June 2026 Oklahoma Magazine

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Oklahoma Magazine

Contents

June 2026

Features

29 Top Doctors

Highlighting physicians and their dedicated work, Castle Connolly presents another edition of the Top Doctors listing. Within it, Oklahoma’s most innovative healthcare providers are celebrated.

38 The Great Getaway Guide

You don’t have to travel far to find summer adventures. Just beyond Oklahoma’s borders, easy escapes are waiting. From mountain towns and desert sunsets to lake weekends and culture-filled cities, these neighboring states deliver big experiences without a massive price tag.

44 Escape to the Lake Oklahoma’s lakes are calling, and a well-packed bag can make the difference between a perfect day on the water and a soggy, sunburnt regret. With more than 200 lakes and 32 state parks across the state, a little preparation goes a long way toward maximizing sun and fun.

46 The New Rules for ‘I Do’ Weddings in 2026 are less about rigid tradition and more about intention. Couples are rethinking how it’s done, favoring experiences that feel meaningful over those that simply check a box. We explore what’s shaping modern weddings right now.

State

6 Starting Off

Oklahoma festivals are lighting up the Fourth of July with time-honored traditions.

8 Industry

10 Culture

11 Issues

12 Happenings

14 History

15 Education

16 Sustainability

18 Insider

Life & Style

20 Destinations

Istanbul offers a dazzling blend of sensory experiences, ancient history and vibrant culture where Europe and Asia meet across the Bosporus Strait.

22 Health

23 Guide

24 Outside the Metro

25 FYI

26 Scene

Taste

48 First Bite

The Hall family transformed a cherished dinner tradition into a Midtown OKC restaurant centered on hospitality, creativity and craveable pizzas.

49 Local Flavors

50 Chef Chat

51 Tasty Tidbits

Where & When

52 Entertainment

Summer is heating up with options galore.

55 Film and Cinema

56 Closing Thoughts

Letter from the Editor

The only time you’ll find me enjoying the great outdoors during the summer months is on vacation or on a boat. (No, I’m not a nature lover. It’s my mom’s greatest disappointment.) That said, we’ve got plenty of content this month geared towards those looking to get out of town or spend time on one of Oklahoma’s many lakes. In The Great Getaway Guide (page 38), dive into the offerings of our neighbor states, whether you’re a solo traveler, a lively family unit or a couple looking to get outta town. In our Escape to the Lake story (page 44), we talk to experts about the ideal process to pack your lake essentials, ways to avoid heatrelated illnesses and the best places to catch the fish you want.

Oklahoma Magazine continues to be the exclusive Tulsa and OKC provider of the Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors listing for 2026. No matter your medical need, this listing of Oklahoma’s premier physicians has you covered. We also profile a few of these stand-out providers and offer additional health info to keep you in tip-top shape (page 29).

And if you’re like me, you may be planning your wedding – in a very overwhelming, expensive and saturated market. We’re in this together! Check out the Wedding Guide (page 46) for planning advice, etiquette suggestions and floral inspiration, too.

More delightful stories await. We commemorate the Tulsa Race Massacre and talk with Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols about the Greenwood Trust – a private, charitable trust dedicated to economic growth and the success of massacre survivors and descendants (page 14); offer suggestions for low-cost summer activities for adults and kids alike (page 12); and chat with the new head chef at one of Tulsa’s favorite fine dining spots (page 50). And don’t forget, we’re already hard at work finalizing The Best of the Best awards for the July issue – you won’t want to miss it.

Happy summer to those of you who can tolerate the heat!

Mary Willa Allen Managing Editor

What’s HOT at OKMAG.COM

Alongside our Top Doctors listing and profiles, see additional health boxes at okmag.com.

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Celebrating Saints!

Congratulations to our inspiring team of physicians named among Oklahoma Magazine’s Top Doctors for 2026. Your drive, expertise, and compassion have led you to achieve this important recognition. We’re proud to have you represent Saints in Action®.

2026 TOP DOCTORS

Colorectal Surgery

KRISTINA BOOTH, MD

STEVEN CARTER, MD

Cardiology

FAISAL LATIF, MD

NAJI KARAM, MD

Dermatology

TIFFANY BRAZEAL, MD

SHELBI HAYES, MD

Family Medicine

TITI NGUYEN, MD

JEFFREY HODGDEN, MD

SABRINA SCHRADER, DO

Internal Medicine

JUNE IVEY, MD

Oncology

MICHAEL BOWEN, MD

THY NGUYEN, MD

ALEDA TOMA, MD

Orthopedic Surgery

COREY PONDER, MD

Otolaryngology, ENT

KEITH CLARK, MD

KIBWEI MCKINNEY, MD

Pediatrics

JULIE MORROW, DO

Spine Surgery

SCOTT DE LA GARZA, MD

Sports Medicine

SEETHAL MADHAVARAPU, MD

Urology

MOHAMMAD RAMADAN, MD

The State

ALL THINGS OKLAHOMA

Red, White & Boom

Oklahoma festivals are lighting up the Fourth of July with time-honored traditions.

Whether it’s a decadesold fireworks show or a reimagined community gathering, Oklahoma’s Independence Day events are right around the corner.

LibertyFest, Edmond

LibertyFest has been a volunteer-led event since its founding in 1972. Eriech Tapia, president of the event, says that’s part of what makes it so special.

“The aspect of having volunteers makes it, I think, more genuine,” he explains. “We’re always taking new ideas and fresh events while staying true to our legacy of bringing the community out.”

Making LibertyFest more inclusive has been a priority for the organizers.

“If anyone knows anything about Oklahoma summers, they’re hot,” says

Tapia. “We learned that a lot of our veterans and older folks just couldn’t come out… So we decided we needed some air-conditioned events.”

As a result, LibertyFest now hosts patriotic-themed trivia, which will take place July 1 at 7 p.m. at Edmond's American Solera location. The festival also puts on a big band show called 'Songs and Stripes' at the Edmond History Museum.

Visitors can still count on the car parade and fireworks show – two of the festival’s long-standing draws. The fireworks show will take place on the UCO campus this year.

Tapia hopes to inspire younger generations to get involved, knowing they’ll help carry the observances forward.

“We’re excited to celebrate our great nation,” says Tapia. “We’re having growing pains like any other nation, but I think if people get out and enjoy their communities in the land of the free, we’d

be happier than ever.”

Check out the full lineup of LibertyFest activities at libertyfest.org.

Duck Creek Fireworks, Grove

Started in 1946, Duck Creek Fireworks has become Grand Lake’s largest spectator event. Vinita’s own W.W. Bailey, a WWII veteran, is credited for preserving the celebration.

Year after year, Bailey planned the massive fireworks display that the event has become known for. In honor of his memory, Duck Creek Fireworks donates 10% of its total donations to the Tunnel for Towers Foundation, which provides mortgage-free homes to families of veterans and fallen first responders.

The event also features a flyover of WWII warbirds and F16s. Keeping with tradition, Duck Creek Fireworks will take place on the Fourth of July.

To see what else is in store, go to duckcreekfireworksok.com.

Folds of Honor FreedomFest, Tulsa

Last year, the City of Tulsa announced budget cuts, putting Folds of Honor FreedomFest, Tulsa’s Fourth of July celebration, at risk. However, its sponsors, QuikTrip and Folds of Honor, along with a dedicated group of organizers and volunteers, remain committed to keeping the event alive.

“Tulsa is just an incredibly philanthropic town, and [Tulsans] love having this event,” says Ryan Howell with the Tulsa River Parks Authority.

For the first time ever, the 21st Street Bridge will remain open, and event organizers will shoot fireworks from a barge in the Arkansas River instead. This change means bigger, brighter fireworks than years prior. Howell expects, in his words, “a heck of a show.”

Founded in 1976, FreedomFest has grown to attract upwards of 80,000 spectators annually. This year will bring a breadth of family-friendly experiences to Tulsa, including live music, a BMX stunt show, inflatables, food trucks and more.

“The fact that we’ve been doing this for 50 years is pretty impressive, and it’s quite an honor,” shares Howell. “And this year, being the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we’re going to try to make it even more special.”

To learn more, check out freedomfesttulsa.com.

FAITH HARL

CASTLE CONNOLLY’S 2026

Oklahoma’s Best-Kept Resource

OSU Extension delivers research-based education, agricultural support and community programming that touches every county and nearly every aspect of daily life.

With its extensive, impressive spectrum of programs and services available to residents of all ages in all 77 counties, you’d think Oklahomans would have their nearby OSU Extension office on speed dial. But only 40% of residents know what it is and what it does.

Damona Doye, Ph.D., OSU Extension’s associate vice president, manages the daily operations of 500 staff and a multitude of additional volunteers who are the educators, administrators and researchers that drive the organization. They work out of and alongside county offices strategically located around the state that serve both rural and urban residents.

“We want to be accessible to everybody and provide

research-based information for youth, individuals, families and businesses,” she says. “We are a long-standing service that aims to help people make informed decisions with respect to agriculture and natural resources, family consumer sciences and youth development through our county personnel and our digital presence.”

Add OETV programming (“Oklahoma Gardening” and “Sunup TV”) to Extension offerings that continue to help, educate and impact Oklahomans

year-round.

Rural residents rely on the Extension's agricultural resources, such as a firsttime farming program and education in soil and water testing, pesticide safety and a rapid response team for crops, livestock and economic issues. Local disaster assistance is available as well. About 1,300 certified volunteers lead student 4-H groups in rural areas, towns and cities, plus a myriad of school presentations. Adult workshops on an array of educational topics are offered, too. Little-known services include an undergrad scholar program, a student project featuring collaboration with faculty and a county educator. OSU Extension can even certify county officials on purchasing practices.

Horticulture education is the most popular resource of Oklahoma City residents, and they are among many who utilize OSU Extension’s robust roster of 300 Master Gardeners.

“The Master Gardener volunteer program again expands our capacity,” says Doye. “Two million educational engagements via consultations and booths and school enrichment programs. Our Oklahoma Gardening YouTube channel has 132,000 views.”

But what, exactly, happens inside Extension offices?

“They respond daily to calls, emails and walk-ins on an interesting array of questions,” Doye says. “‘Why are my tomato plants turning this color?’ ‘What educational or engagement opportunities do you have for my youth?’”

With the organization’s insect diagnostic lab, staff even have information that can help answer consumer questions about annoying bugs they may be dealing with.

“We could write books about just the range of questions that come in to us, either as specialists or in the county offices,” says Doye.

Working as a staff member or volunteer is a labor of love.

“The thing that drives and motivates people is what we describe as an ‘Extension heart,’” Doye says. “They want to serve people. It’s not like they’re getting rich in this role or job, and they often have long work weeks and long days. I certainly appreciate all the work that they do. We all live to do those things because we’ve seen the value and recognize its importance in terms of building up our communities.”

LISA PERRY

OSU Extension educators and volunteers provide hands-on guidance, research-based resources and community programming to Oklahomans in all 77 counties.

Photos courtesy the OSU Extension

WAITING TO BE

Find your next outdoor escape in Lewisville! From birding and hiking to fishing, camping, and picnicking, there’s something for everyone. Explore the 2,600-acre LLELA preserve below the dam, perfect for wildlife watching and outdoor discovery. With 233 miles of shoreline, unforgettable moments are everywhere.

Just 20 minutes from Dallas-Fort Worth, Lewisville is home to the 29,000-acre Lewisville Lake—the “Urban Bass Fishing Capital of Texas.” Paddle out for kayaking, or turn up the adrenaline with wakeboarding and jet skiing. With golf and disc golf options, it’s a year-round playground.

START PLANNING YOUR ADVENTURE AT VISITLEWISVILLE.COM OR DOWNLOAD THE TRIP APP USING QR CODE

Voices Worth Saving

Across Oklahoma, tribes are working to ensure their languages endure beyond the last first-language speakers.

In the Potawatomi communities in the United States and Canada, “fewer than a handful” of elders remain who speak Potawatomi as their first language, says Robert Collins, Interdepartmental Potawatomi Language Lead for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s (CPN) Cultural Heritage Center.

All 39 tribes based in Oklahoma are losing cherished first-language speakers, and the COVID-19 pandemic took a deep toll. But language preservation efforts are a priority.

When he studies the Potawatomi language, Collins says, “you can see the world the way our ancestors viewed it. It’s like a window to the past.”

Rainey Faris, Cheyenne Language and Culture Coordinator for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, has a similar view.

The language “is who we are as a Cheyenne people,” Faris says. “I don’t really like differentiating culture and language, because you can’t have one without the other.”

Collins says he developed an interest in the language because he wanted to learn to pray in Potawatomi during

ceremonies. The CPN, with a tribal enrollment of 39,636, is the largest of the seven federally-recognized tribes of Potawatomi in the United States and two First Nations in Canada. It’s the only one based in Oklahoma. But a kinship remains, and the communities have worked together to develop programs.

The tribe’s language programs operate at the CPN Child Development Centers, the Cultural Heritage Center, in Shawnee and Tecumseh schools, and in seven colleges across Oklahoma and Kansas. Classes for adults are online and inperson. Technology has amplified the reach.

“For anyone who wants to learn the language, we will find something that fits them and their schedule,” Collins says. “We are in the midst of creating second-language speakers, so there is hope and promise with that.”

James Sleeper, coordinator of the Arapaho Language and Cultural Program for the Concho-based tribes, says Northern Arapaho elders in Wyoming have helped train the language apprentices in his program. One of the former apprentices, Jeff Black, teaches Arapaho classes at El Reno High School.

Non-Native students are welcome to sign up for the classes, as well.

The Arapaho program includes weekly community classes and twice-amonth kids’ classes via Zoom, and tribal employees are offered classes during the workday.

“My personal opinion is that the language holds all of our identity,” Sleeper says. “I realized I needed to start learning so I could pass it down to my kids.”

Faris says that fewer than ten firstlanguage Southern Cheyenne speakers remain.

“We are thankful for our elders who were able to hold on to their language,” she says.

Faris teaches weekly classes via Zoom for children and adults. The Northern Cheyenne tribe, with about 300 fluent speakers, has been a help to her tribe.

“Despite all the efforts the government made to strip us of our language, I feel blessed that we still have people who are breathing our language into us,” Faris says.

Blake Norton, director of the CPN Cultural Heritage Center, says Collins’ efforts contributed to the center being a recipient of the Institute of Museum and Library Services 2025 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

Only five libraries and five museums received the award, and CPN is the fourth Indigenous community to receive the medal since the award's inception in 1994. The financial prize that accompanies the medal will be used in part to bolster the tribe’s language program.

KIMBERLY BURK

Above: Children perform at a Citizen Potawatomi Nation Language Fair. Left: Language preservation efforts across tribes are helping create a new generation of speakers as the number of fluent elders declines. Photos courtesy the CPN and Chickasaw Nation, respectively

Issues | The State

Living with Drought

Oklahoma’s

long-standing cycle of dry spells is intensifying in ways that demand smarter

water management.

Drought is not new to Oklahoma – in fact, it has always been a regular part of life in the state. Oklahoma sits in a transition zone between the humid eastern U.S. and the semi-arid High Plains climate, thus, rainfall naturally swings a lot from year to year and decade to decade.

The good news is that in the longterm, Oklahoma is not getting steadily drier – it has always been prone to dramatic swings with wet reversals mixed in.

“However, there has been a stronger drought signal over roughly the last 25 to 30 years,” says Gary McManus, Oklahoma’s state climatologist.

When the rains dwindle, the atmosphere pulls moisture out of the ground and vegetation, which intensifies the drought faster and raises the risk of flash drought when low rainfall combines with heat and wind.

After years of drought conditions, June 2025 brought some relief for the first time in nearly six years, but the drought expanded rapidly late last year. Oklahoma experienced a historically warm period, with the warmest winter on record.

“That kind of heat, especially when paired with wind and spotty rainfall, can accelerate drought development in a hurry,” McManus says.

With a few well-timed storm systems,

Oklahoma can improve quickly, but true recovery usually takes longer than one wet stretch.

In the meantime, for farmers, dry weather means less water availability and more water needed for irrigation. Lack of adequate water can lower crop yields, increase costs and decrease profits. Drought stress can also impact livestock production when water supplies are scarce. For fishing and recreation, dry weather means lower lake levels that affect fish habitats and water quality. Sedimentation and warming waters can reduce fish populations and recreational value. Adequate water levels are also critical for boating and other water-related recreation, which is a key economic driver for many areas of the state, particularly in the east.

Drinking water is affected as well. Cities and rural water systems depend heavily on reservoirs for water supply –when supplies shrink, water restrictions become more common, treatment costs increase and systems can suffer economic loss due to the lack of adequate water for businesses; smaller systems are especially vulnerable.

Oklahoma’s water supplies are not necessarily shrinking, but the state does run the risk of having less reliable and usable supplies due to drought, aging infrastructure, sedimentation in lakes and reservoirs and rising demand. Oklahoma leadership is asking

citizens to adopt conservation measures and has implemented mandatory odd/ even watering schedules to manage water use effectiveness. The use of rain barrels is also encouraged.

“State leaders recognize that reliable water supplies are foundational to public health, public safety, local economic prosperity and Oklahoma’s competitiveness,” says Julie Cunningham, executive director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB).

To help the state through the current drought, Oklahoma is being proactive in ensuring that water supplies adequately meet the needs of citizens and industries – both now and in the future.

The 2025 Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan (OCWP) is the state’s roadmap for ensuring reliable water supplies for Oklahoma’s future.

“It identifies long-term water needs across 13 regions, assessing supply, demand and infrastructure to support economic growth and environmental stability through science-based, collaborative planning,” says Darla Whitley, OWRB’s communications director.

As always, Oklahoma will get through this dry spell with collaboration, innovation and shared commitment to protect the state’s most critical natural resource: water.

JENNIFER LEE

The State | Happenings

Low-To-No Cost Adventures

From outdoor recreation to hands-on workshops, families can keep kids entertained all summer long without breaking the bank.

This summer, you can enjoy time off with the kiddos and keep them entertained – without dropping a dime. After all, there are plenty of free, high-energy and low-cost summer adventures waiting just around the corner.

Gathering Place

This award-winning 70-acre Tulsa park along the Arkansas River offers free admission, parking and 100-plus activities. Explore art exhibits, splashpads, a high-octane BMX pump track, sports courts and 16 acres of wildflowers.

“There’s really something for everybody,” says Sydney Brown, the park's marketing and communications manager. “People can come early and stay late. Or they can kind of pick and choose what sounds the most fun to them.”

Crowd favorites include free kayak and paddle boat rides, Friday to Monday.

“But this Route 66 Festival will be the biggest event we have all year,” says Brown.

Indeed, you don’t have to drive 400 miles to get your Route 66 nostalgia fix. Just putter over to Gathering Place and fill ‘er up. You’ll find on-stage performances, hands-on activities, food trucks, special demonstrations, plus these additional complimentary activities:

Sand sculpture showcase (June 25-

28): Watch a world-class sand sculptor creating a gigantic masterpiece at Willow Beach.

“It’s like one of those quirky roadside attractions you might see along Route 66,” Brown says. “People can actually watch it come together.”

Sneaker art (through July): View “Get Your Kicks!” sneaker art at the ONEOK Boathouse. Vote for your favorite, then see the winner announced during the Route 66 Festival on July 18.

Check Gathering Place social media for more information.

The Home Depot Workshops

While you may be skeptical about taking your toddler to a home improvement store, the Home Depot offers free kids’ workshops monthly, teaching kids helpful, hands-on skills that are also highly entertaining.

“The workshops happen on the first Saturday of every month starting at 9 a.m., while supplies last,” says Madison Stevens, the company's senior specialist of brand communications. Summer workshops include:

• Goalie Game On (June 6): “This is going to be themed for the FIFA World Cup,” shares Stevens. “You won’t want to miss this one.”

• Go Kart (July 4): Kids build and decorate a wooden go kart model.

• Rocket Game Workshop (August 1): Participants construct a rocket game, an in-demand wooden project.

Workshops teach children, ages 5-12,

to follow instructions, build creativity and use tools, says Stevens.

Local Libraries

Children lose about two months of reading achievement if they skip reading during the summer. So, Oklahoma’s libraries are sweetening reading by offering prizes like Pizza Hut coupons or free books via the Summer Reading Challenge through August.

Kids can also explore 3D-printed skull mystery challenges,100-plus gardening workshops and countless reading readiness activities at library systems statewide.

The exciting “Experience Pass” –offered by Metropolitan Library System and Pioneer Library System in central Oklahoma – offers free access to local museums including the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and Skeletons: Museum of Osteology.

The Tulsa City-County Library also offers free, all-ages activities, performances and prize-filled reading challenges at all 24 locations.

SONYA COLBERG

More Budget-Friendly Ideas This Summer:

• State parks, including Spring River Canoe State Park (free day trips) and Tenkiller State Park (low daily entry fees)

• Free museums, including Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City, and Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center

• Free tribal nation activities include the Indian Hills Powwow (July 22-26, OKC) and Oklahoma Indian Nation Powwow (July 31-August 2, Concho)

Families explore free summer fun at Tulsa’s Gathering Place, from splashpads and playgrounds to indoor displays and Route 66-themed events. Photos courtesy Gathering Place

Rebuilding Greenwood’s Future

The Greenwood Trust transforms reflection into tangible progress for Tulsa’s next chapters.

This year marks the 105th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre which took place between May 1 and June 1, 1921, in Tulsa’s Greenwood District.

As a way to look towards the future while commemorating the past, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols IV announced the formation of The Greenwood Trust in June 2025, as part of the city’s Road to Repair – a civic commitment that translates into structured, independent action.

“The Greenwood Trust is a private, charitable trust dedicated to economic growth and making sure the massacre survivors and descendants thrive,” Nichols says. “The trust was designed to invest in things like housing, cultural preservation, education and entrepreneurship.”

Nichols recounts that 1,300 houses and businesses were burned to the ground during the massacre.

“So, the idea that we would invest ourselves back into these things makes a lot of sense, and in a way that we can engage with folks in this conversation,” he shares.

Thus far, the trust has been well received by local groups as well as highprofile national foundations.

“We think of this as reparative

economic development, and taking areas that once were thriving but now are not thriving, and we’re doing it so that the area would be much better if this disaster never happened,” Nichols says.

He describes how the event stole pride and opportunity from victims and their descendants.

“This is a city where people came here and beat the odds when it was very difficult for Black folks in the early 1900s,” he explains. “We have a really special story and that story cannot end in a massacre.”

