out and they see a wheelchair they’re not going to stare … because they are just kids.”
Camp ClapHans is a residential summer camp for kids with special needs ages eight to 18.
The camp is located on the south end of the McCarty Center’s 80-acre campus in Norman.
It features two cabins, a multi-purpose building and is built next to an 11-acre lake. The camp features summer camp activities like archery, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, camp fires, swimming, indoor and outdoor games, arts and crafts and much more.
J.D. McCarty provides a one-to-one camper-to-staff ratio with a nurse on site 24-hours a day.
That’s where Boren comes in.
“It was a little overwhelming but really the worst thing about camp is the heat,” she said. “The kids are amazing. We have a group of counselors every summer who are college students … and they come out and they do this for free five weeks out of the summer and are an amazing group of kids.”
When her husband opened a physical therapy clinic in Elk City Boren quit her job at J.D. McCarty and moved with her family.
Boren became a nurse at 20 and had worked in the hospital setting before settling into her role with J.D. McCarty.
“It’s absolutely amazing. I loved the fast-paced stuff but at times it does get a little overwhelming. In the acute-care settings in the hospitals you have to deal with all the sad stuff – giving people cancer diagnosis and all that stuff that comes with nursing,” Boren said. “Here at camp we don’t have that at all. These kids love to be here. It’s so laid-back and we get to really enjoy the kids and try to make their time here as enjoyable as possible.
“These kids would normally not get to do this at a regular camp.”
When she’s not in camp, Boren still makes the drive from Elk City to Norman to take her six-year-old son for therapy at JD McCarty.
Last school year, Boren was a teacher’s aide but admits most of her time is spent being the mom to three boys active in sports.
The move to Elk City was a good but so has the opportunity to bring her child to treatment at J.D. McCarty.
The J. D. McCarty Center was founded in 1946, by a veterans group called the 40 et 8 of Oklahoma. The 40 et 8 was an honor society within the American Legion. When the McCarty Center first opened its doors to patients it only treated one diagnosis – cerebral palsy.
Today, the center has treated more than 100 different diagnoses in the developmental disability category.
Kids come to Norman for treatment from all over the state of Oklahoma.
Children referred to the hospital are evaluated and treated by a team of pediatricians, pediatric specialists, registered nurses and LPNs, direct care specialists, physical, occupational, speech and language therapists, a dietitian, a clinical psychologist and psychology clinicians and social workers who focus on getting a child to their highest level of functionality and independence. “Any kid who comes through the door becomes your kid,” Boren said.

As a baby boomer, enough of the 1960s rubbed off on me to make me willing to question everything. I still believe there are absolutes, however, no matter how polically incorrect that may be,
The cataclysm of the Sixties started long before. You could say it began with early man. A survey of what our great philosophers had to say about humanity points to a downward spiral:
During the Iron Age, Israel’s King David asked, “What is man, that [God] is mindful of him?” (Psalm 8:4, NIV), but in Ancient Greece, Plato defined man as “a being in search of meaning.” He didn’t turn to God exclusively or even primarily in the search for his identity.
During the Renaissance, Descartes described humanity’s increasing dependance on their own reasoning. “I think; therefore I am.” No wonder in the last century that Friedrich Nietzsche said, “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him.”
In the wake of the sweeping changes that changed how our nation thought, God raised up warriors to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV) As Francis Schaeffer said, “He Is There, and He Is Not Silent.” I read his books, as well as others by C.S. Lewis, Philip Yancey, and Josh McDowell. What I learned only magnified my commitment to what I already believed by faith.
A generation later. my son struggled at a much deeper level. He wanted to believe in God, but he didn’t know that he could. He read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and sought answers to his questions. Now he is an apologist himself, eager to share not only what he believes but why.
I’m proud and grateful for my son’s calling. But it’s not mine. My intellect agrees God is sovereign, but my old way of life tugs me in the wrong directions. The apostle John describes my struggle well: in addition pride in my achievements and possessions, I’m also drawn to a craving for physical pleasure as well as for everything I see(I John 2:16 NLT).
Some of those distractions are outside of my control. In the nursing home where I live, we have several residents with dementia. People suffering from the disease may grow belligerent and offensive
Not everyone is surrounded by dementia patients, but most of us hear offensive language fairly often—at work, at school, sometimes at home and on the media. The best way I know to combat such repulsive thingsis to fill my mind with good thoughts, whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8, NLT).
No, I don’t have complete control, not even in my room, since I share it. But where I can make a choice, I seek to proactively fill my mind with good things.
I’ve memorized hundreds of Bible verses. I continue to dive into scripture and to write devotions and poetry based on my studies, stockpiling memories for future reference. As hymnist Kate Wilkinson wrote, “May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour.”
I also train myself to have the mind of Christ, to look out for the interests of others before my own (Philippians 2:3-5). When I do, my spirit grows calmer, and I am able to communicate with someone who otherwise annoys me.
If I review the day’s problems at night, wakefulness plagues me. I sleep better when I review memory verses, pray, or sing hymns. Occasionally I create a poem. It doesn’t matter if I remember the lines when I wake up. The process helped me rest.
I also find it helpful to speak frequently of God’s wonderful deeds on my behalf. The more I do, the more His blessings come to mind. Encouragement, not complaints, should come from my mouth.
Bottom line? When I set my mind on things of the spirit, I will prove that God is true, even when every man seems to be a liar. He corrects my hearing and my vision.

