Oklahoma Magazine June 2025

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29 Top Doctors

Shining a well-deserved spotlight on physicians and their hard work, Castle Connolly has compiled an exclusive Top Doctors listing. In it, Oklahoma's brightest and most innovative healthcare providers are showcased.

38 Adventure Awaits

Oklahoma’s centralized location makes it easy for summer travelers to fan out in any direction and find a city that offers great scenery, kid-friendly attractions, culture, history and world-class dining experiences.

44 Escape to the Lake

If you’re planning to stay in Oklahoma this summer, don’t you worry – there’s much to do at the state’s various lakes.

46 Your Journey to Wedded

Bliss

The wedding landscape is shifting fast. We offer our annual wedding trend forecast to help you stay on top of things, plus help with budgeting and a guide to dress codes.

State

8 Starting Off Film festivals, sporting championships and cycling races make June in Oklahoma unmissable.

Life & Style

20 Destinations

Crete, a sweet Greek retreat, provides historical artifacts, shopping and stunning views for the ideal getaway.

Outside the Metro

49 First Bite

Rachel Cope, leader of the ever-expanding 84 Hospitality Group, opens fine dining hot spot Elisabetta in OKC’s Nichols Hills.

50 Local Flavors 51 Chef Chat

52 Entertainment

As the weather heats up, so do Oklahoma’s community events.

55 Film & Cinema

The person who coined the term “Great Plains” got one thing right. They’re great. But that second word—plain—is just plain wrong. They should have been called the Great Stunningly Majestic and Shockingly Gorgeous Landforms or something, because “plain” just doesn’t capture the way they knock your socks off. So pack some extra socks and visit Nebraska. It’s everything you were unexpecting.

Letter from the Editor

If the Oklahoma heat is already getting to be a bit too much – and trust me, I can relate – you might be jonesing to get ‘outta town and land in an enviable vacation spot around the region. If you need some inspo, look no further than our annual travel feature (page 38). We highlight cities in our neighboring states that combine culture, retail, cuisine, kid-friendly offerings and ample entertainment to make your summer vacation accessible and, more importantly, unforgettable. If you’d prefer to spend your hardearned bucks on Oklahoma tourism efforts instead, we offer the Escape to the Lake addendum (page 44), which presents a helpful guide to our state’s many lakes, plus some water safety and watercraft maintenance tips.

Perhaps you’re gunning to make your health a top priority in 2025. Whether you’re looking for a new primary care doctor or a knowledgeable specialist for a health issue you need to address, the Top Doctors listing has you covered (page 29). Alongside, we profile some of the listed doctors and dive into pressing health topics. (P.S.: We are the state's exclusive provider of the Tulsa and OKC listings for 18 years running!)

Lastly, our June wedding guide is back (page 46). Alongside our annual trend forecast, we present a dress code breakdown, some budgeting advice and a deep dive into global wedding traditions.

After you finish our features, you can learn more about Juneteenth and find some celebration opportunities in Oklahoma (page 14); study up on crucial information regarding fireworks safety ahead of America’s favorite holiday (page 25); read our chat with 84 Hospitality Group’s CEO, Rachel Cope, as she discusses her newest restaurant concept (page 49); and explore the community and sporting events coming to Oklahoma this month (page 8).

Safe travels to all our summer vacationers out there!

Mary Willa Allen Managing Editor

If you can’t get enough of our annual travel feature, head to okmag.com for bonus tidbits and photographs.

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The State

ALL THINGS OKLAHOMA

A Jam-Packed June

Film festivals, sporting championships and cycling races make June in Oklahoma unmissable.

Summer’s here, and some of Oklahoma’s most exciting experiences and events are in full swing. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, spectator extraordinaire or film buff, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Saint Francis Tulsa Tough

Deemed the “Super Bowl of cycling,” Tulsa Tough is celebrating 19 years of bicycle races this year. The three-day event, running June 6-8, features roundthe-clock criterium and Fondo races routing through downtown Tulsa and along Route 66.

Tulsa Tough was founded with a twofold mission: to improve the city’s health outcomes and its image.

“When we launched our first year, we knew we could produce a quality event… but we didn’t know if anybody would come, because we had this image of being ‘flyover country,’” shares Malcom

McCollam, the event’s executive director.

Luckily, the organizers’ instincts paid off. The event has grown, drawing crowds of up to 50,000 people. Up to 90% of registered racers travel to Tulsa Tough from out-of-state, generating an estimated economic impact of $5 million.

Tulsa Tough’s theme this year is 'Flyover This' – a cheeky nod to the city’s rapid expansion in the last decade.

“We’re the real deal,” says McCollam. “The theme is meant to evoke a sense of Tulsa pride.”

Tulsa Tough’s impact, however, extends beyond three days of races. The organization has created Tulsa Tough Divas, a women’s empowerment group for cyclists of all skill levels. And earlier this year, Tulsa Tough also formed a men’s cycling group called Project Dudeman with a mission to destigmatize men’s mental health struggles.

“Tulsa Tough is 100% a communitycentric event,” says McCollam. “Our authentic belief was that we are here

to support Tulsa, and we’ve been lucky enough that the community has embraced it.”

NCAA Division Women’s College World Series

Known as the home of the Women’s College World Series (WCWS), OKC’s Devon Park hosts the super regional softball winners to compete for the championship title this summer. The WCWS, running May 29-June 6, is the final culmination of a competitive regular season, regional tournaments and super regional tournaments, all of which involve a 64-team bracket and run throughout the month of May. The championship event has been held in OKC for over two decades.

“We truly are the softball capital of the world, because there is no other softball-specific venue like us,” says Craig Cress, CEO of OKC-based USA Softball. “The state of Oklahoma has always been

Known as the 'Super Bowl of cycling,' Tulsa Tough rolls into town June 6-8. Photo courtesy Saint Francis Tulsa Tough

a softball state. On top of the support we get locally, Devon Park offers a fan experience that is unmatched for softball anywhere else in the country.”

Last year, the University of Oklahoma Sooners took home the gold medal in the national championship, and to date is the only NCAA team to win four WCWS championships in a row (2021-2024). Since 1982, Oklahoma has won the title eight times.

The qualifying teams will compete against each other in a double-elimination format, with the top two teams squaring off in a best-of-three finale.

Softball fans can purchase tickets to the World Series, or splurge on the all-new NCAA Fan Experience packages. Packages include refreshments, access to a private tent and special photo opportunities.

NBA Finals

NBA team the Oklahoma City Thunder has undoubtedly changed the landscape of the region. Oklahoma City’s GDP [Gross Domestic Product] grew by 62% between 2008 and 2023, and the city estimates that the team has an annual economic impact of $600 million.

Recruiting Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook early in the team’s tenure, the Thunder has garnered enthusiastic support from Oklahomans. The excitement has continued to build as the current

team has played two strong seasons back-to-back, with breakout players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (point guard) and Jalen Williams (small/power forward) leading the charge. In fact, the Thunder broke NBA records for the number of games won during the regular season this year. Last year, the Thunder advanced to the semifinals before being knocked out by the Dallas Mavericks.

“We’ve played quality opponents for a stretch now and have quality opponents coming up,” head coach Mark Daigneault told MSN in April. “Everybody has something to play for, so it’s good. It sharpens our blade, it tests us and forces us to rise to a certain level if we want to win.”

If the team wins the Western Conference playoffs, it will advance to the finals, making OKC'S Paycom Center the home court for half the games that begin June 5. (As of now, the Thunder is heading into the Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.)

“We just take it a day at a time,” Gilgeous-Alexander told The Canadian Press. “Try to get better with every game, every opportunity, and then hopefully by the end of the year, we’re where we want to be.”

deadCenter Film Festival

Oklahoma’s largest and only Oscarqualifying film event, the deadCenter Film Festival, has been bringing indie

films to local audiences for 25 years. The festival screens hundreds of flicks each year, some of which may win an Academy Award.

“When you win Best Short Animation, Best Short Narrative, or Best Short Documentary, you can apply to the Academy Awards,” explains Cacky Poarch, executive director at deadCenter. “We are only one of 27 film festivals in the United States that has those three designations, and I’m very proud of that.”

The film festival, running June 11-15, was founded by two independent filmmakers, Jason and Justan Floyd. Their vision was to create a space for local filmmakers to connect and promote their projects.

Since then, the festival has grown rapidly, attracting filmmakers and industry professionals from across the country. Receiving over 2,000 submissions, Poarch believes that this year’s festival will outdo previous years.

“Every year, the submissions just get better and better,” she says.

To pay tribute to its 25th anniversary, the festival will be extended to five days in 2025. Poarch reveals that there will be an emphasis on screening works from Oklahoman filmmakers, too.

“There was always the dream of what deadCenter could be,” reflects Poarch. “I think we’re experiencing that now.”

FAITH HARL

The Women's College World Series comes to OKC through June 6. Photo by Peyton Martin/OU Athletics

If the OKC Thunder makes it to the NBA Finals, half of games will be at OKC's Paycom Center. Photo by Zach Beeker

The deadCenter Film festival is an Oscar-qualifying event, running in OKC from June 11-15. Photo courtesy deadCenter

Decades of Whimsy

The Bristow Route 66 Toy Museum showcases goodies from the 1950’s onward.

Route 66 travelers will not want to miss a fun little place smack dab in a hidden gem downtown space: the Bristow Route 66 Toy Museum. Run by toy enthusiast Bret Fadely and his trusty front-door greeter, the green Sinclair dinosaur, the museum claims to be “Bristow’s Largest Toy Museum.” This is most likely an accurate assessment.

Walking through the museum is a fun way to look back at childhood whimsy, whether that childhood occurred during the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s or ’80s. This space is definitely a museum in the truest sense of the word, as today’s kids won’t find their current toys stacked on the shelves. But for those of us who were playing with goodies before the end of the last century, there are hundreds of unique things to find and explore.

A half-scale dragster is probably the first thing to grab the eye, and the pedal car display is popular with visitors, says Fadely. Some of the pedal cars were rescued from a ride at the now-defunct

Bell’s Amusement Park in Tulsa for an extra blast from the past. Many of the displays belie Fadely’s claim to favoring planes, trains and automobiles, but there is truly something for everybody.

Whether visitors are into Batman and Robin, G.I. Joes, Transformers, stuffed animals, dolls or even the infamous California Raisins, items abound that will catch anyone’s eye and usher in memories of playtimes past.

One special toy that has recently been given pride of place is Fadely’s stuffed dog, Oscar, a Christmas present from his parents in the mid-'60s. When pressed to declare a favorite, Oscar is it for the toy museum owner.

“Most of my life, I have collected toys and have always wanted to share them with others instead of having them stacked in boxes in the garage,” says Fadely about the museum’s origins. He relates how he looked for a place to display his collection and make it available to others for several years. Then, some friends of his were retiring and, “the next thing you know, we are buying a building in Bristow on Main Street,” he says.

Today, the museum is a labor of love for Fadely. He is there as often as possible, curating his collection and welcoming visitors. And he’s always ready to swap stories about toys with anyone.

“Every day I am there, there is some sort of cool experience,” he says. His favorite times are when museum-goers stop for a chat about some of the toys in his collection and the positive memories they elicit.

Currently, there’s no set open schedule, though most Fridays and Saturdays visitors can find the doors open. Check the museum’s Facebook page for the most up-to-date opening information. Admission is free, and Fadely plans to be open more often soon. He is the first to admit that his museum is a work in progress, so the collection changes and grows regularly. Donations of both funds and toys are welcome, but not required.

Dino, the Sinclair dinosaur, stands ready to greet any toy enthusiast or simple nostalgia seeker who heads to Bristow.

BONNIE RUCKER

From dolls to action figures and dragsters, the Bristow Toy Museum has something for everyone to enjoy. Photos by Bonnie Rucker

Changing with the Times

Oklahoma’s fire and police departments are utilizing the power of thermal drones.

Oklahoma police departments are increasingly using drones with thermal imaging for their operations, and this imaging identifies heat signatures that are invisible to the naked dye. Especially helpful in low light or adverse conditions, drones with thermal imaging capabilities help law various enforcement operations, including search and rescue, tactical situations and crime scene investigations, as well as detecting and locating suspects, hotspot detection, assessing disaster sites and inspecting power lines and buildings.

Thermal imaging is often part of small, unmanned aircraft systems.

“SUAS stands for ‘small unmanned aircraft systems,’ which are commonly referred to as drones,” says Capt. Jason Bussert, leader of the Information Technology Unit of the Oklahoma City Police Department. “These systems are equipped with standard cameras, thermal imaging and night vision. They can also carry attachments like lights and speakers, allowing us to illuminate areas or communicate with individuals on scene.

Bussert continues: “Thermal imaging is a technology that detects heat

emitted by objects, people or animals and converts it into a visual image. It allows public safety teams to ‘see’ in total darkness, through smoke, and in other low-visibility conditions.”

The technology relies on infrared radiation to create its images.

“We’ve been using infrared on our helicopters for many years,” says Capt. Richard G. Meulenberg IV, Communications Unit Coordinator with the Tulsa Police Department. “It detects a heat signature. It helps you search a vast area looking for a difference in temperature. The human body has its own temperature. If there is a missing child in a field or by the river or in a forested area, that child is going to stand out amongst the background.”

Meulenberg continues: “It is an established technology. It is used heavily commercially and privately. Even electricians use it. High-end hunters also use it with a thermal imaging scope.”

Thermal drones are used in various ways, including by fire departments, according to Bussert.

“We share a dock system with fire that allows drones to be remotely launched from docking stations located at police and fire facilities, traveling autonomously to call locations,” he says. “Also, we have patrol-assigned drones that can

be deployed by responding officers, some of which can also be remotely piloted. As well, our traffic and crime scene units use drones to document scenes from the air for accuracy and evidence preservation.”

With these thermal imaging drones, safety is the priority.

“It saves lives and keeps us safe,” says Meulenberg. “It provides an angle that’s not available from standing on the ground. It’s another tool we can use.”

CAROL MOWDY BOND

How Thermal Imaging Works

The Department of Homeland Security website explains that night vision technology was developed in the 1960s. The technology provided the U.S. military with capabilities to see in low light and extremely dark conditions without using search lights or illuminators. One component of this technology is thermal imaging.

“Objects around us give off heat to some degree, and that heat is made up of long wavelength infrared radiation that the human eye cannot see,” according to dhs. gov. “Thermal imaging uses a sensor to convert the radiation into a visible light picture…this picture helps us identify objects in total darkness.”

The OKC Police Department utilizes thermal drones that are equipped with standard cameras, thermal imaging and night vision. They can also carry attachments like lights and speakers. Photos courtesy the OKC Police Department

Lewisville, Texas, has the perfect playground for an exhilarating adventure or a relaxing retreat, whether for a full weekend or a day trip. Adventure seekers will be thrilled to jet ski, waterski, kayak, swim, camp, picnic, golf and disc golf at Lewisville Lake. To relax, eat and shop head to our iconic Old Town Lewisville area for food, live music, festivals, and local shops with sophisticated charm. Lewisville Grand Theater o ers concerts, shows, and art exhibitions that are free to explore year-round.

There are must-experience adventures for your entire

Celebrating Liberation

Juneteenth festivals welcome any and all to celebrate and acknowledge the end of slavery in the U.S.

Freedom. Emancipation. Liberation. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States, which officially took place in Texas on June 19, 1865. Only recognized as a federal holiday starting in 2021, Juneteenth became the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was adopted in 1983. But Black communities across the country have long celebrated this pivotal day before its federal adoption.

“Juneteenth has been celebrated in Tulsa for as long as I can remember,” says Lauren Corbitt-Evans, executive director of Juneteenth in Tulsa. “I can remember as a young girl going to Juneteenth celebrations. We’d have a big event every year just to celebrate the abolishment of slavery and to celebrate an AfricanAmerican community that is thriving.”

Over the years, Corbitt-Evans says the celebration experienced different levels of participation until 11 years ago, when her mother, the late Sherry Gamble Smith, was part of an effort to revitalize Juneteenth festivities in Tulsa.

“Every year it has grown and grown and grown,” she says. “I think that first year we started with maybe 300 people, and now we draw over 40,000 people

to the festival every year. For me, it has been a family affair, in which our family has come together to be able to do something for our community that is impactful and that is near and dear to who we are and to what we want to display in our community.”

The Tulsa celebration will take place over two weekends, beginning Friday, June 13, starting off with a Black Wall Street small business pitch competition and a fashion show featuring Black designers the following day.

On Thursday, June 19, there will be a Juneteenth concert series and annual block party, which is themed “Family Reunion.” That weekend, folks can take part in a 5K or 1-mile run, followed by a concert and festival replete with food trucks and local vendors.

“What I hope is that everyone is able to find something that speaks to who they are, and everyone is able to celebrate and express themselves in a cultural way,” Corbitt-Evans says. “During this celebration, I also hope that we can provide a valuable amount of resources to the community, as that is one of our main focuses.”

In Oklahoma City, the annual Juneteenth on East celebration kicks off June 19 and runs throughout the weekend. The festivities include a fashion show, 5K

run and festival with an interactive “kid zone” with games and crafts, plus performances and around 100 food trucks and local vendors.

“Juneteenth is a time to come together and celebrate our freedoms and our independence,” says Jabee Williams, organizer of Juneteenth on the East. “And it’s a time for people from all backgrounds to celebrate. That’s one thing that I love about the event we do every year – is that you see people from all different walks of life who come to celebrate with us. It’s a celebration for the entire city – everybody’s welcome to celebrate liberation.”

A highlight of Juneteenth on East is the creation of a live mural, where festival goers can watch the artistic work take shape from start to finish.

“This will be our fifth year to present a mural to the city,” Williams says, adding that he hopes people will continue educating themselves year round – not just on Juneteenth – on what liberation and freedom mean in this country.

Alongside the above events, the Oklahoma History Center in OKC offers the educational program "Black Lawmen in Indian Territory" on June 19, and Guthrie is hosting its Juneteenth celebration on June 21 at Mineral Wells Park.

GRETCHEN EICHENBERG

OKC’s Juneteenth on the East welcomes performers, local vendors, and even hosts a live mural creation. Photo courtesy Juneteenth on the East

The Tulsa Juneteenth Festival now hosts over 40,000 people for a weekends-long celebration.

Photo courtesy Tulsa Juneteenth Festival

Father’s Day Festivities

Fishing and hunting are excellent options for Oklahomans looking to spend time in the great outdoors.

Father’s Day is just around the corner, and if your dad is the outdoorsy type, there are plenty of wonderful activities to enjoy here in Oklahoma.

Hunting and fishing, some of the more popular ways to spend an afternoon or a weekend, are particularly well made for the state.

“Oklahoma is home to many different incredible bodies of water for fishing,” says Jacob Tison, R3 fishing coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Grand and Eufaula Lakes often hold national fishing tournaments, holding many excellent game species such as largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and others. Canton Lake is known for its incredible walleye fishery. Blue River in southeast Oklahoma is an amazing trout and smallmouth bass fishery.”

