In 1975, America ended the Vietnam War, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” nearly swept the Academy Awards, designer blue jeans were a hot new trend and a 39-year-old plastic surgeon from Boston launched the first burn center in Oklahoma City at Baptist Medical Center. That doctor was Paul Silverstein, M.D.
While a major in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1972, Silverstein served at the prestigious U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. There, he cared for and performed research for the benefit of military burn victims from the Vietnam conflict, other veterans, Native Americans, Eskimos, and their families. It was an experience that drove him to find ways to treat and care for perhaps the most painful and devastating injury people ever suffer.
The Kerr Foundation gave a jumpstart to the effort to found a burn center in Oklahoma City by contributing $500,000, if a matching amount could be raised. Burn centers have always been known as a costly venture. But Baptist Medical Center’s leaders, among them former CEO Jay Henry and plastic surgeon Ed Dalton, M.D., saw the clear need for a metro area burn treatment facility. They persisted, raising the money needed to remodel an existing patient care floor at Baptist Medical Center. The new burn center opened in November 1975 as the hospital’s first Center of Excellence, with a commitment to patient care, research, teaching and burn prevention.
In 1989, the burn center expanded to include hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In 1995, an additional 12-place hyperbaric chamber (the largest in Oklahoma) was installed and a separate Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care Center was established side-by-side with the burn center. In 2000, the board of directors honored Silverstein’s commitment and legacy to the treatment of burn patients by renaming the facility, the Paul Silverstein Burn Center.
Today, the Paul Silverstein Burn Center at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center is known across the nation as a center of excellence with a dedicated staff of doctors, nurses and paramedical personnel committed to life beyond survival. “Our goal is to rehabilitate a patient, not just save a life,” affirms Silverstein. “If a patient leaves here a whole person and a productive member of society, then we have accomplished our goal.’
Since its opening in 1975, the burn center has expanded to become one of the largest adult burn centers in the United States, serving a six state area. More than 5,000 patients have been treated at the center, plus another 10,000 outpatients. It is a 40-year legacy of compassion and leadership and a true testament to the vision of doctors and nurses, hospital administrators and concerned business leaders.
Now that legacy, under the guidance of Christopher Lentz, M.D., continues with a commitment to push the boundaries of burn therapy further. In an effort to improve access to care in Oklahoma, our burn center providers are evaluating community interest in a telemedicine program for acute burns, that would allow physicians in local emergency departments or regional hospitals to consult directly with a burn surgeon before sending the patient to the burn center.
In addition, Lentz is planning an expansion of patient care to include pediatric surgeons and nurses at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center. As a result of this vision, hopefully someday soon children suffering burn injuries will no longer have to be transported out-of-state to receive optimal care.
On Nov. 8, a special ceremony was held at Gaillardia Country Club to commemorate Silverstein’s many accomplishments and to celebrate the future successes of the burn center.