Battle of the Mind
Jesus, hosanna, save now
My thoughts may wander
Let me in Your mind abide
You make me stronger.
May I never brood on strife
Rehearsing details
Better to hold Your word tight

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

Three decades ago Ginny Curtis began a career in insurance that would change her customers’ lives forever.
“We run the business like we’re working for our parents or grandparents,” says Curtis, owner of MCM Insurance LLC. “The question I always ask my agents is ‘Did you make a friend?’”
“If the answer is yes, then it wouldn’t matter if they made a sale or not” MCM is most concerned that the client is enrolled in the right plan.
MCM has grown their business to 30 agents statewide, including 3 of her children.
“It’s awesome,” Curtis said of working with family. “From early on I taught them the value of customer service and that it’s more about service and relationships than making a nickel.”
“They’ve adopted that philosophy and have seen it work over the years.”
As 2018 begins to wind down, one of the most important times of the year for seniors begins rapidly approaching. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) occurs annually from (Oct. 15-Dec. 7). AEP is a time in which current Medicare beneficiaries can choose to change part of their coverage. They can change their Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) and/or Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). It’s a time to reevaluate based on their benefits, health, and finances. If they find a plan that is a better fit for their needs than their current plan, they can then switch to, drop or add a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
During AEP Curtis’ agency goes into overdrive to make sure that everyone that needs help facilitating the changes coming their way is reached. “It’s very important to us that each person that comes through our agency chooses their plan based on their specific needs,” said Ginny. During an appointment with the agents from MCM, they will compare plans based on the customers list of medicines and doctors to narrow down which plan will cover all their needs the best.
In addition to individual appointments, MCM offers no-cost Navigating Through Medicare informational sessions around the metro.
The hour-long informational sessions allow people to become more familiar with the ins and outs of Medicare in a low-key setting.
“We don’t talk company plans or premiums,” Curtis said. “It’s simply teaching them the basics of Medicare and how to navigate through it.”
MCM will open its Medicare Store Oct. 2-5 with every Medicare Advantage option available on display for customers to compare.
“It’s a great time for them to shop, ask a lot of questions and find the information they need without feeling the pressure of having to make a decision,” Curtis said. “Really what they should do is shop that first 2 weeks and then by Oct. 15 they can schedule a time to figure out what’s best for them and make a decision.”
MCM Insurance is family owned and operated. Their agents are all dedicated to helping seniors not only find the right healthcare solution but understand what they’re purchasing.
“We are a little different than some agencies, in that we represent all the Medicare Advantage companies,” Curtis explained. “We have a great contract with every carrier, and they all pay the same fees so there’s no reason for us to sway a client one way or another.”
While many appointments are scheduled in the comfort of client homes, Curtis staffs the office at 2232 W. Hefner Road in the Village so that clients can walk in anytime 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and speak with an agent directly without an appointment. During AEP they extend their hours to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MCM also has agents in Tulsa, Claremore and Lawton. You can reach the OKC office by calling 405-842-0494. You can also view their calendar and get more info on their website at www.mcmmedicare.com.

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee recently recognized one of its nurses with The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize nurses that go the extra mile for their patients, family and team members.
Tress Hindman, RN, was the recipient of The DAISY Award for her compassionate patient care, but also for her kindness and support of the staff.
In Hindman’s nomination, the staff stated, “Tress as ‘an angel with hidden wings.’” We are thankful for Tress selflessly taking time out of her busy schedule to be of service to her colleagues in their time of need. She is truly an angel indeed!”
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues, and they are chosen by a committee of nurses at St. Anthony Hospital to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are given throughout the year at presentations given in front of the nurse’s colleagues, physicians, patients, and visitors. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse.” The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” The honoree is also given a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.

Local Companies Creates Event, The Alzheimer’s Hoedown, to Fight Deadly Disease

For the third year in a row, SYNERGY HomeCare of Edmond, is proud to sponsor an event for the Alzheimer’s Association. The Fountains at Canterbury, located at 1404 NW 122nd Street OKC, OK 73114, will be hosting the Alzheimer’s Hoedown Event on September 13 from 5:00-7:30pm. We ask the community to join us for an uplifting event featuring local musicians, silent auction, games, food, and more! A minimum donation of $10 per person is requested to join in on that fun. This will include a meal, and all proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Association! For the third year in a row, SYNERGY HomeCare of Edmond, is proud to sponsor an event for the Alzheimer’s Association. The Fountains at Canterbury, located at 1404 NW 122nd Street OKC, OK 73114, will be hosting the Alzheimer’s Hoedown Event on September 13 from 5:00-7:30pm. We ask the community to join us for an uplifting event featuring local musicians, silent auction, games, food, and more! A minimum donation of $10 per person is requested to join in on that fun. This will include a meal, and all proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Association!