And you don’t need to be an expert in fishing to have a good time, as lots of places exist for those just getting started.

“For our beginner anglers, there are many Close to Home fishing ponds across the state that are stocked by the

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, and those are great places to catch bluegill and catfish,” he says.

Hunting in the summer heat of Oklahoma isn’t the ideal time, but it’s still an option for those who want the challenge.

“Squirrel hunting is the only popular species that is open during the summertime,” says Tison. “And even though it is open, it is important to check your game during warm months for ticks and parasites.”

The high temperature is no joke, and proper care should always be taken when heading out for a hunt.

“When it comes to the Oklahoma heat, it is very important to always stay hydrated, wear protective clothing, take a buddy and have a plan,” he says. “Having a plan in case something goes wrong is critical and could save a life.”

When it comes to equipment and licenses for fishing, the bar to entry is quite low.

“One great thing about fishing is that you do not have to have any super expensive gear,” says Tison. “You can find equipment for catching fish at really any price you are looking for. You also want

to tailor your gear based on what species you are targeting – and that goes for hunting and fishing.”

Fishing only requires a state fishing license, unless the city requires a permit as well.

“That money goes back into the expansion and conservation of our local fisheries,” says Tison. “For hunting, it depends on your target species. The best place to go for this is on the ODWC website at wildlifedepartment.com.”

Safety is paramount when taking part in either activity.

“For hunting, never point your firearm at something you don’t want to shoot, clearly identify your target and what lies beyond, make sure you have a safe backstop when you shoot, and be aware of where your hunting partners are,” says Tison. “For fishing, it is important to always protect yourself from the sun, be aware of your surroundings, know what species you might catch and how to handle them safely, watch out for sharp objects and fish with a buddy.”

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

A Path to Physical and Mental Wellness

Tai chi provides its participants with a sturdy foundation for a healthier life.

Tai chi, short for tai chi chuan, is a centuries-old Chinese martial art that blends slow, deliberate movements with deep breathing and a meditative mindset. Often described as “meditation in motion,” tai chi is rooted in ancient Taoist philosophy and emphasizes balance, harmony and the flow of energy – known as qi – through the body. Unlike more aggressive martial arts, tai chi focuses on grace and internal strength rather than brute force.

“Even though tai chi looks soft and flowy, [it improves the overall body, including] posture, increased joint stability, and it also trains the muscles –muscle memory,” says Master Luo Minghan, owner and instructor at the Luohan Wushu Kung Fu Center, located in Tulsa. “Once tai chi is being practiced [with regularity], the whole body will move at the same time.”

At its core, tai chi involves a series of fluid postures performed in a slow, continuous sequence. These movements are gentle on the joints and adaptable to all fitness levels, making tai chi especially popular among older adults or individuals recovering from injury.

If you have a gym membership, you may be able to find tai chi classes there, too.

“We offer tai chi because it’s something everyone can enjoy,” says Corey Cargill, associate director of communications for the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. “No matter [a person’s] fitness level, [tai chi is] a gentle, low-impact class, but it still helps build strength, improve flexibility and boost balance.”

But don’t let its peaceful appearance fool you – tai chi is also a full-body workout. Practitioners engage the muscles of the legs, core and arms, improving strength, flexibility and balance over time. The controlled weight shifts and stances build lower body stability, while the constant awareness of posture and alignment enhances core engagement and joint health.

While the physical benefits are notable, tai chi’s reputation for promoting mental wellness may be its most compelling aspect. The practice encourages present-moment awareness, often guiding participants to focus solely on their breath and movement. This mindfulness can reduce stress and anxiety, aiding the mind in entering a calm, focused state.

The meditative aspect of tai chi has been linked to improved mood, better

sleep, and reduced symptoms of depression.

“In this respect,” Luo explains, “it’s about cultivating the energy to allow [one’s] chi to flow in naturally throughout the body. So, the gentle, mindful movement on the outside will help activate this process.”

Scientific research supports these claims. Studies have shown that regular tai chi practice can lower cortisol levels (the stress hormone), enhance cognitive function and even increase gray matter in the brain regions associated with attention and emotional regulation. The mind-body connection fostered through tai chi helps practitioners become more attuned to their mental and emotional states, often resulting in a greater sense of control and resilience.

Whether you’re seeking stress relief, improved balance or a deeper sense of well-being, tai chi offers an accessible path to better health.

Luohan Wushu Kung Fu Center offers private and group tai chi practices for all skill levels. The YMCA has classes available at its Bethany, Edward L. Gaylord Downtown, Midwest City, Mitch Park, Norman, Rockwell Plaza and YMCA Healthy Living Center locations.

ROCCO GEPPI

Studies have shown that regular tai chi practice can lower cortisol levels, enhance cognitive function and even increase gray matter in the brain regions associated with attention and emotional regulation.

Photo courtesy the Luohan Wushu Kung Fu Center

The Wright Guy for the Job

Wright King was a bonafide star of the screen, who attributed his success in Westerns to his Oklahoma upbringing.

For some time now, the MeTV network has been airing episodes of vintage Westerns every weekday morning, under the umbrella title of “The Good Guys at Sunrise.” Most of these series come from the late ’50s-early ’60s, when television sets across America were bursting with the sounds of galloping hoofbeats and roaring six-guns. They include one of the best-remembered of all, Wanted: Dead or Alive, featuring Steve

McQueen as bounty hunter Josh Randall, whose weapon of choice was a deadly sawed-off carbine, carried in a custom holster.

Wanted: Dead or Alive debuted over the CBS network on September 6, 1958 – only six days before the national release of The Blob, a horror movie that featured young McQueen in the title role. Although The Blob became a big hit, it wasn’t exactly a major-studio, big-time production; I can’t imagine that too many people who saw it – or watched

Wanted Dead or Alive, for that matter – came away convinced that Steve McQueen would one day be an iconic movie star.

However, that’s exactly what happened. And McQueen’s drive toward bigscreen stardom brings us to the subject of this month’s column, an Oklahoma native named Wright King.

Born in Okmulgee on January 11, 1923, King graduated from high school in Mount Vernon, Illinois, winning a scholarship to the St. Louis School of Theater. Following graduation, he joined the Navy, serving for three years in the South Pacific. In King’s Hollywood Reporter obituary, writer Mike Barnes noted that the actor “was on a ship headed for Japan when World War II was declared over.”

After getting his honorable discharge, according to Barnes, “King hitchhiked from Mount Vernon to New York City and got a job playing Aladdin for eight months – at $35 a week – in a national theater production that catered to children. Later, he worked for the Yiddish Art Theatre.”

King also continued studying drama at both the Actors Studio and the American Theatre Wing. Ultimately, he appeared in a production of A Streetcar Named Desire, playing the young man who collects newspaper-subscription money – and a kiss – from Blanche DuBois. His performance earned a call from famed director Elia Kazan, who offered him the role in the upcoming movie version of Streetcar. Barnes quotes King in the obituary: “I never wanted to be a movie star, but I sure wanted to be in that movie.”

He may not have wanted to be a television star, either, but in the early ’50s he sure found plenty of work in that nascent medium. According to a syndicated piece in the Jefferson City [Missouri] PostTribune, “King entered television, and in the next five years chalked up a record of more than 250 live [TV] performances in New York.” Along the way, he appeared in the medium’s first science-fiction series, Captain Video and His Video Rangers, and, during the 1953-54 season, starred in another otherworldly program, Johnny Jupiter. Scott Mackay, writing for the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, called Johnny

Okmulgee born actor Wright King found great success in Western-themed TV shows and movies, which was aided, he says, by his Oklahoma accent and ability to ride horses.

Photo courtesy the John Wooley Collection

Jupiter “a satirical delight,” adding, “Its leading character is a 25-year-old clerk in a small-town general store named Ernest P. Duckweather (played by Wright King), who has made contact with Jupiter through TV and is forever asking the super-civilized Jupiterians for help with problems.” A mixture of human performers and hand puppets, the show “has been described,” wrote Mackay, “as one long, good-natured spoofing of our own ways, customs and habits.”

King’s early identification with science-fiction and fantasy would show up again in the early ’60s, when he starred in two well-remembered episodes of The Twilight Zone, “Shadow Play” and “Of Late I Think of Cliffordville.” Also, in 1968, he’d play Dr. Galen, the chimpanzee medico who saves the life of Charlton Heston’s character George Taylor in the original Planet of the Apes

For all of that, however, he’s probably best-known for his roles in a plethora of Western movies and television shows. In an interview with Tom and Jim Goldrup for their multi-book series The Encyclopedia of Feature Players of Hollywood, King credited his Oklahoma upbringing for the work he got in that genre.

“I thanked God for my earlier horseback riding on the farm,” he said, “and that old Okie accent I could drag up on a moment’s notice.”

His numerous supporting roles in both TV and big-screen Westerns included multiple appearances on Wanted: Dead or Alive. And while he played a couple of other characters, his most noteworthy work on the show lies in his portrayal of Jason Nichols, a deputy sheriff turned bounty hunter. Beginning with the January 30, 1960 episode – the middle of the popular show’s second season – Wright would play the character nine times, more or less consecutively, as a second lead to Steve McQueen’s Josh Randall.

In an interview published online July 8, 2014, on the Rusty White’s Film World site, King explained to White how he snagged the recurrent role.

“He [McQueen] was becoming very busy,” King recalled. “I remember one episode in which we had a very dramatic scene. I went up to Steve and asked him if we could take some extra time to practice the scene. We filmed it and it turned out great. Steve then got a film role and was going to leave the show. Steve came up to me and said that the producers wanted me to replace him in the series. They were so impressed by the scene we had done extra rehearsal on that they

gave me the job.”

According to an anonymous writer in the Feb 6, 1960 Los Angeles Mirror, “Steve McQueen would like to take things a little easier here while grabbing a little movie loot on the side, so a ‘partner’ is being integrated. Wright King will appear as a lawman who wants to become a bounty hunter.”

And, five days later, the famed Hollywood gossip purveyor Hedda Hopper put this twist on King’s hiring in her column: “Steve McQueen took on Wright King as his bounty hunting sidekick in “Wanted – Dead or Alive.” He’ll run throughout the series and take over when McQueen makes pictures.”

Although King shows a great deal of boyish charisma and a sure-handed approach to his character, it didn’t quite work out that way. McQueen did start his movie career in earnest around that time, beginning a shoot in Mexico on March 1, 1960 for the picture that broke him out, The Magnificent Seven. He would become the first TV star to make a successful transition from the small screen to the big one, paving the way for many, many others.

But Wright King never got the opportunity to step into McQueen’s boots. While Wanted: Dead or Alive ran for a third season before expiring, there were no further appearances of King’s Jason Nichols; Josh Randall once again became a loner. And while it was likely a great disappointment for King not to take over the starring role in the series, he kept right on working in movies, television and on the stage until his 1987 retirement. He died at the age of 95 on November 25, 2018, in the Motion Picture Home at Woodland Hills, California.

Should breaking news alter my investment strategy?

If you follow the news, it’s important to consider just how much trending stories should influence your financial decisions. Here are some things to remember. 1. Be aware, but don’t overreact. Investors who become fearful that a market downturn may be imminent are often tempted to sell some investments and move money into less volatile alternatives. But taking risk “off the table” by selling stock positions has its own perils. 2. The market has overcome challenges before. It’s also important to remember that historically, markets have rebounded after large business decisions, geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and political positions captivate the news cycle. 3. Assess your risk tolerance and invest accordingly. If you are close to retirement, you may want to reduce your equity exposure. Find a portfolio strategy that fits your comfort level and try to stick with it. 4. Focus on your goals. If you are accumulating wealth to meet a goal that is years or even decades away, market volatility is likely part of the normal pattern you should expect. If specific headlines or trends are making you reconsider your investment strategy, re-evaluate your risk tolerance and consider meeting with a financial professional.

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

What is a microcurrent treatment and what are the benefits?

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King and his wife of 60 years, June Roth King, had three sons. One of them, Meegan King, followed his father into the acting business; he’s appeared onstage as well as in a number of movies and TV episodes. The latter includes a two-year run on the daytime drama Days of Our Lives and a guest appearance on the 1974 television show Planet of the Apes – eight years after his dad had played a pivotal role in the blockbuster movie that inspired the series.

This treatment is like a trip to the gym for your face! Microcurrent is a type of electrotherapy that delivers micro-currents that mimic the body’s natural currents. When these microcurrents are delivered into the skin, the body interprets them as natural and it is able to stimulate the facial muscles. The muscles will appear firmer, lifted and tightened. Microcurrent is extremely beneficial for decreasing puffiness as well as defining facial features. It’s a safe, non-invasive treatment and has no downtime. Microcurrent also improves blood and lymph circulation, while stimulating collagen production. Most patients immediately see visible results and continue to see improvement in sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles over time. This can be done as a single treatment or added on to a number of other services that we offer. To schedule an appointment or find out more information on microcurrent, call Fig Medical Spa at 918-932-8810.

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Writer post-script: Thanks once again to Paul McSpadden for bringing another under-celebrated Oklahoma actor to my attention.

Cristie Lehr-Hawkins. M.D., Fig - For Inner Good - Medical Spa 8921 S Yale Ave - Tulsa, OK 74137 918.932.8810 - figtulsa.com

Advertising designs and photography are for use in Oklahoma Magazine only. Use in other publications or materials is

Medical director of aesthetics & Wellness

DR. CRISTIE HAWKINS

DAVID KARIMIAN CFP®, CRPC®, APMA®

Life & Style

A MAP TO LIVING WELL

A Sweet Greek Retreat

Crete provides ancient historical artifacts, stunning beaches and shopping galore.

Crete. Okay, it’s not the cradle of civilization, but it’s close. The mythical king of the Olympic gods, Zeus, was born in a cave on Crete. And it’s the former home of the Minoans, Europe’s earliest recorded culture, who first started camping out on Crete during the Bronze Age in 3000 BC.

If you’re into ancient ruins, you’ll love Crete. And if you’re not into ancient ruins, you’ll still love Crete for its striking architecture, pink sand beaches, worldclass resorts and leather purses, bags and sandals. And it was the Minoans who gave us advanced stormwater management systems. Thank you.

The island is an oblong about 160 miles wide, making it the largest Greek isle in the eastern Mediterranean. Because of its diverse topography — mountains, beaches, fertile plains – it’s often referred to as “the small continent.”

The largest city on Crete is also its capital: Heraklion, on the northeast coast. And that’s where you’ll find 4,000 years of Greek history on display at the

huge 1,300-room Palace of Knossos (NOH-sus), an archaeological site that was the center of the Minoan culture on Crete. Special attention is given to the Greek myth of the Minotaur, a half-bull, halfman creature said to be held captive in a labyrinth within the palace.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum protects the world’s most extensive collection of everything Minoan, including the famous Phaistos Disc, a 3,000-year-old clay saucer decorated with more than 240 symbols, some of which haven’t yet been deciphered.

Stroll the cobblestone streets and you can almost hear a bouzouki playing the soundtrack from “Zorba the Greek.”

Further west along the north coast you’ll find the liveliest spot on Crete, the 14th-century Venetian harbor of Chania.

Chania is a shopper’s paradise with boutique shop after boutique shop lining Old Town’s narrow walks. Ceramics are a terrific buy, as are kopaneli lace, neo-Hellenic period jewelry, and yes, the leather goods. They’re extraordinary.

Views in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, are enough to sell any tourist on a trip. Combine that with shopping, nature and history and it's a vacationer's dream.

Cave at Iligas Beach

One street in Chania, Leather Lane, sells nothing but.

The colors of Greece are on full display in the charming city. Venetian, Ottoman and Greek architectural influences can be seen in her buildings and the spirit of her people is evident in the vibrant colors used to paint these buildings: bright reds, blues and yellows. Seeing these cheerful structures facing Chania’s blue water beach is an Instagram moment.

Speaking of colors, the sand on Elafonissi Beach on the southwest coast really is pink. The demure hue comes from millions of crushed seashells that leave their mark and then sink below the turquoise waves. White sand enthusiasts take heart; there’s blindingly snow-white

sand at Balos Lagoon near Chania. It pairs well with the bluer-than-blue water. All told, Crete sports 145 beaches so you’re bound to find one with the color of sand you prefer.

Those beaches will look awfully tempting after a hike through the Samaria Gorge in the White Mountains. Ten miles to the sea through ancient cypress and pine forests, past the abandoned village of Samaria, and through the “Gates,” a narrowing of the 1,500-foot-high gorge that’s just 13 feet wide.

Hungry? Check out the layraki (baked sea bass) or the loukanika (a local spicy sausage). There’s a good deal of lamb on the menus and quite a bit of seafood, including octopus and squid.

Crete produces lots of grapes and olives giving the island no shortage of olive oil and wine, both of which are used generously. As in other countries in the region, the national drink in Crete is raki, a clear homemade brandy produced from distilled grapes (not to be confused with the anise-flavored raki made in Turkey).

Stay at the Ethereal White Resort Hotel and Spa in the heart of Heraklion. Enjoy city views from your fourth-floor suite as you luxuriate in your balcony hot tub. Then head up to the roof for a drink at the bar.

CHUCK MAI

Elafonissi Beach

Street views in Chania Wind mills in the Lassithi plateau

Knossos Palace

Understanding Aphasia

Less than half the U.S. population knows what aphasia is. A speech pathologist explains.

According to the American Stroke Association (ASA), it’s estimated that more than two million people in the United States have aphasia, a language disorder that often results from stroke. The ASA also reports that less than half of the U.S. population have heard of the disorder, although some awareness was gained after the diagnosis of well-known actor Bruce Willis.

“Aphasia is a language disorder that’s characterized by difficulty with understanding, speaking, reading and/ or writing,” says Mekenzi Peck, SLP, a speech pathologist with SSM Health in Shawnee. “We most often see an aphasia diagnosis after a stroke, but it can also follow a brain injury, brain surgery or even a brain infection or tumor.”

There are multiple types of aphasia, and the impact of each can range in severity. The most common types include Global aphasia, mixed non-fluent aphasia, Broca’s aphasia, Wernicke’s aphasia, anomic aphasia and primary progressive aphasia (PPA). With PPA, the cause is a

neurodegenerative disease, rather than the result of stroke or brain injury.

“Aphasia can affect your ability to understand things being said to you, and affect your ability to speak and verbalize your thoughts and ideas,” says Peck. “It can also affect your ability to read and write – to understand written words and even the ability to write words.

As therapists, when we’re making our assessments to identify a specific type, these are the areas we’re looking at – is comprehension a struggle or is verbal expression more difficult than reading and writing? Aphasia is complex, so our evaluations allow us to provide more individualized therapy.”

The ASA emphasizes that aphasia does not affect intelligence, and Peck stresses this to her clients as well.

“Many of my clients with aphasia will say the word they’re trying to say is on the tip of their tongue but they can’t get it out,” she says. “I always remind clients that they’ve not lost any knowledge. Instead, the way their brain accesses their knowledge has changed because of the injury.”