by Mike Lee, Staff Writer

Sanctuary. A peaceful refuge of country ambiance in the city. That’s the vision Rocky and Phyllis Clark had for the active adult retirement neighborhood they just opened in south Oklahoma City/Mustang. Whispering Creek is designed to foster and retain natural elements for the benefit of people and wildlife. Landscaped walking trails curve around the centrally located ponds and waterfalls. Fountains light up at night so they can be enjoyed at all hours. Deer, owls, rabbits, and birds of all kind call Whispering Creek home. A favorite spot for watching nature is the 1,800-square-foot covered back porch at the clubhouse. This is where the Clarks designed the perfect spot for residents to socialize or just enjoy the peaceful tranquility of the scenic view.
The idea to develop Whispering Creek began when Phyllis and Rocky found themselves looking for senior living options for their parents. Everything they saw in the OKC metro area seemed to have more concrete than green space. The Clarks felt that seniors deserved more. They wanted to create an upscale yet comfortable haven that rewarded people for decades of hard work. A place where residents receive a helping hand with chores and the peace of mind that comes with a gated entrance and cameras. They envisioned a culture where neighbors know and look after each other. They succeeded in their huge investment to make Whispering Creek all they dreamed of it being. Some people are choosing to live in the neighborhood because they like to travel and feel their home is more secure in that environment. Others choose Whispering Creek because they want a private home but not all the maintenance that usually comes with it.
The idea has been so successful that Clark has opened up a purchase offer. The purchase option is new and is in response to the numerous requests for buying into the gated neighborhood rather than renting.
Rocky, age 60, and Phyllis, 59, co-own R&R Homes with their son, Russell, and daughter-in-law, Tabitha. In fact, three of their four kids work alongside them. And, so do their in-laws. Family is a top priority for the Clark clan. They all reside within seven acres of each other and are living what is quickly becoming the new American dream.
Rocky and Phyllis grin ear to ear when talking about their 11 grandchildren and the 2 more being adopted. At first glance a person could mistake the quiet and casually dressed pair as an average Joe and Jane but they are anything but typical. Married 41 years, they are as dedicated to serving others as they are to loving their family and building quality homes. Phyllis was a 1st grade school teacher /school librarian for almost 20 years. She has a Master’s degree and has also illustrated teacher resource books. Rocky has coached Little League Football in Moore since 1985. He started by coaching his son’s team and never stopped. Thirty years later he heads up the Moore Dirt Bags, a team of 10 year-old boys, including two of his grandsons. Rocky and his family have lived in Moore since 1965. That city’s Junior High is where he met Phyllis and they have been together ever since. The Clarks are active at Journey Church. They humbly admit they have been richly blessed and truly want to bless others.
The family business is one of the metro’s most active home builders. R&R Homes has been developing complete neighborhoods for 10+ years. A few of their projects include Bella Terra in Edmond, Rock Creek in Moore, and Riverview which sits on the Canadian River in Newcastle.
Whispering Creek is a gated community of homes for lease to people age 55 and better. The age-restricted neighborhood is designed to cultivate friendships and the extra support / security that comes from living among peers. People can be as social or private as they want. Scheduled activities at the clubhouse will focus on resident’s interests and will vary from yoga, book-of-the-month, and crafts to card games and pot luck socials.
A variety of one and two-bedroom floor plans are available. The homes have many built-in luxuries and upscale extras. Spacious walk-in closets, granite bath and kitchen counters, covered porches, generous lighting, inlaid tile, and window seats are some of the homes’ features. Refrigerator, washer / dryer, and all appliances are provided. Whispering Creek handles all the lawn care and home maintenance. The affordable rents start at $1,425 and include all these things plus basic cable television, water, sewer, trash, and clubhouse amenities. Residents have free access to a storm shelter, fitness center, activities kitchen, crafts room, game area, living rooms, fireplace, and private party room at the clubhouse.
Whispering Creek is located in south OKC / Mustang on County Line Road. It is north of S.W. 59th street and not far from Highway 152.