The Greenwood Trust has three focus areas. The Housing Fund centers on housing and homeownership benefits for the massacre survivors and descendants. The Cultural Preservation Fund targets improving buildings, reducing blight and helping implement the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan. The Legacy Fund allows for development of trust-owned land, acquisition of land to benefit survivors and descendants, scholarship funding and economic development.

As well, the 1921 Graves Investigation continues, with excavation and exhumation of Oaklawn Cemetery graves where victims were buried. Nichols says 91 graves have been found thus far. Tulsa is implementing a Department of Justice grant involving DNA and genealogical analysis of those exhumed. Then a process begins to find and notify descendants who may choose to have the victims reinterred or

choose to inter them someplace else.

“We’ve taken the darkest day and a half in our city’s history and we’ve determined that we’re going to lean into it in a way that is not divisive, but that repairs harm,” Nichols says. “What a great contribution on the victims’ behalf that it was Tulsa that came back, providing a pathway to the future.”

CAROL MOWDY BOND

Educating the Youth

Tulsa Public Schools’ (TPS) public relations director Kyle Boone says the district has integrated relevant, age-appropriate instructional materials on Greenwood history, Black Wall Street and the 1921 massacre into grades 3-12 curriculum.

TPS is also partnering with Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center, which hosts students for interactive tours, and TPS supports the center through the 2021 bond.

“TPS is committed to embracing our past, reflecting on the present and preparing students for the future,” says Boone.

After the violence of 1921, smoldering debris and shattered buildings mark what was once known as Black Wall Street in Tulsa’s Greenwood District. Photos courtesy the Oklahoma Historical Society

Protecting Athletes

Athletic trainers play a large role in injury prevention, emergency response and athlete recovery across schools, colleges and communities.

As sports tourism continues to grow across Oklahoma, athletic trainers remain a critical part of keeping athletes healthy, safe and performing at their peak. From college football Saturdays to youth tournaments that draw thousands of visitors into local communities, certified athletic trainers are often the first medical professionals on the scene when injuries occur.

According to Matthew O’Brien, Ph.D., director of clinical education in the School of Allied Health at Oklahoma State University, the profession has expanded significantly in recent decades, both in visibility and in responsibility.

O’Brien also mentions that athletic training is now recognized as a full healthcare profession by the American Medical Association. While many people associate athletic trainers strictly with sports teams, he explained that they also work in military settings, industrial workplaces, performing arts and public safety environments.

For students interested in entering the profession, the pathway has evolved substantially. Since 2020, all accredited athletic training programs in the United States have transitioned to master’s level education. Students must now graduate

from an accredited master’s program before becoming eligible to sit for the Board of Certification exam.

At OSU, students gain hands-on experience through immersive clinical rotations that place them with collegiate athletic programs and medical sites across the country. O’Brien says the structure allows students to experience the full day-to-day responsibilities of an athletic trainer while working alongside teams and healthcare professionals in real-world environments. Those rotations often lead directly to employment opportunities after graduation.

“We joke that the word ‘adapt’ doesn’t start with the letter ‘A’ and end with the letter ‘T’ by coincidence,” O’Brien says, while describing the qualities students need to succeed in the profession. “Athletic trainers adapt on the fly consistently, day in and day out.”

Time management, versatility and communication are among the most important skills students develop during clinical education.

Injury prevention is one of the profession’s primary responsibilities. Athletic trainers evaluate injury trends, identify physical weaknesses and create individualized prevention plans. Those plans may include flexibility work, strengthening exercises, taping, bracing

and workload management designed to reduce the risk of injuries.

“[Injury prevention] is proactive,” O’Brien says. “I think some of the best injury prevention specialists out there are athletic trainers, and they identify where the underlying cause of injury is.”

When injuries do happen, athletic trainers oversee the recovery process from initial evaluation through rehabilitation and return-to-play progression. O’Brien explains that athletic trainers often coordinate with physicians, coaches and strength staff to balance an athlete’s immediate recovery with long-term health and safety.

Their importance becomes even more visible on game day. Athletic trainers prepare emergency action plans, monitor athlete health, apply protective equipment and respond immediately to injuries. O’Brien notes that many high schools, particularly in rural Oklahoma, still lack full-time athletic trainers, leaving coaches or administrators to manage medical situations without training.

“Regardless of your sport or age, you want to make sure you have the most well prepared, the most medically responsible individual to be able to be on site at the time an injury occurs,” O’Brien says. “Here in Oklahoma, we have less than 20 percent of secondary schools that have access to a full-time athletic trainer."

As Oklahoma continues attracting athletes and sporting events from around the region, athletic trainers remain essential to both athlete safety and the overall success of sports tourism statewide.

ROCCO GEPPI

Students in Oklahoma State University’s athletic training program gain hands-on clinical experience, preparing them for careers that support athlete safety at schools, sporting events and healthcare facilities. Photos courtesy OSU Medicine

The State | Sustainability

Oklahoma’s Recycling Reality

City leaders are working to educate residents on proper recycling methods as contamination continues to be a major challenge.

Recycling is a complex system throughout Oklahoma.

Thousands of citizens participate in one way or another, but what exactly is getting recycled?

“The City of Oklahoma City accepts six specific types of recyclables in its residential curbside recycling program,” says Jennifer McClintock, spokesperson for the Oklahoma City Utilities Department. “These include paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, aluminum and steel cans, milk, juice, and frozen food cartons as well as basic household plastics such as plastic bottles, containers and tubes – mostly those found in the kitchen, bathroom or utility room.”

To keep it simple, OKC citizens place all items in the Big Green recycling carts and make sure everything is empty, clean and dry.

“We don’t want customers to bag their items or put any plastic bags in their carts,” says McClintock. “For a complete list of acceptable items, we encourage customers to visit our website at

recycleokc.com and look at our Do’s and Don’ts page,” she continues.

Even with all those instructions, human error can, and does, occur.

“What we can say is that of the total tonnage of items collected in customers’ Big Green recycling carts, about thirty percent is considered contamination and must be sent to a landfill, because the items in those carts are either not recyclable at all – we’ve seen everything from dirt, rocks, landscape waste, toilets, garden hoses, metal cooking utensils and car parts –or they are recyclable but not accepted in Oklahoma City’s curbside recycling program,” says McClintock.

The items that can be recycled are taken to a Materials

Recovery Facility, or MRF.

“Those items are then sorted by material type, baled and then bundled for transport within the state and surrounding region, where they are accepted by various recycling manufacturers,” continues McClintock. Items not accepted or contaminated are pulled and sent to a landfill.

“Unfortunately, this can include good, recyclable items that are put in plastic bags before being put in carts – another reason we don’t want plastic bags in our carts,” she says.

While plastic bags are technically recyclable items, OKC does not accept them because they often get caught in the MRF equipment.

OKC continues to make efforts to reach out to customers to better keep them informed.

“In November 2025 we launched our new ‘What Goes Where’ online sorting tool, an interactive database that helps customers sort items by whether those items belong in their regular household trash, recycling carts, bulky waste, or be taken to the city’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility,” says McClintock.

Simple ways to make a difference include not putting food or liquid in the carts, setting up a centralized location in the home to collect recyclables and signing up for the city’s recycling blog.

For any items not accepted, you can always try to repurpose them.

“For example, take plastic bags to big box stores or grocers that accept them,” says McClintock. “For other items, post about them in Buy Nothing or other online groups – you never know what folks may be looking for.”

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

Oklahoma City officials say proper sorting and clean recyclables can significantly reduce contamination and keep more materials out of landfills.

Photos courtesy the City of OKC

An Impresario’s Enduring Impact

At 95, Jim Halsey continues shaping music while opening his vast collection to the public.

In my 20 years of writing this column, I’ve naturally spotlighted some people more than once. But I suspect I’ve devoted more words here to Tulsa’s music impresario, Jim Halsey, than I have to anyone else.

Of course, there are good reasons for that. When I joined the entertainment section of the Tulsa World, back in 1983, the Tulsa-based Jim Halsey Company had been the No. 1 country-music booking agency in the world for some time, with his organization representing a huge percentage of country stars –along with some big names from other genres as well. At the time, Halsey himself was personally guiding the careers of such superstars as Roy Clark, Hank Thompson and the Oak Ridge Boys. Jim Halsey and his clients were consistent newsmakers then – for a long time, it seemed like we were running at least a story a week related to the Halsey Company in some way or another.

Forty years later, Jim Halsey – at

age 95 – is still a luminary, not only continuing as the manager of the Oak Ridge Boys and working with other acts but also looking ahead to a number of projects, including exhibitions of the immense and invaluable music business memorabilia he’s collected during his nearly eight decades as a promoter and manager – some of which is now seeing the light of day at the Museum of Tulsa History. More about that shortly.

On June 2, Halsey is scheduled to be awarded the Country Music Association’s Touring Lifetime Achievement Award, given, according to the CMA website, to “an individual who has accomplished the highest level in the Country Music field of touring.” The presentation will be done via a video linkup between Nashville, where the award is officially being presented, and Tulsa, where Halsey and his career are set to be celebrated at an event called “An Evening with Impresario Jim Halsey,” taking place at the Oral Roberts University Global Learning Center and

benefiting Oklahoma students pursuing careers in the music industry. I’m proud to say that I’ve been asked to emcee that celebration, where I’ll join not only Jim and his artist wife, Minisa Crumbo Halsey, but also a number of entertainers from various genres who’ve worked with Halsey through the years. Although rosters can change, as I write this the artists scheduled to perform include Jana Jae, Don White, Rodney Lay, Shelby Eicher, Alaska and Madi, Barron Ryan, Leona Mitchell and Kyle Dillingham.

“Jim completely opened my life to the music business,” says Jae, aka the First Lady of Country Fiddle. “I had already been on [the TV show] Hee Haw, and I’d done all those stage shows, the international concerts and everything, with Buck [Owens]. But Jim opened the door to my performing as an individual artist. All of a sudden, here I was. Instead of just being one of the many or a sidekick or whatever, I was it. I was the featured performer.

“Once I got on the Halsey Company roster, he had me opening for everybody,” she adds. “And boy, that just made me grow. I owe my career, really, to Jim. And he’s done that not just for me, but for so many people.”

Jae is one of the many internationally known artists represented in the massive collection of artifacts amassed by Halsey over the years, much of which remains out of the public eye – at least for the time being. A nice selection can be found at the Independence Historical Museum and Art Center, in the Kansas town where Halsey was born. There, he says, “we also have our so-called warehouse of memorabilia.” As mentioned earlier, some of it has also recently found a home at the Museum of Tulsa History.

Explains Halsey, “We have made an agreement with MOTH to, over the next few months, establish a reasonable

Music impresario Jim Halsey is still actively shaping the industry and preserving its history well into his 90s.

Photo courtesy Carol Matza PR

Jim Halsey was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2000 by country music star Roy Clark, recognizing his lasting impact on the industry.

Photo by John Southern

and big-time exhibit of Halsey Company memorabilia. We have the largest collection of important music memorabilia in the United States, next to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, which is like six blocks long.”

While not having anything like that kind of space, MOTH has already begun exhibiting some of Halsey’s major pieces, including the piano that Tulsa legend Leon Russell played on his 2010 Union Tour with Elton John.

“Our relationship with Jim began by being centered mainly around Leon Russell,” says MOTH CEO David Goldenberg. “People just love seeing that piano and knowing that the two of them played it.

How can I stay on track when the market feels uncertain?

“Elton John said, ‘There would be no Elton John if there were not a Leon Russell.’ And add to that the impact Jim Halsey had on Leon Russell, and on so many other artists. It’s phenomenal. Jim Halsey really represents the music of the 20th century; he’s probably the most prominent promoter of that century. So we’re thrilled to have that for our first, if you’ll excuse my calling it this, eye-candy exhibit. It also includes an autographed guitar from Leon and a jacket of his. We have his hat. So that first piece is very much Leon Russell.

“Now,” he adds, “the second piece we’re developing is not yet in its full form. We keep adding to it. But it’s got Roy Clark’s guitar, signed, and his boots and overalls from Hee Haw. We have Wanda Jackson’s guitar and one of her dresses. We’re building this place, if you will, in the museum that’s going to be devoted to music.”

“There’s probably a million dollars worth of stuff in there already,” Halsey says of MOTH, “including a Hank Thompson suit made by [the famous tailor] Nudie that’s just fantastic. It’s worth $85,000, and it’s on display.”

For all of that, however, Halsey knows that no matter how enthusiastic and cooperative Goldenberg and the MOTH staff are, space limitations will ultimately prohibit exhibiting all, or even a major part, of his collection. He’s grateful to MOTH and its people, as well as the folks who run the Independence Historical Museum and Art Center. At the same time, he longs for something even bigger, and his words give an idea of the incredible scope and depth of his

collection as well as his desire to see all, or at least most, of it on public display.

“You know,” he says, “the largest tourist attraction in the state of Tennessee is the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Tulsa needs something like that – a major exhibition of music-business awards, citations, memorabilia, instruments, stage wear, gold and platinum albums, and photos. We have over a million photos. No one in America has a collection like ours, with Annie Leibovitz, Dezo Hoffmann, Bruno Barnard of Hollywood, David Montgomery. These are the top photographers in the world, and we have an exhibition of their work that goes out. Recently, it was up at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.

“We have over 126 gold and platinum album awards from the various artists we’ve represented over the years; twentysome of them are from Oklahoma,” he adds. “We have tons of eye candy that’s still in storage and in boxes. Nobody other than the Country Music Hall of Fame has the extent, or the magnitude, of what we have. It just needs to be displayed in Tulsa, and MOTH has given us an opportunity.

“People need to see this type of thing,” Halsey concludes. “They’re not only entertained and stimulated by it, but it’s educational. It creates inspiration. What we’re trying to do with it is not only get it out there where people can get some entertainment and enjoyment out of it, but they can also say, ‘How did this happen? Did this happen in Tulsa?’”

And, certainly, it did.

JOHN WOOLEY

Whether you’re early in your career, approaching retirement, or already drawing income from your portfolio, periods of market volatility can serve as a useful reminder to revisit your strategy and confirm it still aligns with your needs. If you’re decades from retirement: With a longer time horizon, short term market fluctuations often become less meaningful. Consistent investing, such as dollar cost averaging, can help turn volatility into an advantage by spreading investments over time rather than trying to time the market. If you’re nearing retirement: Different asset classes and investment types often respond differently to economic conditions, and a broadly diversified portfolio can help manage risk during periods of volatility. It’s also wise to consider how your investments are positioned for your upcoming expenses. Funds you expect to use in the early years of retirement may benefit from being invested more conservatively, while assets with a longer time horizon can remain focused on growth. If you’re already retired: Reviewing your withdrawal strategy during uncertain markets can help protect your long term financial security. While equities may still play a role during a retirement that could last several decades, preserving your savings base is critical. Evaluating your stock exposure within the context of your overall financial plan can help ensure you’re not taking unnecessary risk.

David Karimian, CFP®, CRPC®, APMA® Prime Wealth Management

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial 2431 E 61st St, Suite 400, Tulsa, OK 74136 918.388.2009

David.x.Karimian@ampf.com www.primewealthmgmt.com

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Jim Halsey poses with the The Oak Ridge Boys, one of the many acts he has guided throughout his decades-long career in the music industry.

Photo by Libba Gillum/Country Weekly

David Karimian CFP®, CRPC®, APMA®

Life & Style

A MAP TO LIVING WELL

Strait Outta Istanbul

Istanbul offers a dazzling blend of sensory experiences, ancient history and vibrant culture where Europe and Asia meet across the Bosporus Strait.

Where do you go when you want

to experience a menagerie of senses? Or awaken to the aroma of Turkish espresso while viewing splendid architecture outside your hotel window? Do you desire to walk lively streets and bazaars of exotic spices, huge figs and roasted chestnuts? Or turn a corner to enter the Grand Bazaar, where thousands of shops shimmer and shine with their baubles and bags? Perhaps it’s massive monuments, mosques and minarets you seek ... or simple kebabs, kokorec and pomegranate juices. Maybe it’s “Turkish Delight on a moonlit night”?

From sparkling lanterns and glamorous garb to locals in subdued dress and

head covers, the contrasting visuals are part of Istanbul’s intrigue. Like the song says, “Istanbul was Constantinople. Now it’s Istanbul, not Constantinople,” but for many, it still is Constantinople, the city of Byzantium.

Remnants of Greek essence and origins exist from corners of Hagia Sophia, where original iconography peeks out of the plaster to mythological features found elsewhere in the city.  The name “Constantinas” is a reference to people who have roots dating back to Constantinople’s era. Constantinople translates to “the city of Constantine” (the emperor) and Istanbul means “to the city.” Whichever way it’s referenced, it’s a spectacle that spans two continents, Europe and Asia. Even the Bosphorus is also spelled Bosporus! Being located on the coast of the picturesque Bosporus

Strait absolutely enhances Istanbul’s mesmerizing vistas.

Day One: Stay in the heartbeat of the city-center with packed streets, usually safe with undercover security. Stroll avenues of enticing restaurants and rotisseries. Attend a Whirling Dervishes show and learn about their ritualistic journey to enlightenment. Savor an elaborate Turkish dinner.

Day Two: Accomplish your sightseeing all on foot! The walkability of the city-center is a perk. Descend into the Basilica Cistern, the ancient underground water storage system. The once functional system resembles an elegant ballroom. The glow of  lights creates an intimate atmosphere as you follow the maze-like paths. The height  prevents it from feeling claustrophobic or underground. Ornate details decorate the structure

as Medusa statue heads seem to “hold court” as well as a shadowy visage of the mythological creature projected onto a wall. Ascend into the street to wander shops or taverns where rich textiles and comfy cushions invite you to sit and recharge with refreshments. Next, get in line for the astounding Hagia Sophia, the pinnacle of Byzantine architecture later converted into a mosque. Skip long lines by hiring a private guide with immediate access.  The nearby Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace are crowded, so plan for a guide.

Day Three: Bazaar Day! The Grand Bazaar is overwhelming but worth it. There are thousands of stores, and if mini-showrooms don’t have the exact product you want, vendors may usher you to larger showrooms in back alleys for the hard sell. The Spice Bazaar, this travel writer’s favorite, is more laid back and charming. Take a sunset cruise on the Bosporus Strait which outdoes many famous European rivers. The illuminated boats and buildings along the shores give a magical touch to the night’s dark sky. Performances range from spiritual Whirling Dervish solos to sensual belly dancers and lively folk dancers.

Day Four: A unique adventure to accomplish today involves long walks; one to Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate where the Patriarch resides and where holy relics are displayed. Walking back to the city-center, cross the Bosphorus Bridge for the experience of connecting Europe to Asia over the Bosporus Strait. End each night atop a rooftop bar overlooking an incandescent city.

Days 5 and on: Explore the other regions of Turkey now that you’ve experienced the delights strait 'outta Istanbul!

GINA MICHALOPULOS KINGSLEY

Left/Above: Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar dazzles visitors with thousands of shops filled with spices, textiles and treasures. Below: Inside the Basilica Cistern, ancient stone columns and Medusa heads create an otherworldly atmosphere. Bottom: The Hagia Sophia stands as a monumental reminder of Istanbul’s layered Byzantine and Ottoman history. Photos on this page by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

Supporting ‘2E’ Students

Twice-exceptional children combine high intellectual ability with learning disabilities, creating unique academic and emotional challenges that often go unrecognized.

Described as both gifted and challenged, twiceexceptional kids, called 2E kids for short, possess both intellectual giftedness and one or more learning disabilities. The tension between these two realities can make learning a complicated and frustrating experience. However, according to the Child Mind Institute, an organization dedicated to helping children who are experiencing mental health and learning disorders, the right combination of supportive services can identify and improve 2E children’s academic performance and self-esteem.

“Twice-exceptional or 2E students are those with high intellectual abilities (giftedness) alongside a neurodivergent trait or disability. This accounts for likely 2-5% of school aged children,” explains Robyn Cowperthwaite, M.D., chief of adolescent psychiatry at Oklahoma Children’s OU Health in Oklahoma City. She says learning challenges can easily hide learning strengths, and strengths can disguise learning challenges.

“For example, someone may have a

reading disorder but have an overall very high level of intelligence,” says Cowperthwaite. “They can likely use that intelligence to mask the reading disorder and compensate with other intellectual strengths. Their overall ability may look average in this scenario, but is truthfully much higher. All the while, the child is not getting the reading support needed that will be required in higher levels of education.”

The same dynamic plays out in a different way for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A highly intelligent child with ADHD, for instance, may still appear to be failing.

“They are unable to concentrate, focus, sit still or accomplish their work,” she says. “They appear disruptive and are unable to show their true knowledge or learning capabilities. That child could become quite dejected and feel that they are simply not a good student, which can ultimately change an academic path or career options.”

In both cases, the child’s potential goes unseen. Without appropriate support, the personal toll can be lasting, with children experiencing anxiety, depression and other behavior problems.

It is these far-reaching impacts that make the diagnosis and support of 2E children so important. Navigating these conditions requires individualized care and attention.

“Children with both exceptional talents and disabilities that go unrecognized can have emotional and behavioral consequences,” says Cowperthwaite. “It is recommended that children with asynchronous and unequal development, meaning being advanced in some areas while considerably lagging in others, be referred for neuropsychological testing to potentially rule out any learning differences or disabilities. When appropriately identified and supported, our 2E children can experience much more academic success and emotional well-being, including higher self-esteem.”

For proper identification of 2E kids, she says a school’s involvement for a full assessment of disability, learning disorder or neurodivergence is essential.

“This allows for a potential 504 plan or individualized education plan developed specifically for the child’s personal needs,” she says. “It has also been suggested that parents seek enrichment activities outside of school for areas of interest and support skills that are more challenging. Ideal management focuses on strength-based interventions. Effective support recognizes strengths, capability and intelligence as well as limitations, needs and disability.”

For parents on this journey, Cowperthwaite offers some reassurance alongside practical guidance.

“It is important to remember that academic opportunities expand, and the child can excel with time,” she says. “The older we become, we have a less defined, rigid curriculum and more choice in how we learn new information, the environment we choose and how we focus our time.”

She emphasizes that this balance of strength and struggle is precisely what makes 2E individuals such powerful contributors to the world.