While there is a higher prevalence

of stroke in older adults, Peck has had many 20- and 30-year-old survivors of stroke that have developed aphasia, and many clients who have recovered well.

“Aphasia has a very broad spectrum and you can have a mild to severe case,” she says. “I’ve had some clients who have been able to regain a lot of their language skills, return to high-level jobs or education, as well as engage in conversations. And then I’ve had some patients where we’ve decided that a speech generating device was the best route to allow them to communicate independently.”

She adds that a patient’s support system also influences recovery.

“Having a caregiver and other family members and friends involved in the treatment process is very beneficial and can greatly affect the quality of life for everyone,” says Peck. “It’s a journey that requires patience and understanding, but when a client begins to make progress, it’s very rewarding. With good support and focused therapy, there can be positive outcomes.”

REBECCA FAST

The Place to Be

Blending history and a vast array of vibrant attractions, Enid welcomes all.

Nestled in north-central Oklahoma, Enid is a city rich in history and brimming with cultural and recreational offerings. Established during the Land Run of 1893, Enid quickly evolved from a tent city into a thriving community. The city’s name is believed to be inspired by a character from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Idylls of the King. Railroad aficionados will appreciate the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma, located in a historic freight depot. The museum boasts one of the largest collections of railroad memorabilia in the United States, including over 1,000 pieces of dining car china, maps, depot clocks and a functioning telegraph system.

“One of the main goals of both the museum and the [railroad] club is to teach railroad safety,” says the museum’s president, Mike Marshall. “We have the BNSF transcon southern Tracon mainline that operates within 50-feet of the north side of our property … and a school not far from us, and it’s not uncommon to see

those kids actually climb over the stop train, which is extremely dangerous.”

Marshall also says the museum works hard and takes pride in preserving all of its items on display, especially the nine authentic cabooses and various other rolling stock, such as the Frisco 1519 Steam Engine, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary at an event in October.

For those seeking outdoor recreation, the Jerry Allen Memorial Skate Park offers a dynamic space for skateboarders, bikers and rollerbladers. Spanning 16,000 square feet, the park opened in January 2021 and features an open-ended bowl, flat bar and grind ledge. Skaters of all ages are welcome, yet it was the appeal potential to younger generations that helped move the project forward.

“Jerry Allen was a former city commissioner,” says Rob Houston, the director of Visit Enid. “He had a passion for youth, and once this new idea of the skate park came about, he was all over it and was really one of the key city leaders to make sure that it got done.”

With its variety of attractions that cater to diverse interests, the city has been home to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II

Baseball World Series since 2009 and will continue to host through at least 2028. Held annually at David Allen Memorial Ballpark, top junior college teams from across the nation compete for a national championship during the final week of May.

“The folks of Enid do an outstanding job of connecting the community with the World Series, its players and everything surrounding it,” says Christopher Parker, president and CEO of the NJCAA. “That makes you feel welcome and like a great environment no matter who’s playing, and that’s a real strong position for them to be in.”

Other can’t-miss attractions include the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, a museum which focuses on the history of the Cherokee Outlet and the Land Run of September 16, 1893, as well as Red Bird Farm, which offers summertime attractions including blackberry picking, build-your-own flower bouquet sessions and a Fourth of July event for the entire family.

Enid’s blend of historical significance and contemporary attractions makes it a compelling destination for travelers. Whether you’re delving into the city’s rich past, cheering on future baseball stars, or enjoying the vibrant skate scene, Enid offers experiences that resonate with a wide array of interests.

ROCCO GEPPI

The Railroad Museum of Oklahoma has a variety of preserved locomotives to peruse. Photo courtesy the Railroad Museum of Oklahoma

Red Bird Farm offers year-round events, including berry picking, flower harvesting and a Christmas tree farm. Photo courtesy Red Bird Farm

The Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center focuses on the history of the Cherokee Outlet and the Oklahoma Landrun of 1893. Photo courtesy the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center

Finding That (Safe) Spark

With Fourth of July right around the corner, Oklahoma’s State Fire Marshall offers some firework safety tips.

Atrivia question for anyone thinking about celebrating with fireworks this summer: How hot is a lighted sparkler?

Answer: Approximately 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which can set clothing on fire and melt some metals. This explains why our ‘tame’ friend the sparkler is the cause of the majority of burns in children under the age of five years old.

The Fourth of July typically brings friends and family together to celebrate this important date, often with fireworks of their own, combined with excitable children, a hot grill and drinking. So –what are some do’s and don’ts on this and any other day when fireworks are involved? Keith Bryant, Oklahoma State Fire Marshal, weighs in.

“Generally, it is highly recommended that people leave fireworks to professionals who are licensed to display them,” he says. “At the consumer level, people setting off fireworks should never let young children handle or ignite fireworks. Only use fireworks in the way they were intended to be used.”

Bryant goes on to say that where you’re setting off fireworks matters – and should be an open area, clear of combustible materials and away from any structures.

“Make sure the grass is cut down low, be aware of the wind conditions and have a means of extinguishing any small fires that may start,” says Bryant, adding that a bucket of water or a water hose will do the job nicely.

To avoid possible fines, ensure the location you have in mind for your

fireworks show allows the setting off fireworks.

“In the state of Oklahoma, fireworks are legal to sell, purchase, possess and discharge except in cities/towns that prohibit them,” says Bryant. “Oklahoma City, Tulsa and many other communities ban their sale and use. Fines would be at the discretion of the local jurisdiction. It is recommended that you check with the local fire department or other officials before discharging fireworks.”

During dry periods, the threat of fire should be considered when contemplating a fireworks show.

“As we have seen recently in Oklahoma, wildfires can be devastating,” warns Bryant. “Fireworks always pose a threat of major wildfires that can threaten lives and property. People should check with city, town, county and state agencies such as local fire departments, county sheriffs or commissioners and the state department of agriculture for any burn bans that may be in place. Common sense should also dictate that with windy and dry conditions, it is wise not to discharge fireworks.”

Lastly, the statistics regarding fireworks incidents are nothing to sniff at.

“According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, in 2023, at least eight people died and 9,700 others were injured in fireworks accidents,” says Bryant. “Among the deaths, most were attributed to misuse of fireworks. Injuries related to fireworks include loss of limbs and eyesight.”

But hey, we don’t want to put a damper on your (responsible) fun! After all, when executed correctly, fireworks can create fantastic memories for the whole family. Here are some safety tips from the American Red Cross to keep you and yours safe:

• Never use fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Never hold fireworks near your body or in your hands.

• Never light fireworks indoors.

• Never point a lighted piece of firework at a person.

• Never light more than one firework at a time.

• If a firework does not immediately explode, wait for five or 10 minutes before attempting to dispose of it.

• Bring pets indoors. Close blinds or curtains and play something on the television to help distract them from the noises outside.

DEBI TURLEY

Sparklers, while often marketed as kid-friendly, can reach high temperatures and are the cause of the majority of burns in children.

Jack & Stephanie Allen, Leigh & John Reeves; 2025 Memory Gala, Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma Chapter, Tulsa

Mike & Kathy Wilson-Gold; OKC Heart Ball, American Heart Association, OKC

Marnie Taylor, Teresa Meinders Burkett; ONE Awards, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, OKC

Dan & Stacey Schmidt, SueAnn & Sean Alexander; Uncorked, University of Tulsa

Robert & Jill Thomas, Olivia Jordan, Jay Hector; 2025 Memory Gala, Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma Chapter, Tulsa

William & Susan Thomas, Sandi Pellow, Wendy & Chuck Garrett; 2025 Memory Gala, Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma Chapter, Tulsa

Back L-R: Laura Garrett, Wendy Drummond; front L-R: Donna McCollough, Debbie Elliott; 2025 Memory Gala, Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma Chapter, Tulsa

Dawn & Cole Dodson, Ashley Moore, Amy Dzialowski, Will Joyce, Stephanie Fry, Brady Moore, Tim Hardin; Big Brothers Big Sisters Gala, BBBSOK, Stillwater

Pama & Mike Palmer; Expedition Africa Donor Event, OKC Zoo

Daniel & Cate Hildebrand; Icons and Idols, Tulsa Ballet

Ann Hargis, Pistol Pete, Burns Hargis; Distinguished Citizen Dinner, Boy Scouts Last Frontier Council, OKC

Jim Jakubovitz, Scott Seaton, Mimi Tarrasch, April Barreau, Shelby Beil, Rachel & David Wagner; Go Big or Go Home reception, Signature Symphony at TCC, Tulsa

Jennifer Anthony, Denise Kiernan, Jonathan Anthony; Denise Kiernan speaking event;, Tulsa Town Hall

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 2025

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

Castle Connolly's physician-led team of researchers follows a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both the national and regional levels. Its online nomination process is open to all licensed physicians in America who are able to nominate physicians in any medical specialty and in any part of the country, as well as indicate whether the nominated physician(s) is, in their opinion, among the best in their region in their medical specialty or among the best in the nation in their medical specialty. Then, Castle Connolly’s research team thoroughly vets each physician’s professional qualifications, education, hospital and faculty appointments, research leadership, professional reputation, disciplinary history and if available, outcomes data. Additionally, a physician’s interpersonal skills such as listening and communicating effectively, demonstrating empathy, and instilling trust and confidence, are also considered in the review process. The Castle Connolly Doctor Directory is the largest network of peer-nominated physicians in the nation.

In addition to Top Doctors, Castle Connolly’s research team also identifies Rising Stars, early career doctors who are emerging leaders in the medical community.

Physicians selected for inclusion in this magazine's "Top Doctors" and “Rising Stars” feature may also appear online at www.castleconnolly.com, or in conjunction with other Castle Connolly Top Doctors databases online and/ or in print.

Castle Connolly is part of Everyday Health Group, a recognized leader in patient and provider education, attracting an engaged audience of over 82 million health consumers and over 900,000 U.S. practicing physicians and clinicians to its premier health and wellness digital properties. 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 delivered through Everyday Health Group’s world-class brands.

For more information, please visit Castle Connolly.

Adolescent Medicine

PAUL BENSON, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health (918) 619-4300 Sp: LGBTQ+ Health, Reproductive Health

Anesthesiology

NIGAM SHETH, MD

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

Cardiac

Electrophysiology

KAREN BECKMAN, MD

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

SEAN HALLERAN, MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 948-4040 Sp: Arrhythmias, Pacemakers/Defibrillators

SUBHA VARAHAN, MD

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

Cardiovascular Disease

MUHAMMAD ANWAR, MD

Heart Clinic Central Oklahoma, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 321-0199 Sp: Preventive Cardiology, Hypertension

JEFFREY A. CROOK, MD

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

ARCHANA GAUTAM, MD

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

KATHERINE HAYS, MD

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

RICHARD KACERE, MD

Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 748-7650 Sp Cardiovascular Imaging, Preventive Cardiology

THO DINH LE, MD

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

MUHAMMAD SALIM, MD

Norman Heart and Vascular Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 515-2222 Sp: Interventional Cardiology, Nuclear Cardiology

MICHAEL LEE VILLANO, MD

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

D. MATT WILKETT, DO Oklahoma State University Medical Center, Claremore Indian Hospital (918) 582-7711 Sp: 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 Sp: ADD/ ADHD, Anxiety & Depression

Child Neurology

DAVID J. SIEGLER, MD

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

Colon & Rectal Surgery

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

SCOTT A. FENGLER, MD

Saint Francis Hospital, Warren Clinic (918) 794-4788 Sp: Anorectal Disorders, Colon & Rectal Cancer & Surgery

RAHAL Y. KAHANDA, MD Oklahoma Surgical Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 515-4099 Sp: Robotic Surgery, Colon & Rectal Cancer

W. CONAN MUSTAIN, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 936-5718 Sp: Colon & Rectal Cancer & Surgery, IBS Dermatology

JEFF ALEXANDER, MD

Jeff Alexander Dermatology (918) 494-8333 Sp: Skin Cancer, Facial Rejuvenation

PAMELA S. ALLEN, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6110 Sp: Cosmetic Dermatology

LYNN A. ANDERSON, MD

Midtown Dermatology, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 728-3100 Sp: Cosmetic Dermatology, Acne & Rosacea

TIFFANY BRAZEAL, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 280-7546 Sp: Cosmetic Dermatology

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

SHELBI HAYES, MD

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

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

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

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

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

KELLI ANN LOVELACE, MD Tulsa Dermatology Clinic (918) 749-2261

Sp: Botox

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

GEORGE WASHINGTON MONKS, MD Tulsa Dermatology Clinic (918) 749-2261 Sp: Skin Cancer, Psoriasis

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 Sp: Musculoskeletal Imaging, Interventional Radiology

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

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

MARY Z. BAKER, MD Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1000 Sp: Diabetes, Osteoporosis

DAVID W. HARRIS, MD Warren Clinic, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 497-3140 Sp: Diabetes Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

IVAN WAYNE, MD W Aesthetics (405) 748-5950 Sp: Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Rhinoplasty

Family Medicine

ANDREA M. ADAMS, DO Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 291-5200 Sp: Primary Care

CLAUDIA E. CEA, MD Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 392-7500 Sp: Primary Care, Family Medicine

STEPHEN E. CONNERY, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 329-0121 Sp: Primary Care

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

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

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

RACHEL M. FRANKLIN, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4311 Sp: Primary Care, Women's Health

KYLE B. FRENCH, MD

INTEGRIS Health Family Care South, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 425-8190 Sp: Primary Care

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

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

CHITRALEKHA KATHURIA, MD Saint Francis Hospital South, Warren Clinic (918) 307-5525 Sp: Primary Care, Adolescent Medicine

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

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

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

Gastroenterology

JAVID FAZILI, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3445 Sp: Liver Disease, Transplant Medicine

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

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

AMIR RUMMAN, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3445 Sp: Pancreatic/Biliary Endoscopy, Pancreatic & Biliary Disease

GEORGE SALEM, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 359-5229 Sp: Ulcerative Colitis/Crohn’s, IBS

HARVEY A. TATUM, MD Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 582-6544 Sp: Crohn’s Disease, Hepatitis C

WILLIAM M. TIERNEY, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3445 Sp: Endoscopic Ultrasound, Colon Cancer Gynecologic Oncology

MICHAEL A. GOLD, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200 Sp: Ovarian, Uterine & Cervical Cancer

LAURA HOLMAN, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8707

CAMILLE G. JACKSON, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 749-7023

ROBERT S. MANNEL, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-8707 Sp: Laparoscopic Surgery, Gynecologic Cancers

DARON G. STREET, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200 Sp: Cervical Cancer Hospice & Palliative Medicine

ROBERTO SALINAS, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4311 Infectious Disease

DOUGLAS A. DREVETS, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-6434 Sp: Infections-CNS, HIV/AIDS

DAVID N. SCHECK, MD Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3875 Sp: HIV/AIDS

SARAH ANDREWS, DO Hillcrest Hospital South, Hillcrest Medical Center (918)

Doctor profiles by Rebecca Fast & Tracy LeGrand Health boxes by Rebecca Fast

Physician photos courtesy the doctors' respective health systems

TOP DOCTORS

Yogesh Mittal, M.D.

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

THE ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER, ASCENSION ST. JOHN HEALTH SYSTEM TULSA

Rather than listen to music or a podcast during his morning commute, orthopedic surgeon Yogesh Mittal, M.D., contemplates surgeries and prays to “bring my best self into every patient room.”

Mittal says he chose orthopedics “because of the hands-on nature of the specialty. I get to take an active role in placing implants, manipulating joints and using state-of-the-art tools to craft a patient’s outcome to their anatomy and their lifestyle. Orthopedics also feeds my passion for implementing robotics and AI technology for joint replacements, joint revisions and injury repairs.”

Mittal, known as the top robotically assisted hip and knee joint replacement surgeon in the world, trains other surgeons around the country on computer-assisted navigation and robotic surgical techniques.

“I am fortunate enough to have been in top level discussions about this technology and how it can better serve the surgeon and, ultimately, the patient. Surgeons are uniquely positioned into peoples’ lives for a very short, yet very impactful amount of time. We are there to be a solution for a problem, but we are in an industry that has to make the pain temporarily worse for it to get better. Walking alongside a patient with the heightened emotions that are involved in the pre-op and post-op process gives us a deep understanding of our patients, and a bond that can last the rest of the patient’s life.”

With so much new technology in the works, Mittal says the future is bright for those with bone issues.

“The customization of implants to the patient’s anatomy is improving outcomes exponentially, and we have only scratched the surface on what possibilities are out there." – TL

MICHAEL GEBETSBERGER, MD Hillcrest Hospital South, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 392-5600 Sp: Primary Care, Alzheimer's Disease

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

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

JUNE P. IVEY, MD

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

MARTINA J. JELLEY, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital South (918) 619-4100 Sp: Primary Care, Preventive Medicine

ADRIENNE E. KESINGER, MD INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 425-8150 Sp: Primary Care, Newborn Care

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

THOMAS H. MERRILL, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 329-0121 Sp: Primary Care, Geriatric Medicine

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

SCOTT T. SHEPHERD, DO Oak Street Health (918) 400-7002 Sp: Primary Care

GEORGE TARDIBONO, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health (405) 271-3445 Sp: Primary Care, Weight Management Interventional Cardiology

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

NAJI E. KARAM, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 272-8477 Sp: Echocardiography

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

FAISAL LATIF, MD

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

Maternal & Fetal Medicine

CHARLES P. MIRABILE, JR., MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, The Perinatal Center (405) 748-4726 Sp: High-Risk Pregnancy

JOHN R. STANLEY III, MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, The Perinatal Center (405) 748-4726 Sp: High-Risk Pregnancy

Medical Oncology

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

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

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

MICHAEL JOSEPH KEEFER, MD Mercy Hospital (405) 751-4343 Sp: Hematology

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

EDWIN L. MCCREARY, MD Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3850 Sp: Hematology

ALI H. MOUSSA, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200 Sp: Leukemia & Lymphoma

AMARA NANDIKOLLA, MD Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3850 Sp: Hematology

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

JENNIFER O’STASIK, MD Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3850 Sp: Hematology

WAJEEHA RAZAQ, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-7226 Sp: Breast Cancer

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

CHARLES TAYLOR, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200 Sp: Leukemia & Lymphoma, Solid Tumors

ALEDA TOMA, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, Cancer Specialists of Oklahoma (405) 942-9200 Sp: Breast Cancer

LESLIE K. WALKER, MD Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-3850 Sp: Hematology

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 Sp: Kidney Stones

BENJAMIN D. COWLEY, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3445 Sp: Polycystic Kidney Disease, Transplant Medicine

JOSE EL-AMM, MD INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute (405) 949-3816 Sp: Transplant Medicine-Kidney

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

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

SUDHIR K. KHANNA, MD INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Kidney Specialists of Central Oklahoma (405) 942-5442

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

Neurological Surgery

SHON W. COOK, MD Keyhole Brain & Spine, Community Hospital South Campus, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 310-6977 Sp: Neurovascular Surgery, Brain Tumors

CAPLE SPENCE, MD INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 553-0500 Sp: Brain Tumors, Cerebrovascular Disease

Stress Management

Having a stressful day or week is a normal part of life. But when it becomes long-term, known as chronic stress, it can impact one's health.