Eating is an Adventure in Santa Fe

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

Having been to Santa Fe a number of times, it is always fun and relaxing to again visit those dining establishments that made an impression over the years. This fall the eating adventure led me to sample several familiar popular gourmet dining venues, and none mentioned here disappointed.
The Compound, http://www.compoundrestaurant.com/ located just off of artist filled Canyon Road, is an all-time favorite for the sophisticated palate. In an upscale adobe styled dining room, you can succumb to the temptations of; a Stacked Salad of Romaine, Tomato, Ham, Blue Cheese and Hard Cooked Taos eggs with Avocado Ranch Dressing topped with Free Range Chicken. If your luncheon appetite is not quenched, for dessert you might try the Bittersweet Chocolate Marquis of Pistachio Gelato, Apricot Pistachio; or the Orange Olive Oil Cake of Fig Jam, Lemon Curd and Crème Fraiche. Your evening plans might include a return to the Compound to enjoy a night cap or light supper at their intimate bar. With seating only about ten people, reservations are recommended.
The La Fonda Hotel http://www.lafondasantafe.com/la-plazuela holds many historic adventurous tales due to its early Santa Fe incarnation, but the restaurant, La Plazuela, has been a long time favorite for its casual, attentive, and never disappointing selections. Your skeletons might include: a spinach salad with grilled hazel nuts, with gluten free prosciutto bathed in a cranberry vinaigrette. Your entre might be the Alaska Silver Salmon with lemon cilantro butter sauce, or sweet and buttery hearty pork tenderloins with pineapple glaze and papaya vinaigrette. Top the meal with a Chocolate Molten Cake of dark chocolate truffles, dark rum cream glaze which accents the desserts warmth and coolness. It is impressive when your server knows the term “Ice on the Pond” when ordering your extra cold, extra dry Martini, which is served to perfection. While the décor has been renovated over the years, the hand painted side glass panels remains as the signature to this Santa Fe tradition. Your high expectations for Santa Fe service, ambiance and dining are always met at La Fonda. Be sure and take time to visit the shops at La Fonda and the outside entrance to the top fashions of Rocky Gorman.
If you have not discovered the surprising and intimate atmosphere of Santacafe, http://santacafe.com/ you are missing a treat. Here inside white adobe, small dining areas, complete with a hint of Georgia O’Keeffe styled decor, you will find the best fresh Chimayo Red Chile onion rings available anywhere. But this seeming simple appetizer is only a prelude to an array of tasty selections including: Blue Corn Chicken Confit of enchiladas of red and green chile, or the healthy pan seared salmon roasted with fingerling potatoes over a kale and spinach lime cream. It’s known during high season to have one of the best outdoor patios for celebrity sightings.
While the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi has undergone a dining room renovation, to open up the bar for casual tequila tastings and encourage conversation, the restaurant retains its elegant atmosphere and gourmet menu. You might start off your evening with a Kettle One Citron Pomegranate Martini, or a selection from one of their fine wines. A flavorful good soup is an invitation to a gourmet meal and the Anasazi sweet potato soup was a perfect complement to the autumn weather. The Buffalo Empanada over an Avocado Mouse is personally recommended as is the fashionable crusted Salmon with baby beets, parsnips in a tamarind sauce. For dessert, you can play like a child with the Fried Ice Cream reminiscent of an outdoor campfire s’more.
You can’t leave Santa Fe without a nighttime visit to La Cantina next to La Casa Sena restaurant http://lacasasena.com/ . At the Cantina the waiters treat you, between serving food courses and beverages, with their favorite contemporary and Broadway styled songs. Many of the talented singers are bidding their time here, saving their money before jumping into the Broadway pool of performers. Feel free to order a Mexican styled dinner, or just a beverage with their chips and dip. The congenial atmosphere, the prompt and friendly service is a fitting farewell to the enchantment that is Santa Fe.
Consider your Santa Fe visit between high tourist times like the Santa Fe Opera Season or the Indian Market. In this way you can be assured of obtaining your preferred dining reservation times, and Santa Fe will have a more accessible feel and friendliness.
Editor’s Note: Terry Zinn has visited Santa Fe many times over the years and is a past President of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
http://realtraveladventures.com/author/zinn/
http://www.examiner.com/travel-in-oklahoma-city/terry-zinn
www.new.okveterannews.com – www.martinitravels.com

RSVP of Central Oklahoma is pleased to announce it received a $15,000 grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and its Services for Elderly iFund grant program. The grant is being used to support the RSVP Provide-A-Ride medical transportation program for low-income older adults.
“Older adults who are no longer able to drive depend on RSVP Provide-A-Ride volunteer drivers to receive safe and reliable rides to and from their medical appointments; and the generous grant received from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation is playing an integral part in helping hundreds of older Oklahomans remain healthy and live independently in their own homes” states Beth Patterson, Executive Director of RSVP.
RSVP of Central Oklahoma has served older adults and the nonprofit community for 42 years. The mission of RSVP is to enrich the lives of semi-retired and retired people by linking them with rewarding and meaningful community volunteer opportunities. Presently 750 RSVP volunteers serve 136 local nonprofit organizations that depend on volunteers to meet their agency mission and the needs of their clients. During the past year RSVP volunteers contributed 150,000 service hours to help make our community a better place to live.
RSVP is a part of the Corporation for National and Community Service and a proud partner agency of United Way of Central Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City Community Foundation was founded in 1969 and works with donors and organizations to create endowments that address needs and opportunities within our community. The Services for Elderly iFund grant program represents a compilation of contributions from donors who want to support grants to help keep senior citizens safe and living independently in their own homes. For more information on the iFund grant program, please visit www.ifundokc.org. For more information on the Oklahoma City Community Foundation please visit www.occf.org.
RSVP is accepting volunteer applications from persons age 55 and older who are interested in sharing their time, skills and talents to make a difference in the lives of others. Please visit rsvpokc.org or telephone 405-605-3110.

Which president has been your favorite over the past years and why? Fountain Brook Assisted Living

“I liked Clinton and Roosevelt because they were both good presidents.” Marvin Walker

“I liked Kennedy.  He was nice.” Helen Mayer

“I liked Lincoln and Reagan.” Rachel Pittsley

“ I would say Roosevelt has been the best president we ever had.”  Martha Long