“2E individuals can bring remarkable innovation and creativity to their work in science, technology and the arts, but only if they have the opportunity to realize their inherent capabilities,” she says. “People with these very specific passions and skills have created many of the innovations we enjoy today and will continue to do so the more we support their development.”

REBECCA FAST

Living & Aging Well

A range of housing and care choices, from active adult communities to skilled nursing facilities, helps older Oklahomans find living arrangements that match their health, independence and lifestyle needs.

For anyone thinking about heading towards or currently in their golden years, a myriad of evolving opportunities are available for this stage of life. Aging in place in one’s own home, with in-home support when needed, may not always be an option. However, everything from amenity-rich communities to traditional nursing care is available in Oklahoma. It’s important to understand the options when choosing the living preferences that are right for you or your loved ones.

One alternative to traditional options includes active adult communities for those 55+ who want to stay healthy, social and independent with maintenance-free living. However, some communities have no age restrictions. Similar to residential neighborhoods, residents usually rent or buy their homes, with some having options for luxury homes. These neighborhoods often have fees and may not offer housekeeping, laundry service or meals.

However, some offer everything from daily-chef-prepared meals to lawn care and security. These colonies are often amenity-rich, with endless possibilities for active residents, ranging from golf courses to fitness centers.

Seniors must enter continuing care retirement communities when they are still relatively healthy and independent, but a contractual agreement guarantees their future needs will be met. An entrance fee is involved, and there are possible added fees for upkeep of one’s living quarters. But there are often many amenities, and the entrance fees cover advanced healthcare when needed. The advantage is that seniors may stay in the community as they age, even though they move within the campus to facilities for changing levels of health/medical care.

Independent living is for those who can still take care of themselves, but want to remove the stress of home ownership and home maintenance. These folks perhaps want to do less cooking, or may be lonely, or worried

about driving or future health issues. Independent living communities usually rent out apartments or houses, with numerous options and amenities to make life easier while offering ample social engagement.

Assisted living communities help residents with daily activities including dressing, hygiene, meals and transportation. They may offer some limited medical services including access to nurses and therapies, but not always advanced or skilled medical care. Those who are mismanaging their medications, feel isolated, or their health, well being or homes are compromised, or whose family caregivers are burned out, are good candidates for these facilities.

Memory care communities are designed specifically for those with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related illness, and have features that meet cognitive impairment challenges. These communities are sometimes included in other types of living communities.

Nursing homes, or 24-hour-a-day skilled nursing facilities (SNF) provide medical care from trained and certified staff and professionals. As well, residents receive assistance with all needs including hygiene, dressing, feeding and other daily living activities. Usually meant as long-term solutions, these facilities can also function short-term following injury, surgery or illness.

CAROL MOWDY BOND

Sulphur’s Simple Charms

This southern Oklahoma town blends natural beauty, rich history and vibrant Chickasaw culture into an easy yet unforgettable getaway.

Located in the heart of southern Oklahoma, Sulphur is a smalltown gem perfect for a relaxing day trip or stop along a broader journey. With natural springs, rich history and vibrant cultural heritage, this Murray County community invites visitors to slow down, explore and soak in life’s simple pleasures. Whether you’re craving outdoor adventure, a quiet read or a deep dive into the past, Sulphur delivers a mix of welcoming, unhurried attractions.

Start your visit at the Mary E. Parker Memorial Library, a community hub with more than 13,000 catalogued items, including valuable resources like the Dawes Rolls for the Five Civilized Tribes – ideal for genealogy buffs or history enthusiasts. The library hosts engaging programs such as book clubs, cooking classes, lunch-and-learn sessions, yoga and summer reading events for all ages.

Just a short drive away lies the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, an oasis named for the Chickasaw Nation. Famous for its healing springs, streams and lakes, the park offers swimming, fishing,

boating on Lake of the Arbuckles, hiking along more than 20 miles of trails, and scenic picnicking. The historic Platt District preserves early 20th-century park heritage, while the Travertine Nature Center provides educational exhibits on the area’s natural wonders.

For a deeper look into local lore, stop by the Arbuckle Historical Society Museum, housed in the beautiful 1917 City Hall building (listed on the National Register of Historic Places). Free to visit, the museum features artifacts spanning Sulphur’s history from its Chickasaw Nation roots and Indian Territory days to local schools, veterans and everyday life. Browse the Boy Scout Room, Truck Room displays on Sulphur Springs, a large-scale model of the town circa 1895, old newspapers, tools, minerals, presidential pins and a genealogy-friendly collection of Murray County records.

No trip to Sulphur is complete without the Chickasaw Cultural Center, a stunning 184-acre campus that serves as a living tribute to Chickasaw heritage.

“The Chickasaw Cultural Center provides a place for Chickasaw citizens to learn more about themselves, and

for the public to learn more about the Chickasaw Nation,” says Fran Parchcorn, executive director of the center. The result of over 50 years of planning by the Chickasaw Nation, the 118,000-squarefoot indoor space blends technology, film, agriculture, lectures, hands-on exhibits, shopping and dining to tell the Chickasaw story and preserve tribal culture for future generations.

Parchcorn highlights the integrative programming, technology and film together in the Chickasaw Cultural Center’s Anoli’ Theater “and agriculture with our beautiful gardens and landscaping; lectures and workshops, hands-on programming in the Chikasha Poya Exhibit Hall; shopping in our Aachompa retail store; and traditional and contemporary food dining in the Aaimpa’ Café.”

Daily stomp dance exhibitions at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. draw crowds, alongside special events like the Three Sisters Celebration, Toompalli’ Summer Festival, Holba’ Pisachi’ Native Film Festival, Native American Heritage Day and Christmas Celebration. Newer additions include Tribal Ag Day in May.

Mark your calendar for the annual Toompalli’ Summer Festival on June 13 – a free, family-friendly celebration welcoming the season with live performances, cultural demonstrations, handson activities, crafts, Chickasaw cuisine, art and films for all ages.

Sulphur wraps history, nature and culture into one inviting package. Whether here for a few hours or a full day, leave with a smile, a few great stories and maybe a new favorite exhibit.

TRACY LEGRAND

A favorite for generations, Chickasaw National Recreation Area continues to draw visitors with its natural charm and outdoor activities. Photos courtesy Chickasaw Nation

Hotter Than It Looks

The Heat Index reveals why triple-digit days in Oklahoma can feel even more intense – and what to do about it.

While Oklahomans cope with the warmth –and oftentimes nastiness – of late spring weather, the clock has already pushed ahead to the inevitable onset of summer and its accompanying searing heat.

In Oklahoma, that heat, which can skyrocket to 100 degrees or higher, is exacerbated much of the time by an unwelcome accomplice: humidity. Higher levels of humidity can make the actual temperature feel hotter than it is. When that happens, the real, in-the-shade temperature reading doesn’t matter all that much.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service (NWS) have devised a way to measure just how hot it feels outdoors: the Heat Index.

Rick Smith, warning coordination meteorologist for the NWS’s forecast office in Norman, explains that the Heat Index is a way to measure the relative

comfort level for folks who want or need to spend time outdoors. when it’s hot. He also passed on some common-sense safety tips for making the best of a sticky situation.

The Heat Index, Smith says, is derived from a mathematical formula. The result “is a way to measure how hot it feels to the human body. The higher the humidity, the hotter it feels during the summer.”

Smith pointed out that official temperatures are taken in the shade.

“So the Heat Index doesn’t take into account that you might be in the sun and not in the shade,” he says. “If you’re in the sun, you’re going to feel much hotter.”

The NWS website explains in detail how the Heat Index is determined, and charts the “feels like” temperature for each degree of relative humidity at any given temperature. When the relative humidity is high, there is lower evaporation from the body; less heat is removed from the body, and the more uncomfortable you feel. Conversely, when the

relative humidity is lower, evaporation is higher and more heat is removed from the body and the more comfortable you feel. Smith says the Heat Index formula is a lengthy, complex calculation, and its formula is available on the NWS website.

The standard advice for dealing with intense heat, Smith says, is just to be aware of the weather. People who need to be doing something outside should do it in the morning or evening, rather than in the middle of the day, he adds.

“If you have to be outside, take frequent breaks,” he says, and take advantage of any available air conditioning. “Drink plenty of water – the basic things we talk about for the middle of summer.”

The NWS points out that heat is the leading weather-related killer in the U.S., resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. Heat can be taxing and can lead to illness, or make existing health conditions worse for older adults, young children and infants, and people with chronic medical conditions.

The good news for Oklahomans, Smith says, is that the state isn’t situated near the Texas coast or anyplace else that deals constantly with intense humidity, along with the expected summer heat. He says long-range predictions for Oklahoma’s upcoming summer of 2026 show an average or slightly above average temperatures.

In reality, he says, there is one given: “It’s gonna be hot.”

HENRY DOLIVE

For More Information

The National Weather Service Norman Forecast Office 405-325-3816 weather.gov/oun

Heat Safety weather.gov/safety/heat

Heat Index Overview noaa.gov/jetstream/synoptic/ heat-index

Charlie Ludden, Krystal Yoseph, Jordan Broiles; 2026 Ballet Ball, OKC Ballet

Lori Decter Wright, Stephanie Washington; Season launch party, Tulsa Opera

Angela Troutz, Carlisha Bradley; Garden Gala, A New Leaf, Tulsa

Sam Briggs, Scott Coulter, Scott Seaton, Ana Berry; Tulsa Sings! America @250 Signature Symphony, Tulsa

Lance McDaniel, Lee Allan Smith; Lee Allan Smith Oklahoma Legacy Awards, Oklahoma Hall of Fame, OKC

Kathy Collins, Ed & Sara Fariss; Speaking event, Tulsa Town Hall

Debra Hull, Marnie Taylor; ONE Awards, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, OKC

Nicole Poole, Mary Ellen Gumerson, Chip & Shannon Fudge; Founders Day, Oklahoma Contemporary, OKC

Suzanne Warren, Ann Shannon Cassidy, Sheri Colpitt, Sara Fariss; Icons and Idols, Tulsa Ballet

Hannah McKinnon, Bailey Maxey, Riley Acuff; Spring support group programming wrap-up, Calm Waters, OKC

Erin Engelke, Kourtney Hartenstein; Faces of ReMerge Luncheon, ReMerge, OKC

Jared Kinley, Elaine Smith; ARTini, Allied Arts, OKC

O U H E A LT H

O K L A H O M A M A G A Z I N E

When it comes to your health, experience matters. OU Health is Oklahoma’s largest and most comprehensive physician practice, bringing together advanced subspecialty training and expertise you won’t find anywhere else in the state.

More than 175 OU Health physicians were recognized by Castle Connolly’s 2026 Top Doctors and Accolades rankings — more than any other health system — earning OU Health the distinction of No. 1 Top Health System in Oklahoma. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to clinical excellence as the state’s premier academic health system.

At the state's flagship comprehensive academic health system, OU Health Physicians are faculty of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and lead the way in advanced education, research and care.

TOP DOCTORS 2026

Castle Connolly is a trusted and credible healthcare research and information company with over 30 years of experience researching, reviewing, and selecting best-in-class healthcare providers and institutions. Our mission is to help people find the best healthcare by connecting patients with top-tier providers.

Castle Connolly employs a rigorous, physician-led team of researchers to select top healthcare professionals on both the national and regional levels.

The Top Doctor and Top Dentist selection process is based on peer-topeer nominations, open to all licensed physicians and dentists in the United States, allowing them to nominate peers in any specialty and region. The research team then thoroughly vets each nominee’s professional qualifications, including: education, professional reputation, research leadership, hospital and faculty appointments, disciplinary history, and outcomes data. Interpersonal skills such as listening, communicating effectively, demonstrating empathy, and instilling trust and confidence are also considered.

Rising Stars are specifically identified as early career doctors who are emerging leaders in the medical community.

The Castle Connolly Doctor Directory is the nation’s largest network of peer-nominated physicians.

Castle Connolly is part of Everyday Health Group, a recognized leader in patient and provider education, attracting an engaged audience of over 60 million health consumers and over 890,000 U.S. practicing physicians and clinicians. Our mission is to drive better clinical and health outcomes through decision-making informed by highly relevant information, data, and analytics. We empower healthcare providers and consumers with trusted content and services.

Professionals and/or institutions selected for inclusion in this magazine's feature may also appear online at www.castleconnolly.com, or in conjunction with other Castle Connolly databases online and/or in print. For more information, please visit Castle Connolly.

** = Designation as a Top Doctors Rising Star

Adolescent Medicine

PAUL BENSON, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Saint Francis Children’s Hospital (918) 619-4300

LGBTQ+ Health, Reproductive Health, Eating Disorders

Anesthesiology

NIGAM SHETH, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma Heart Hospital North, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 272-9641 Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology

Cardiac

Electrophysiology

KAREN J. BECKMAN MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-7001 Arrhythmias, Hospital Medicine

SEAN M. HALLERAN, MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 948-4040 Arrhythmias, Cardiac Catheterization, Pacemakers Defibrillators

SUBHA VARAHAN, MD

Oklahoma Heart Hospital North, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South (405) 608-3800 Arrhythmias, Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation

Cardiovascular Disease

MUHAMMAD ANWAR, MD

Heart Clinic Central Oklahoma, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 321-0199

Preventive Cardiology, Cholesterol/Lipid Disorders, Hypertension

ARCHANA GAUTAM, MD

Norman Heart and Vascular Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 515-2222 Peripheral Vascular Disease, Ischemic Heart Disease, Heart Disease in Women

KATHERINE HAYS, MD

Norman Heart and Vascular Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 515-2222

RICHARD KACERE, MD

Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 748-7650 Cardiovascular Imaging, Preventive Cardiology, Congenital Heart Disease-Adults

THO DINH LE, MD

Saint Francis Heart and Vascular Institute, Saint Francis Hospital South (918) 494-8500 Interventional Cardiology, Pacemakers/Defibrillators

MUHAMMAD SALIM, MD

Norman Heart and Vascular Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 5152222 Interventional Cardiology, Nuclear Cardiology

MICHAEL LEE VILLANO, MD

Norman Heart and Vascular Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 5152222 Pulmonary Hypertension

D. MATT WILKETT, DO Oklahoma State University Medical Center, Claremore Indian Hospital (918) 582-7711 Non-Invasive Cardiology

Child &

Adolescent

Psychiatry

ROBYN LYN COWPERTHWAITE, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, OU Health Edmond Medical Center (405) 271-5251 ADD/ ADHD, Anxiety & Depression, Autism Spectrum Disorders

Child

Neurology

DAVID J. SIEGLER, MD

Child Neurology of Tulsa, Saint Francis Hospital, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 493-3300 Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders, Headache, Neuromuscular Disorders

Colon & Rectal Surgery

KRISTINA BOOTH, MD

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 271-1632 Robotic Surgery, Colon Cancer

STEVEN CARTER, MD, FACS OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health Edmond Medical Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1632 Rectal Cancer, Colon Cancer, Robotic Surgery

RAHAL Y. KAHANDA, MD

Oklahoma Surgical Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 515-4099

Robotic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Colon & Rectal Cancer

W. CONAN MUSTAIN, MD

Mercy Hospital (405) 936-5718 Colon & Rectal Cancer & Surgery, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Diverticulitis

Dermatology

JEFF ALEXANDER, MD Jeff Alexander Dermatology (918) 4948333 Skin Cancer, Facial Rejuvenation, Cosmetic Dermatology

PAMELA S. ALLEN, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0064 Cosmetic Dermatology

LYNN A. ANDERSON, MD Midtown Dermatology, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 728-3100 Cosmetic Dermatology, Acne & Rosacea

TIFFANY BRAZEAL, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 280-7546 Cosmetic Dermatology, Medical Dermatology

DAVID KEITH DUNCAN, MD 2413 Palmer Circle (405) 321-3868

SHELBI HAYES, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 280-7546 Cosmetic Dermatology, Medical Dermatology

KIMBERLY JERDAN, MD Jerdan Dermatology & Laser Institute (405) 212-2880 Cosmetic Laser Surgery, Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments, Medical Dermatology

ANDREA JURGENS, MD Epiphany Dermatology (918) 994-4400 Medical Dermatology, Dermatologic Surgery

CHRISTINA G. KENDRICK, MD Tulsa Dermatology Clinic (918) 749-2261

MARK D. LEHMAN, MD Tulsa Dermatology Clinic (918) 749-2261 Laser Surgery

KELLI ANN LOVELACE, MD Tulsa Dermatology Clinic (918) 7492261 Botox

JULIE BOWMAN LOWE, MD Lowe Dermatology (405) 608-6877

GEORGE W. MONKS, MD Tulsa Dermatology Clinic (918) 749-2261 Skin Cancer, Psoriasis, Botox

ASHWINI KAMATH VAIDYA, MD Tulsa Dermatology Clinic (918) 749-2261

Diagnostic Radiology

DOUGLAS P. BEALL, MD Comprehensive Specialty Care, Oklahoma Spine Hospital, Summit Medical Center (405) 601-2325 Musculoskeletal Imaging, Interventional Radiology, Sports Medicine Radiology

KELLY N. MCDONOUGH, MD Breast Health Network Edmond, OU Health Edmond Medical Center (405) 844-2601 Breast Imaging, Breast Cancer

JAMES WEBB JR, MD Dr. James Webb & Associates (918) 260-9322 Musculoskeletal Imaging, Osteoporosis, Interventional Pain Management

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

MARY Z. BAKER, MD Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0035 Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Pituitary Disorders

Facial Plastic Surgery/ Otolaryngology

IVAN WAYNE, MD

W Facial Aesthetics (405) 748-5950

Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Rhinoplasty, Pediatric & Adult Otolaryngology

Family Medicine

ANDREA M. ADAMS, DO Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 291-5200 Primary Care

CLAUDIA E. CEA, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 392-7500 Primary Care, Family Medicine

SARAH E. COX, DO Mercy Hospital (405) 378-5491 Primary Care

SARAH R. ELNESER, DO Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Hospital South, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 298-2603

SCOTT J. FOWLER, DO Premier Family Care, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 258-9990 Primary Care

RACHEL M. FRANKLIN, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4311 Primary Care, Women’s Health, Preventive Medicine

KYLE B. FRENCH, MD INTEGRIS Health Family Care South, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 425-8190 Primary Care

SCOTT ANTHONY GHERE, DO Advance Family Care, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 921-5701 Primary Care

JEFFREY DEAN HODGDEN, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 231-3000 Primary Care

CHITRALEKHA KATHURIA, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital South (918) 307-5525 Primary Care, Adolescent Medicine, Women’s Health

CHANDAN D. LAD, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 481-7700 Primary Care

YEN DUNG T. NGUYEN, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 815-5060 Primary Care

SABRINA L. SCHRADER, DO SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 231-3000 Primary Care, Osteopathic Manipulation, Nutrition Gastroenterology

JAVID FAZILI, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0063 Liver Disease, Transplant Medicine-Liver, Hepatitis

MARKHAM NIGHTENGALE, MD Adult Gastroenterology Associates, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 4387050 Liver Disease

CHINTAN A. PARIKH, MD GI of Norman, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 515-2777 Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Liver Disease

AMIR RUMMAN, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0063 Pancreatic/Biliary Endoscopy (ERCP), Pancreatic & Biliary Disease

GEORGE SALEM, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0052 Ulcerative Colitis/Crohn’s, Inflammatory Bowel Disease

POOJA SINGHAL, MD, FACG, DABOM Oklahoma Gastro Health and Wellness, Lakeside Women’s Hospital, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 608-2772 Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac Disease

HARVEY A. TATUM, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 582-6544 Crohn’s Disease, Hepatitis C, Liver Disease

WILLIAM M. TIERNEY, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3445 Endoscopic Ultrasound, Colon Cancer, Pancreatic Disease

Gynecologic Oncology

MICHAEL A. GOLD, MD Oklahoma Cancer

Doctor profiles by Rebecca Fast Health boxes by Mary Willa Allen

Physician photos courtesy the doctors' respective health systems

TOP DOCTORS

Harold M. Burkhart, M.D.

PEDIATRIC CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY

OKLAHOMA CHILDREN’S OU HEALTH

OKLAHOMA CITY

Harold M. Burkhart, M.D., is the chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at Oklahoma Children’s OU Health and professor and chief of the cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery division at the OU College of Medicine.

When entering medical school, Burkhart had planned to become a pediatrician, until surgery caught his attention.

“I was drawn to pediatric heart surgery because it combines technical precision with the opportunity to make a profound, lifelong impact on a child’s future,” he says. “Congenital heart defects are among the most complex conditions in medicine, and the ability to correct or significantly improve a child’s heart function early in life is incredibly meaningful.”

His interests include neonatal cardiac surgery, complex congenital heart reconstruction and valve reconstruction, and a focus on advancing surgical techniques that improve survival while enhancing quality of life.

“The most rewarding part of my career is seeing children I operated on return home — thriving, running, playing and living full lives,” he says.

He says he’s fortunate to work with a large, dedicated team of caregivers who share his passion to care for children with heart disease. Burkhart also notes that congenital heart defects are more common than many people realize, and that the outlook for affected children has never been better.

“The encouraging news is that advances in diagnosis, surgical techniques and postoperative care have dramatically improved outcomes,” he says. “Today, the vast majority of children with heart defects can go on to live active, fulfilling lives.”

Innovations in imaging, such as high-resolution 3D modeling, allow for more precise surgical planning, while improvements in cardiopulmonary bypass techniques have significantly enhanced survival rates. Additionally, hybrid approaches combining surgery with catheter-based interventions have expanded treatment options and reduced recovery times.