Physical reactions to stress can include headaches, stomach problems, poor sleep and difficulty concentrating. Learning ways to cope with day-to-day challenges can help manage symptoms. Seek out ways to care for your mind and body. Simple breathing exercises, a walk outdoors or a pause from social media can provide mental breaks. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can support healthy sleep patterns, and adults should try to reach seven or more hours per night of sleep. Regular exercise along with a balanced diet also goes a long way in managing and relieving stress.

- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Neurology

EDUARDO A. DE SOUSA, MD

Mercy Hospital (405) 302-2661 Sp: Electromyography (EMG), Neuromuscular Disorders

BHRUGAV G. RAVAL, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3635 Sp: Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders

Obstetrics & Gynecology

MARILYN APPIAH, DO Norman Regional Hospital, Care for Women (405) 793-2229

JOHN MARTIN BEAL, DO Tulsa OB-GYN Associates, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital (918) 747-9641

JOHN L. CHERRY, DO Norman Regional Hospital, Care for Women (405) 793-2229 Sp: Women’s Health, Pregnancy

GRANT R. COX, MD

OB-GYN Specialists of Tulsa, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 712-8700 Sp: Infertility, Gynecologic Surgery

KIMBERLY J. FLETCHER, DO INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 713-7403 Sp: Hospital Medicine

KATHLEEN HEFFRON, MD

Hillcrest Medical Center, The Women's Health Group (918) 293-6200 Sp: Gynecology Only

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

DAPHNE L. LASHBROOK, MD

Norman Regional Hospital, Women's Healthcare of Norman (405) 360-1264 Sp: Hormonal Disorders, Robotic Hysterectomy

HODA MAAROUF, MD

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

ANDREA J. MILLER, DO INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center, (405) 425-8162

KATHLEEN MOORE, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Women's Moore (405) 271-8707

LESA MULLIGAN, MD Norman Regional Hospital (405) 364-0643

SUMEETA NANDA, MD

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

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

LYDIA D. NIGHTINGALE, MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Variety Care (405) 632-6688 Sp: Gynecology Only

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

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

MUKESH T. PAREKH, MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Northwest Obstetrics and Gynecology (405) 943-6288 Sp: High-Risk Pregnancy, Pelvic Organ Prolapse Repair

NIMISH PAREKH, MD

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

KAREN SARGENT, MD Variety Care (405) 632-6688 Sp: Adolescent Gynecology, Menopausal Management

LISA RENEE WATERMAN, DO Norman Regional Hospital, Women's Healthcare of Norman (405) 360-1264

Ophthalmology

ANN ACERS-WARN, MD

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

Foodborne Illnesses

ANDREW K. BAILEY, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-6060 Sp: Glaucoma, Cataract Surgery

RAY M. BALYEAT, MD

The Eye Institute, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 749-2220 Sp: Retina/Vitreous Surgery, Retinal Disorders

JOHN M. BELL, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-1090

Sp: Cataract Surgery

SANDEEP BHATIA, MD

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

REAGAN BRADFORD, JR., MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-1092

Sp: Retina/Vitreous Surgery, Retinal Disorders

TODD A. BROCKMAN, MD

The Eye Institute (918) 742-5513 Sp: Cataract Surgery

BRIAN KEITH FIRESTONE, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-6060 Sp: Eye Tumors/Cancer, Intraocular Lens

LAYNE E. GOETZINGER, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-1090

Sp: Cataract Surgery

MARC A. GOLDBERG, MD

The Eye Institute, Ascension St.

John Medical Center (918) 584-4433

Sp: Cornea & External Eye Disease, PRK-Refractive Surgery

BEN J. HARVEY, MD

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

Sp: Glaucoma, Cataract Surgery

RALPH B. HESTER, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute (405) 271-9500 Sp: Cataract Surgery, LASIK-Refractive Surgery

Andrea Miller, D.O.

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY INTEGRIS HEALTH

OKLAHOMA CITY

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports approximately 48 million cases of foodborne illness in the United States each year. The most common causes are bacteria (salmonella, listeria and E. coli) and viruses (norovirus, clostridium perfringens and campylobacter).

Symptoms of an upset stomach, vomiting and/or diarrhea can begin within hours or several days after consuming the contaminated food. While most people have a mild case, some can be severe. It’s estimated about 128,000 Americans are hospitalized and 3,000 die every year from foodborne illnesses. To avoid a foodborne illness when cooking at home, it’s recommended to wash your hands and surfaces often, separate raw items to avoid cross-contamination, cook foods at the correct internal temperatures and promptly refrigerate leftovers.

- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Andrea Miller, D.O., says she’s always had an interest in maternal care and women’s health – and it’s this passion that led her to become an OB/GYN.

“I love caring for women as they are expanding their families and helping women stay healthy and well while they navigate the different stages of their lives,” she says

She received her medical degree and training through Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been with INTEGRIS Health since 2013. Her typical work day can include surgeries and deliveries as well as seeing patients in the clinic, and may also involve being ‘on-call’ during nights and weekends.

“My schedule is often fluid, and being able to pivot is necessary,” she says. “For generalist OB/GYNs, we take care of a wide variety of issues including pregnancy, some fertility testing and treatment, and a wide variety of gynecologic concerns including hormone therapy.”

She says areas where there have been new developments in treatment include more therapy options for vaginal bleeding and endometriosis – conditions that can greatly alter the quality of a woman’s life.

When asked what part of her career is the most fulfilling, for her, it’s difficult to say.

“Every time I deliver a baby, it is rewarding … and every time I can help someone feel better or fix what needs to be fixed, it is rewarding,” she says. “It’s very hard to actually come up with a most rewarding part.” – RF

TOP DOCTORS

Tho Dinh Le, M.D. CARDIOLOGY

SAINT FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM TULSA

With more than 40 years experience, cardiologist Tho Dinh Le, M.D., says he’s always found the heart to be a fascinating organ and was particularly drawn to the field of cardiology due to his family history.

“There is a higher incidence of heart disease in Southeast Asians, and my father passed away at an early age, in his 50s, because of a heart attack,” he says.

During his career, Le has seen many new advancements of therapies and technologies for cardiology treatments that have allowed people to live longer and have a better quality of life. Coronary interventions, cardiac catheterization labs and valve replacement without open heart surgery are just a few examples.

“In cardiology, there’s certain things we can do that make people better very quickly – like putting in a stent or a pacemaker when needed – and in 24 to 48 hours, there can be a 180 degrees turn around in one’s clinical condition,” he says, adding that it’s rewarding to be able to diagnose conditions, help people improve their health, and experience the longevity of patient care.

“If someone’s had a heart attack or has a heart condition, you see them for the rest of their life to monitor their heart, so it’s a long-term relationship with patients,” says Le. “When you’ve seen a patient for 10, 15 or 20 years, that relationship is invaluable, and I think those are the things that are most rewarding over time within cardiology.”

– RF

ERIN L. HOLLOMAN, MD

Oculoplastic Surgeons of Oklahoma (405) 521-0041 Sp: Oculoplastic Surgery

DAVID W. JACKSON, MD

Summit Medical Center, Oklahoma Eye Associates (405) 286-2688 Sp: Cataract Surgery, LASIK-Refractive Surgery

MAHMOUD KHAIMI, MD

Summit Medical Center, Glaucoma Surgeons of Oklahoma (405) 920-5222 Sp: Glaucoma

CAROLYN E. KLOEK, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-6060 Sp: Cataract Surgery

MARIA E. LIM, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-6060 Sp: Amblyopia, Glaucoma & Cataract-Pediatric

ANDREW T. MELSON, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-6060 Sp: Neuro-Ophthalmology, Cataract Surgery

**AMAN MITTAL, MD Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-6060 Sp: Cornea & External Eye Disease, Cataract Surgery

REBECCA K. MORGAN, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-1793 Sp: Low Vision

SUMIT K. NANDA, MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Summit Medical Center, Oklahoma Retinal Consultants (405) 948-2020 Sp: Retinal Disorders, Diabetic Eye Disease

ANIL D. PATEL, MD

Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-1091

Sp: Neuro-Ophthalmology

ENSA PILLOW, MD

Oculoplastic Surgeons of Oklahoma (405) 521-0041 Sp: Oculoplastic Surgery

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

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

JAMES M. RICHARD, MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Children's Eye Care (405) 751-2020 Sp: Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus-Adult & Pediatric

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

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

RHEA L. SIATKOWSKI, MD Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-1095 Sp: Cornea Transplant, Trauma R. MICHAEL SIATKOWSKI, MD Dean McGee Eye Institute, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-1094 Sp: Pediatric Ophthalmology, Neuro-Ophthalmology

GREGORY L. SKUTA, MD Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma Health Center (405) 271-1093 Sp: Glaucoma

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

DIANA TAMBOLI, MD Tamboli Eyelid and Facial Plastic Surgery, Summit Medical Center (405) 708-7876 Sp: Cosmetic Surgery-Eyes, Oculoplastic Surgery

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

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

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

THOMAS C. WOLF, MD Wolf & Associates, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 562-2036 Sp: Corneal Disease

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

Orthopaedic Surgery

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

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

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

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

ARTHUR CONLEY, MD Sonospine, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (405) 445-0155 Sp: Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery

CHAD E. CRAWLEY, DO Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 579-2300 Sp: Hip & Knee Surgery

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

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

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

RANDALL L. HENDRICKS, MD Advanced Orthopedics of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 494-2665 Sp: Spinal Surgery, Arthroscopic Surgery

Hypertension

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Hypertension occurs when the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels is consistently too high.

If left untreated, hypertension can lead to life-threatening problems such as heart attack and stroke. Known as a ‘silent killer,’ high blood pressure typically has no signs or symptoms. Instead, it’s necessary to have your blood pressure measured by a healthcare professional to record your systolic blood pressure (the upper number) and diastolic blood pressure (the lower number). Current recommendations for an ideal or normal blood pressure is 120/80.

- American Heart Association

TOP DOCTORS

Ivan Wayne, M.D.

FACIAL PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY W AESTHETICS

OKLAHOMA CITY

At the forefront of plastic surgery’s advancement, Ivan Wayne, M.D., is pioneering innovative techniques as medical science transforms the specialty – with remarkable breakthroughs seen recently. His educational background includes medical school at the University of Iowa, followed by a residency in New York and a prestigious facial plastic surgery fellowship at the University of Miami. After receiving this extensive training, he established W Aesthetics in Oklahoma City – a practice devoted exclusively to surgery of the face and neck.

“The evolution of facial rejuvenation has been a big deal in the last couple of years, with many people turning away from fillers and lasers and opting instead for a more natural result from a deep plane facelift,” says Wayne

He and his team have refined this technique, developing an innovative procedure called the “W lift,” which delivers a more natural outcome with minimal bruising and a faster recovery period

Wayne’s passion for his specialty stems from its complexity and its long-lasting effects.

“I always found the detailed anatomy of the face and neck fascinating,” he says. “The ability to impact a patient’s life by restoring facial appearance, whether from an injury, cancer, surgery or simply reversing some of the effects of aging, is incredibly rewarding. As my practice has matured, I have narrowed my focus to aesthetic concerns of nose, face and neck.”

– TL

THOMAS P. LEHMAN, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 271-2663 Sp: Trauma, Hand Surgery

KYLE MCGIVERN, DO Sonospine, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 445-0155 Sp: Hip & Knee Replacement

YOGESH MITTAL, MD The Orthopaedic Center, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 582-6800 Sp: Hip & Knee Replacement, Robotic Surgery

ANDREW B. PARKINSON, MD Oklahoma Spine Hospital, Orthopaedic Spine Associates (405) 463-3370 Sp: Spinal Surgery, Spinal Deformity

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

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

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

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

THOMAS K. TKACH, MD McBride Orthopedic Hospital (405) 2309270 Sp: Joint Reconstruction Otolaryngology

BLAKE L. ANDERSON, MD Hillcrest Hospital South, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 459-8824 Sp: Ear Disorders, Nasal & Sinus Disorders

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

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

KEITH F. CLARK, MD, PH.D SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, ENT Medical Group (405) 272-6027 Sp: Airway Reconstruction, Voice Disorders

Costochondritis

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

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

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

JEREMY A. MOORE, MD

Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 364-2666

CHRISTOPHER A. PASKOWSKI, MD Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates, Norman Regional Hospital (405) 364-2666 Sp: Pediatric & Adult Otolaryngology, Nasal & Sinus Disorders

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

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

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

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

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

Pain Medicine

RITA M. HANCOCK, MD Community Hospital South Campus, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 900-5300 Sp: Pain Management, Pain-Musculoskeletal

AHMAD KHATTAB, DO Saint Francis Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital South, Warren Clinic (918) 307-3110 Sp: Interventional Pain Management

ATUL A. WALIA, DO INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital (405) 945-4359 Sp: Pain Management, Pain-Chronic

TRACI L. WHITE, MD

Pain Management of Tulsa, Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital (918) 447-9300

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

Pathology

KAR-MING A. FUNG, MD, PH.D OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, (405) 271-5653 Sp: Neuro-Pathology

Pediatric Cardiology

EDWARD D. OVERHOLT, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Mercy Hospital (405) 271-5530 Sp: Arrhythmias, Interventional Cardiology

Pediatric Endocrinology

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

Pediatric

Gastroenterology

MUHAMMAD ADNAN ALTAF, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Mercy Hospital (405) 271-6549 Sp: Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders

Pediatric HematologyOncology

ASHLEY BAKER, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Jimmy Everest Center (405) 2714412 Sp: Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment, Sickle Cell Disease

RENE Y. MCNALL-KNAPP, MD Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health, Jimmy Everest Center (405) 2714412 Sp: Brain Tumors, Neuro-Oncology

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

Pediatric Pulmonology

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

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

Pediatric Surgery

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

A common cause of chest pain, costochondritis is inflammation in the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone or sternum. It’s estimated that one third of patients who seek medical attention for chest pain or rib pain have costochondritis.

There’s no single cause for the condition but it may develop from repeated stress or microtraumas on the ribs. These may occur from chest or rib injuries, chest infections, coughing or vomiting too hard, or intense physical activity.

While both children and adults can develop costochondritis, it most commonly affects adults aged 40 to 50. Fortunately, most cases resolve after a few weeks of resting the chest and ribcage.

- Cleveland Clinic

Congratulations to our top doctors at INTEGRIS Health.

Our mission is partnering with people to live healthier lives—and our physicians are at the core of that partnership.

We are privileged to have such accomplished and dedicated physicians to work alongside and partner with to carry out our mission. From all of us at INTEGRIS Health, we extend our appreciation for all you do for our patients.

Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (EOOMS) is committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive oral surgery care. Our surgeons, Todd Johnson, Gregory Segraves, Heath Evans, Chris Ray, Cody Mumma and Kipley Powell are diplomats of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Common procedures provided include wisdom tooth extractions, dental implants and bone grafting. Our specialists have extensive training in outpatient anesthesia and jaw reconstruction.

For patients’ convenience, most of the group’s services are performed in the EOOMS offices. With convenient locations in Broken Arrow, Owasso and Muskogee, EOOMS proudly serves Eastern Oklahoma and surrounding areas. Our offices are certified for outpatient anesthesia and the staff have advanced training to provide safe and comfortable care.

The EOOMS staff is a committed group of employees striving to achieve the highest standard of care. Additionally, our surgeons provide oral and maxillofacial surgical services at Hillcrest Hospital South and are clinical assistant professors at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry.

TOP DOCTORS

Wajeeha Razaq, M.D.

HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY

OU HEALTH STEPHENSON CANCER CENTER OKLAHOMA CITY

Wajeeha Razaq, M.D., says nothing brings her more joy than seeing her patients return to their normal routines after navigating the challenges of chemotherapy and breast cancer treatment.

“Some patients I treated during their pregnancies, and seeing them back with their kids, planning their soccer or basketball games, is priceless,” she says. “I also have very fond memories of patients who passed away, and I still hold on to the cards they wrote for me. I love what I do and always come to the clinic with a positive attitude.”

Drawn to the opportunity of building a comprehensive breast program and advanced research with OU Health, Razaq joined Stephenson Cancer Center in 2012 and has since led numerous clinical trials, secured research grants and established a thriving practice in Oklahoma City.

“It’s fascinating to collaborate on brand new ideas to develop leading-edge treatments for the future,” she says. “This field is ever changing with new and improved medications and procedures. As an oncologist, I have to be up-to-date on all the new research so I can provide the best plan to my patients.”

She says every year, the FDA approves new and refined medications; surgical and radiation techniques are becoming more targeted; and proton therapy is being introduced.

“There are many potent drugs in the pipeline, and I’m hoping they will get approved in the next year or so,” says Razaq. “I have a number of clinical trials open at Stephenson Cancer Center and have access to these new drugs that are waiting to be approved by the FDA.” – RF

Pediatric Urology

DOMINIC C. FRIMBERGER, MD OU Health - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, 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 Sp: Neurogenic Bladder, Bladder Exstrophy

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

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

Pediatrics

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

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

REBA A. BEARD, MD Norman Regional Hospital (405) 9123100 Sp: Primary Care

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SHEELA VARDEY, MD Hillcrest Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital (918) 574-0150 Sp: Primary Care

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

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

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

Plastic Surgery

PAUL R. CALLEGARI, MD Saint Francis Hospital, Ascension St. John Medical Center (918) 494-8200 Sp: Body Contouring after Weight Loss, Hand Surgery

CHRISTIAN EL AMM, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, (405) 271-4864 Sp: 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 Sp: Cosmetic Surgery-Body, Liposuction & Body Contouring

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

Pulmonary Disease

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

Radiation Oncology

OZER ALGAN, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-5641 Sp: Brain Tumors, Genitourinary Cancer

SHRIPAL K. BHAVSAR, MD INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 773-6400

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

JOHN HAN-CHIH CHANG, MD Oklahoma Proton Center, INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center (405) 259-4831 Sp: Proton Beam Therapy, Pediatric Cancers

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

JOSHUA D. GARREN, MD, PH.D

Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200 Sp: Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer

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

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

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

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

M. CONNIE NGUYEN, MD Oklahoma Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (918) 505-3200 Sp: Stereotactic Radiosurgery

KIRAN PRABHU, MD INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center (405) 552-0490 Sp: Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery

J. SPENCER THOMPSON, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-5641 Sp: Gynecologic Cancers, Pediatric Cancers

Reproductive

Endocrinology/Infertility

HEATHER R. BURKS, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1616 Sp: Infertility-IVF, Ovarian Failure

LATASHA B. CRAIG, MD OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, (405) 271-1616 Sp: Miscarriage-Recurrent, Ovarian Failure

MICHAEL BLAKE EVANS, DO OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1616

KARL R. HANSEN, MD, PH.D OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-1616 Sp: Infertility-IVF, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

ROBERT A. WILD, MD, PH.D OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, (405) 271-5239 Sp: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Liver Health

As the largest internal organ in the body, the liver is an unassuming superhero, as it performs more than 500 vital functions while also being the only organ to regenerate itself after damage.