According to the Alzheimer’s Association:

· Someone develops Alzheimer’s every 66 seconds in the United States.

· Alzheimer’s disease is the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death

· More than 5 million Americans are living with the disease.

· There are more than 15.9 million caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias in the United States.

“Through the tireless work of our caregivers, we are aware of the dramatic impact Alzheimer’s has on individuals and their families,” says Peter Tourian, founder and CEO of SYNERGY HomeCare.

“We are walking to show our commitment to finding a cure for this disease which according to the Alzheimer’sAssociation is one of the leading causes of death in the United States that does not have a cure, a prevention or a treatment.

”To learn more about SYNERGY HomeCare of Oklahoma, please contact Abbey Trammell at 405-254-3046 or abbeytrammell@synergyhomecare.com.

SYNERGY HomeCare is a non-medical home care company dedicated to providing exceptional and affordable service to anyone of any age.

SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to those in need – including seniors, expectant moms, those suffering from sports injuries and debilitating illnesses, and more.  We proudly serve the Greater Oklahoma City metro area, including: Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman and the surrounding areas. The company exists to provide genuine services, and it’s why we treat our clients and caregivers with dignity and respect.  For additional information, please visit http://www.synergyhomecareedmond.com.

Bobby Anderson
Staff Writer

Seventy-six years ago, a group of Oklahoma City Christian women gathered in a home for a few hours of fellowship.
Little did they know that first coffee klatch would spark lifelong friendships for several generations of Christian women in Oklahoma City and change the lives of countless others.
“It’s like going to get your batteries charged,” said C.J. Judd, who has been a member for four years.
Those meetings are still going on, although the increased numbers have moved the meetings outside of members’ homes and into the Quail Creek Country Club.
And the centerpiece has become a bazaar that raises thousands of dollars for needy Oklahoma charities.
This Oct. 17 from 11a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the Christian Women of Oklahoma City will host their annual bazaar. Tickets are $20 and available only in advance by calling 405-413-0908. All proceeds go to local charities.
Tables for purchase have already been sold out for the past couple of months. Last year’s event raised nearly $3,000.
The monthly luncheons are also a source of funds for the group, which donates to four charities each year. A pass of the hat – along with the annual bazaar – raises anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500 for each of those selected charities.
Each month, speakers from all walks of life bring their experiences in front of the Christian ladies on the third Wednesday of every month. Sometimes the message is humorous, other times riddled with tragedy.
But the message is always uplifting
Ronette Wallace, owner/designer at OTW Interiors, started going to the meetings a few years ago. Running a thriving business keeps her from attending every month but she makes as many as she can.
She’s never disappointed.
“I think it’s a great organization and I have a lot of good friends that attend and they love it,” Wallace said. “I think it’s not denominational, it’s just about women loving Jesus coming together, feeding off of each other, learning about each other and having relationships.
“I believe God calls us to have relationships. We can become so stagnant in saying we can only be in this group or that group and what we really need to be doing is reaching out to everybody.
Wallace and her husband run a ministry of their own – Rise Above Ministries, a non-profit that reaches those in addiction and life controlling issues.
Wallace started OTW Interiors in 2002 and focuses her talents in clients’ homes.
She routinely donates her time and talent to the bazaar.
The meetings have always been non-denominational with the focus solely on Christ.
Judd said the group has and always will be open for women looking to pour into and be poured into themselves.
“Most people walk in alone and most people don’t do that at an event because they have to have someone with them,” Judd said. “You just feel good. You find things going on in the community. It’s picked me up off the ground several times.”
Becky Grantham found the event two years ago.
“It was just perfect for me personally,” Grantham said. “It’s a nice refreshing break towards the end of the month to be able to get around like-minded people, hear the testimonies, the education and getting to meet a lot of really wonderful ladies.
Robin Gunn’s mother talked her into coming 10 years ago.
“I went to the first one and I was hooked and now I’m on the board,” she said.
The bazaar will allow people to shop for the upcoming holiday season. Baked goods, table decorations and holiday gift ideas will be on display.
All that follows lunch, fellowship and a motivational speaker, all for $20.
“They come and they leave with just good inspiration,” Judd said. “A lot of women get friendships for years. Most of them if they come once they come again. If people just knew about it, it’s a great place to come.
“It’s an unusual place. It’s not like a club. It’s a wonderful thing. I walk away with more self worth.”
Come alone and leave with lasting friendships or at least inspiration to get you through life.
I just love the fact it’s a non-judgemental, inspirational place that you can come to fellowship without any airs,” Gunn said.