ROBERT S. MANNEL, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8707 Laparoscopic Surgery, Gynecologic Cancers, Clinical Trials

DARON G. STREET, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 505-3200 Cervical Cancer

CHRISTINA WASHINGTON, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8707 Ovarian Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Cervical Cancer

Hospice & Palliative Medicine

ROBERTO SALINAS, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0065 Geriatric Medicine

Infectious Disease

DOUGLAS A. DREVETS, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0037 Infections-CNS, HIV/AIDS

DAVID N. SCHECK, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3875 HIV/AIDS

Internal Medicine

SARAH ANDREWS, DO Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Hospital South, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 392-5600 Primary Care

L RENE BALLARD, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 329-0121 Primary Care, Hypertension, Diabetes

JONATHAN A. BRYAN, DO Mercy Hospital (405) 329-0121 Primary Care

ROBERT BERNARD COYE, MD MDVIP, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 615-4015 Primary Care

LISA FARHOOD, MD INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 458-7654 Primary Care, Concierge Medicine,

JUSTIN E. FIELDS, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 329-0121 Primary Care

ANDREW GORDON, MD Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 748-7600 Primary Care

ALLEN J. HAMAKER, MD MDVIP, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 795-5907 Primary Care

JUNE P. IVEY, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 272-5433 Primary Care, Preventive Medicine

MARTINA J. JELLEY, MD Saint Francis Hospital South (918) 6194100 Primary Care, Preventive Medicine, Women’s Health

ADRIENNE E. KESINGER, MD INTEGRIS Health Family Care South, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 425-8100 Primary Care, Newborn Care, Preventive Medicine

JOHN M. KRODEL, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 329-0121 Primary Care, Preventive Medicine, Heart Disease

THOMAS H. MERRILL, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 329-0121 Primary Care, Geriatric Medicine, Cholesterol/ Lipid Disorders

GARY D. RATLIFF, MD Norman Regional Hospital (405) 5150380 Primary Care

SCOTT T. SHEPHERD, DO Shepherd Wellness (918) 216-0157 Primary Care

GEORGE TARDIBONO, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health (405) 271-3445 Primary Care, Weight Management, Nutrition & Obesity

Interventional Cardiology

RALPH DOUGLAS ENSLEY, MD Saint Francis Heart and Vascular Institute, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-8500 Cardiac Catheterization, Patent Foramen Ovale, Pacemakers/ Defibrillators

NAJI E. KARAM, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 272-8477 Echocardiography

AGHA K. KHAN, MD Oklahoma Heart Hospital South, Oklahoma Heart Hospital North (405) 608-3800 Angioplasty & Stent Placement, Nuclear Cardiology

FAISAL LATIF, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 231-3737 Angioplasty & Stent Placement, Peripheral Vascular Disease

Maternal & Fetal Medicine

CHARLES P. MIRABILE JR, MD The Perinatal Center, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Mercy Hospital (405) 748-4726 High-Risk Pregnancy

STEPHANIE L. PIERCE, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 2715400 High-Risk Pregnancy, Obesity in Pregnancy, Diabetes in Pregnancy

JOHN R. STANLEY III, MD The Perinatal Center, Mercy Hospital, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 748-4726 High-Risk Pregnancy

MARVIN WILLIAMS JR., DO Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5400 HighRisk Pregnancy, Medical Complications of Pregnancy, Premature Labor

Medical Oncology

JESS FRANKLIN ARMOR, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 751-4343 Hematology

LEONARD MICHAEL BOWEN, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, Frank C. Love Cancer Institute (405) 228-7100

JANAE MICHELLE CLAPP, MD INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 773-6400

CARLA D. KURKJIAN, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 751-4343 Gastrointestinal Cancer, Hematology

EDWIN L. MCCREARY, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3850 Hematology

ALI H. MOUSSA, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 505-3200 Leukemia & Lymphoma

AMARA NANDIKOLLA, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3850 Hematology

THY K. NGUYEN, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, Frank C. Love Cancer Institute (405) 228-7100

JENNIFER O’STASIK, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3850 Hematology

Gut Health & the Microbiome

The digestive tract is home to trillions of microorganisms collectively known as the microbiome, and they play a vital role in digestion, immunity and mood. An imbalance in gut bacteria has been linked to conditions ranging from irritable bowel syndrome to metabolic disorders. Your microbiome is largely dependent on your diet and other environmental exposures.

Fiber-rich foods, fermented items like yogurt, and limiting highly processed foods can support a healthier microbiome. Additionally, probiotics – “food and health products that contribute live, beneficial microbes to the populations within your gut and elsewhere,” according to Cleveland Clinic, can also assist in balancing your gut after illness - Cleveland Clinic

WAJEEHA RAZAQ, MD

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-7226 Breast Cancer

CRAIG LEE REITZ, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 751-4343 Lung Cancer, Lymphoma, Breast Cancer

CHARLES TAYLOR, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 505-3200 Leukemia & Lymphoma, Solid Tumors, Hematologic Malignancies

ALEDA TOMA, MD Cancer Specialists of Oklahoma, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 9429200 Breast Cancer

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

BIRJU A. SHAH, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health (405) 271-5215

Nephrology

MARY ANN CAMERON, MD

Nephrology Specialists of Oklahoma (918) 712-5000 Kidney Stones

BENJAMIN D. COWLEY JR, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3445

Polycystic Kidney Disease, Transplant Medicine-Kidney, Transplant Medicine-Pancreas

JOSE EL-AMM, MD

INTEGRIS Health Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 949-3816 Transplant Medicine-Kidney

LUKAS HARAGSIM, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3445 Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease

PRANAY KATHURIA, MD KidneyCare Oklahoma, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 747-5200 Chronic Kidney Disease, Hypertension, Glomerulonephritis

SUDHIR K. KHANNA, MD

Kidney Specialists of Central Oklahoma, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 942-5442

SATISH KUMAR, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3445 Chronic Kidney Disease, Hypertension, Kidney Failure

Neurological Surgery

SHON W. COOK, MD

Keyhole Brain & Spine, Community Hospital South Campus, SSM Health

St. Anthony Hospital (405) 310-6977

Neurovascular Surgery, Brain Tumors, Minimally Invasive Surgery

CAPLE SPENCE, MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 552-0401 Brain Tumors, Cerebrovascular Disease

MICHAEL THAMBUSWAMY, MD, MBA Oklahoma Spine & Brain Institute, Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 749-0762 Head Injury, Trauma, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

RYAN A. ZENGOU, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital South (918) 499-4000 Cerebrovascular Disease, Brain & Skull Base Tumors, Brain Tumors-Metastatic

Neurology

NIDHIBEN A. ANADANI, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3635 Neuro-Immunology, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic’s Disease)

EDUARDO A. DE SOUSA, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 302-2661 Electromyography (EMG), Neuromuscular Disorders, Peripheral Neuropathy

BHRUGAV G. RAVAL, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3635 Epilepsy/ Seizure Disorders

Obstetrics & Gynecology

MARILYN APPIAH, DO SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 803-5130

JOHN MARTIN BEAL, DO Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 748-7532

JOHN L. CHERRY, DO SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 803-5130 Women’s Health, Pregnancy

Heart Health: Know the Signs

GRANT R. COX, MD

OB/GYN Specialists Of Tulsa, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 712-8700

Infertility, Gynecologic Surgery, Miscarriage-Recurrent

KIMBERLY J. FLETCHER, DO

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 713-7403 Hospital Medicine

JUDY FONG, MD Northwest Obstetrics and Gynecology, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 943-6288 Adolescent Gynecology, Menopausal Management

KATHLEEN HEFFRON, MD

The Women’s Health Group, Hillcrest Medical Center, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 293-6200 Gynecology Only

LAUREL M. JORDAN, DO Care for Women, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 793-2229

KATHRYN L. KRAMER, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-5239 Adolescent Gynecology, Women’s Health, Prenatal Care and Delivery

DAPHNE L. LASHBROOK, MD Women’s Healthcare of Norman, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 360-1264 Hormonal Disorders, Robotic Hysterectomy

KATHRYN LINDSAY, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-5239 High-Risk Pregnancy, Contraception, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

JESSICA LUTZ, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-5239 Ultrasound, High-Risk Pregnancy, Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

HODA MAAROUF, MD

Women’s Preventive Healthcare, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 946-4735

ANDREA J. MILLER, DO INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Women’s Moore, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 425-8162

KATHLEEN MOORE, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8707

Heart disease includes a wealth of problems, mostly related to atherosclerosis, which “develops when a substance called plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries,” according to the American Heart Association. “This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through.” Warning signs of heart trouble may include chest discomfort or pressure, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, dizziness or pain that spreads to the arm, jaw or back. Some symptoms, especially in women, can be subtle, such as nausea or extreme tiredness.

Prevention starts with daily habits, like a heart-healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and limited sodium, added sugars and saturated fats. Additionally, at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week helps strengthen the heart and improve circulation

- American Heart Association

Chad Hanson, D.O. ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY OSU MEDICINE TULSA

Chad Hanson, D.O., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon whose path to the specialty felt like a natural fit.

“My dad was an NHL hockey player, so sports and athletics were a large part of my upbringing,” he says. “Orthopedic surgery provided a good avenue for me to succeed with my background.”

Hanson serves as associate clinical professor and orthopedic surgery residency program director with OSU Medicine, where he is also the team orthopedic surgeon for OSU Athletics.

He finds it especially rewarding to see athletes return to competition after an injury – “anytime we can get an athlete back on the field competing at the same or higher level of play is a success,” he says.

His clinical interests center on hip and knee arthroscopy with ligament reconstruction and cartilage repair. Advancements in technology now allow surgeons to access, repair and realign joints with far less risk.

“As the field continues to evolve, biologic treatment and management of lower extremity joints is becoming more prevalent, and patients are requesting more non-operative or minimally invasive options,” says Hanson. “Through OSU Medicine, many of those treatment options are available.”

When it comes to sports medicine injuries, his advice is simple: don’t wait.

“Any injury that lingers more than six weeks needs to be evaluated, and full tendon or ligament tears need to be seen urgently,” he says. “Sometimes people can’t be treated because they wait too long and the muscle or tendon has contracted. Always get checked out so you can get fixed and back on the field.”

TOP DOCTORS

Julie Morrow, D.O. PEDIATRICS

SSM HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP

OKLAHOMA CITY

Julie Morrow, D.O., a pediatrician with SSM Health Medical Group, loves working with children and is amazed by their tenacity and fortitude.

“Children are resilient, curious, funny in the most unexpected ways, and bring joy and laughter even on the most challenging days,” says Morrow. “Ultimately, I could not imagine doing anything else.”

For Morrow, pediatric medicine is about working with families to create nurturing, healthy and safe environments to support happy, healthy children.

“A pediatrician wants to be a trusted resource for not just the patient, but the family as well,” says Morrow. “Caring for your children is a team effort and a privilege not taken lightly.”

She finds it especially rewarding to build relationships with families and follow children from infancy to young adulthood.

“It’s not just about treating illnesses but also teaching the family about healthy habits and expected developmental milestones,” she says. “The impact of early intervention for even minor delays makes a difference. It’s amazing to watch a newborn grow into a healthy, confident teen.”

Morrow has been in practice long enough that she is now seeing the children of her former patients.

“I am so lucky to take care of their children,” she says. “The genuine relationships are incredibly meaningful.”

On the advances shaping her field, Morrow points to a relatively new immunization to prevent RSV as a much-needed breakthrough.

“RSV remains one of the most common illnesses leading to the hospitalization of infants,” she says. “Now we can offer an immunization during the RSV season that may truly help prevent this infection.”

LESA MULLIGAN, MD 1139 36th Avenue Northwest, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 364-0643

SUMEETA NANDA, MD Women’s Preventive Healthcare, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 946-4735

GWENDOLYN NEEL, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5239 Pregnancy, Gynecologic Pathology

LYDIA D. NIGHTINGALE, MD Variety Care, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 632-6688 Gynecology Only

ARTHUR COLE NILSON, DO Tulsa Women’s Health Care, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 299-5151 Laparoscopic Surgery

LESLIE JUNE OLLAR-SHOEMAKE, DO Women’s Healthcare of Norman, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 360-1264

MUKESH T. PAREKH, MD Northwest Obstetrics and Gynecology, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 943-6288 High-Risk Pregnancy, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair, Robotic Surgery

NIMISH PAREKH, MD Northwest Obstetrics and Gynecology, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 943-6288

ALEXANDRA REGENS, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-5239

**CLAIRE REYNOLDS, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0203 Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

KAREN SARGENT, MD Variety Care (405) 632-6688 Adolescent Gynecology, Menopausal Management, Pap Smear Abnormalities

KATIE M. SMITH, MD, MS OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-5239 Obstetrics, Cervical Dysplasia, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Ophthalmology

ANN ACERS-WARN, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060

ANDREW K. BAILEY, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-6060 Glaucoma, Cataract Surgery

RAY M. BALYEAT, MD The Eye Institute, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 749-2220 Retina/ Vitreous Surgery, Retinal Disorders, Retinal Detachment

JOHN M. BELL, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1090 Cataract Surgery

SANDEEP BHATIA, MD Oklahoma Medical Eye Group, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital Henryetta (918) 747-2020

TODD A. BROCKMAN, MD The Eye Institute, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 742-5513 Cataract Surgery

**VICTORIA A. BUGG, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Premium Cataract Surgery

THAI DO, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery, Oculoplastic Surgery, Eyelid Reconstruction

BRIAN KEITH FIRESTONE, MD Retina Consultants of Oklahoma, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 691-0505 Eye Tumors/Cancer, Intraocular Lens, Cataract Surgery

LAYNE E. GOETZINGER, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1090 Cataract Surgery

MARC A. GOLDBERG, MD The Eye Institute, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 584-4433 Cornea & External Eye Disease, PRK-Refractive Surgery, Cataract-Complex

BEN J. HARVEY, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Glaucoma, Cataract Surgery

ERIN L. HOLLOMAN, MD Oculoplastic Surgeons of Oklahoma (405) 521-0041 Oculoplastic Surgery

DAVID W. JACKSON, MD Oklahoma Eye Associates, Summit Medical Center (405) 286-2688 Cataract Surgery, LASIK-Refractive Surgery

MAHMOUD KHAIMI, MD Glaucoma Surgeons of Oklahoma, Summit Medical Center (405) 920-5222 Glaucoma

MARIA E. LIM, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Amblyopia, Cataract-Pediatric, Glaucoma-Pediatric

VALERIE LOBODIAK, MD Triad Eye Institute, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 252-2020 Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery, Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery

ANDREW T. MELSON, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Neuro-Ophthalmology, Cataract Surgery, Strabismus-Adult & Pediatric

REBECCA K. MORGAN, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-1793 Low Vision

SUMIT K. NANDA, MD Oklahoma Retinal Consultants, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Summit Medical Center (405) 948-2020 Retinal Disorders, Diabetic Eye Disease/ Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration

JILA NOORI, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Uveitis, Retinal Disorders, Macular Disease/Degeneration

ANIL D. PATEL, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Neuro-Ophthalmology

ENSA PILLOW, MD Oculoplastic Surgeons of Oklahoma (405) 521-0041 Oculoplastic Surgery

RONALD LUKE REBENITSCH, MD ClearSight LASIK (405) 733-2020

KAMRAN MOHAMMED RIAZ, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Cornea & External Eye Disease, LASIK Surgery, Cataract Surgery

JAMES M. RICHARD, MD Children’s Eye Care, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 751-2020 Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus-Adult & Pediatric, Eye Muscle Disorders

STEVEN R. SARKISIAN JR., MD Oklahoma Eye Surgeons, OneCore Health (405) 943-4413 Glaucoma, Cataract Surgery

VINAY A. SHAH, MD Retina Consultants of Oklahoma, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 691-0505 Retina/Vitreous Surgery, Diabetic Eye Disease/Retinopathy, Macular Disease/Degeneration

RHEA L. SIATKOWSKI, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1095 Cornea Transplant, Trauma, Cornea & Refractive Surgery

R MICHAEL SIATKOWSKI, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1094 Pediatric Ophthalmology, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Retinopathy of Prematurity

GREGORY L. SKUTA, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-6060 Glaucoma

DEENA A. SYLVESTER, MD Sylvester Eye Care & Aesthetics, Mercy Hospital (405) 607-8948 Cataract Surgery, Eyelid Surgery, Botox

DIANA TAMBOLI, MD Tamboli Eyelid and Facial Plastic Surgery (405) 708-7876 Cosmetic Surgery-Eyes, Oculoplastic Surgery

JEREMY F. TAN, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6060 Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery

ANIKA TANDON, MD Pediatric & Family Eye Care, Saint Francis Hospital, Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital (918) 949-9898 Pediatric Ophthalmology, Eye Muscle Disorders-Child & Adult, Neuro-Ophthalmology

DEANA S. WATTS, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-1090 Cataract Surgery

THOMAS C. WOLF, MD Eye Care Specialists of Oklahoma, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 737-1000 Corneal Disease

TAMMY L. YANOVITCH, MD OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1094 Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus, Amblyopia Orthopaedic Surgery

JAMES L. BOND, MD Norman Regional Hospital, Ortho Central (405) 360-6764 Hip & Knee Surgery, Shoulder Surgery, Sports Medicine

BRADFORD BOONE, MD Advanced Orthopedics of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-2665 Sports Medicine, Elbow Surgery, Knee Surgery

SETH M. BOYDSTUN, MD McBride Orthopedic Hospital (405) 230-9270 Sports Medicine, Fracture Care, Pediatric Sports Medicine

BRETT A. BRALY, MD The Spine Clinic, Community Hospital North Campus (405) 424-5415 Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery, Spinal Disorders

BRIAN A. CHALKIN, DO The Orthopaedic Center, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 582-6800 Hand & Wrist Surgery, Elbow Surgery

ARTHUR CONLEY, MD Sonospine, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (888) 957-7463 Spinal Surgery, Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery

CHAD E. CRAWLEY, DO Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital South (918) 579-2300 Hip & Knee Surgery

SCOTT M. DE LA GARZA, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, SSM Health Bone & Joint Hospital at St. Anthony (405) 218-2530 Spinal Surgery

CHRISTOPHER ESPINOZA, MD McBride Orthopedic Hospital, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 230-9270 Knee Replacement, Shoulder Replacement, Arthroscopic Surgery-Hip

CHARLES H. FUNDERBURK JR, MD McBride Orthopedic Hospital (405) 230-9270 Hand Surgery

CHAD D. HANSON, DO Oklahoma State University Medical Center (918) 631-8877 ACL Reconstruction, Arthroscopic Surgery-Shoulder, Arthroscopic Surgery-Hip

BRYAN J. HAWKINS, MD Advanced Orthopedics of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-2665 Foot & Ankle Surgery, Arthroscopic Surgery, Sports Medicine

Leading the way in care.

Proud to celebrate our nationally recognized physicians, as compiled by Castle Connolly’s 2026 Top Doctors.

Saint Francis Hospital

• David J. Siegler, MD

• Chandan D. Lad, MD

• Ralph Douglas Ensley, MD

• Ryan A. Zengou, MD

• Arthur Cole Nilson, DO

• Valarie Lobodiak, MD

• Anika Tandon , MD

• Bradford Boone, MD

Saint Francis Hospital South

• Tho Dinh Le, MD

• Chitralekha Kathuria, MD

• Martina J. Jelley, MD

Warren Clinic

• Chitralekha Kathuria, MD

• Chandan D. Lad, MD

• Ryan A. Zengou, MD

• Ahmad Khattab, DO

• Ryan A. Zengou, MD

• Ahmad Khattab, MD

• Bryan J. Hawkins, MD

• Randall L. Hendricks, MD

• Jake R. Worsham, MD

• Ahmad Khattab, DO

• Sheela Vardey, MD

• Paul R. Callegari, MD

• Manuel J. Calvin, MD

• Michael A. Malloy, MD

• Joseph N. Walter, MD

• Edward G. Ford, MD

• Manuel J. Calvin, MD

• Michael A. Malloy, MD

Saint Francis Children’s Hospital

• Paul Benson, MD

• Joseph N. Walter, MD

• Edward G. Ford, MD

• Terence Leonard Carey, MD

Saint Francis Heart and Vascular Institute

• Tho Dinh Le, MD

• Ralph Douglas Ensley, MD

TOP DOCTORS

Ryan Alexander Zengou, M.D.

NEUROSURGERY WARREN NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE, SAINT FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM

TULSA

Ryan Alexander Zengou, M.D., a neurosurgeon with Warren Neuroscience Institute, sees his work as both challenging and deeply rewarding. With more than 15 years of experience, Zengou treats complex conditions of the brain, spine and nervous system with both traditional and minimally invasive techniques.

“I chose neurosurgery because it challenges me to work with the most vital structures – the brain and spine – where even millimeters count,” he says. “Within neurosurgery, I’m particularly passionate about brain surgery; its complexity, its connection to our identity, who we are, what makes each person unique and the delicate access it requires.”

One of the most rewarding moments of his career was helping a patient with a malignant brain tumor meet his newborn child before he passed – an experience he says he’ll never forget.

“Neurosurgery is demanding, with outcomes often hinging on the smallest margins,” says Zengou. “We support not only patients but also their families through life-altering events.”

He adds that recent breakthroughs have transformed care, including minimally invasive techniques for spine and brain, robotic assistance for greater precision, and advanced genetic analysis for tumors and endovascular treatments.

“The field keeps evolving, and I’m grateful to be a part of it,” says Zengou.

Zengou completed his neurosurgery residency at Rush University Medical Center and earned his medical degree from the University of Connecticut.