The liver filters the body’s blood, removing toxins and waste, makes bile that helps the body digest food, and produces proteins and hormones the body needs.

To support a healthy liver, the American Liver Foundation recommends maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains as well as maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise. It’s also essential to limit your alcohol intake, vaccinate for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and know the risks of liver damage associated with certain medications as well as herbal and dietary supplements.

- American Liver Foundation

Rheumatology

MANUEL J. CALVIN, MD

Saint Francis Hospital, Warren Clinic (918) 495-2685 Sp: Autoimmune Disease, Arthritis

**JOHN GOETZINGER, MD

Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma, Community Hospital South (405) 608-8060

LATISHA HEINLEN, MD

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

MICHAEL A. MALLOY, MD

Saint Francis Hospital, Warren Clinic (918) 495-2685 Sp: Autoimmune Disease

IRA N. TARGOFF, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Oklahoma City VA Medical Center (405) 271-3445 Sp: Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis

AIKATERINI (KATHERINE) THANOU, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-3445 Sp: Autoimmune Disease, Lupus/SLE

AMANDA TITUS, MD

Rheumatology Associates of Oklahoma, Community Hospital South, Northwest Surgical Hospital (405) 608-8060 Sp: Arthritis, Autoimmune Disease

Sports Medicine

LAMONT E. CAVANAGH, MD Hillcrest Medical Center, OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (918) 619-4600 Sp: Primary Care Sports Medicine, Family Medicine

BRIAN R. COLEMAN, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-4311 Sp: Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Sports Medicine

SEETHAL R. MADHAVARAPU, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital (405) 218-2530 Sp: Musculoskeletal Injuries, Fractures

Surgery

MORGAN BONDS, MD

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

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

EUGENE DICKENS, MD

Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 599-8200 Sp: Hernia, General Surgery

CHRISTOPHER W. LENTZ, MD

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

FERNANDO MIER GIRAUD, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-9448 Sp: Gastrointestinal Metabolic Surgery, Bariatric/Obesity Surgery

ALEXANDER RAINES, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, OU Health Edmond Medical Center (405) 271-1400 Sp: Hernia, Gallbladder Surgery

LOYAL STIERLEN, DO

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

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

Surgical Oncology

NICOLE SHARP COTTRELL, MD

INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center, Lakeside Women’s Hospital (405) 552-0400 Sp: Breast Cancer & Surgery, Breast Disease

BARISH H. EDIL, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-1632 Sp: Pancreatic Cancer, Minimally Invasive Surgery

DENISE L. RABLE, MD

Norman Regional Hospital, Lakeside Women’s Hospital, The Oklahoma Breast Center (405) 307-2623 Sp: 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 Sp: Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery

JOHN D. RANDOLPH, MD

Oklahoma Heart Hospital North, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South (405) 608-3800 Sp: Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Valve Surgery

AJIT K. THARAKAN, MD

Oklahoma Heart Institute, Hillcrest Medical Center (918) 749-6400 Sp: Heart Valve Surgery, Lung Surgery

Urogynecology/Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery

LIESCHEN QUIROZ, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center (405) 271-9493 Sp: Incontinence-Urinary, Pelvic Floor Disorders

Urology

ROBERT BRUCE, MD

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

MICHAEL S. COOKSON, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-4088 Sp: Urologic Cancer, Bladder Cancer

PAUL GUY HAGOOD, MD Hillcrest Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital South (918) 579-3130

JONATHAN HEINLEN, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-4088 Sp: Prostate Cancer, Kidney Cancer

SCOTT E. LITWILLER, MD

Urologic Specialists of Oklahoma, Ascension St. John Medical Center, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital (918) 7498765 Sp: Urogynecology, Incontinence

SANJAY PATEL, MD

OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, Stephenson Cancer Center (405) 271-4088

MOHAMMAD RAMADAN, MD

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma City VA Medical Center (405) 772-4533 Sp: Urologic Cancer, Robotic Surgery

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

Newborn Health

For first-time parents, caring for a newborn can be a mixture of joy and fear. The first few days, weeks and months can feel overwhelming. While learning how to care for your baby, it’s also important to recognize potential health issues.

That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies receive checkups at birth, three to five days after birth, and then checkups at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months, followed by regular checkups throughout the toddler stage and childhood.

Concerning symptoms to speak with your doctor about can include a poor appetite or vomiting, a decrease in urinating and/or bowel movements, as well as inconsolable crying and/ or changes in sleep patterns. Parents should seek immediate medical attention if their baby has a fever, fast breathing or makes wheezing, grunting or whistling sounds, which indicate breathing difficulties.

- American Academy of Pediatrics

Mohammad Ramadan, M.D.

UROLOGY

SSM HEALTH ST. ANTHONY OKLAHOMA CITY

In medical school, Mohammad Ramadan, M.D., discovered he had a penchant for surgery, an interest that led him to the field of urology for its blend of both medical and surgical patient management and its long-term patient care.

“There are a wide variety of disease states and procedures to help patients in urology, and the field is often at the forefront of technology and innovation in medicine,” he says. “I have a passion for minimally invasive surgery, particularly robotic surgery, and have been very fortunate to introduce single-port robotic surgery to the state of Oklahoma and to SSM. I am also passionate about the management of malignancy in urology.”

Ramadan says the gratitude he receives from helping patients is the reward for long days – and it never feels repetitive or mundane.

“Patients come to our clinic or hospital in a vulnerable state and look to our team to help them with something that they can’t otherwise fix themselves or with their [primary care provider],” he says. “I often get to help treat a diagnosis of cancer, aid a patient through a urologic emergency, or help improve their quality of life. It’s a blessing to be able to impact people’s lives in a positive way on a daily basis and I am blessed to be able to do so with a great team.”

He also notes that the field of urology is comprehensive – providing treatment for the genitourinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, prostate, penis, testes and adrenal glands.

“It’s more than just treatment of kidney stones and prostate issues; we treat cancer in all of these organs,” he says. “Also, we treat men and women. It is a common misnomer that we only treat kidney stones, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.” – RF

ADVENTURE AWAITS

Oklahoma’s centralized location makes it easy for summer travelers to fan out in any direction and find a city that offers great scenery, kidfriendly attractions, culture, history and world-class dining experiences. We offer city suggestions in our neighboring states for the perfect summer getaway.

By Kimberly Burk

Colorado Springs, Colorado

KO C » COLORADOSPR I N SG 592 miles

Also known as “America’s Mountain,” PIKES PEAK in Colorado Springs is one of the most-visited summits on the planet. You can drive, hike or bike the Pikes Peak Highway, catch a shuttle or ride the cog railway to the top, where a visitor center and stunning views await.

The Pikes Peak Railway is owned by THE BROADMOOR, a luxury resort that offers single rooms, suites, cottages, the Brownstones for a residential experience and a 12,000-square-foot estate house. Activities at or near the resort include ziplines, falconry, mountain biking, golf, tennis, pickleball, swimming, fishing, mountain climbing, hiking, the Seven Falls waterfall park and raft tours.

“Once people stay with us, they are pretty much hooked,” says Krista Heinicke, director of public relations for

the renowned resort.

Another mustsee in Colorado Springs is the U.S. OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC MUSEUM, Heinicke says.

“The museum is phenomenal,” Heinicke says. “It has the largest collection of medals from the Olympic games, and torches. The design itself is really spectacular.”

THE U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY is a beautiful campus with a newly rebuilt visitor center, Heinicke says. She also recommended driving through or hiking at the Garden of the Gods with its red sandstone rock formations.

THE CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO, situated on a mountainside overlooking Colorado Springs, features more than 30 species of endangered animals. Visitors can soar over their favorite animal exhibits and take in breathtaking views of the city below on the Mountaineer Sky Ride.

Top-billed restaurants in Colorado Springs include The Rabbit Hole, Shuga’s and Four by Brother Luck.

Pikes Peak Railway, Colorado Springs; this and below photo courtesy Visit Colorado Springs

The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs; photo courtesy the Broadmoor

Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs

Omaha, Nebraska

miles

The city of Omaha is in the midst of a development boom, “with over $9 billion in development happening,” says Jasmyn Goodwin, vice president of marketing and communication for Visit Omaha. “It’s completely reshaping the visitor experience.”

The 73-acre RIVERFRONT combines three parks in the heart of downtown Omaha, serving as a gathering space between the historic Old Market and north downtown.

“These are stunning parks,” Goodwin says. “There are hammocks, firepits and massive playgrounds. There are dog parks, art installations, a pavilion for live shows, and popup events and festivals. You end up right on the (Missouri) riverfront for

the KIEWIT LUMINARIUM, a STEM discovery center with more than 100 interactive exhibits.”

THE OLD MARKET ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT features “quirky shopping, boutiques, antiques and lots of chefrun restaurants. A streetcar is coming in 2028 to connect the midtown area with the downtown area. I like to say it’s an accessible and affordable adventure.”

Omaha’s JOSLYN ART MUSEUM has reopened “after a massive expansion and renovation,” Goodwin says. “It has a gorgeous, glass-enclosed atrium. The museum, a pink marble masterpiece, offers over 5,000 years of human creativity.”

THE HENRY DOORLY ZOO AND AQUARIUM, Goodwin says, “is ranked as one of the world’s best zoos.”

The 160-acre property, dedicated to worldwide conservation, features the world’s largest indoor desert and the largest indoor rainforest in North America.

THE CHARLES SCHWAB FIELD is

the venue for the men’s college world series, which Goodwin says has been held in Omaha since 1950. The world’s largest Little League tournament is also held in Omaha during June, and it’s a great month for Omaha’s many sports-themed restaurants and bars and grills.

Omaha was founded on a plateau on the west bank of the Missouri River, and a crossing called Lone Tree Ferry earned the city its nickname, the GATEWAY TO THE WEST. It hosted the World’s Fair in 1898.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

The art, the architecture, the scenery, the shopping, the food: Santa Fe has it all. And visitors will find something new this summer, too.

“THE RAILYARD DISTRICT is finally really bustling,” with restaurants, breweries, SKY RAILWAY scenic train rides and an ice cream shop, says Nicole Barker, media relations manager for the New Mexico Tourism Department.

Outdoor programming will happen all summer at the Railyard, and a Route 66 Centennial Festival Oct. 10-12 will include Americana music, an antique car show and a vintage souvenir market.

The artists under the portal at the PALACE OF THE GOVERNORS “is definitely one of the best spots in New Mexico to buy Native American jewelry,” Barker says. “You are able to talk to the artists and the artisans about the pieces you are interested in buying.”

The GEORGIA O’KEEFFE MUSEUM showcases her early work as a student and teacher, groundbreaking paintings from her time on the East Coast and artistic revelations from her years in New Mexico. Average viewing time is 60 minutes.

“Because you can go through it faster, it’s a great way to take kids to a museum,” Barker says. “You are not committed to a multi-hour situation.”

CANYON ROAD is lined with dozens of galleries, boutiques and eateries, along a half-mile, winding historic road.

SAN MIGUEL CHAPEL, first built in 1610 and with part of its original walls still standing, is the oldest Catholic church built in the United States, and is still used regularly for religious services. It is the centerpiece of the El Barrio de Analco National Register Historic District.

Santa Fe is the flagship location for the MEOW WOLF HOUSE OF ETERNAL RETURN, an immersive art experience.

“This is where all the creativity really was born. It’s a great place for families,” Barker says.

Tia Sophia’s is the birthplace of two New Mexico culinary traditions, Barker says: breakfast burritos and 'Christmas style,' which is using red and green chilis in the same dish.

At The Shed, “I recommend getting the blue corn tacos or green chili stew,” Barker says.

Plaza Café offers a stuffed sopapilla.

“It’s tradition to have sopapillas with honey, but there you can get it as a main dish with beef or chicken or a vegetarian version,” Barker says.

Historic Old Market, Omaha; both photos courtesy Visit Omaha

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, Omaha

The Plaza, Santa Fe

Meow Wolf, Santa Fe

Botanical Gardens, Santa Fe

Top and bottom photos courtesy Tourism Santa Fe; middle photo by Kate Russell courtesy of Meow Wolf

Scottsdale, Arizona

T

The city of Scottsdale “can tick all the boxes for whatever kind of vacation you’re looking for,” says Marjorie Magnusson, public relations manager for the Arizona Office of Tourism.

“It’s beautiful. It has activities for everybody. There are desert adventures, relaxing around the pool, golf, activities for the kids. Then you add the arts and all the outdoor recreation and the culinary options.”

THE ARIZONA BOARDWALK outdoes itself with eight marquee attractions: the ODYSEA AQUARIUM, BUTTERFLY WONDERLAND, The Science of Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, Laser + Mirror Maze, Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs, the Museum of Illusions, Cyber Quest and The UFO Experience.

Billing itself as “an effortless blend of urban chic and Old West charm,” OLD TOWN SCOTTSDALE is a collection of shops, restaurants, art galleries, museums and historic sites from the late 1880s. Magnusson is especially fond of the Native Art Market, which she says is “jampacked with all sorts of wonderfulness,” including jewelry, fine art and home décor items handcrafted by indigenous artists and artisans. It’s also a cultural center that offers Native music and dance performances.

Magnusson also raves about the MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MUSEUM, which is the world’s first global instrument museum.

“All museums know how long people stay, and the time people spend there exceeds all others,” Magnusson says. “You get headphones, stand in front of the exhibit, and a screen knows you are there and shows somebody playing the instrument.”

In the Experience Gallery, she says, visitors can touch and play instruments from cultures across the world.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert camp, TALIESIN WEST, is in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains. One of the most influential architects of our time, Wright shifted society’s ideas of how to live in balance with nature. Self-guided audio tours last about an hour.

For family-friendly dining, Magnusson recommended the Sugar Bowl, a retro diner with an ice cream parlor, Craft 64 artisan woodfired pizza and The Thumb, featuring hardwood-smoked barbecue.

For time in the outdoors, there’s the GATEWAY TRAILHEAD, the DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN, hot air balloon rides, kayaking and paddleboarding.

1,054 miles

Dallas, Texas

Oklahomans are warmly welcomed in Dallas, says Zane Harrington, director of communications for Visit Dallas.

“We know that Oklahomans are coming here, for the major sports teams, for concerts, for spending weekends here, for shopping and visiting our museums,” Harrington says. “It’s certainly a huge market for us.”

Dallas restaurants, Harrington says, “are really spectacular. We have a huge diversity of international cuisines and really good Texas cuisines. MEXICAN SUGAR is delicious for a Tex-Mex style.”

Rodeo Goat offers house-ground burgers every which way, Texas sides, cocktails and beer.

Terry Black’s BBQ bills itself as a “legendary, old-school mar-

OKC»DALLAS 206 miles

Desert Botanical Garden, Scottsdale; photo courtesy Desert Botanical Garden

Taliesin West, Scottsdale; photo by Andrew Pielage for Taliesin West

Gateway Trailhead, Scottsdale; photo courtesy Visit Scottsdale

Dallas Arts District

Dallas skyline; all Dallas photos courtesy Visit Dallas Dallas Arts District

Dallas Arboretum

ket style barbecue joint with pit smoked meats and housemade sides from famous fourth-generation pit masters.”

The city has the largest arts district in the United States, Harrington says, anchored by the CROW MUSEUM OF ASIAN ART of the University of Texas at Dallas, the DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART and the PEROT MUSEUM. All have interactive components or tours designed for children.

THE SIXTH FLOOR MUSEUM at Dealey Plaza, “is one of our most popular attractions,” Harrington says. “There’s still a line out the door most days of people waiting for tickets. It does a really good job of honoring President Kennedy’s legacy and all that he did around the Civil Rights Movement.”

John F. Kennedy’s assassination on Nov. 22, 1963, was “a tragic day in American history that sadly happened here in Dallas,” Harrington says.

REUNION TOWER has been a staple of the Dallas skyline since 1978. Its 259 exterior LED lights can be seen for miles, and from 470 feet up visitors can experience 360-degree panoramic views.

“There is a very good restaurant up there called Crown Block,” Harrington says.

The 66-acre DALLAS ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN features themed gardens and seasonal programming.

Bonus City:

Lewisville, Texas

50 minutes north of Dallas sits the hidden gem city of Lewisville, which offers entertainment options galore, alongside cultural offerings, dining and shopping.

See a show at the lauded LEWISVILLE GRAND THEATRE or venture to the LLELA NATURE PRESERVE. A city that places a great emphasis on music, you can enjoy year-round festivals and live music weekly.

A popular, can’t-miss event is LEWISVILLE WESTERN DAYS, which offers live music on six stages, plus the Padrino Foods World Tamale Eating Championship. The event, which typically takes place the last weekend in September, has an anticipated attendance of 20,00030,000 people over two days.

Wichita, Kansas

TULSA»WICHITA

Sunset is a special time of day in downtown Wichita, says Jenelle Holopirek, public relations director for Visit Wichita.

That’s when the Ring of Fire is lit at the KEEPER OF THE PLAINS, the 44-foot-tall steel sculpture created by the Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin. The monument stands at the point where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers join. The land is sacred to the Native American people and also home to the MID-AMERICA ALL-INDIAN MUSEUM.

“It’s just really beautiful,” Holopirek says of the nightly light show.

EXPLORATION PLACE, the Sedgwick County science museum, includes an interactive exhibit showcasing Wichita’s aviation history. Kansas in Miniature is a detailed mini representation of Kansas landmarks from the 1950s. Another permanent exhibit is Where Kids Rule: a three-story medieval castle with more than 60 STEMbased interactive exhibits.

THE SEDGWICK COUNTY ZOO is home to more than 3,000 animals and nearly 400 species grouped geographically in settings mimicking their natural habitats across the zoo’s 250 acres.

“The elephants at our zoo just had two new babies,” Holopirek says, and two other elephants are pregnant.

“This could go on until October,” Holopirek says, and it’s generating a lot of excitement. The African elephants weigh about 200 pounds at birth after a gestation of 22 months.

BOTANICA WICHITA offers more than 20 acres of gardens that feature over 4,000 species of plants, both native and new to the region. The gardens feature plants well-suited to south-central Kansas and are decorated with a collection of 50 sculptures, flowing streams, fountains and waterfalls.

“The botanical gardens are always gorgeous in the summer,” Holopirek says.

A favorite with locals and visitors alike is the WICKED BREW TOUR, a passport that invites people to visit 10 coffee shops or breweries and redeem the passport for a T-shirt.

“We have a lot of neat coffee shops,” Holopirek says.

Popular restaurants include the Monarch, George’s French Bistro and Prost. Holopirek also recommends Sandbox, a casual-food restaurant featuring sand volleyball courts, pickleball courts, plus cornhole and other yard games.

Sunset over Lewisville Lake, Lewisville

Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita; photo courtesy Visit Wichita

Keeper of the Plains, Wichita; photo courtesy Visit Wichita

Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita; photo by Timothy Larsen

Botanica Wichita; photo by Darrin Hackney

Monarch restaurant, Wichita; photo courtesy Visit Wichita

Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita; photo courtesy Visit Wichita

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Mike Maloney is the Eureka Springs director of tourism, and unabashedly proud of the beautiful little city nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. He speaks often in superlatives.

He refers to the Great Passion Play as “one of the most exciting and dramatic outdoor theaters in the United States. It is spectacular. It’s a true religious experience.”

The seven-story CHRIST OF THE OZARKS STATUE on the elevated grounds of the passion play has been one of the most-visited attractions in the Ozarks since it was completed in 1966. Also overlooking the town is the 1886 CRESCENT HOTEL & SPA, a resort hotel known as the “symbol of hospitality” for the state.

Eureka Springs, Maloney says, “is a mecca for marriage. We have 75 to 100 places where people can get married, in any type of venue they want: on horseback, on motorcycles, in a cathedral. We are the wedding capital of the South.”

A popular venue for nuptials is THORNCROWN CHAPEL, “a stunning piece of architecture, designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright,” Maloney says.

Eureka Springs boasts nearly 100 restaurants, most within walking distance of downtown. Favorites include the Grotto Wood-Fire Grill, Local Flavor Café and Emilio’s Italian Restaurant.

“We don’t have a theme park, we are a theme park,” Maloney says.

There are trails for hikers, trails for Jeepers, trails for horseback riders and trails for bicyclists.

“We are the mountain biking mecca of this part of the United States,” Maloney says. “There are 50 to 60 miles of trails. Some are extremely gentle, and some are almost vertical drops.”

Water sports enthusiasts are accommodated by Beaver Lake, Table Rock Lake, Kings River and the White River.

As for shopping, “we have a phenomenal collection of boutique retail, things you can’t buy anywhere else. We have jewelry, fine art, pottery, clothing, all made right here in Eureka Springs.”

A popular destination for families is the TURPENTINE CREEK WILDLIFE REFUGE, a nonprofit that rescues survivors of the exotic animal trade, with a focus on big cats and bears.

Branson, Missouri

The time-honored musical shows and other attractions are perennial favorites, but there’s always something new in Branson.

New this year at the Sight and Sound Theatre is “David,” the story of the biblical shepherd who became a king.

“It’s pretty epic,” says Ashlie Beede, vice president of marketing for the Branson/ Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor Bureau. “It’s a really awesome production.”

THE SILVER DOLLAR CITY theme park will be rolling out new festivals throughout the summer, Beede says.

“Butterfly Dreams” is a new part of the show at Dolly Parton’s STAMPEDE, a dinner and musical experience with thrilling horseback riding stunts.

“The horses have kind of a butterfly

TULSA»BRANSON 219 miles

Blue Springs Heritage Center, Eureka Springs; all ES photos courtesy Eureka Springs CAPC Ziplining; Eureka Springs

Showboat rides, Branson

Dolly Parton's Stampede, Branson

Thorncrown Chapel, Eureka Springs

Table Rock Lake, Branson; all Brason photos courtesy the Branson Chamber of Commerce

costume, and there’s an aerial artist in a butterfly costume,” Beede says.

THE SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS outdoor drama is celebrating its 65th anniversary, and a new dinner show at the theater is the Branson Comedy Bash, featuring “a collection of the best comics from Branson,” Beede says.

The Missouri Department of Conservation’s SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS CONSERVATION CENTER, located at the fish hatchery, has re-opened after being closed last year for an extensive renovation and upgrade.

Also getting a renovation is the BUTTERFLY PALACE, which offers a self-guided experience in a rainforest setting with more than 1,000 live exotic butterflies imported from their native countries.

Water sports and trout fishing are offered at TABLE ROCK LAKE and LAKE TANEYCOMO

Diners looking for an authentic Ozark cuisine enjoy the Farmhouse in historic downtown Branson, which is known for its cobblers and biscuits. Biscuits are also a staple at Branson Café, the town’s oldest diner.

“I think people love Branson because of our values,” Beede says. “We really embrace Ozark hospitality. It’s a place where families can feel safe. And you are never bored when you come to Branson.”

Discover

Table Rock Lake; Branson

Escape to the Lake

If you’re planning to stay in Oklahoma this summer, don’t you worry – there’s so much to do at the state’s various lakes. We outline some on-the-water activities to try, refresh your boating safety memory and offer vital info for boat and jet ski maintenance.

By Carol Mowdy Bond

On-the-Water Activities

Around Oklahoma, there are marinas and clubs aplenty, plus venues to enjoy your favorite on-the-water sport. Overholser Kayak Club in Bethany offers competitive youth paddling opportunities, along with Olympic and Paralympics training. Riversport OKC on the Oklahoma River presents guests with surfing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, tubing and team sports. Tippa Canoe on the Mountain Fork River near Broken Bow Lake rents everything needed for kayaking, canoeing and tubing.

Licensing isn’t usually required for non-motorized boating sports, but training and experience are often needed for participating at certain locations. Licensing for safety is recommended for scuba diving. For most activities, life jackets are a must. As well, dry bags keep personal items safe, including cell phones, sun protection, insect repellant, water bottles, sunglasses and clothing. A headlamp or flashlight is critical if you are caught on the water after dark.

Lake Tenkiller is the state’s deepest lake and is the “divers’ choice” due to its clear waters. Other major dive areas include Broken Bow Lake, Lake Murray and Chickasaw National Recreation Areas.

What do you need for Oklahoma water activities?

Surfers stand on a surfboard and catch a wave as it breaks toward shore.

Equipment:

• Surfboard & surfboard leash

• Wetsuit & fins

• Surf wax

Kayaking involves propelling a small narrow boat across water using a double-bladed paddle.

Equipment:

• Kayak

• Paddle

• Bilge pump

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) involves standing on a large, stable board and using a long paddle to propel yourself across water.

Equipment:

• SUP board

• SUP paddle

• Pump for inflatable SUP

• Fin(s)

• SUP leash

• Rescue whistle

Wakeboarding involves standing on a board while towed behind a motorboat across the wake.

Equipment:

• Wakeboard

• Rope with handles

• Bindings

• Helmet

Scuba divers breathe underwater using a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA).

Equipment:

• Buoyancy control device

• Regulator

• Mask & defog

• Snorkel & fins

• Wetsuit

• Surface marker buoy

Snorkeling involves floating or swimming near the water surface, and breathing through a snorkel while wearing a mask and fins.

Equipment:

• Mask & fins

• Snorkel

General Lake Safety

• Being in physical control of any vessel while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances is illegal. Alcohol is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities.

• You need a wearable PFD (Personal Flotation Device) for every person onboard your boat.

• Besides the driver, use a spotter for tow sports to en sure no one is left behind.

• Check all equipment and lake conditions before leaving.

• Keep engines off when people are in the water around your boat.

• Control your wake so as not to disturb others.

• Be aware of possible hazards and weather conditions.

• Respect water and beach closures.

• Use the buddy system.

• Think before diving.

• Avoid polluted or algae-affected water.

Boats and Jet Ski Maintenance

Proper maintenance extends a watercraft’s life. And remember, these devices are a major investment, so treat them as such!

The Boat Maintenance Checklist:

• Check batteries and battery cables before every outing.

• Use battery maintenance charger for extended periods of non-use.

• Replace battery every four to five seasons.

• Always use fuel with zero ethanol.

• Use a marine-specific fuel stabilizer to prevent oxidation and phase separation.

• Check engine oil before every outing.

• Remove propeller and check propshaft a few times a season.

• Learn the steps necessary to ‘winterize’ your boat and prepare the watercraft after the summer season is over.

The Jet Ski Maintenance Checklist:

• Consult the owner’s manual for model-specific procedures.

• At least once annually, change engine fuel and filter, drain pump oil and replace with new oil, add grease to all seals and bearing fittings, and lubricate parts.

• Maintain engine fluids.

• Dispose of old fuel responsibly.

• Check for loose or damaged parts.

• Clean the exterior.

• Use a PWC Lift.

• Learn the steps necessary to ‘winterize’ your jet ski and prepare the watercraft after the summer season is over.

Water Quality 101

Water pollutants may cause serious illnesses and even death for humans and animals. In Oklahoma, pollutants may include heavy metals, with mercury sometimes found at unsafe levels in fish. As well, ammonia, sulfate and dissolvable solids are problems in Oklahoma’s bodies of water. Urban stormwater, sewage seepage, agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, erosion and internal lake processes are also possible culprits.

Remember the old saying as it relates to entering bodies of water: “If it’s green on top, stop!” No person or animal should touch or drink water if blue-green algae (BGA), aka cyanobacteria, possibly appears. BGA may be: blue, bright green, brown or red, and appear as foam, scum or mats that float on water surfaces; a pea soup-like substance; or floating on/near the shoreline. Sometimes caused by nitrogen from fertilizer, BGA may cause serious illnesses or death. Seek immediate medical attention if contact is made. Never pollute. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District and other entities monitor lakes for all kinds of issues. Visit travelok. com/state-parks/lake-conditions for a Water Safety Checklist, and current, individual lake conditions. Report BGA to the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality at 1-800-522-0206.

Your Journey to Wedded Bliss: A Guide

The wedding landscape is shifting fast, and it may be hard for you (or anyone) to keep up. We offer our annual wedding trend forecast, plus help with budgeting, a guide to dress codes and some global traditions that may surprise you.

By Mary Willa Allen

The Annual Trend Forecast

In the words of Heidi Klum circa 2005: “You’re either in, or you’re out.” While she may have been talking about reality TV show contestants, the saying also works well for wedding trends. After all, something you may have on Pinterest just last year may already be démodé in 2025. But worry not – we’ve compiled a trend forecast for this year and beyond so you’ll be able to stay on top of what’s “hot.” (Also, as I say every year, do what you want – it’s your day.)

Destination weddings – Many couples are nixing major celebrations in lieu of a destination wedding with close friends and family, often choosing a meaningful location for their ceremonies.

More personalized experiences – While many wedding traditions are great and in place for a reason, some pairs are

eschewing expectations by personalized their wedding with private last dances or vow readings, multi-day events or experiential vendors.

Sustainability – If you aren’t thinking about sustainable efforts in the year 2025, it’s time to pivot. Even small changes, like using locally sourced food or biodegradable decor, will make a big difference.

Interactive food stations – We know what you’re thinking: Do you mean a buffet? Kinda, but couples today are adding more elements to their food bars to personalize the experience for dinners, whether the main dish is tacos, burgers, pasta, pizza or something in between.

Dramatic décor – While subtle, quiet luxury will always be in style, brides and grooms are going dramatic this year with floor-to-ceiling decor and lush floral installations.

Outfit changes – For the fashion-forward couples, outfit changes after the ceremony are a popular way to keep the evening dynamic and ever-interesting.

Film-style photography – Nostalgia is in; you’ll likely see a lot more film photography in the coming year.

Wedding Budgeting 101

Sooo, we’re not sure if you know this, but weddings can be expensive. If you don’t have an endless flow of cash, then staying on budget should be a main priority. We offer a few suggestions to get you started.

Set a Realistic Budget – And when we say realistic, we mean it. You shouldn’t be going deep into debt for your wedding. Determine your financial limits and create hard budgets that outline exactly where your wiggle room ends. If you have family or friends that are contributing, get the hard numbers from them, too.

Tally Up Your Costs – While the major wedding costs, like the venue, food, flowers and honeymoon are obvious parts of your list, don’t forget to budget in the random venue fees, rentals, tips/gratuities, insurance and employee overtime charges.

Identify Your Priorities – Aside from marrying the love of your life, what are the main priorities for your wedding day? Do you want a visually stunning day? For your guests to have the time of their lives? To eat and drink without a worry in the world? Once you know your top priorities, it will make it easier to cut down on the other facets to save money.

DIY (Selectively) – Unless you are the craftiest person in the world, DIY projects should be limited for your wedding, but can still be helpful in saving money. Things like signage, centerpieces, garlands or memory walls are great places to start.

Trim Your Guest List or Bridal Party – Smaller weddings have smaller budgets, so don’t be afraid to cut down on your number of guests. As for your bridal party, you’ll save money by slimming it down or eliminating it all together; just make sure your friends still feel valued!

Be Smart About Your Flowers – A little bit of research goes a long way in determining what kind of flowers you should have at your wedding if you’re aiming to save money. Just ensure the blooms you want are in season and you’ll already be ahead of the game.

Stay Organized – If you have all your important documents, contracts, deadlines, payments and other information stored in a smart way, you’re more likely to get all orders and payments in on time, saving you money down the road.

A Dress Code Breakdown

Dress codes have been, for decades and maybe even centuries, a real stressor for guests. After all, the last thing you want to do is show up over- or underdressed – or even, gasp, off-theme – to a friend or family member’s big day. That said, let’s explore some common ‘dress codes’ and what you should wear.

White-Tie: If you’re invited to a white-tie occasion, you should don the most formal wedding attire possible. Women should be in floor-length gowns, and men should be in tuxedos with tails. Footwear should be elegant heels for women and Oxfords or other high-quality dress shoes for men.

Black-Tie: A step down from white-tie, black-tie events require similar outfits (gowns and tuxedos) without the staunch limitations on footwear and accessories.

Formal or Black-Tie Optional: Undoing those restrictions a bit more, formal/black-tie optional allows women to raise the hems of their dresses – meaning a floor-length gown isn’t necessary, or opt for an elevated pant suit. Men can wear tuxedos, or go for a formal suit in a darker color.

Cocktail: Perhaps the most common dress code for weddings, cocktail attire frees things up for the women, allowing tea-, knee- or midi-length dresses, while men need to stay in suits and ties – although they don’t have to be dark or wholly neutral colors.

Festive: Typically, ‘festive’ translates to cocktail attire with flair. This means taking a few fashion risks – incorporating fun patterns, bold colors and unique silhouettes.

Tropical or Destination: This dress code implies the wedding will likely be outdoors in the heat, so consider tropical or floral patterns, lightweight fabrics and airy silhouettes. Don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat!

Themed: In short, you’ll need to dress in accordance with the theme of the wedding for this one. Some people opt for a specific color scheme – like all-white or shades of green, while others include a concept – like Western, disco, or The Great Gatsby. Ideally, the couple will offer an inspiration board to help you get started.

Global Wedding Traditions

We’ve got the bouquet toss, giving away the bride, speeches and toasts – but other wedding traditions exist outside our bubble. We take a look at traditions you’ll find at weddings here in the U.S. and across the world.

• Breaking of Glass – Found at Jewish weddings, glass is typically broken/stepped on at the end of the wedding ceremony to symbolize the fragility of life and the start of a new marriage.

• Jumping the Broom – Mostly popular with American and Canadian Black couples, jumping the broom symbolizes a fresh start or the sweeping away of the past and a full commitment to the future as a couple.

• Cutting of the Log – A tradition most often found in Germany, the cutting of the log sees the bride and groom working together to saw a log in half – their first challenge to overcome as a married couple.

• The Blackening – A northeastern Scottish tradition, the Blackening occurs when friends and family throw various substances – like syrup, flour, eggs and mud – on the couple before their big day for good luck.

• The Joota Chupai – An Indian tradition, the joota chupai entails the bride’s family trying to steal the groom’s shoes, with the groom’s family trying to protect them. A ‘ransom’ is

often paid if the bride’s family wins, and the ritual is meant to help the combining families bond.

• Sake-Drinking Ceremony – Typically found in Japan, the sake-drinking ceremony welcomes the couple and their parents to sip sake three times from different sized cups, symbolizing the unity of their two families.

Your Registry: How to Perfect It

Whether you already live with your partner or are just now combining homes, creating a fine-tuned registry is key to starting off your lives together on the right foot. A registry, in essence, should mix practical items with luxurious gifts you wouldn’t typically splurge on yourselves. We offer just a few suggestions:

Kitchen Essentials: Whether you cook every night, a couple of times a week or just once a month, having quality cookware, like high-grade knives and cast-iron skillets, is a must. Consider the appliances you don’t yet possess, whether those are food processors or air fryers, as well as glassware and dinnerware you’ve been eyeing. Drinkers can include bar accessories, like decanters or fancy highball glasses, and you can always ask for high-end cutting boards and serving trays if you feel you’ve got the majority of your kitchen under control.

Bedding and Linens: Many couples won’t splurge on luxurious comforters, pillows and sheets, which is why it’s a great idea to put items like that on your registry. Make sure to include nice bath and hand towels, as well.

Cash Funds: While many considered asking for money as opposed to gifts as gauche until the last decade or so, it’s a fairly common practice to request cash funds for specific occasions – whether that’s for the honeymoon, home improvements or a down payment on a house. You can also request gift card donations for specific stores if you’d rather pick out items yourselves.

Home Goods: If you’ve wanted to make your house a home but haven’t had the time or budget, the wedding registry can help. Consider home decor options, like photo frames, art or vases, as well as storage baskets and bins to keep things organized. Some couples even add furniture, like chairs, coffee tables or entertainment consoles to their registry.

Other rules of thumb for your registry:

- Focus on items you’ll actually use.

- Mix the practical and the fun.

- Don’t avoid expensive gifts. People can pool their funds for a larger item.

- Consider where you live and your storage capacities when choosing your items.

- Keep your registry updated to avoid repeat gifts.

A Delectable Addition

Rachel Cope, leading 84 Hospitality Group, opens fine dining hot spot Elisabetta in OKC’s Nichols Hills.

In 2007, an Oklahoma City University team won a national softball championship. Rachel Cope was on that team. From this experience she learned two things that would guide her future life as a restaurateur: the value of teamwork and the joy of success.

What she didn’t know at this point was that she was destined to be a restaurateur. She planned to be a lawyer, and she would have made a good one, no doubt. But before applying to law school, she took some time off. She went to Chicago and Los Angeles and dined at the finest places. That, she says, “sparked my love of restaurants.”

Back in Oklahoma, she waited tables to support herself, soon rising to manager. She noticed that she started caring more than the people she worked for –especially about how you treat people, whether they be employees or patrons. She also paid attention to things that most restaurant owners barely noticed: the lighting, the quality of the sound sys-

tem, what music was played. The ambiance, the experience, the vibes; it’s those, she discovered (as well as the food, of course) that get diners to come back.

One day in 2013, Cope, visiting Austin for the first time, was happily eating pizza at Home Slice on South Congress. Epiphany struck. OKC’s Plaza District could be like this, she thought, and what would start it going is a really fun, trendy pizza shop. She didn’t know a thing about pizza, so she flew to San Francisco and took classes from a master. In what seemed like no time at all (but actually took months of hard work) she was the owner of Empire Pizza, a great place to be and a beloved neighborhood hangout.