RANDALL L. HENDRICKS, MD

Advanced Orthopedics of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-2665 Spinal Surgery, Arthroscopic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery

THOMAS P. LEHMAN, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 271-2663 Trauma, Hand Surgery

DONALD W. MCGINNIS, MD

McBride Orthopedic Hospital (405) 2309270 Sports Medicine, Sports Injuries, Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery

KYLE MCGIVERN, DO Optima Orthopedics, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 445-0155 Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement

YOGESH MITTAL, MD

The Orthopaedic Center, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 582-6800 Hip & Knee Replacement, Robotic Surgery, Arthroscopic Surgery-Knee

CHARLES B. PASQUE, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-2663 Arthroscopic Surgery, Shoulder & Knee Surgery, Hip Surgery

COREY E. PONDER, MD SSM Health Bone & Joint Hospital at St. Anthony (405) 218-2530 Joint Replacement, Reconstructive Surgery, Arthritis

TIMOTHY A. PUCKETT, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-2663 Spinal Surgery

DAVID SAXTON, MD McBride Orthopedic Hospital, INTEGRIS Health Edmond Hospital (405) 230-9270 Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy- Elbow, Diagnostic arthroscopy of ankle joint

DAVID C. TEAGUE, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-2663 Trauma, Fractures-Complex, Pelvic & Acetabular Fractures

THOMAS K. TKACH, MD McBride Orthopedic Hospital (405) 230-9270 Joint Reconstruction

JEREMY WOODSON, MD McBride Orthopedic Hospital (405) 230-9270 Knee Replacement, Shoulder Replacement, Shoulder & Elbow Surgery

JAKE R. WORSHAM, MD Advanced Orthopedics of OklahomaTulsa CityPlex Clinic, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-2665 Sports Medicine, Ankle Surgery, Hand Surgery

Otolaryngology

BLAKE L. ANDERSON, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Hospital South, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 459-8824 Ear Disorders, Nasal & Sinus Disorders, Throat Disorders

WAYNE E. BERRYHILL, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Norman Regional Hospital, Community Hospital South Campus (405) 364-2666 Neurotology

JEFFREY ALFON BUYTEN, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 364-2666

KEITH F. CLARK, MD, PHD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 272-6027 Airway Reconstruction, Voice Disorders, Vocal Cord Disorders-Botox Therapy

SHANNON KYLE KANEASTER, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 242-6887 Allergy, Sinus Disorders, Sinus Disorders/Surgery

GREG KREMPL, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-7559 Head & Neck Cancer, Skin Cancer-Head & Neck, Oral Cancer

KIBWEI A. MCKINNEY, MD SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 272-8435 Allergy, Nasal & Sinus Disorders, Rhinosinusitis

JEREMY A. MOORE, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 364-2666

CHRISTOPHER A. PASKOWSKI, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 3642666 Pediatric & Adult Otolaryngology, Nasal & Sinus Disorders, Hearing & Balance Disorders

RUSHA J. PATEL, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-7559 Head & Neck Surgery, Reconstructive Microvascular Surgery

JONATHAN M. PILLOW, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Mercy Hospital, INTEGRIS Health Edmond Hospital (405) 562-1810 Sinusitis

STEVEN V. RICHARDS, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Mercy Hospital (405) 755-1930

JOSE SANCLEMENT, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-7559 Microvascular Surgery, Head & Neck Cancer & Surgery

NILESH VASAN, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-7559 Skin Cancer-Head & Neck, Oral Cancer, Throat Cancer

RICKY L. VISOR, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Mercy Hospital (405) 755-6475

Pain Medicine

AHMAD KHATTAB, DO Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital South (918) 3073110 Interventional Pain Management

TRACI L. WHITE, MD Pain Management of Tulsa, Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital (918) 447-9300

Pain-Interventional Techniques, Pain-Musculoskeletal-Spine & Neck, Pain-Spine

Pathology

KAR-MING A. FUNG, MD, PHD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5653

Neuro-Pathology

Pediatric Endocrinology

LAURA J. CHALMERS, MD Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, Oklahoma State University Medical Center (918) 619-4803 Sexual Differentiation Disorders, Growth/Development Disorders, Obesity

KRUTI B. SHAH, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3303 Diabetes, Growth Disorders, Pubertal Disorders

Pediatric Gastroenterology

MUHAMMAD ADNAN ALTAF, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Mercy Hospital (405) 271-6549

Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders, Eosinophilic Esophagitis

MUHAMMAD SAFWAN RIAZ, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6549

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Pediatric

Hematology-Oncology

ASHLEY BAKER, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Jimmy Everest Center (405) 271-4412 Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment, Sickle Cell Disease

RENE Y. MCNALL-KNAPP, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Jimmy Everest Center (405) 2714412 Brain Tumors, Neuro-Oncology

LAURA ROOMS, MD

Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Jimmy Everest Center (405) 271-4412

NIGHAT F. MEHDI, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health (405) 271-2234 Cystic Fibrosis

JOSEPH N. WALTER, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Children’s Hospital (918) 502-2000

EDWARD G. FORD, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Children’s Hospital (918) 494-9450 Critical Care

Pediatric Otolaryngology

**VIKRAM RAMJEE, MD Oklahoma Children's Hospital at OU Health, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Pediatric Ear, Nose & Throat and Audiology Clinic (405) 271-2662 Airway Reconstruction, Chronic Hear Disease, Hearing Loss

Pediatric Urology

DOMINIC C. FRIMBERGER, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health (405) 271-3800

BRADLEY KROPP, MD OKC Kids Urology, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, McBride Orthopedic Hospital (405) 286-0755

Neurogenic Bladder, Bladder Exstrophy, Bladder Reconstruction

OREN F. MILLER, MD Urologic Specialists of Oklahoma, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Ascension St. John Broken Arrow (918) 749-8765 Voiding Dysfunction

ADAM J. RENSING, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3800

Pediatrics

NOOR JIHAN ABDUL-HAQQ, MD Peace of Mind Pediatrics, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 602-5166 Primary Care

LAMIAA HASSAN ALI, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (918) 619-4300 Primary Care

REBA A. BEARD, MD Sunrise Pediatrics, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 759-4155 Primary Care

TERENCE LEONARD CAREY, MD The Carey Clinic, Hillcrest Hospital South, Saint Francis Children’s Hospital (918) 481-8100 Allergy, Asthma, Pulmonary Disease

KIMBERLY EDGMON, MD Village Center Pediatrics, Mercy Hospital (405) 726-8000 Primary Care

JAMES E. FIELDS, MD Premiere Pediatrics, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 364-6432 Primary Care, Preventive Medicine

RICHARD A. GORDON, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 574-0150 Primary Care

BETTY HARMON, MD Sunrise Pediatrics, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 759-4155

CASEY HESTER, MD Northwest Pediatrics of Oklahoma City, Mercy Hospital, Lakeside Women’s Hospital (405) 755-2230 Primary Care

DONNA JACKSON, MD Norman Pediatric Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 321-5114 Primary Care

TAMMY R. MASCHINO, MD Village Center Pediatrics, Mercy Hospital (405) 726-8000 Primary Care

JULIE M. MORROW, DO SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 272-7337 Primary Care

SHEELA VARDEY, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 574-0150 Primary Care

VICTOR T. WILSON, MD Caring Pediatrics, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 360-7337 Primary Care, ADD/ADHD, Asthma

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

RITA M. HANCOCK, MD 1601 Southwest 89th Street, Suite E200, Community Hospital South Campus, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 900-5300 Pain Management, Musculoskeletal Medicine, Electromyography (EMG)

STEVEN R. SARKISIAN, JR., MD is the Founder and CEO of Oklahoma Eye Surgeons, PLLC and specializes in premium laser cataract surgery and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, or MIGS. Dr. Sarkisian is passionate about helping people get rid of their glasses by performing premium cataract surgery. He was the first surgeon in the state to perform the PanOptix trifocal lens, the iStent, iStent Inject, iStent Infinite, the XEN Gel Stent, and canaloplasty. He was the first in the USA to use the OMNI device and the first in the world to use the TRAB360 and VISCO 360 surgical systems, the predicate devices to the OMNI. He was also among the first in the world to perform the iDose sustained-release implant after FDA approval. In 2024, Dr. Sarkisian acquired the first Direct Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (DSLT) device in Oklahoma,one of the first in the country.

Dr. Sarkisian is the former director of the glaucoma fellowship, and former Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.

He obtained his undergraduate degree from Wheaton College, outside Chicago, IL, received a Certificate in Christian Studies from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA, received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA and completed a residency in Ophthalmology at the State University of New York (SUNY Downstate) in Brooklyn, NY, followed by a fellowship in glaucoma surgery at UT Memphis.

Due to his involvement in the development of new glaucoma technology, he has been active in presenting and publishing his work both in America and internationally. He co-authored the book “Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery, a Practical Guide”.

Dr. Sarkisian currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (JCRS), and on the Editorial Board of Glaucoma Today, Glaucoma Physician, and Ophthalmology Management. Dr. Sarkisian is listed in Woodward/White’s Best Doctors in America and Castle and Connolly Top Doctors.

He and his wife Anne have four children and reside in Edmond, Oklahoma.

TOP DOCTORS

Morgan Bonds, M.D. SURGICAL ONCOLOGY OU HEALTH STEPHENSON CANCER CENTER OKLAHOMA CITY

Morgan Bonds, M.D., is a general and hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon with OU Health and an assistant professor of surgery and the interim associate dean of admissions at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. She chose the field of hepatopancreatobiliary surgery for the opportunity it gives her to work closely with patients and guide them through unexpected and difficult moments in their lives.

“As a clinician, the most rewarding part of my career is hearing that I have put patients and their families at ease and given them reassurance during a difficult time,” says Bonds. Providing patients with the information they need to make their own informed decisions, she adds, is essential to her specialty.

Her particular interest lies in caring for benign and malignant diseases of the pancreas and biliary tree — a field she describes as both constantly evolving and rich with possibility.

“We are making strides in the care of pancreatic and liver diseases that will provide patients with more options and improved outcomes at a rapid pace,” she says. “OU Health continues to contribute to the innovation in this field through translational and clinical research.”

That innovation extends to technology. Bonds notes that hepatopancreatobiliary surgery is fertile ground for novel device development, from probes that guide intraoperative dissection to improve tumor resection, to 3-D modeling with artificial intelligence to plan surgical interventions in the liver.

“Many of my colleagues work closely within the industry to ensure the new devices will improve our patients’ lives,” she says.

JONATHAN STONE, DO Oklahoma Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Community Hospital South Campus (405) 601-5899 Pain-Interventional Techniques

Plastic Surgery

ANUREET BAJAJ, MD Bajaj Plastic Surgery, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 810-8448 Breast Surgery, Breast Augmentation, Breast Implants

PAUL R. CALLEGARI, MD 6585 South Yale Avenue, Suite 1050, Saint Francis Hospital, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 494-8200 Body Contouring after Weight Loss, Cosmetic Surgery-Face & Breast, Hand Surgery

CHRISTIAN EL AMM, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0067 Craniofacial Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery

ROBERT ALAN HEIN, MD 14024 Quail Pointe Drive (405) 286-4333

JUSTIN MICHAEL JONES, MD Jones Plastic Surgery, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 848-3459 Cosmetic Surgery-Body, Cosmetic Surgery-Breast, Liposuction & Body Contouring

KAMAL T. SAWAN, MD Sawan Surgical Aesthetics, Summit Medical Center (405) 285-7660 Body Contouring after Weight Loss

Pulmonary Disease

AJAY R. BEDEKAR, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3270

Radiation Oncology

OZER ALGAN, MD

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5641 Brain Tumors, Genitourinary Cancer, Breast Cancer

SHRIPAL K. BHAVSAR, MD INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (877) 811-4246

CHRISTOPHER BOZARTH, MD

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5641

JOHN HAN-CHIH CHANG, MD Oklahoma Proton Center, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 544-3980 Proton Beam Therapy, Pediatric Cancers, Head & Neck Cancer

MICHAEL CONFER, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5641 Pediatric Cancers, Central Nervous System Cancer, Proton Beam Therapy

TYLER GUNTER, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5641 Thoracic Cancers, Genitourinary Cancer, Central Nervous System Cancer

DIANE HEATON, MD Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-8200

CHRISTINA HENSON, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5641 Palliative Care, Head & Neck Cancer, Breast Cancer

ANDREA JOHNSTON, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5641 Proton Beam Therapy, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

M. CONNIE NGUYEN, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 505-3200

Stereotactic Radiosurgery

KIRAN PRABHU, MD INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 773-6530

Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy, Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)

J SPENCER THOMPSON, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-5641

Gynecologic Cancers, Pediatric Cancers, Palliative Care

Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility

HEATHER R. BURKS, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0203 Infertility-IVF, Ovarian Failure, Menstrual Disorders

LATASHA B. CRAIG, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0203

Miscarriage-Recurrent, Ovarian Failure, Menstrual Disorders

MICHAEL BLAKE EVANS, DO OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0203

KARL R. HANSEN, MD, PHD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0203 Infertility-IVF, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis

ROBERT A. WILD, MD, PHD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-5239 Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Rheumatology

MANUEL J. CALVIN, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 495-2685 Autoimmune Disease, Arthritis

JOHN GOETZINGER, MD Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma, Community Hospital South Campus, Northwest Surgical Hospital (405) 608-8060

LATISHA HEINLEN, MD Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma, Community Hospital South Campus, Northwest Surgical Hospital (405) 608-8060

MICHAEL A. MALLOY, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 495-2685 Autoimmune Disease

IRA N. TARGOFF, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma City VA Medical Center (405) 271-3445 Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Arthritis

AIKATERINI (KATHERINE) THANOU, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3445 Autoimmune Disease, Lupus/SLE

AMANDA TITUS, MD Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma, Community Hospital South Campus, Northwest Surgical Hospital (405) 6088060 Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease

Sports Medicine

JAMES BARRETT, MD OU Health Physicians Family Medicine Center Tulsa, OU Health Edmond Medical Center, McBride Orthopedic Hospital (572) 244-0065 Primary Care Sports Medicine, Sports Injuries

LAMONT E. CAVANAGH, MD OU Health Physicians Family Medicine Center Tulsa, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 619-4600 Primary Care Sports Medicine, Family Medicine

BRIAN R. COLEMAN, MD OU Health Physicians Family Medicine Center OKC, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0065 Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Sports Medicine

Understanding Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) develops gradually and often has no symptoms in its early stages. The kidneys filter waste from the blood, and when they’re not functioning properly, harmful levels of fluid and toxins build up in the body. Diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases like lupus and prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract are the leading causes of CKD.

When CKD becomes advanced, symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, sleep problems, decreased mental acuity and high blood pressure. A person would then need dialysis or a kidney transplant to repair lost function. Routine blood and urine tests can detect CKD early, making regular checkups especially important for those at risk.

- Mayo Clinic

FOR ADDITIONAL HEALTH BOXES, VISIT OKMAG.COM.

Christina G. Kendrick, M.D. DERMATOLOGY TULSA DERMATOLOGY CLINIC TULSA

Christina G. Kendrick, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and physician-owner at Tulsa Dermatology Clinic, where she has practiced medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology for 17 years. She was drawn to the specialty for its unique blend of medicine and surgery, and its unusually wide patient range.

“Dermatology offers the opportunity to diagnose and manage complex medical conditions, while also performing procedures such as skin cancer excisions and other surgical treatments,” she says. “I see patients from infants under a year old to patients well over 100. That breadth makes the field especially rewarding.”

Kendrick is particularly interested in inflammatory skin diseases and skin findings that may signal underlying systemic conditions.

“The skin can often provide important clues about a patient’s overall health,” she says. “It is especially gratifying to help patients with chronic, widespread skin conditions gain control of their disease and experience a meaningful improvement in their quality of life.”

She has also witnessed a dramatic shift in treatment options over her career. Today, targeted biologic therapies offer greater effectiveness and improved safety profiles compared with traditional systemic immunosuppressive medications.

“They have dramatically improved outcomes for patients with conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and other chronic inflammatory skin diseases,” says Kendrick.

In addition, new treatments have transformed outcomes for advanced melanoma and other skin cancers. Patients with metastatic melanoma, once considered rapidly fatal, now often have significantly improved survival and, in some cases, long-term disease control.

SEETHAL R. MADHAVARAPU, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 218-2530 Musculoskeletal Injuries, Fractures, Ultrasound Guided Procedures

Surgery

MORGAN BONDS, MD

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1632 Surgical Oncology, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

JOSEPH CARLO BUENDIA, DO Mercy Hospital (405) 749-4231 Abdominal Wall Reconstruction

EUGENE DICKENS, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 599-8200 Hernia, General Surgery

CHRISTOPHER W. LENTZ, MD

INTEGRIS Paul Silverstein Burn Center, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 552-2857 Burn Care, Reconstructive Surgery, Critical Care

FERNANDO MIER GIRAUD, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (572) 244-0036 Gastrointestinal Metabolic Surgery, Bariatric/Obesity Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery

ALEXANDER RAINES, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, OU Health Edmond Medical Center (572) 244-0074 Hernia, Gallbladder Surgery, Robotic Surgery

LOYAL STIERLEN, DO

INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 636-7900 Gallbladder Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Robotic Surgery

SARA SUTHERS, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 749-7023 Breast Surgery

JOHN V. TEDESCO, DO, FACOS, FAACS Green Country Surgical Arts, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 600-0026

Breast Surgery, Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift

Surgical Oncology

NICOLE SHARP COTTRELL, MD

INTEGRIS Health Breast Surgery Clinic, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Lakeside Women’s Hospital (405) 5520400 Breast Cancer & Surgery, Breast Disease, Minimally Invasive Surgery

BARISH H. EDIL, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1632 Pancreatic Cancer, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Gastrointestinal Cancer

DENISE L. RABLE, MD The Oklahoma Breast Center, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 307-2623 Breast Cancer & Surgery, Breast Disease

Thoracic & Cardiac Surgery

R MARK BODENHAMER, MD Oklahoma Heart Hospital North, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South (405) 608-3800

HAROLD MACDONALD BURKHART, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4631 Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery

JOHN D. RANDOLPH, MD Oklahoma Heart Hospital North, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South (405) 608-3800 Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Valve Surgery, Coronary Artery Surgery

AJIT K. THARAKAN, MD Oklahoma Heart Institute, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 749-6400 Heart Valve Surgery, Lung Surgery

Urogynecology/Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery

LIESCHEN QUIROZ, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-9493 Incontinence-Urinary, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair

Urology

ROBERT BRUCE, MD

Urologic Specialists of Oklahoma, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 749-8765 Minimally Invasive Surgery, Prostate Benign Disease (BPH), Kidney Stones

MICHAEL S. COOKSON, MD OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4088 Urologic Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Prostate Cancer

PAUL GUY HAGOOD, MD Utica Park Clinic, Hillcrest Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital South (918)

Advertising in the publication is in no way connected to the selection of doctors for the issue.

Getaway T HEGREAT GUIDE

By Kimberly Burk

You don’t have to travel far to find summer adventures. Just beyond Oklahoma’s borders, easy escapes are waiting. From mountain towns and desert sunsets to lake weekends and culture-filled cities, these neighboring states deliver big experiences without a massive price tag. Whether you’re planning a quick solo reset, a family adventure or a romantic road trip, consider this your guide to getting away.

ARKANSAS

You have until July 27 to take in America 250: Common Threads which is the kind of special exhibition visitors have come to expect from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. The exhibition commemorates the events of 1776 and reflects on 250 years of American art and civic participation. An early engraving of the Declaration of Independence anchors a group of historic documents displayed alongside textiles, paintings, toys and other works from 1776 to the present. It also explores the symbols artists turn to when celebrating or commenting on the United States: George Washington’s many faces, eagles appearing across books, baskets and coverlets, flags seen as quilts or as documentation of the moon landing, according to publicists for the museum that showcases art, architecture and nature. General admission to the museum is free, but tickets are required for this and other special exhibitions. Arkansas, which calls itself “The Natural

State,” boasts that Mount Magazine is “at the peak of the state park experience.” It’s the state’s highest point at 2,753 feet, and people come for the sweeping views alone, but there is much to see and do. Mount Magazine State Park is within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests, and a destination for mountain biking, horseback riding, backpacking, ATV riding, rock climbing and hang gliding.

The Lodge at Mount Magazine features 60 guest rooms and offers breathtaking views of Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake.

For a more urban experience, check out Dickson Street, known as the Heartbeat of Fayetteville and home to dozens of restaurants, boutiques, galleries and bars, with live music nearly every night of the

week. Tucked into the Ozark Mountains and known by the locals as “Favoriteville,” it’s the home of the University of Arkansas with its unsurpassed Razorback spirit and a haven for makers and artists.

Hot Springs National Park, with its nine architecturally significant bathhouses, is a park in the middle of the town of Hot Springs. The ancient thermal springs, mountain views, geology, forested hikes and downtown streets filled with restaurants and shops make Hot Springs a unique and beautiful destination.

Above: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville. Right: Mount Magazine Saint Park, Logan County. Photos courtesy Crystal Bridges and Arkansas Tourism, respectively.

COLORADO

There’s no such thing as an off-season at Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, only closing when the weather is extreme. The warmweather months are quite busy, but so are winter weekends, according to the National Park Service, and during the summer you might need a timed entry reservation. Campground reservations should also be made well in advance.

Options for enjoying the fresh air and stunning alpine scenery include hiking, wildlife viewing, ranger-led programs, horseback riding and scenic drives.

Visitors to the ever-popular town of Durango can hop on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and travel through the San Juan National Forest on a coal-fired, steam-powered 1880s locomotive. See wildlife, waterfalls and majestic peaks from the same tracks traveled more than a century ago by miners, cowboys and settlers of the Old West.

The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece of Great Sand Dunes National Park, in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes and tundra. The dunes and much of the adjacent Sangre de Cristo Mountains are federally designated wilderness.

At the Great Sand Dunes, visitors can hike, sled, splash in Medano Creek or just play in the sand. The park offers peace and quiet, and dark night skies allow visitors to see countless stars with very little light pollution.

Among Denver’s many urban charms is Union Station, a beloved landmark in the heart of Lower Downtown. It’s a celebrated destination for gathering, dining, shopping, raising a glass, exploring the city or staying the night at The Crawford Hotel.

There’s plenty to do in the mountain town of Aspen, and the Maroon Bells are the most popular summer destination, according to the Aspen Chamber of Commerce.

Standing at more than 14,000 feet, the Maroon Bells is a series of distinctively bellshaped, wine-colored peaks of mudstone, carved out over 300 million years. They are the most-photographed mountains in North America, according to the Chamber of Commerce.

During peak season there may be crowds, so the Chamber suggests visiting mid-week, arriving with the first bus of the day.

MISSOURI

Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis is about so much more than the tram ride to the top of the 630-feet-tall monument to Westward expansion.

There’s a free museum about the role of St. Louis in Thomas Jefferson’s vision of building a unified continental nation. National Park Service rangers offer guided programs, and there’s a documentary about the building of the 63-story arch completed in 1965. The park is near the Mississippi River, so allow an hour for a riverboat cruise. The Old Courthouse Museum, listed in the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, was the site of the first two trials of the pivotal Dred Scott case in 1847 and 1850. It was also where Virginia Minor’s case for a woman’s right to vote came to trial in the 1870s.

And yes, you can ride the tram, with ticket prices ranging from $13 to $19, to the observation deck up top. The ride is 4 minutes up and 3 minutes down, the Park Service says. Rides sell out on busy days, so buy tickets in advance at gatewayarch.com.

Also in St. Louis is the 1,300-acre

Forest Park, dedicated in 1876 and offering woodlands and waterways, prairies and awe-inspiring landscapes. It’s home to the free-admission St. Louis Zoo, which cares for 12,500 animals encompassing 450 species.

In central and southeast Missouri, Branson, the Silver Dollar City theme park and the Lake of the Ozarks are perennial favorites known for adding new attractions every year.