What you'll find at Empire are "posters all over, and music – anything from 1960s rock to nostalgic hits,” says Cope. “We sell a lot of beer and a lot of pizza.”

The next decade following Empire's opening was a wild ride. Cope founded her restaurant group, 84 Hospitality, and more branches of Empire ensued, then a punk rock burger shop called Burger Punk. She noticed that one of her sister’s

college friends was running a food truck selling ramen. She persuaded him to do some pop-up dinners and then set up a restaurant called Goro Ramen. Nowadays, that friend of her sister, Jeff Chanchaleune, is nationally known and twice a finalist for the prestigious James

With a focus on ambiance, service and high-quality cuisine, Elisabetta, helmed by Rachel Cope (above) is quickly becoming an OKC staple. Photos courtesy 84 Hospitality

Beard Award.

Fast-forward to today, and she’s just opened an elegant, upscale restaurant in Nichols Hills: Elisabetta. This seems like quite a change. So, why the pivot to fine dining?

“As I get older, enjoying handmade pasta and a glass of wine just sounds excellent.”

How do people react?

“The first thing people say is how beautiful it is,” she shares. That’s because she got her old friend Chris Pardo to collaborate with her in designing the interior. Pardo has been called “a rockstar of architecture” but, says Cope, “he’s one of the most humble, hardworking people I know. He walked into the empty building and immediately said, ‘I know what to do.’”

Cope continues: “A lot of thought went into pleasing all the senses. It’s a moody ambiance: dark lighting, velvet, marble. The sound system is playing Blondie or Stevie Wonder. There are people having a good time, drinking martinis, eating a steak at 10:00 p.m. A lot of good vibes and energy.”

Not to mention the food, which features creative, Italianinspired dishes. Cope’s favorites include the braised short ribs with confit peppercorns; lobster tortellini in tarragon butter sauce; spicy cavatelli (made in-house like all the pastas) in vodka sauce; and panko and herb crusted pork chop with sweet and sour onions.

Cope has often said that she builds places she wants to hang out in. And that’s why, if you swing by some weekend evening, you just might see her there.

“You’ll find me bussing tables,” she says, “or pouring Prosecco, or just watching people have a good time.”

BRIAN

SCHWARTZ

Fixins Soul Kitchen

A full-service soul food restaurant that “celebrates the history and traditions of African American culture in an inclusive environment,” Fixins is a hidden Black Wall Street gem in downtown Tulsa.

Open for lunch, brunch and dinner, Fixins has something to satiate any appetite. For brunch, try the smothered chicken, shrimp and grits, or the pancake sandwich, with two buttermilk flapjacks, two eggs, and your choice of breakfast meat. For lunch and dinner, start out with deep fried deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes or pimento cheese dip. Then venture to entrees that range from oxtails and gumbo to fried chicken, smothered pork chops or chicken and waffles. ‘Fixins’, or sides, run the gamut from collard greens to mac and cheese, candied yams and black-eyed peas.

If you’re still craving a little extra, desserts include peach cobbler, red velvet cake, banana pudding or cookies and cream.

For those with dietary restrictions, Fixins also boasts a vegan menu, with options including blackened tofu, a vegan hamburger, charred okra and vegan collard greens.

Ample wine, beer and spirits including craft cocktails can also be found at Fixins. Highlights include the Adult Kool-Aid, with vodka, peach puree, fresh lemon juice and Kool-Aid, as well the New Orleans Sweet Tea, with bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and house-made sweet tea.

MARY WILLA ALLEN

For the best in live entertainment, casual dining, and Oklahoma’s most exciting casino action, plan your stay at an Osage Casino near you.

Staycation

Photo courtesy Fixins

Gliding Along

Chef de cuisine Myssie Stockton worked her way up the ranks and now creates stunning, delicious and dynamic dishes at Amelia’s.

Any given weekday around 11:00 a.m., a very large truck weaves its way through the narrow streets of Tulsa’s Arts District and stops outside Amelia’s. There, the driver unloads heaps of cartons containing meat and produce for the restaurant. Myssie Stockton, chef de cuisine of Amelia’s, sorts through the huge food haul and stores it in the walkin. Then she starts on prep.

Beef tenderloin, halibut, antelope –all of it to be cut into portion sizes for that day’s hungry diners. Vegetables need washing and slicing. After that, she washes any dirty dishes. Yes, she could leave it for the dishwashing crew, but she was a dishwasher herself when she started out, so she helps.

That completed, she plans the next day’s needs (meats, cheeses, plastic containers, produce) and orders them from the suppliers. By now it’s 3:00 p.m., and the line cooks begin arriving. She goes to each, seeing if there’s anything she can do to help them prep. Then she begins cooking the family meal – a meal for staff working that evening. By now diners are starting to arrive, and, after six hours of work, Stockton steps to the expo station,

from where she orchestrates dinner service, and her day really begins.

Stockton never planned to be a chef. For her entire childhood, starting at age six, her all-consuming passion was figure skating.

“I was in love with gliding on ice,” she recalls. “I liked the discipline. I traveled to competitions in Texas, Missouri and Colorado, and for me, that was a big adventure.”

But all that ended with high school. When she was 18, she was living with friends who lived for music festivals. A lot of fun, but it cost money. So Stockton found work washing dishes and cleaning houses.

“I got really good at cleaning and organizing,” she says. Washing dishes at restaurants, she watched the cooks and was captivated by the art of food preparation. So she found work at Whole Foods cooking for their to-go counters.

“That’s where I learned knife skills,” she remembers. “I was fast, I enjoyed it. After a year, they made me kitchen manager. That’s where I decided to work in restaurants. That’s where it began.”

Her first restaurant job was with Ian van Anglen, a noted Tulsa chef who ran the kitchen at Tulsa’s restaurant/bar/ coffee shop hybrid, Hodges Bend. There

she learned how to read order tickets, how to sauté, in fact how to do everything since she was often the only worker there. Later, she worked at Duet, at Bird and Bottle, at a variety of other spots.

“I was just trying to find my place,” she says. “I found it at Amelia’s.”

She also found Andrew Donovan, the restaurant’s executive chef. Experienced, kind, energetic and James Beard nominated, Donovan was the perfect mentor.

“His knowledge, so fascinating! I’ve learned a lot from him,” says Stockton. “We make a good team.”

Four times a year the menu changes at Amelia’s.

“Usually, we collaborate,” says Stockton. “I write a full menu on my own, and Andrew does too – after soliciting ideas from the line cooks – and then he combines both into the final menu. Usually it’s half his, half mine, and we think so alike that sometimes we come up with the same dishes.”

One example is the salmon dish she created for the current menu. Perfectly cooked, the salmon sits atop a cake made of hearts of palm and artichokes. Around it is a ring of flavorful red cream sauce made with sundried tomatoes, and around that is a sprightly lemon pistou that brings hints of citrus and springtime. Like everything Stockton creates, it’s a dish you’ll remember.

BRIAN SCHWARTZ

Chef Myssie Stockton says her first dream was ice skating, but after working in several restaurants in varying degrees of leadership, she knew she found her calling in the kitchen. Photos by Stephanie Phillips

One of Stockton's most well-loved dishes at Amelia's is the salmon. It's placed on top of an artichoke and heart of palm cake, with sundried tomato cream sauce and lemon marinated asparagus.

Where & When

GREAT THINGS TO DO IN OKLAHOMA

EVENTS LISTED ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK INDIVIDUAL WEBSITES FOR UPDATES.

IN TULSA Performances

The Glenn Miller Orchestra June 6 Tulsa PAC The most popular and sought after big band of all time returns to Tulsa for an evening of swing music at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

Touring continuously since 1956, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is featured in over 200 concerts and dances per year. tulsapac.com

World Stage Theatre presents: Half Time June

6-8, 13-15 Tulsa PAC Half Time is the incredible true story of ten determined dreamers who audition to dance at half time for a major basketball team. They have three things in common: they love to dance, they have something to prove and they are all over 60. tulsapac.com

Tulsa Youth Opera presents:

The Hobbit June 7-8 University of Tulsa Lorton Performance Center See an adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel The Hobbit presented by the Tulsa Youth Opera. The epic fantasy tale follows Bilbo Baggins who lives a comfortable life until Gandalf the Wizard and a group of rowdy dwarves invade his home and enlist him on a quest. tulsaopera. com

Tulsa Symphony presents: Andrea Bocelli in Concert June

15 BOK Center Andrea Bocelli is marking his first visit to Tulsa with the Tulsa Symphony featuring Maestro Steven Mercurio. The tour will feature performances from Bocelli’s beloved repertoire. tulsasymphony.org

Celebrity Attractions presents: Wicked Through June 15 Tulsa PAC From the first electrifying note to the final breathtaking moment, Wicked – the untold true story of the Witches of Oz – transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story. celebrityattractions.com

Lysistrata June 19-22 Tulsa PAC Step back into the tumultuous 1960s with Pembroke Players’ bold re imagining of Aristophanes’ infamous sexual satire, Lysistrata. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, this production captures an era of protest, resistance and empowerment. tulsapac.com

Concerts

Wiz Khalifa June 1 Cain's Ballroom See one of this century's most beloved rappers for one night only. cainsballroom.com

PERFORMANCE

Beat the Heat

Get away from the sweltering weather with some on the stage performances.

DINNER DETECTIVE TRUE CRIME MURDER MYSTERY

The Tulsa PAC is a hotbed of the performing arts. Begin the month with the most popular and sought after big band of all time – the Glenn Miller Orchestra – on June 6. Then, stick around for World Stage Theatre’s rendition of Half Time, an incredible true story of ten determined, 60+ year-old dreamers who audition to dance at half time for a major basketball team, running June 6-8 and 13-15; as well as Celebrity Attractions’ Wicked, running through June 15, and Lysistrata, a bold re-imagining of Aristophanes’ infamous sexual satire, running June 19-22. Other Tulsa performances you can’t miss include Tulsa Youth Opera’s The Hobbit, June 7-8 at the University of Tulsa Lorton Performance Center, as well as Tulsa Symphony’s performance with Andrea Bocelli on June 15 at the BOK Center. For classic performance fare in OKC, look no further than the Paseo Indoor Theatre for Oklahoma Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor – Shakespeare’s beloved situational comedy – from June 5-15. Then, head to the Civic Center Music Hall for Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, June 17-21, alongside Painted Sky Opera’s Overture: An Evening of Operatic Gems, June 27-29. Fans of comedy and interactive experiences can pivot to Norman’s Riverwind Casino on June 6 for Jay Leno, as well as the Skirvin Hilton Hotel for the Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show, June 7, 21 and 27.

Josh Abbott Band June 6 Cain's Ballroom Enjoy the country band with special guests Keyland. cainsballroom.com

Blue October June 7 The Tulsa Theater This alt rock band comes to Tulsa. tulsatheater.com

Kenny Wayne Shepherd June 7 River Spirit Casino Resort

Tulsa Put an ear to the door of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, back in late 2019 and you’d have heard it: the first stirrings of a new studio album from the man who pulled American roots into the 21st century. riverspirittulsa.com

Lit and Fuel June 14 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa Two rock bands come together for one night of music. hardrockcasinotulsa.com

Wu-Tang Clan June 16 BOK Center Wu-Tang Clan is bringing their Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber Tour with Run The Jewels to BOK Center. bokcenter.com

Juvenile and the 400 Degreez Band June 19 River Spirit Casino Resort Tulsa Starting with "Being Myself" in 1995, Juvenile has released 12 albums including the top selling album by a black solo rapper of all time, "400 Degreez," and multiple other recordings including as the leader of the group The Hot Boys. riverspirittulsa.com

Lover June 21 The Tulsa Theater Fans of Taylor Swift won't want to miss this tribute show at the Tulsa Theater. tulsatheater.com

Lady A June 21 River Spirit Casino Resort Tulsa Built around rich vocal harmony, vivid emotional writing and a smooth fusion of country, rock and pop, Lady A have long been a model of mainstream success. riverspirittulsa.com

Little River Band June 27 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa See the country crooners as they venture back to Tulsa for one night only. hardrockcasinotulsa.com

Art

Theodore Fried: Art in Hiding Through June 6 Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art The SMMJA is home to the world’s largest collection of work by Jewish-Hungarian painter Theodore Fried. Fried fled occupied Europe for the United States in 1942, leaving much of his work behind. He continued to work in New York and elsewhere, and retrieved his hidden work in the 1950s and 1970s. jewishmuseumtulsa.org

Invite to Life Through June

6 Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art Award-winning author and photographic artist B.A. Van Sise explores the varied and sometimes complicated lives of Holocaust survivors in the United States. jewishmuseumtulsa.org

An Unlikely Pairing: Joe Kissinger & Sarah Robl June 6-July 19 108 Contemporary This

exhibition showcases wood turning and fiber work with lively colors and intricate details. 108contemporary.org

Oh, Tulsa! June 6-July 19 Living Arts This exhibition is a biennial showcase of Tulsa artists intended to highlight the unique talents our art community has to offer. Artists are encouraged to come together and share what they love about Tulsa. This exhibition is about Tulsa, for Tulsa, and by Tulsa! livingarts.org

War Club: Native Art & Activism Through June

29 Philbrook War Club is the culminating exhibition of Anita and Yatika Fields’s project delving into Native artwork and ephemera from important historical and contemporary moments of resistance. philbrook.org

SAMURAI: Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Through Aug. 3 Philbrook Coming from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller, SAMURAI: Armor from the Collection of Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller unveils the culture, lifestyle and art of the samurai warrior in Japanese society philbrook.org

Japonisme: New Perspectives from the Land of the Rising Sun Through Aug. 3 Philbrook Japan’s borders were largely closed to outsiders

for centuries until 1854, when the country was opened to trade and travel. Japanese goods hit markets across Europe and America, sparking an international craze known as “Japonisme.” Artists seeking to defy European conventions saw new possibilities in Japanese art and a visual language that changed the West. philbrook.org

Bashert: The Art of Jewish Love Through Sept. 30 Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art Love is in the air! Grab your sweetheart and join the museum for a celebration of love as depicted by works in its permanent collection. jewishmuseumtulsa.org

Eduardo Sarabia: Ceiba Sagrada Through Dec. 28

Philbrook Los Angeles-born, Mexico-based Eduardo Sarabia has become one of the better-known artistic voices of his generation for using materials and imagery associated with street culture, craft and folk history to draw connections between his personal story and the narrative of Mexico. philbrook.org

Earth Embodied Through Dec. 28 Philbrook New acquisitions by artists including Starr Hardridge, Kay WalkingStick and Emmi Whitehorse join old favorites such as Alexandre Hogue’s Mother Earth Laid Bare (1936) and Felice Schiavoni’s Madonna and Child with the Young Saint John (1850) to explore the range of ways artists envision the concept of the earth

embodied. philbrook.org

Temple Israel Songbook Illustrations Through Dec. 31 Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art Ready for a trip down memory lane? Revisit the charm of Sunday school at Temple Israel with these delightful, vibrant illustrations by Tulsa native Carmelita Avery. Created in 1945, these pieces capture the playful spirit of the era. jewishmuseumtulsa.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 WWE Monday

Monday Night Raw returns to BOK Center. Enjoy wrestling with some of the industry's biggest names. bokcenter.com

Tulsa Drillers Baseball June 3-8, 17-22 ONEOK Stadium The professional baseball season is alive and well in Tulsa. milb.com/tulsa Pinto World Championship Show June 9-21 Expo Square Incorporated in 1956, the Pinto Horse Association of America was formed to encourage the promotion of quality horses, ponies and miniatures with color

Photo courtesy The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show

and to establish a registry for maintaining their show records and pedigrees. pinto.org

Tulsa Oilers Football June 14, 28 BOK Center See the team play against a variety of teams this June. bokcenter.com

XFN 401 June 20 River Spirit Casino

Resort Tulsa Visit River Spirit for a night of knock-outs. Headlining the card is the re-match of one of the greatest fights in XFN history: “Petty vs McSpadden.” riverspirittulsa.com

Tulsa Holiday Summer

Circuit June 26-29 Expo Square Enjoy another excellent equine event at Expo Square. tulsaholidaycircuit.com

Simulcast Horse

Racing Through Nov. 1 Virtual horse races can be catch all summer and fall. exposquare.com

Community

Oklahoma Renaissance Festival Through June 1 The Castle of Muskogee Step back in time to the 16th century with Queen Elizabeth I of England and over 400 entertainers and artisans as they create the boisterous Village of Castleton at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival. okcastle.com

The Discovery Awards June 2 Tulsa PAC Join the Tulsa PAC as it celebrates local high school musical talent. Two students from more than 30 area schools will be on the Chapman stage to battle it out and see which two get to attend the Jimmy Awards in New York City. tulsapac. com

First Friday Art Crawl June 6 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 June 6-7 Expo Square Mecum’s events are live TV spectacles powered by a dedicated team. Car auctions have never been so exciting! mecum.com

Tulsa Foundation for Architecture Tours: Beneath the Vault June 7 Downtown Tulsa Take a fun and educational walking tour through downtown Tulsa and other historical local sites during Second Saturday Architecture Tours, hosted by the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture. tulsaarchitecture.org

Tulsa Juneteenth Festival June

18-21 Greenwood District Enjoy a multi-arts experience that recognizes and celebrates the rich heritage of Tulsa's Greenwood District. tulsajuneteenth.org

Route 66 Road Fest June

21-22 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. route66roadfest.com

Florigami in the Garden Through Sept. 21 Tulsa Botanic Garden See the larger-than-life FLORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN exhibit at the Tulsa Botanic Garden. tulsabotanic.org

Charitable Events

Swing for Sight Golf

Tournament June 2 Gaillardia Country Club Play some golf and support Vizavance, which helps to advance children's education through

better vision. vizavance.org

Raise the Woof June 5 Studio

308 Oklahoma Pet Collective Society is dedicated to saving the lives of unwanted, abandoned, abused and neglected animals in Oklahoma. Enjoy this event to help out the cause with a silent auction, live music and buffet. okpetcollective.org

Aquarium Run June 7 Oklahoma

Aquarium The Aquarium Run is one of the area’s premier race events. Runners can participate in a half-marathon, 10K, 5K or 1-mile fun run/walk. okaquarium.org

Celebrate LIFE June 13 Hyatt Regency Downtown Join Life Senior Services for a dazzling evening! At the event, guests will honor the impactful programs of LIFE Senior Services and enjoy an unforgettable night. Don’t miss this opportunity to shine bright for those who need it most! lifeseniorservices.org

Zoo Nights June 13 Tulsa

Zoo Enjoy an adult, after-hours experience at the Zoo where you can explore 124 acres and have animal experiences. tulsazoo.org

Equality Gala June 14 Arvest Convention Center This year’s event marks the 45th anniversary of Oklahomans for Equality and the 25th anniversary of the Pyramid Project capital campaign which secured the building to house the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in downtown Tulsa. okeq.org

Poppin' Bottles June 14 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

Pickleball for a Purpose June 21 1050 W. Wekiwa Rd., Sand Springs Whether this is your first time or a seasoned vet, come

out and enjoy some pickleball to support the Community Project. communityproject.city

IN OKC Performances

Artist Spotlight: An Evening with Author Gwenna Laithland June 5 Civic Center Music Hall Join Oklahoma-born, New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Gwenna Laithland to celebrate the release of The Soul's Guide to the After Death, a humorous and philosophical exploration of the goodness of humanity and how our past informs and shapes our present. okcciviccenter.com

Oklahoma Shakespeare presents: The Merry Wives of Windsor June 5-15 Paseo Indoor Theatre This June, Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park presents The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare. Known as Shakespeare’s sitcom, this play tells the story of the philandering Sir John Falstaff and his misadventures in a small town in England. okshakes.org

Jay Leno June 6 Riverwind Casino, Norman See the lauded comedian with special guest Arsenio Hall. riverwind.com'

Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show June 7, 21, 27 Skirvin Hilton Hotel 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

KGOU Presents: Paula Poundstone June 13 Tower Theatre Iconic comedian Paula Poundstone returns to OKC. Come hear her observational humor and spontaneous wit that has become the stuff of legend. towertheatreokc.com

Jay and Silent Bob's Aural Sects

Tour June 17 Tower Theatre Jay & Silent Bob’s Aural Sects Tour is coming to Tower Theatre. Don't miss Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes live in OKC. towertheatreokc.com

Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma presents: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat June 17-21 Civic Center Music Hall One of the most beloved musicals of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns to Lyric’s season for the first time in 15 years. This colorful retelling of the story of Joseph and his unique ability is a humorous retelling of the Biblical story, his 11 brothers, his father Jacob and the coat of many colors. lyrictheatreokc.com

Painted Sky Opera presents: Overture – An Evening of Operatic Gems June 27-29 Civic Center Music Hall Opera’s sparkling power and beauty is on display. Painted Sky Opera opens its ninth season with an evening with the crown jewels of opera. paintedskyopera.org

Concerts

My So Called Band June 14 Tower Theatre My So Called Band, OKC's favorite tribute to the '90s, returns with another electrifying performance. Come see them live on the most historic stage in town! towertheatreokc.com

St. Paul and the Broken Bones June 24 Jones Assembly St. Paul and the Broken Bones is an American eight-piece soul band based in Birmingham, Alabama. thejonesassembly.com

Modest Mouse June 25 The Criterion An iconic indie rock band with a new album on the way, Modest Mouse visits OKC. criterionokc.com

Muscadine Bloodline June 27 Jones Assembly For nearly a decade, Muscadine Bloodline

Summer Sports Are Heating Up

No matter your sporting interest, Oklahoma has an event for you this June.