Kansas City offers an urban getaway with plenty of green space. Among the attractions with beautiful grounds is the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Featuring 34,500 pieces from ceramic objects found in ancient Chinese tombs to whimsical sculptures of badminton birdies, the collection spans more than 5,000 years of humanity.

The Arabia Steamboat Museum, which has delighted visitors for more than 30 years, will be closing its Kansas City location in November. Founders hope to find a new home elsewhere. The museum features much of the 200-ton cargo of the steamship that sank in the Missouri River in 1856 and was recovered in 1988, including clothing, dishes, tools, guns, toys and the world’s oldest pickles.

Top: Mount Magazine Saint Park, Logan County, Ark.; photo courtesy Arkansas Tourism. Bottom row, L-R: Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mosca, Colo.; Hessie Trailhead, Rocky Mountain National Park, photos courtesy Visit Colorado/Lumenati Productions. Aquarium at the Boardwalk, Branson, Mo.; photo courtesy Visit Missouri.

NEBRASKA

Once you’re in Nebraska, according to the state’s tourism commission, “you’ll discover that the Great Plains aren’t so plain after all.”

Visit Nebraska divides the state into six regions, plus the metro area of Omaha and Lincoln. If you are all about scenery and the great outdoors, you can’t go wrong with the Sandhills region in the north-central part of the state.

Writer Mary Harner says that in the Sandhills, the “star-filled skies, unobstructed views of the horizon, and places free of sounds made by people – notably traffic –offer a sense of wildness that is rare in so much of the world.”

Towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for peoples from Native Americans to emigrants on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails, to modern travelers, according to the National Park Service.

“Rich with geological and paleontological history as well as human history, there is much to discover while exploring the 3,000 acres of Scotts Bluff National Monument,” the NPS says.

William Henry Jackson is best known as the first person to photograph the wonders of Yellowstone, and Scotts Bluff National Monument houses the world’s largest collection of his original sketches, paintings and photographs. Due to limited space, a small selection of his works is on display in the Visitor Center.

Sanning Interstate 80 at Exit 275 in Kearney, the Archway Museum stands as a monument to the enduring spirit of America. Exhibits narrate the story of the people who played a role in shaping the nation, starting with the Oregon Trail and traveling through pioneers and prairie wagons to diners and drive-ins of the 1950s. After your tour, try your hand at panning for gold or browse the massive gift shop.

Designated as a National Historic Site in 1956, Chimney Rock and the Ethel S. and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center near Bayard are maintained and operated by the Nebraska State Historical Society.

The historical society invites you to “feel the awe and curiosity the pioneers experienced when they saw the most famous landmark on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails.”

NEW MEXICO

Every corner of New Mexico lives up to its description as The Land of Enchantment, and especially beloved is the capital city of Santa Fe. Santa Fe calls itself The City Different, touting its historic sites and museums, hundreds of art galleries, cultural diversity, adobe-style architecture and perhaps the most colorful culinary scene in the nation. At the heart of the city is the Santa Fe Plaza, a gathering place for shopping, dining, lodging and cultural festivals.

The nation’s oldest building, the Palace of the Governors, has stood on the Plaza since the early 1600s when it was erected as the seat of

the Spanish colonial government. Native American tribal citizens hold a market every day beneath the building’s portal, where visitors can buy jewelry, pottery and textiles directly from the artisans. Will Rogers dubbed Carlsbad Caverns the “Grand Canyon with a roof on it.” National Geographic calls the geologic wonder in the Chihuahuan Desert “one of the deepest, largest, and most ornate caverns ever found.” Some visitors think the park’s most spectacular sight is when the quarter-million Brazilian (Mexican)

Above: Pecos National Historical Park, San Miguel County. Immediately above: White Sands Balloon Festival, Tularosa Basin; photos courtesy New Mexico True.

Top: Chimney Rock, Morrill County; photo by Neal Alfano. Right: Monument Marathon, Scottsbluff; photos courtesy Nebraska Tourism.

White Sands National Park, Tularosa Basin; photo courtesy New Mexico True.

free-tailed bats that summer in the cave spiral up from the entrance to hunt for insects every night, according to National Geographic.

White Sands National Park in the Tularosa Basin preserves a major portion of the world’s largest gypsum dunefield.

The powdery, white gypsum dunes not only look like snow, they behave like it as well, according to the National Park Service. Sledding down the slip face of dunes is a popular activity at the park. Most sledders use waxed, plastic snow-saucers, which can be purchased at the park gift shop.

Yet another natural wonder administered by the National Park Service is Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos, which protects more than 33,000 acres of ruggedly beautiful canyon and mesa country. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities.

Guided tours are available throughout the day at the Taos Pueblo, where people have lived for more than 1,000 years. About 150 people from Pueblo communities continue to live within the Pueblo full time.

ARIZONA

The National Park Service describes the Grand Canyon as “one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world – a mile-deep canyon unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors from both the north and south rims.” If it’s not on your bucket list it should be, as no photo or video can truly capture the 3-D vistas at Grand Canyon National Park.

Entirely within the state of Arizona, the park encompasses 278 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. And it’s located on the ancestral homelands of 11 present-day tribal communities, according to the NPS.

Aside from just taking in the view, activities include hiking, bicycling, stargazing, rail adventures, mule trips and guided learning.

The Colorado River also created the spectacular Horseshoe Bend, a muchphotographed landmark near Page. After an accessible 1.5 mile walk from the parking lot, you will stand at an overlook that is 1,000 feet above the Colorado River as it winds its way in a horseshoe shape through a red-hued sandstone canyon.

Sedona’s world-wide reputation as a spiritual mecca and energy hot spot draws healers, artists and spiritual guides who offer holistic approaches that cater to the mind, body and spirit. Visit Sedona invites you to embrace both adventure and contemplation, in a charming small town surrounded by some of the best hiking trails around.

Shops and art galleries specialize in traditional Western, contemporary Southwestern and Native American art. From bronze statues to jewelry, Sedona’s gallery centers offer a variety of home décor, garden accents and kitchenware. For the outdoor enthusiast, several stores offer outdoor gear, maps and mountain bikes. Sedona’s New Age shops specialize in metaphysical and spiritual goods such as crystals, books and aromatherapy oils.

Tucson is home to the nation’s largest cacti. The giant saguaro, the universal symbol of the American west, is found only in a small portion of the United States, according to the National Park Service. It’s protected by Saguaro National Park, to the east and west of Tucson.

Above and below left: Antelope Canyon, Navajo Nation reservation; photos courtesy Donald Nelson and the Arizona Office of Tourism, respectively.

Saguaro National Park, Pima County; photo by Richard Daley.

Horseshoe Bend, Page; photo by Sreenath Kottapuzhackal.

TEXAS

Like many cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, Lewisville offers urban amenities along with a taste of the Old West and the modern Southwest. Hugging the southern shore of Lewisville Lake, it’s within easy reach of family-friendly activities ranging from fine and cultural arts to go-carts and bowling.

Authentic historic buildings anchoring Old Town Lewisville date back to the 1880s and provide the backdrop for dining, shopping, drinking and cultural entertainment.

Lewisville Western Days takes place the last weekend of September with live music on six stages, a tamale- eating championship, food trucks and Western-themed activities.

The ICompete is an immersive augmented reality experience featuring simulated golf, baseball, digitized darts, axe-throwing and more.

Space Center Houston is that city’s most popular tourist attraction, and your visit can go more smoothly if you do some prep work.

Tram tours are recommended, especially for the visit to Historic Mission Control. Building 9, a stop on another tram tour, is where astronauts train for missions and where

scientists are developing the next generation of space exploration vehicles. Visitors traverse a catwalk to view the training from above. Tickets for the tram tours should be booked well in advance. Space Center Houston is the nonprofit that operates the spacious visitor center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Mission Control, from which NASA led the Gemini and Apollo missions, has been recreated right down to the loaded ashtrays on the desks of the scientists who directed the lunar landing on July 20, 1969.

If you happen to be headed west on Route 66 during this centennial year of the famed highway, Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo is worth a detour.

Also known as the Grand Canyon of Texas, it’s the second-largest canyon in the nation, and much of it lies within Palo Duro Canyon State Park. It’s a beautiful place to visit year-round but is busiest during the summer, when the TEXAS Outdoor Musical is presented on Tuesdays through Sundays in the Pioneer Amphitheater. Go early for a barbecue dinner. Lodging options include camper and tent sites, cabins and air-conditioned glamping.

Left: Downtown Houston, photo by Jaime Hudson. Above: Altstadt Brewery, Fredericksburg; photos courtesy Travel Texas.

The Alamo, San Antonio; photo courtesy Visit San Antonio

ESCAPE LAKE —TO THE—

By Brandi Gentry

A LAKE DAY PACKING GUIDE: WHAT TO BRING, WHAT TO LEAVE

Oklahoma boasts 32 state parks and over 200 lakes, where groups need to bring only a few vital items for fun and sun safety. Before you hit the road for your trip, make sure you’ve got the essentials – and leave the fluff at home.

Sun protection, plenty of water, quick-dry towels, food that won’t spoil in extreme heat, beach umbrellas, snorkel gear and hand sanitizer are high on the checklist. Things like portable speakers – and all electronics – should be sealed in plastic bags to avoid damage from moisture.

Other than water, heat and harsh sunlight, sand is another trapping of the lake, so it might be in your best interest to leave anything that fails to last through the hot temperatures or is easily damaged at home.

Don’t bring valuables, glass containers, perishable foods, excess alcohol or anything else that you don’t want exposed to sand or water. And, if you plan on boating, always remember your lifejackets, as Oklahoma has one of the most zealous lake patrols nationwide.

According to the Chief Ranger for Oklahoma State Parks, Steven Fisher, “loaner lifejackets are available at designated areas at lake beaches.”

Lastly, remember that some pets aren’t suited to boat or lake life. If you

decide to bring your pet, ensure they’re well-trained, and have food, water and access to shade.

HIDDEN GEMS: LAKES WORTH THE DRIVE

For those who want to avoid the crowds, there are plenty of gorgeous lakes and state parks that may be less saturated than you’d think. Lake Eufaula, Lake Texoma, Lake Thunderbird, Lake Hudson, Lake Wister and Broken Bow Lake are all incredibly scenic, but still offer the lake day you’re craving.

Every lake listed offers cabins, hiking and biking trails, but offers its own unique amenities. For example, at Lake Thunderbird, one can rent a boat slip at Little River Marina, and at Broken Bow Lake’s Beaver’s Bend State Park, one can fly-fish, or even learn to fly-fish with expert guides.

The average cost of renting a cabin at an Oklahoma lake is between $125-$350 per night, making it an affordable vacation for families. Most are equipped with hot tubs or jacuzzis, nestled against lakeside mountains that rise above the pristine waters of a slate-bottom lake basin.

Veering from the main thoroughfare has its advantages, but you can expect a long drive from Tulsa if you visit Broken Bow Lake. It’s at least three hours south. From Oklahoma City or Norman, expect to drive for well over four hours.

June is the busiest month for most of these lakes, even those along the

Oklahoma’s lakes are calling, and a well-packed bag can make the difference between a perfect day on the water and a soggy, sunburnt regret. With more than 200 lakes and 32 state parks across the state, a little preparation goes a long way toward maximizing sun, fun and safety.

sparsely populated pathway. Seasonal considerations are available from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Summers are the peak times for boating, fishing, swimming and water sports. Check with county game wardens for fishing licenses.

STAYING SAFE IN THE OKLAHOMA HEAT

Summers in Oklahoma are no joke, and if you spend plenty of time outdoors, you’re at risk of developing an acute heat-related illness. We explore a few of the most common ailments and how to handle them.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: You likely have heat exhaustion if you’re heavily sweating, dizzy, nauseous and have a pounding headache. Cool off as quickly as possible, whether that’s by immersing yourself in cold water, moving to the shade or heading indoors. Lie down, elevate your legs, drink cool water and change into loose, cool clothing.

HEAT CRAMPS: Heat cramps can occur in the legs, arms and stomach and typically happen because of excessive sweating. Head inside, drink something with electrolytes, gently stretch and wait until pain subsides before resuming activity.

DEHYDRATION: Dehydration can look a lot like heat exhaustion –headaches, fatigue, dizziness and rapid heartbeat. To rectify, sip water steadily (don’t chug), avoid caffeine or alcohol, move indoors and rest.

HEAT STROKE: Symptoms of a heat stroke include mental confusion, no sweating and a very high body temperature. Call 911 immediately and cool aggressively with ice packs, wet towels and cold water until help arrives.

Another risk Oklahomans face on the lake is complications with alcohol. According to statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol use is consistently the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Further, if a person boats under the influence, a “BUI” could result, leading to possible jail time, large fines or suspended driver’s or boating licenses. According to George F. Koob, Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “alcohol can also lead to poor decision making and lack of self-control, which bring out a person’s inner risk-taker… For example, swimmers may misjudge their strength or stamina and get too far from shore.

Impaired judgment may also lead them to dive into dangerously shallow water.”

Remember that kids and older adults should be given special safety considerations on the water and at the lake. Keep these vulnerable individuals healthy by limiting sun exposure to less intense times of the day, and encourage them with pastimes like fishing, which can be done in shaded areas.

FISHING 101

Beginning fishers might consider buying a rod and reel, tackle-box for storing plastic bait, lures, bobbers and hooks, and perhaps a net for bringing that one trophy of a fish into the boat. The most common fish for beginners to catch and take home for eating are bass, crappie, and catfish. Of Oklahoma’s 200+ lakes, we have more than forty species of fish, but some of them should not be eaten, such as walleye, alligator gar and paddlefish. (They are edible; they just aren’t palatable to most.)

The top lakes for fishing are Grand Lake for bass, Lake Eufaula for crappie, and Lake Tenkiller and Lake Texoma for striped bass. Beginners should take a look at Oklahoma’s “Fishing Trail” – launched by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism Department – which features 38 lakes and 20 “Close to Home” fishing spots organized into six regional loops.

Grand Lake is one of the most-visited bodies of water in Oklahoma. Photos by Dave Wagenblatt

The New Rules for ‘I Do’

Weddings in 2026 are less about rigid tradition and more about intention. Couples are rethinking how it’s done, favoring experiences that feel meaningful over those that simply check a box on a list. We explore what’s shaping modern weddings right now.

By Mary Willa Allen

What’s In For 2026

Whether you’re attending several weddings this year or are planning your own, here’s a look at some trends you’ll likely see more than once.

More relaxed meals: Plated dinners are still favored by the more traditional, but many are opting for lounge-style or buffet dining that feels less stuffy. You’ll also likely see tasty late-night snacking options to close out the celebration.

A less public approach: Not all couples are wildly extroverted, meaning not all aspects of the wedding will be up for public consumption in 2026. Think private vows, less-than-grand entrances, quieter cake cuttings and low-key send-offs.

Documentary-style photos: The shift towards editorial photography continues. Think magazine-style spreads as opposed to overly posed shots.

String quartets: While many people are still arguing over bands versus DJs, other know the sweet spot is choosing a string quartet during the ceremony and cocktail hour.

All-vibrant-everything: Neutral color palettes are always a safe bet, but you’ll likely see colorful, rich tones in 2026.

Modern Etiquette Dilemmas

You’d think some people were raised in a barn with the stories you hear about wedding etiquette. Whether you’re caught in a sticky situation or just want to arm yourself with the right knowledge, we answer some burning ‘wediquette’ questions.

Who pays for the wedding now?

Whoever can, or whoever wants to. The old model that dictates the bride’s family covers everything has fallen by the wayside due to the rising costs of these celebrations, the antiquity of the sentiment and the unrealistic nature of the request. Many couples split costs themselves, sometimes with contributions from one or both families.

Is it rude to not invite kids?

No, and the majority of parents prefer the night out, but it needs to be communicated clearly and kindly. The key is consistency (no kids at all, or only kids in the immediate family) and giving guests enough notice to arrange childcare.

Can you skip plus-ones?

Of course, but with some nuance. Married, engaged or longterm couples should generally be invited together. If budget or space is tight, limiting plus-ones after that is OK, but you can’t be upset if you receive a few ‘no’ RSVPs, as many people don’t want to go to a wedding solo.

Is it okay to have a cash registry?

In this economy? Absolutely. Honeymoon funds, home funds and experience registries are widely accepted these days. Just remember to let your guests know exactly what they’re contributing to instead of creating a catch-all money request on your registry.

Can you ask guests to follow a dress code?

Of course! However, make sure the dress code matches the vibe of your wedding. (Don’t ask for “black tie” attire without a “black tie” experience, and limit hyper-specific themed dress unless it’s a small batch of guests.)

Is it OK to have a destination wedding?

Yes, but understand that it does shift some of the burden to guests. Don’t take it personally if people can’t come – plane tickets and hotel stays are pricey.

A Seasonal Flower Guide

No matter which season your wedding is in, some blooms will be readily available, while others will require a special order. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few flowers you can expect to be “on the menu” for each season:

Spring:

Spring weddings have it made – most popular varieties are available around this time. A few include:

• Tulips

• Peonies

• Ranunculus

• Daffodils

• Hyacinths

• Lilac

Fall:

Fall florals are typically tonally rich, lending to the cozy vibes, including:

• Dahlias

• Chrysanthemums

• Carnations

• Hydrangeas

• Roses

• Seasonal foliage

Registry 2.0

Building your vendor team is one of the biggest and most personal parts of wedding planning. While every celebration looks different, a few core pros tend to anchor the day, while the rest are important, but not always necessary – especially if you’re on a budget.

While it’s subjective, most would agree that at the top of your must-have list are the venue, the caterer and the photographer; you’ve got to have somewhere to get married, someone to feed guests and someone to capture the day, after all.

Beyond the obvious, priorities start to shift depending on your vision and bottom line. Florists, for example, can range from minimal offerings to full-scale installations. Music is another flexible category – some couples opt for a live band, others prefer a DJ and some craft their own playlist and tap an extroverted pal to act as emcee of the evening.

Lastly, the nice-to-haves include videographers, photo booths, late night snack options and opulent desserts. The key is to think about what will actually shape your experience – so choosing intentionally is important.

Honeymoon Planning Basics

Summer:

Summer blooms are typically heat-tolerant and vibrant. They are:

• Sunflowers

• Roses

• Zinnias

• Lisianthus

• Delphinium

Winter:

While availability is limited in the colder months, there’s still enough variety to create some dramatic bouquets with:

• Roses

• Tulips

• Amaryllis

• Orchids

• Evergreens

Honeymoon planning may feel like something you can put off, but it actually works best when it’s treated as an extension of the wedding timeline. Ideally, couples should start discussing destinations and budget about 6-8 months before the wedding, and for popular locations or international travel, booking flights and accommodations 4-6 months in advance can help secure better rates and availability. If you’re considering a peak-season destination, earlier is better.

For budgeting, a helpful rule of thumb is to allocate around 10–15% of your total wedding budget to the honeymoon, though this varies widely depending on priorities and locations. Couples in Oklahoma often benefit from factoring in flight costs, since most major international trips require a connection.

Timing your honeymoon depends on work schedules, energy levels and logistics. Leaving immediately after the wedding can feel like the traditional route, but it’s not always practical, especially for introverted couples or those who want to save up more funds before heading out. Many couples opt for a “mini-moon” right after the wedding, followed by a longer trip weeks or months later. This approach can also open up more affordable travel windows.

Finally, don’t forget the practical details: check passport validity, consider travel insurance and build in some downtime. A wellplanned honeymoon should feel like a true reset, giving you space to celebrate, relax and start married life.

The Family Room Philosophy

The Hall family transformed a cherished dinner tradition into a Midtown restaurant centered on hospitality, creativity and craveable pizza.

When the Hall family decided to buy a food truck

in 2013, it was their first jump into the restaurant business. Their inspiration? A family tradition of Saturday-night pizza dinners made by Lorne and Lori Hall for their daughters Molly and Elise – culinarytrained Lori made the pizza dough and Lorne assembled the toppings and baked the pie.

After four years successfully serving wood-fired pizza to loyal customers, it was only natural to open The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen in Oklahoma City. Nine years later at the restaurant’s Midtown location, the ‘Saturday Night Pizza,’ with pepperoni, sausage, fresh basil, whole-milk mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano and “Hall’s

sauce,” remains the most popular item on the menu.

The four owners aim to reenact their food-and-family Saturday nights for customers every day of the week.

“Our mission is to create memorable experiences for every guest, and we take that

seriously,” says co-owner Molly Grenier. “We believe that we’re welcoming you into our space, and our team is very friendly and engaging. The food can be delicious, but if you don’t feel welcomed and taken care of, it doesn’t really matter. We can’t complete the mission without our team.”

The menu features 14-inch pizzas that can also be ordered as a half-and-half pie or by the slice. Customer favorites are combined with seasonal menu changes in March, July and October. Year-round New Pizza Mondays are a tryout for potential menu additions, such as surprising ‘Samwise’ pizza.

“It’s going to sound crazy, but it’s delicious,” Grenier says. “It’s got cream cheese, roasted potatoes, caramelized onion, bacon and balsamic reduction – maybe not something you’ve had before. Our goal is that everything you eat is craveable,

Wood-fired pizzas, seasonal ingredients and a family-first philosophy define the welcoming atmosphere at The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen. Photos courtesy The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen

Starters include burrata, ricotta, jalapeno pimento cheese, garlic knots and dips galore.

meaning it’s so good you want it again.”

Sides, salads and beverages are equally customer-focused and starter Quinn’s Burrata (burrata drizzled with truffle honey, plated with prosciutto, Calabrese olive oil and woodfired flatbread) is a perennial favorite.

“Quinn’s burrata is one of our first items we created for the restaurant,” says Grenier. “Those aren’t going anywhere. But we want to always make sure that we’re staying fresh for the current audience.”

She says management responded to diner requests for tasty non-alcoholic drinks that resulted in house-made orange lemonade and cherry limeade. For others, craft cocktails were added to beer and wine selections.

“All designed around that foundational pizza,” she says. With their bakery’s display case at the entrance, customers save room for cookies and other freshly baked goods made onsite daily.

“We’re always creating new products, new events, new ways to engage with us and staying focused on what we do and what we think people like,” says Grenier. Inside the 200-seat venue, guests can see the large wood-fire pizza oven tended by staff from early morning to close. The restaurant hosts gatherings for up to 120 people and curbside service has been a staple since 2020.

The second floor is the place to be for private parties, trivia nights and watching Oklahoma City Thunder games. Rooftop outdoor seating is enhanced with seasonal misters, heat lamps and an amazing view of the metro.

When describing the restaurant’s layout of three groundlevel dining rooms, Grenier mentions that the upstairs area is called the Family Room. “Every place should have a family room, right?” she asks.

LISA PERRY

918 Maples

If you’re looking for indulgent, authentic and downright delicious Mexican fare in Tulsa, make a pitstop at 918 Maples.

Kick off your dining experience with classic starters like queso and guacamole, or venture into new territory with esquites (Mexican street corn), empanadas or the Signature Mexi Sampler, offering empanadas, flautas and a quesadilla.

Tacos – served with corn tortillas, refried or black beans, rice and signature salsa – are the stars of the show. Street tacos come with your choice of chicken, steak, pastor chorizo or campechanos. (As a frequent diner, this writer highly recommends the famous birria tacos.)

Other entree options include the taco bowl with rice, beans, lettuce, shredded cheese and your choice of protein; tortas, served on freshly baked telera bread with chicken, steak or birria; the chilaquiles with salsa roja, eggs and chicken or steak; and the queso chicken with creamy queso, rice and corn tortillas. If you’re dining with a pal, try the La Parrillada Feast, including grilled carne asada, tilapia, chicken, shrimp and chorizo with charred peppers and onions, rice, beans and queso.

Finish up with sopapillas or churros, and don’t forget the restaurant also has a full bar. 918 Maples has several locations – Studio Row, Midtown, West Tulsa and at the Corporate Woods Business Center near the Broken Arrow Expressway and Highway 169.

Vito’s Ristorante

A family-led restaurant at 7628 N. May Ave. in OKC, Vito’s Ristorante is an Italian food lover’s dream. Whether you’re craving a light and fresh lunch or a hearty, carb-heavy dinner, Vito’s is the place to go.

For your antipasto, try the fresh tomato and mozzarella, the seafood ravioli starter or the grilled portabello mushroom. Seafood fanatics will enjoy the shrimp diablo app, which includes six large shrimp in a spicy marinara sauce.

Salads range from the classic house to the Caesar and the salmon, which includes spinach, sun dried tomatoes, artichoke and the salmon catch of the day.

House specialties are sure to impress. Highlights range from the eggplant Parmesan to the chicken spedini – strips of boneless chicken with seasoned bread crumbs, grilled and topped with amogio. Other can’t-miss entrees include the chicken marsala, beef tenderloin tips, pesto linguine, ravioli and shrimp scampi.

For dessert, indulge with tiramisu, lemon Italian cream cake or chocolate mousse cake. The restaurant also offers made-toorder hot meals for 4-6 people, ready within an hour of ordering.

MARY WILLA ALLEN

The Hall family’s passion for hospitality shines through in every detail, from handcrafted starters to unique cocktails.

Desserts are ample at Hall's, from cheesecake to cookies to strawberry shortcake.

Photo courtesy Vito’s Ristorante

Photo courtesy 918 Maples

Piano Piano, Plate by Plate

Chef Terra Rubio’s global journey shapes the inventive, locally driven dishes at Amelia’s.

We all love it when the menu

changes and diners are treated to a cavalcade of creative new dishes. But few of us realize just how much work this takes.

“I’m constantly taking notes on future menus,” says Terra Rubio, the executive chef at Amelia’s in downtown Tulsa, “thinking of new flavors, ingredients that go together. It took me at least two weeks to assemble all of these into the new spring menu, let cooks make suggestions, plate and try every dish again and again until it’s perfect.”

This was her first menu for Amelia’s, but she’s been doing it (or trying to) ever since she was a child.

“I was always in the kitchen,” she recalls. “I’d follow Grandma around and try to change her recipes. Being a chef was a career I’ve always wanted to do.”

After Arts and Sciences High School and a degree at TU, Rubio went to the OSUIT culinary school at Okmulgee,

then cooking school in Calabria. That’s the toe of Italy’s boot, almost touching Sicily. She learned about the food of different regions of Italy, but while there and while traveling around Europe, she learned something more.

“‘Piano piano!’ everyone said. That means take it easy, slow down. Prioritize food and take the time to enjoy it,” she shares. “I saw so many places where crops were grown, processed, cooked and enjoyed in the same place. We try to highlight local ingredients here at Amelia’s when we can. We make our own yogurt, our quail’s eggs are local and I have forager friends who will find me chanterelles and morels.”

There’s a restaurant in Brooklyn –Roberta’s – that has been a hotbed of culinary creation for the past twenty years. It started as a pizza shop built in an abandoned factory in a neighborhood that could be charitably called ‘rundown.’ That’s about when Rubio started working there. By the time she left eight years later, it was world-famous, had branches in Williamsburg, the Hamp-

tons and Los Angeles, and served a menu of innovative dishes so good that its tasting menu earned two Michelin stars.

Yes, they had killer pizza, but they also offered a dish featuring kohlrabi from a local farm (hard to find in NYC) made four ways (juiced, pickled, roasted, made into chips). Rubio started slinging takeout pizza and her talent grew as fast as the restaurant. By the end of her time there, she was creating some of those famous dishes and a lot more besides.

“I learned to be a manager,” she recalls. “I had to schedule 30 people, and I was in charge of several branches. I’d use Uber to go from one branch to the next. And I loved it! Life at Roberta’s was so exciting. I’d get to travel to pop-ups and food festivals all over the country.”

And now here she is at Amelia’s, excited and planning the months ahead.

“The summer crops come in waves,” she says, “and I’m already planning dishes that we’ll use in peak season, when the wave of summer fruit comes in. And I’m planning for the months after harvest ends. I’ve already started pickling ramp bulbs, thinking of preservation. I hope to build an area somewhere where we can do fermentation. But most important is investing time in my cooks, training them to master new kitchen stations, empowering them. There’s so much going on and that’s one of the things I love about being a chef. I thrive under pressure, I thrive with a little bit of chaos.”

“What do you hate about being a chef?” I ask her. She goes silent and ponders for a long time – but she just can’t think of anything at all.

BRIAN SCHWARTZ

Dishes at Amelia’s reflect chef Terra Rubio’s focus on seasonal ingredients, thoughtful preparation and bold flavor combinations.

Photos by Halle Frieden of Frieden Photography

Chef Terra Rubio leads the kitchen at Amelia’s in downtown Tulsa, where she develops menus rooted in local ingredients and global inspiration.

Chicken and the Wolf

With three locations across the Tulsa metro, Chicken and the Wolf is a spice-lover's dreams. “Unapologetically serving up Tulsa’s hottest chicken,” according to their website, Chicken and the Wolf offers tenders, salads, sandwiches, chicken fries and sides – all with varying degrees of spice. Beginners should start with no spice or x-mild, then build their way up to mild, medium, hot and x-hot. Diners beware: The spice is no joke!

Other goodies at Chicken and the Wolf include spicy fries, potato salad, coleslaw, lemon bars, cold beers, soft drinks and the iconic boozy slushy.

Offering exclusivity and wonderful service to guests, the Gilded Acorn curates a sense of upscale elegance in OKC’s historic First National Center. Perfect for early risers, the restaurant opens at 6:30 a.m. daily, with breakfast items including avocado toast, overnight oats, the classic scramble wrap and veggie sunrise wrap, as well as the croissant sandwich with sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs and American cheese.

Lunch, served 10:30-2:30, includes classics like the chicken Caesar wrap, Ruben sandwich, turkey club and the Gilded Salad with spring mix, cucumber, tomatoes, onions and lemon herb dressing. Espresso drinks are ample, alongside cold brew and specialty drinks like chai, hot chocolate and matcha. Finish out your meal with gelato or an affogato.

J Farley’s

A warm and entertaining Irish pub in Claremore, J Farley’s is your go-to for lively fun, bar activities like bingo and trivia, and tasty meal deals all week long. Menu items you’ll want to try include the cheeseburger basket, fish and chips, cheese curds, grilled chicken salad, pickle fries and the Irish Cuban sandwich. Another perk at J Farley’s is a Happy Hour from 4-7 p.m. daily, as well as all day Thursdays.

Collab Coffee Co.

Sleek, stylish and welcoming, Collab Coffee Co. at 4532 E. 51st St. in Tulsa is a hidden gem perfect for a caffeine pick-me-up. Coffee options are tempting – try a classic drip, pour over, espresso, latte, cappuccino or nitro cold brew. For those not keen on coffee, other beverages include matcha lattes, chai tea, hot chocolate and lemonade. Seasonal drinks include the almond orange latte and the rose matcha. If you’re also looking for a small bite to eat, try the quiche, chicken salad croissant or a variety of baked items. Stick around for craft cocktails, wine and beer, too. Collab also offers their space for parties and get-togethers, and has a rentable mobile coffee cart.

Photo courtesy Chicken and the Wolf

Photo courtesy J Farley's

Photo courtesy Collab Coffee Co.

Photo courtesy the Gilded Acorn

Gilded Acorn

Where & When

GREAT THINGS TO DO IN OKLAHOMA

EVENTS LISTED ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK WEBSITES FOR UPDATES.

IN TULSA Performances

Tulsa Youth Opera presents: Noah's Flood June 5-6 First United Methodist Church Benjamin Britten's delightful retelling of the Noah's Ark story has been specifically composed for children's voices and performance in a church. The Tulsa Youth Opera will not only sing the roles, but help create the set, props and costumes for this charming show. tulsaopera.com

The Pembroke Players present: Juliet and Her Romeo June 5-14 Tulsa PAC Step into vibrant chaos as Pembroke Players electrifying adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Romeo and Juliet with modern dance. Set against the backdrop of a gritty punk rock scene, this production delves deep into the raw emotions and intense trauma experienced by the star-crossed lovers. tulsapac.com

Late Night Catechism June

6 Tulsa PAC The irrepressible Sister teaches class to a roomful of "students." Throughout the course of the class the benevolent instructor rewards the "students" for correct answers with glow-in-the-dark rosaries and other nifty prizes. Naughty students may well find themselves on stage sitting in a corner reflecting on their actions. tulsapac.com

Tulsa Spotlight Theater presents: The Drunkard and the Olio June 6, 13, 20, 27 Tulsa Spotlight Theater It began on Nov. 14, 1953, and has never stopped! That's how The Drunkard became America's longest-running play. More than 3,000 Tulsans have participated on or offstage. tulsaspotlighttheater. com

Cat On a Hot Tin Roof June 1213 Tulsa PAC Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is a Pulitzer Prize-winning 1955 play by Tennessee Williams that explores the complexities of truth, desire, and family under pressure. Set in the sultry South, the story unfolds over one tense evening as secrets, lies, and longings ignite in a battle for love and legacy. tulsapac.com

Celebrity Attractions presents: The Notebook

The Musical June 16-21 Tulsa PAC Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, The Notebook tells the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. celebrityattractions.com World Stage Theatre

PERFORMANCE

Summer Stages Sizzle

Beat the heat with plenty of on the stage offerings in June.

The Tulsa PAC beckons with options galore, including Tulsa Youth Opera’s rendition of Noah’s Flood, June 5-6, and Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, presented by TPAC, on June 12-13. Fans of the heartbreaking romance The Notebook can enjoy the new musical, coming to town courtesy Celebrity Attractions on June 16-21. Other options include World Stage Theatre Company’s To Kill A Mockingbird from June 19 to 28 and the Glenn Miller Orchestra on June 22-23. You can also take a drive to the Broken Arrow Community Playhouse to enjoy The Crucible, running June 5 through 14.

In OKC, the Civic Center Music Hall offers The Last Five Years through June 6, courtesy Southern Plains Productions. Other Civic Center gems include Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s Annie from June 16-21, alongside The Magic of Motown – a journey through Motown’s greatest hits from The Temptations, the Jackson Five and more – on June 27.

And if you find yourself in Guthrie, the Pollard Theatre offers Leader of the Pack – The Ellie Greenwich Musical from June 12 to July 5.

Company presents: To Kill A Mockingbird June 19-28 Tulsa PAC Told through the eyes of young Scout Finch, this classic story follows her father Atticus as he defends a man accused of a terrible crime in a town divided by prejudice. Powerful and heartfelt, To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless reflection on justice, empathy, and the courage to do what’s right. tulsapac.com

The Glenn Miller Orchestra June 22-23 Tulsa PAC “In The Mood” for swing music? Take a step back in time with the most popular and sought after big band of all time! The world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform their greatest hits. tulsapac.com

Concerts

Alabama June 4 River Spirit Casino Resort ALABAMA is the band that changed everything. They reeled off 21 straight #1 singles. riverspirittulsa.com

La Mafia June 6 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa One of the most influential and beloved bands in Latin music history, La Mafia, is bringing their “45 Anniversary Tour” to the stage at Hard Rock Live. hardrockcasinotulsa.com

Cheap Trick June 12 Hard Rock

Hotel and Casino Tulsa Cheap Trick has been rocking stages and winning over fans with its timeless sound for more than five decades. Hailing from Rockford, Illinois, the band is known for its electrifying live performances, unforgettable melodies, innovative songwriting, razor-sharp riffs and mischievous wit. hardrockcasinotulsa.com

LYRIC THEATRE

Celebrity Attractions presents: Art Garfunkel June 14 Tulsa PAC Art Garfunkel makes his Tulsa PAC debut this June with his new world tour, Art Garfunkel in (What a) Wonderful World, featuring his legendary band. celebrityattractions.com

Billy Ray Cyrus June 18 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa Twotime Grammy winner and pop culture juggernaut Billy Ray Cyrus is hitting the road and heading to Hard Rock Live. hardrockcasinotulsa. com

Celebrity Attractions presents: Five for Fighting & Edwin McCain June 26 Tulsa PAC This must-see co-headline tour brings two legendary voices to one stage for a night packed with unforgettable hits. celebrityattractions.com

Art

FIBERWORKS 2026 June 5-July 25 108 Contemporary 108 Contemporary is thrilled to present FIBERWORKS 2026, Fiber Artists of Oklahoma‘s member juried exhibition. This exhibition provides Oklahoma fiber artists an opportunity to showcase their work, from traditional crafts to innovative art. 108contemporary.com

Profitopia June 5-July 25 Living Arts Profitopia is an immersive experience designed to challenge the systems of late-stage capitalism we face in our everyday lives and reimagine the world as we want it to be. livingarts.org

Neon Moon: Always Room June 6-June 6, 2027 Philbrook "Neon

Moon," a famous 1990s country ballad by Brooks & Dunn, has become a cross-cultural anthem for the lovelorn and the lonely. But the song describes more than that, as many country songs do – comfort in familiar places, romanticization of a past gone, working-class experiences, and finding community in the present. philbrook.org

Andy Warhol: Silver Clouds Through June 14 Philbrook Andy Warhol was never one to accept things as they were. A highly influential Pop artist and socialite, he was known for brightly colored works featuring celebrities, politicians and everyday products like Campbell’s soup cans or Brillo boxes. But Silver Clouds (1966) remains one of Warhol’s most distinctive pieces. philbrook.org

Marie Watt: Heart in the Sky Through June 14 Philbrook With Heart in the Sky, Oregon-based artist Marie Watt breaks down barriers of traditional art experiences. The exhibition includes the artist’s monumental silver cloud forms made from jingles (rolled tobacco tin lids). The jingles are normally used in regalia for a Jingle Dress Dance meant to heal the community, Watt uses them to densely adorn the hovering clouds. philbrook.org

Homeward to the Prairie

I Come: Gordon Parks

Photographs From the Beach Museum of Art Through June 19 Philbrook One of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, Gordon Parks was also renowned as a poet, filmmaker, author, composer, and activist. He is

best known for his photojournalism from the 1940s to the 1970s that documented American life and culture, particularly the experiences of African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement. philbrook.org

Los Trompos Through July 5 Philbrook In Spanish, Los Trompos translates to “The Spinning Tops.” Created by Mexico City-based artists, architects, and designers, Esrawe + Cadena, these giant tops are woven in the traditional style of Mexican artisans. philbrook.org

Jordan Ann Craig: Do the Patterns Notice Me? Through Oct. 10 Philbrook In her paintings, Jordan Ann Craig shares an important belief: there is a pattern waiting to be noticed in even the smallest of moments if we are willing to look. philbrook.org

Edouard Vuillard, Yvonne Printemps dans le canape Through Nov. 8 Philbrook With the lush, decorative setting of this painting, Vuillard creates a mood that invites you into an intimate moment. “I don’t paint portraits,” he was famed for saying, “I paint people in their homes.” philbrook.org

Slumgullion: The Venerate Outpost Ongoing Philbrook Philbrook is proud to partner with award-winning artist Karl Unnasch to present Slumgullion, a full-scale log cabin built from the skeleton of a late1800s pioneer home. philbrook.org

Sports

Pinto World Championship Show June 6-20 Expo Square The

Pinto World Championship Show is an annual 13-day equestrian event showcasing the best Pinto horses, ponies, and miniatures in the world. exposquare.com

Tulsa Drillers Baseball June 9-14, 23-28 ONEOK Field See the Tulsa Drillers play America's favorite pastime all summer long. milb.com XFN 409 June 12 River Spirit Casino Resort Headlining the card is a kickboxing world championship bout between reigning welterweight king Brennan Mckisick and unbeaten challenger Ryan Fathi. riverspirittulsa.com

Tulsa Oilers Football June 13, 20 BOK Center Enjoy indoor football with the Tulsa Oilers. bokcenter.com USA Gymnastics Championships June 25-27 BOK Center The 2026 USA Gymnastics Championships are returning to BOK Center. bokcenter.com

Community

Mabee Center presents: An Evening with Impresario Jim Halsey June 2 Mabee Center Celebrate legendary music impresario Jim Halsey at a special concert this June. Held at the Global Learning Center, the evening will honor Halsey's CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award. mabeecenter. com

First Friday Art Crawl June 5 Downtown On the first Friday of every month, guests will be able to see a new exhibit opening and enjoy live music, a cash bar and snacks. humanities.utulsa.edu

Mecum Auction Tulsa June 5-6 Expo Square The Mecum

Annie; photo by Miki Galloway

Auction in Tulsa is a premier annual collector car event held at the SageNet Center at Expo Square, featuring around 600 vehicles ranging from American muscle cars and classics to trucks and hot rods. exposquare.com

Saint Francis Tulsa Tough June

5-7 Downtown/Riverside Whether you're a professional cyclist, new to crits and rides, or simply a casual cyclist seeking a fun experience, Saint Francis Tulsa Tough is the event for you. tulsatough.com

Tulsa Foundation for Architecture Tours June

6 Downtown Tulsa Take a fun and educational walking tour through downtown Tulsa and other historical local sites during Saturday Architecture Tours, hosted by the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture. tulsaarchitecture.org

Tulsa Antique Advertising and Bottle Show June 13 Expo Square The Tulsa Antique Advertising & Bottle Show is a premier annual event in conjunction with an enhanced flea market, featuring over 800–1,000 tables of vintage collectibles. exposquare.com

Time Travelers Vintage Expo June 20 Expo Square The Time Travelers Vintage Expo is a premier, traveling vintage market that specializes in vintage clothing, home goods, and retro-inspired handmade items. exposquare.com

Ride to Remember Black Wall Street June 20 700 N. Greenwood Ave. Honor the legacy of Tulsa's Greenwood District while cycling through the neighborhood during the Ride to Remember Black Wall Street. thecommunitylight.org

Get Your Kicks Shoe Art Competition June 25-July

18 Gathering Place The Get Your Kicks shoe art competition will feature sneakers transformed into works of art by local artists. gatheringplace.org

AAA Route 66 Road Fest June

27-28 Expo Square The Route 66 Road Fest, presented by AAA, is a one-of-a-kind celebration giving you the chance to take your own journey through the history, attractions, characters, and fun of one of America’s most enduring treasures. It’s also a great opportunity to experience the Route itself. route66roadfest.com

Charitable Events

Raise the Woof Gala June

4 Studio 308 The Oklahoma Pet Collective Society is excited to invite you to the Fourth Annual Raise the Woof charity event. Raise The Woof brings our community together to support rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming for animals across Oklahoma. okpetcollective.org

The Aquarium Run June

6 Oklahoma Aquarium Calling all running enthusiasts and ocean lovers! Lace up your sneakers and join the Oklahoma Aquarium for the 21st Annual Oklahoma Aquarium Run, a USATF-sanctioned flat-course and fun run that promises a wave of excitement for participants of all ages. okaquarium.org

Ascension St. John Centennial Gala June 13 Arvest Convention Center Celebrate Ascension St. John with cocktails, dinner, auctions and a live performance from Little Big Town. givestjohn.org/gala

Poppin' Bottles June 26 The Summit Club Poppin’ Bottles is an annual cocktail party hosted by the Emergency Infant Services' Young Professionals Board. This fundraiser is a chance for Tulsa’s young community leaders and philanthropists to connect while making a big impact for little ones in need. eistulsa.org

Equality Gala June 27 Arvest Convention Center This year’s gala, benefitting the Tulsa Equality Center, invites guests into a world of imaginative futurism and flourishing life. It celebrates the ingenuity of our community and the beauty that emerges when we refuse to be erased—when we bloom even in spaces never meant for us. equalitygala.org

Waffles for Wishes June

28 Make-A-Wish Tulsa Waffles For Wishes is an annual brunch fundraiser hosted by the Tulsa Young Professionals Council to benefit Make-A-Wish Oklahoma. The event features a waffle bar, mimosas, and a silent auction, with proceeds supporting life-changing wishes for Oklahoma children. wish.org

IN OKC

Performances

Southern Plains Productions presents: The Last Five Years Through June 6 Civic Center Music Hall Following an acclaimed Broadway run, Jason Robert Brown's hit musical comes to the Civic Center Little Theatre for two weekends only! okcciviccenter. com

Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show June 12, 20, 26 Skirvin Hilton OKC Don't miss one of the biggest interactive comedy shows in America as the Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show comes to Oklahoma City. thedinnerdetective.com

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma presents: Annie June

16-21 Civic Center Music Hall This seven-time Tony Award-winning musical is set in the heart of the Great Depression—where breadlines stretched for blocks and hope was in short supply. But Annie, one scrappy redhead with a big heart, refuses to give in to despair. okcciviccenter.com

Late Night Catechism June

27 Civic Center Music Hall The irrepressible Sister teaches class to a roomful of "students." Throughout the course of the class the benevolent instructor rewards the "students" for correct answers with glow-in-the-dark rosaries and other nifty prizes. Naughty students may well find themselves on stage sitting in a corner reflecting on their actions. okcciviccenter.com

The Magic of Motown June

27 Civic Center Music Hall Enjoy a journey through Motown's best including: The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Four Tops, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson and more! okcciviccenter.com

Concerts

The Rush Tribute Project June

4 Civic Center Music Hall The Rush Tribute Project brings two full sets of music including other greatest hits as well as deep cuts like "La Villa Strangiato" and "Enter Nous," performed with vintage instruments, multi-camera projection, lasers and spectacular lighting. okcciviccenter.com

The Runarounds June 7 Tower Theatre Alt-rock band The Runarounds is taking The Minivan Tour to Tower Theatre in OKC. Come experience their raw, high-energy spirit for one chaotic, unforgettable night! towertheatreokc.com

Josh Abbott Band June 11 Jones Assembly See the popular country artist with special guest, Cam Allen. thejonesassembly.com

Matt Maeson June 12 Criterion OKC Matt Maeson is an American singer-songwriter known for his unique blend of alternative rock and folk influences. With a raw, emotive vocal style and introspective lyrics, he has captured the attention of music lovers around the world. His sound is characterized by a mix of heartfelt storytelling and powerful melodies, resonating deeply with fans. criterionokc.com

Fruit Bats June 14 Tower

Theatre Fruit Bats is an American indie folk-rock band formed in 1997 in Chicago, acting as the primary musical project for singer-songwriter and

multi-instrumentalist Eric D. Johnson. criterionokc.com

Art

Jakian Parks: The Black Land Through June 1 Oklahoma Contemporary The Black Land envisions a pyramiding structure, layering the historical phases from Black captivity to contemporary Black equestrianism. oklahomacontemporary.org

The Sense of Beauty: Six Centuries of Painting from Museo de Arte de Ponce June 20-Sept. 20 OKCMOA Enjoy an exhibition featuring six centuries of painting by European, Puerto Rican, and North American artists from the Museo de Arte de Ponce, including masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens, Gustave Courbet, John Singer Sargent, Francisco de Goya, and many more. okcmoa.com

Chad Mount: Frequency and Perspective June 25-Nov. 2 Oklahoma Contemporary Chad Mount’s work is grounded in curiosity and guided by discovery. He is drawn to light, rhythm, and pattern—subtle forces that reveal themselves through patient observation and repetition. Frequency and Perspective invites viewers into an immersive environment shaped by geometry, light, and movement. oklahomacontemporary.org

Anthony McCall: Solid Light Through July 27 Oklahoma Contemporary Anthony McCall: Solid Light, presented in collaboration with Tate, explores the intersection of cinema, sculpture and drawing through large-scale, immersive installations. oklahomacontemporary.org

John Giorno: DialA-Poem Through Sept. 13 Oklahoma Contemporary Inspired the innovations of visual artists expanding the boundaries of their practices in the 1960s, John Giorno set up his first Dial-A-Poem system in January 1969. The system consisted of 10 phones and industrial-sized answering machines. Anyone could call the number and hear a randomlyselected poem by one of 35

The June Game Plan

It’s truly a mixed bag of fun for the sports enthusiasts looking for entertainment this month.

artists at any time, taking poetry beyond traditional publication in books and magazines. oklahomacontempory.org

Formless Matter and Its Devastating Gestures Through April 26 Oklahoma Contemporary This monumental outdoor installation by Oklahoma City–based artists Denise Duong and Gabriel Friedman transforms Campbell Art Park into a site of story, symbolism, and discovery. Conceived as a constellation of six sculptural forms, including a head, a hand, and four birdlike spheres, the work invites viewers to enter a world where order and chaos intertwine. oklahomacontemporary. org

Chihuly Then and Now: The Collection at Twenty Ongoing OKCMOA Redesigned in collaboration with Chihuly Studio, Chihuly Then and Now: The Collection at Twenty incorporates a unique design, featuring five decades of glass and painting and tells a comprehensive story of Chihuly’s groundbreaking career. okcmoa.com

Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds: Neufs for Oklahoma Autumn Ongoing Campbell Art Park/Oklahoma Contemporary Oklahoma Contemporary is honored to present Neufs for Oklahoma Autumn, a basketball court installation commissioned as a public art iteration of the Neuf painting series by renowned artist Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds. oklahomacontemporary.org

Cynthia Daignault: Oklahoma Ongoing OKCMOA This exhibition features one painting, Oklahoma by Cynthia Daignault, as a tribute to the history of the Oklahoma City bombing from 1995. okcmoa.com

Sports

OKC Thunder Basketball June TBD Paycom Center The OKC Thunder are defending their national championship title during the playoffs in May and June. paycomcenter.com

OKC Comets Baseball June

2-7, 16-21, 30 Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark Enjoy America's favorite pastime with the OKC Comets. milb.com

NCAA Women's College World Series Through June 5 Devon Park The NCAA Women's College World Series features some of the best fast-pitch softball in the country. ncaa.com

OQHA RedBud Spectacular Horse Show Through June 7 The OQHA Redbud Spectacular is an annual 11-day premier equestrian event hosted by the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association. okcfairpark.com

2026 NRHA Derby June 10-21 OKC Fair Park The 2026 6666 NRHA Derby is a premier, two-week reining event at the OKC Fairground. okcfairpark.com

NLBRA National Finals June 28-July 4 OKC Fair Park The National Little Britches Rodeo Association Finals is one of the world's largest youth rodeo competitions, serving as the championship event for members aged 5 to 18. okcfairpark.com

CommunityArt

First Friday Gallery Walk June 5 Paseo Arts District Make your way to the First Friday Gallery Walk in Oklahoma City's Paseo Arts District to enjoy art gallery openings, wine tastings, live music and more. thepaseo.org

Greatest American Sports Card Show June 5-7 OKC Convention Centern Greatest American Sportscard Shows is one of the fastest-growing multi- city trading card expo brands in the Midwest, known for large vendor halls, autograph guests, and a collector-friendly atmosphere. okcconventioncenter.com

Pride on 39th Festival and Parade June 5-7 2117 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City's oldest LGBTQ+ celebration has drawn visitors from around Oklahoma and surrounding states since 1988. travelok.com

Sunrise Paddles in the Boathouse District June 6 Riversport OKC Start your day with an excursion down the North

In Tulsa, equestrian enthusiasts should gallop over to Expo Square from June 6-20 for the Pinto World Championship Show. If you’re more into America’s favorite pastime, the Tulsa Drillers continue their exciting season from June 9-14 and June 23-28 at ONEOK Field. River Spirit Casino Resort hosts the XFN (Extreme Fight Night) kickboxing event between Brennan Mckisick and Ryan Fathi on June 12. Or, venture over to the BOK Center for Tulsa Oilers football (June 13 and 20) or the USA Gymnastics Championships (June 25-27). At OKC’s Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, you can support the OKC Comets during their baseball season with games June 2-7, 16-21 and 30. The NCAA Women’s College World Series runs through June 5 at Devon Park, and the OQHA RedBud Spectacular Horse Show takes place at the OKC Fair Park through June 7. As of this writing, the OKC Thunder are about to head into the Western Conference Finals – if they clinch the conference title again, we’ll see some June NBA Finals games at the Paycom Center. (Fingers crossed!)

DRILLERS

Photo by Rich Crimi courtesy the Tulsa Drillers

Where & When | Entertainment

Canadian River at Riversport OKC’s Sunrise Paddles in the Boathouse District. riversportokc.org

Route 66 Blue Hippo

Festival June 6 Edmond

Historical Society and Museum Enjoy a day of family fun at the Blue Hippo Festival this June. Themed around the quirky and unmistakable Blue Hippo statue sitting on Route 66, this event at the Edmond History Museum and adjacent Stephenson Park boasts something for everyone. edmondhistory.org

Miss Oklahoma and Miss Oklahoma Teen Competitions June 10-13 Civic Center Music Hall To date, ninety women have represented Oklahoma at the Miss America competition. Ninety-five women have worn the crown of Miss Oklahoma due to state winners winning the title of Miss America and runners-up assuming the title of Miss Oklahoma. okcciviccenter. com

2nd Friday Norman Art Walk June 12 Norman Arts District The 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk, a monthly celebration of the arts in Norman, connects the downtown arts district with outlying galleries, performance halls and Campus Corner. 2ndfridaynorman.com

Second OHOF Saturdays

June 13 Oklahoma Hall of Fame Second Oklahoma Hall of Fame Saturdays invite families to learn about an Oklahoma Hall of Fame member with crafts and activities. oklahomahof.com

Beats & Bites Festival June 13 Riverwind Casino, Norman Bring your appetite, family and friends to this free, family-friendly event for an

COMMUNITY

evening filled with amazing live entertainment. riverwind.com

OKC Farmers Market District Summer Solstice Festival June 21 Spend the longest day of the year at the OKC Farmers Market District. travelok. com

Libertyfest June 25-July 4 The fifty-plus-year tradition includes patriotic events like a parade, rodeo, live music, car show and, of course, fireworks. libertyfest.org

Charitable Events

Youth Mental Health First Aid June 10 Online Youth Mental Health First Aid is a course designed to give members of the public key skills to help an adolescent who is developing a mental health or substance use challenge. It is an evidence-based training that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. okcnp.org

Relay for Life Central OK June 12-13 Wheeler District More than just a fundraising walk, Relay For Life is a movement. For 40 years, passionate supporters have come together to advance the American Cancer Society’s vision: ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. acsevents.org

Variety Care All of Us Annual Luncheon June 17 First Americans Museum Variety Care aims to create quality health care experiences. The annual luncheon proceeds support access to primary care for people who are uninsured, underinsured, or without a medical home and who do not have the financial means

to pay for the primary care they need. varietycare.org

THE STATE Performances

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse presents: The Crucible June 5-14 Broken Arrow Community Playhouse Widely considered a masterpiece, this timeless classic challenges American ideas of power, intolerance and justice. In the Puritan community of Salem, Massachusetts, a servant girl accuses a farmer’s wife of witchcraft. travelok.com

Pollard Theatre presents: Leader of the Pack – The Ellie Greenwich Musical June 12-July 5 120 W. Harrison Ave., Guthrie This stage musical is bursting with chart-topping hits like “Be My Baby,” “Chapel of Love,” and “Da Doo Ron Ron,” that will bring the sounds of the ’60s roaring back to life. thepollard.org

Concerts

Zach Top with Cole Goodwin June 4-5 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant The "future of country music” (Billboard), Zach Top is in the midst of a monumental year. He recently earned his first Grammy award at the 68th Grammy Awards for Best Traditional Country Album with his sophomore album. choctawcasinos.com

Carrie Underwood June 12 Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville From Checotah, Oklahoma, Carrie Underwood took the world of

Summer Starts Here

Auctions, cycling, festivals, films – community events are ample this summer.

country music by storm after winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. With more than 95 million certifications, this multi-platform artist is the highest RIAA-certified female country music singer of all time. winstar.com

Kameron Marlowe June 12 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant Columbia Nashville singer and songwriter Kameron Marlowe “is one of our greatest living country singers” (MusicRow). The Kannapolis, North Carolina-native fell in love with country music on an old FM radio while hunting and fishing with his grandpa. choctawcasinos.com

Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners June 19 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant Aaron Lewis, the Vermont-born powerhouse first found success with Staind – the 2000s-era hard rockers who injected meditative muscle into an era better known for mindless aggression. choctawcasinos.com

Los Dos Tamaulipas, Gerardo Diaz and Lupita Infante June 26 Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville In terms of modern Regional Mexican music, few names are as recognized as Los Dos Tamaulipas, Gerardo Diaz and Lupita Infante. Whether it’s mariachi music, authentic ranchera or regional norteño, these acts offer a range of exciting Regional Mexican sounds and are known for lighting up the stage wherever they go. winstar.com

Rascal Flatts June 26 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant Hailed as one of the most influential groups in modern country history,

Rascal Flatts are a chart-topping trio created by vocalist Gary LeVox, multi-instrumentalist Jay DeMarcus and guitarist Joe Don Rooney. choctawcasinos.com

Community

National Sand Bass Festival June 1-6 1 Courthouse St., Madill The National Sand Bass Festival features food vendors, a carnival and numerous craft booths. Thousands people from across the United States attend this Lake Texoma event each year. travelok.com

Vinita Route 66 Festival June 5-6 Downtown Vinita Gather up your crew and embrace the road trip season at the Vinita Route 66 Centennial Festival. Held in the hometown of Cyrus Avery, Father of the Mother Road, this celebration promises a weekend packed with all things Route 66. travelok.com

Dancing Turtle Festival June 5-7 702 S. Duncan St., Stillwater This Stillwater event will feature four days of film screenings, live readings, meet and greets and more. dancingturtle.org

Footloose Festival June

6 Elmore City Community Center, Elmore Celebrate the town that inspired the 1984 movie Footloose with a trip to Elmore City's Footloose Festival. This event commemorates the famous 1980 prom that ended the ban on dancing and inspired the community to get up and dance. travelok.com

Talihina Street Carnival June

6 Downtown Talihina Bring the entire family to the Talihina Street

Expo Square in Tulsa hosts two exciting events: the Mecum car auction, June 5-6, as well as the AAA Route 66 Road Festival – a celebration of America’s Mother Road – June 27-28. One of the city’s most beloved community events returns this year bigger and better and ever: Saint Francis Tulsa Tough. A three-day extravaganza of community spirit and cycling, Tulsa Tough runs June 5-7. Other options include the Ride to Remember Black Wall Street event on June 20 starting at 700 N. Greenwood Ave., as well as the Get Your Kicks Shoe Art Competition, featuring local artists, running June 25-July 18 at the Gathering Place.

In OKC, celebrate equality at the Pride on 39th Festival and Parade, running June 5-7 at 2117 NW 39th St. For those interested in the pageant circuit, the Miss Oklahoma and Miss Oklahoma Teen competitions come to the Civic Center Music Hall on June 10-13, or you can take a drive to Norman to enjoy the Beats and Bites Festival on June 13.

Around the state, fishing fans can enjoy two offerings this month: the National Sand Bass Festival, June 1-6 at 1 Courthouse St., Madill, and the Okie Noodling Tournament, June 20 at Wacker Park in Paul’s Valley. Other can’t-miss happenings include the American Heritage Music Festival, June 11-13 at the Grove Civic Center; the Elk City Route 66 Centennial Festival, June 12-13 at Ackley Park; the Sunny Side Up Film Festival, June 12-14 at Miami’s Coleman Theatre; and the Real Okie Craft Beer Festival, June 27 at Muskogee’s Hatbox Events Center.

Carnival this June for an evening filled with old-fashioned carnival games and more. Plenty of unique vendors and delicious food trucks will line the streets of downtown Talihina. travelok.com

The Big Bass Bash June 6-7 Grand Lake, Grove The Big Bass Bash on Grand Lake O' The Cherokees this June is a chance to have fun fishing and possibly win big. The lake will swarm with amateur fisherman for a weekend of fishing in hopes of claiming the $100,000 grand prize for the biggest catch. midwestfishingtournaments.com

The American Heritage Music Festival June 11-13 Grove Civic Center and Snider's Camp The American Heritage Music Festival features nationally sanctioned fiddle competitions on multiple stages for an exciting weekend of music in Grove. grandlakefestivals.com

Elk City Route 66 Centennial Festival June 12-13 Ackley Park, Elk City Elk City's Route 66 Centennial Festival features fun and excitement for the whole family this summer. Head to historic downtown Elk City for a weekend full of Mother Road activities. elkcitychamber.com

Toes in the Grand Summer Kickoff Festival June 12-13 Wolf Creek Park, Grove Slow down and kick off your summer by getting on lake time during the laidback Toes in the Grand Summer Kickoff Festival. cityofgroveok.gov

Sunny Side Up Film Festival June 12-14 The Coleman Theatre, Miami The first of its kind in the area, this festival embraces the spirit of independent media. brenrockproductions.com

Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show June 13 Pawnee Bill Ranch, Pawnee Saddle up for an authentic, immersive recreation of Pawnee Bill's original Wild West Show this summer. okhistory.org

Van Buren Cruisers June 1920 102 S. Van Buren, Enid Check out the caravan of unique cars on display at Enid's Van Buren Cruisers in June. visitenid.org

Okie Noodling

Tournament June 20 Wacker Park, Paul's Valley Bring your lawn chair to Wacker Park in Pauls Valley and celebrate the sport of noodling at the world-famous Okie Noodling Tournament. paulsvalley. com

Porchfest at Carlton Landing June 20 Carlton Landing Celebrate Father’s Day weekend with a laid-back, block-party-style Porchfest in Carlton Landing. carltonlandingfoundation.org

Woolaroc Kidsfest June 20-21 Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife

Preserve The sounds and feel of an old-time circus come alive again at Kidsfest. woolaroc.org

Real Okie Craft Beer Festival June 27 Hatbox Events Center, Muskogee If you love craft beer or are interested in trying new Oklahoma brews, join the festivities at the Hatbox Events Center in Muskogee. muskogeeparks.org

SAINT FRANCIS TULSA TOUGH

Photo courtesy Saint Francis

Starting Summer Strong

From musical comedy to sci-fi thrills and superhero spectacle, June’s releases offer something for every kind of moviegoer.

The summer months are coming in hot, and with them a slew of new movies to check out. A true smorgasbord of options, June is no slouch when it comes to variety.

For a musical comedy drama, look no further than Power Ballard. Starring Paul Rudd (I Love You, Man) and Nick Jonas of Jonas Brothers fame, the film revolves around a rock star and a wedding singer and the conflict that occurs between them when an idea for a song appears to be stolen. Rudd is charming in everything he’s in, and writer/director John Carney, known for his other musical films Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street, looks to have crafted another winner. It releases on June 5.

If you want science fiction, don’t miss Disclosure Day The story follows a small group of people who discover that inhabitants of Earth are not alone in the universe as they are tasked with sharing that information with the rest of the world. Directed by Stephen Spielberg and written by David Koepp (Spider-Man), the movie looks to be full of intrigue and plenty of mystery to unravel. It stars Emily Blunt (A Quiet Place), Josh O’Connor (Challengers) and Colin Firth (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and is set to release on June 12.

Do you want bone crunching action and violence? Furious is the film for you. Directed by Kenji Tanigaki, known for his stunt choreography work in films like Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, the movie concerns an ordinary tradesman whose daughter is kidnapped. The rest of the film looks to be some top-notch action and fights akin to The Raid (2011). Early reviews praise the action, although the dialogue is apparently clunky and cheesy. We’ll see how it all shakes out when it opens on June 12.

For a thriller with one of history’s most well known thieves, take a look at The Death of Robin Hood. After being critically injured, a much older Robin Hood grapples with his past life while being cared for by a mysterious woman. Hugh Jackman (Deadpool & Wolverine) stars as the titular character, with Bill Skarsgard (It) as Little John and Jodie Comer (28 Years Later) as the mysterious woman. The cinematography looks gorgeous, and it’s nice to see such a mythic character put into a new situation we haven’t seen before on screen. It releases on June 19.

If you need more superhero films, Supergirl has you covered. Starring Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) as the star Kryptonian, the film follows her exploits across the galaxy where she meets a young girl in need of help.

The cast includes Matthias Schooenaerts (The Drop), David Krumholtz (Oppenheimer) and Jason Momoa (Dune) in another DC film outing after previously playing Aquaman. The second entry in James Gunn’s new and rebooted DC cinematic universe, the movie has all the trappings of a blockbuster about people with super powers flying around in capes. It will likely be a box office smash when it releases on June 26.

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

Power Ballad; photo by David Cleary/Lionsgate. Copyright © 2026 Lionsgate.

Christy Gillenwater

When Christy Gillenwater became

president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber in 2023, she arrived with a track record of award-winning leadership and decades of experience in economic development. From leading chambers in Indiana and Tennessee to serving on national business and civic boards, Gillenwater has built a career centered on strengthening communities. We caught up with Gillenwater and got her thoughts on ...

... what stands out about OKC.

What drew me to Oklahoma City was the unparalleled momentum and the ‘can-do’ spirit that defines this region. OKC is a community that doesn’t just talk about bold vision – it delivers

through collaborative action, like the transformative MAPS investments that have reshaped our skyline and quality of life. The Oklahoma Standard and partnership between business, government and civic leaders is truly catalytic. Our community is fueled by servant leaders who care about their fellow neighbors. Since arriving, what has surprised me most is the depth of genuine warmth and resilience here. Oklahomans don’t just welcome you, they invite you in as a partner from day one. The talent, the innovation across sectors and the unwavering commitment to lifting the entire region have exceeded even my high expectations. It’s an honor to help amplify that energy.

... economic priorities.

Workforce development and education/ talent alignment will be the defining priority. We’re launching bold initiatives,

like our partnership with CivicLab, to create a five-year regional strategy that connects education, industry and opportunity. In a competitive global economy, our success hinges on building a pipeline of skilled talent that fuels innovation in aerospace and defense, energy, life sciences and emerging tech. This isn’t just about jobs, it’s about equipping every resident to thrive. By working together with our partners, we’ll set the standard for dynamic growth that benefits businesses, families and communities alike.

... the throughline in her leadership style.

Collaboration at the highest level –building trust, aligning around a shared vision and empowering teams to lead with urgency and heart. Harnessing OKC’s servant leadership: bringing stakeholders together not just to participate, but to create extraordinary outcomes. Strong ongoing dialogue and strategy meetings with board leadership are critical. Together, we set bold goals while rolling up our sleeves alongside our partners. It’s about listening, acting decisively and celebrating wins as a team. That approach has consistently unlocked potential and built the OKC Chamber to deliver real impact.

... looking towards the future.

We’re incredibly excited about the acceleration we’re poised for. Oklahoma City is built for what comes next –leveraging our MAPS legacy, the OKC way of collaboration and our innovative edge to become a magnet for talent, investment and opportunity on a national and global scale. Welcoming major sporting events such as seven gold medal events of the LA28 Olympics, advancing our target business sectors, and creating pathways for all Oklahomans to succeed— that’s the future we’re all creating.

It’s a privilege to be a part of the fabric of OKC. Every day, we’re inspired by our business leaders, elected officials, non-profit partners and residents who embody catalytic leadership. For the OKC region to be the most engaged, dynamic and collaborative in the nation, it takes all of us aligning together to advance our community.

Photo courtesy the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

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