In Tulsa, fans of wrestling should venture to BOK Center on June 2 for WWE Monday Night Raw, or the River Spirit Casino Resort on June 20 for Extreme Fight Night 401. Equine enthusiasts won’t want to miss two events at Expo Square: the Pinto World Championship Show, June 9-21, and the Tulsa Holiday Summer Circuit, June 26-29. You can also catch several Tulsa Drillers’ baseball games at ONEOK Stadium, June 3-8 and 17-22, as well as Tulsa Oilers football games at BOK Center, June 14 and 28.

Speaking of baseball, the OKC Comets play at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on June 3-8 and 17-22, and you can catch the tail-end of the NCAA Women’s College Softball World Series through June 6 at Devon Park. Horse lovers in OKC have plenty of options, too: the OQHA Redbud Spectacular Horse Show through June 8; the 2025 National Reining Horse Association Derby on June 11-22; and the 2025 National and Youth World Appaloosa Horse Show on June 26-July 3, all at the OKC Fairgrounds. You’ll also be able to kick off the Fourth of July a little early with the Stars and Stripes Regatta event on June 28 in the Boathouse District.

have delivered a soulful and potent form of country music indelibly colored by their Alabama heritage. jonesassembly.com

The Broken Hearts June 29 Tower Theatre Enjoy this Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band for one night only. towertheatreokc.com

Art

Prix de West Invitational

Art Exhibition and Sale June 6-Aug. 3 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Prix de West is the nation’s premier Western art exhibition and sale showcasing original works ranging from historical depictions of the American West to more contemporary and impressionistic pieces. nationalcowboymuseum.org

Discovering Ansel

Adams June 7-Sept. 28 OKCMOA This groundbreaking exhibition provides an unprecedented and eye-opening examination of the early career of one of America’s most renowned photographers. okcmoa. com

The Three Shades Through Aug. 23 OKCMOA Enjoy this single-gallery installation featuring one of the masterworks of modern sculpture, Auguste Rodin’s The Three Shades, on loan from a private collection. okcmoa.com

Land Use: Humanity's Interaction with Nature Through Sept. 28 OKCMOA This gallery features modern and contemporary paintings, photographs, video art and digital art that relate to humanity’s use of and interaction with the environment. okcmoa.com

Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds: Honor Song Through Oct. 20 Oklahoma Contemporary Oklahoma Contemporary presents the first

major retrospective of Oklahoma City-based artist Edgar Heap of Birds, who is known internationally for conceptual artwork that addresses Indigenous rights, sovereignty and relationships to place. 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 Comets Baseball June 3-8, 17-22 Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark The professional baseball season continues in OKC. milb.com/ oklahoma-city NCAA Women's College World Series Through June 6 Devon Park See the best collegiate softball teams compete for top prizes. ncaa.com

TULSA DRILLERS

Photo courtesy the Tulsa Drillers

Where & When | Entertainment

AAU Midwest Regional Championships June 6-8 OKC

Fairgrounds See talented gymnasts compete for top prizes. aausports.org

OQHA Redbud Spectacular Horse Show Through June

8 OKC Fairgrounds The Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association is the state affiliate of the AQHA supporting efforts to sustain and encourage growth of the Quarter Horse Industry in the state of Oklahoma. okqha.org

2025 National Reining Horse Association Derby June 11-22 OKC Fairgrounds An equine event like none other, the National Reining Horse Derby visits OKC. nrhaderby.com

Oklahoma Summer Classic June 25-29 OKC

Fairgrounds A variety of dogs compete in various shows. oklahomasummerclassic. com

2025 National and Youth World Appaloosa Horse Show June 26-July 3 OKC

Fairgrounds See stunning equine athletes and their riders compete. appaloosa.com

Stars and Stripes

Regatta June 28 Boathouse

District Start your 4th of July celebrations off early by enjoying a mix of outdoor activities and racing during the Stars & Stripes Regatta. riversportokc.org

CommunityArt

Miss Oklahoma/Miss Teen

Oklahoma Pageant June

4-7 Rose State College, Midwest City See who will be the next Miss Oklahoma and Miss Oklahoma

COMMUNITY

Teen at the Rose State College Performing Arts Center in Midwest City. missoklahoma.org

Spark Summer Movie

Series June 4, 11, 18, 25 Myriad Botanical Gardens Watch free, family-friendly films on the lawn of Oklahoma City's Myriad Botanical Gardens during the annual SONIC Summer Movies series. myriadgardens.org

First Friday Gallery

Walk June 6 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

Fishing Clinic at Lake Thunderbird June 6-7 Lake Thunderbird State Park, Norman If you're thinking about taking up fishing, Lake Thunderbird State Park's fishing clinic is the perfect place to start. During this June session, visitors will learn the basics of fishing gear, bait and casting techniques. travelok.com

2nd Friday Norman Art

Walk June 13 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 14 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

Father's Day Cruise June

15 701 S. Lincoln Blvd. Celebrate your father or father figure by

bringing him to the Father's Day Cruise with Oklahoma River Cruises. embarkok.com

deadCenter Film

Festival Through June

15 Various locations Hailed as one of the Top 20 Coolest Film Festivals in the World by MovieMaker Magazine, deadCenter Film Festival is an annual independent film showcase that highlights over 1,000 indie films from around the world. deadcenterfilm.org

Juneteenth on the East June 20 N.E. 23rd St. Celebrate Juneteenth in Oklahoma City with an all-day, family-friendly event. redcoyoterunning.com

LibertyFest June 26-July

4 Citywide, Edmond Attend one of America's top Independence Day celebrations when you head to Edmond for LibertyFest. libertyfest.org

OKC Pride Alliance

Festival and Parade June 27-29 Scissortail Park Enjoy a variety of Pride festivities during the OKC Pride Alliance Festival & Parade. okpridealliance.org

Charitable Events

Swing for Sight Golf Tournament June 2 Gaillardia Country Club Play some golf and help support Vizavance, which helps to advance children's education through better vision. vizavance.org

OKC Zoo Gala June 6 OKC

Zoo Join the OKC Zoo for an unforgettable evening, where guests come together to support conservation, wildlife and wild places. Enjoy exquisite dining, animal encounters, an inspiring program and auctions. ozsgiving.org

Inclusivity Abounds

Community events run the gamut in Oklahoma this month.

Gift of Love Gala June 7 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Enjoy an elegant evening featuring a delicious dinner, raffle prizes, and a live auction, all in support of the incredible residents at the Center for Family Love. centeroffamilylove.org

Wes Welker Foundation Golf Tournament June 9 Quail Creek Golf and Country Club In the past five years, the Wes Welker Foundation Golf Tournament has raised funds for student-athletes and their athletic programs in the Oklahoma City community. weswelkerfoundation. org

YWCA OKC's 22nd Annual Purple Sash Gala June 14 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Purple Sash is always a night to remember! Come dressed in fun cocktail attire (black tie optional) and enjoy a delicious plated meal, a high energy fashion show, and both live and silent auctions. ywcaokc.org

THE STATE Performances

Pollard Theatre presents:

The Shark is Broken June 13July 5 Pollard Theatre, Guthrie Go on a behind-the-scenes voyage of the filming of Hollywood's first blockbuster in The Shark is Broken thepollard.org

Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show June 14 Pawnee Bill Ranch Saddle up for an authentic, immersive recreation of Pawnee Bill's original Wild West Show this summer. okhistory.org

Concerts

The Chainsmokers June 13 Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant This EDM pair returns to Oklahoma for a visit to Durant. choctawcasinos.com

Def Leppard June 21 Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville Enjoy this rock group for one night only. winstar.com

Maxwell June 21 Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant Maxwell is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Composing music since he was just 17, the Brooklyn native’s discography is a sprawling testament to his musical prowess. choctawcasinos.com

Bret Michaels June 28 Winstar World Casino and Resort, Thackerville Get ready for an unforgettable night with Bret Michaels, one of the most iconic rockstars of all time, coming to Lucas Oil Live. winstar.com

Sports

NJCAA Division II World Series Through June 1 David Allen Memorial Ballpark, Enid Bring the entire family to the NJCAA Division II World Series to cheer for your favorite team. davidallenballpark.com

O'Reilly Auto Parts Outlaw Nationals June 6-7 Miami Fairgrounds This two-day, family-friendly event will showcase some of the nation's top monster trucks in racing, wheelie contests and freestyle. Plus, don't miss the stock and pro tuff trucks. mapmotorsports.com

Jim Shoulders Round-Up Rodeo June 6-7 Historic Nichols Park Lake Road, Henryetta Bring

In Tulsa, venture downtown on June 6 for the First Friday Art Crawl, or head to Expo Square that same weekend for the exciting Mecum car auction. Stick around the venue for the Route 66 Road Fest – a one-of-a-kind celebration that walks you through the history, attractions, characters and fun of the Mother Road – running June 21-22. Fans of Tulsa’s architectural secrets should take the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture Tour on June 7 in downtown Tulsa, and other goodies include the Tulsa Juneteenth Festival, June 18-21 in the Historic Greenwood District, as well as Florigami in the Garden exhibition, running through Sept. 21 at Tulsa Botanic Garden.

OKC’s community events calendar is jam-packed this month. Start out supporting women at the Miss Oklahoma/Miss Oklahoma Teen pageant, June 4-7 at Rose State College’s Performing Arts Center. Then, take the whole family out to Myriad Botanical Gardens for the Spark Summer Movie Series, with kid-friendly screenings on June 4, 11, 18 and 25. If you’re looking for a unique way to celebrate dad, visit the Father’s Day Cruise on the Oklahoma River on June 15, or venture to downtown Tulsa for the deadCenter Film Festival, running through the 15th as well. Other exciting offerings include Juneteenth on the East, June 20th at N.E. 23rd St.; LibertyFest, June 26-July 4 in Edmond; and the OKC Pride Alliance Festival and Parade, June 27-29 at Scissortail Park.

the family out for the Jim Shoulders Round-Up Rodeo, dedicated to the 16-time World Champion cowboy, Jim Shoulders, who made his home in Henryetta henryetta.org

Community

Vintage Snack Sets

Exhibit June 4-28

Fred & Addie Drummond Home, Hominy View a collection of elegant glassware from the mid-20th century at the Vintage Snack Sets Exhibit. okhistory.org

American Heritage Music Festival June 5-7 Grove

Civic Center The American Heritage Music Festival features nationally sanctioned fiddle competitions on multiple stages for an exciting weekend of music in Grove. This event is great for families, with plenty of jamming opportunities and camping sites. grandlakefestivals.com

Nescatunga Arts and Crafts Festival and Sugar Show June 6-7 Alva Rec Center Come browse paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry, pottery, weaving, homemade crafts and more. Join visitors from all over the region for live entertainment, food vendors and a variety of participants selling their wares. nescatunga.org

El Reno Small Town Weekend June 6-8 2001 Park Dr., El Reno Bring the family to a weekend of festivities during El Reno's Small Town Weekend celebration. Held rain or shine, this event will cruise into town this June to celebrate everything nostalgic on the local strip of Route 66. elrenocruisers.com

Summertime & Sunshine June 7 Kiefer Municipal Park This June, Kiefer Municipal Park will be full of can't-miss, family-friendly attractions during Summer & Sunshine. townofkiefer.org

Ponca City Herb Festival June 7 Cann Memorial Botanical Gardens, Ponca City The Ponca City Herb Festival has offered a variety of fresh herbs, plants, vegetables, gardenrelated items and more since 1992. poncacityherbfestival.com

Artesian Arts Festival June 7 Artesian Plaza, Sulphur The Artesian Plaza in downtown Sulphur turns into a vibrant place filled with southeastern Native American art during the Artesian Arts Festival. artesianartsfestival. com

Toes in the Sand Grand Summer Kickoff Festival June 12-15 Wolf Creek Park, Grove Slow down and kick off your summer by getting on lake time during the laid-back Toes in the Grand event. groveok.org

Okie Noodling Tournament June 14 Wacker Park, Pauls Valley Bring your lawn chair to Wacker Park in Pauls Valley and celebrate the sport of noodling at the world-famous Okie Noodling Tournament. okienoodling.com

Guthrie Juneteenth

Celebration June 21 Mineral Wells Park, Guthrie Celebrate Juneteenth with food trucks, live music, games, shopping and more. travelok.com

Photo courtesy Route 66 Road Fest

ROUTE 66 ROAD FEST

A High-Octane Start to Summer

Action, animation, romance and horror heat up the film landscape.

June is here and brings with it more big films to spend your time with. Will they all be good? Perhaps. You’ll have to hit the theater and find out for yourselves!

Coming out the gate shooting, we have From the World of John Wick: Ballerina Taking place between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4 (I mean, wow, these titles are too long), this film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas, Knives Out), an assassin who begins her training to exact revenge for her father’s death. Several actors from the John Wick franchise will make appearances, including Anjelica Huston (The Addams Family), The Wire’s Lance Reddick (in his final and posthumous performance), and Keanu Reeves. De Armas is no stranger to action, having turned in a scene-stealing role in the James Bond film No Time to Die, so I imagine this will have her pulling some excellent stunts. The world of John Wick has likely expanded a bit too far, but this should still be an adrenalinepumping time when it lands in theaters on June 6.

If you’re looking for a violent animated film, check out Predator: Killer of Killers Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (Prey), the film appears to take place in three distinct timelines – one with Vikings, one with Samurai, and one during World War II. Each of them involves the Predator

sneaking around and, presumably, having a lengthy and bloody battle with the poor souls of each era. The trailer shows off some slick and unique looking animation punctuated with stomach-turning brutality. It’s nice to see animation made for adults and hopefully this one will be a fun time. It hits Hulu on June 6. For a romantic comedy, don’t miss Materialists. Written and directed by Celine Song, whose directorial debut was the critically acclaimed Past Lives, this film follows a matchmaker played by Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey) whose business runs into trouble when she finds herself in the middle of a love triangle. Chris Evans (Avengers: Endgame) and Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us) also star in what looks to be another wonderful and emotional film for Song. It releases on June 13.

If you’re searching for a sequel eighteen years in the making, look

no further than 28 Years Later. Following 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, this new entry will also contain a fresh set of characters dealing with the fallout of a virus that caused infected people to become erratic and violent. Starring Jodi Comer (Killing Eve), Aaron TaylorJohnson (Nosferatu) and Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), the movie boasts a masterclass in trailer etiquette: clips presented out of context with nothing given away. Hopefully this long-awaited sequel can live up to the hype when it releases on June 20.

Lastly, don’t miss the racing film F1. Starring Brad Pitt as a man coming out of retirement to mentor an up-andcoming racing prodigy, the film looks to have some beautiful cinematography and tightly wound racing scenes to make anyone's blood start pumping. Joseph Kosinski directs, and if his action scenes from Top Gun: Maverick are any indication, we should be in for a high-octane racing story. It release June 27.

DREW JOSEPH ALLEN

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina; photo courtesy Lionsgate Films, all rights reserved.

Lance Cheney, A.S.I.D. RICHARD NEEL INTERIORS

Erin Oldfield

Starting with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017, Erin Oldfield is the organization’s vice president of community engagement and the executive director of the Thunder Community Foundation. Leading her team in executing extensive community outreach efforts, Oldfield handles everything from sponsored programs to player engagement, the Thunder Fellows afterschool program, and enrichment programs addressing learning gaps for Oklahoma youth. We caught up with Oldfield and got her thoughts on ...

... her initial interest in working for the Thunder.

I have worked for non-profit organizations my entire career, and when I saw the opening at the Thunder, I jumped at the chance to work for a world class organization that truly embraces and

emphasizes the importance of making a positive impact within the community.

... what

has surprised her the most about the job.

I was blown away when I learned about the sheer scale of coordination required for a Thunder game night. The level of teamwork is mind boggling. It really hit me that what the fans see on the court is just the tip of the iceberg compared to the logistics going on behind the scenes.

... her main responsibilities.

I take a lot of pride in the Thunder’s community initiatives that impact thousands of Oklahomans every year. My day-to-day responsibilities revolve around fostering meaningful connections between the team and our community. However, there really isn’t a “typical day.” One minute I might be strategizing with my team on upcoming community

projects or meeting with local leaders to strengthen collaborations, and the next, I’m in a grocery store with a Thunder player taking a family on a shopping spree.

... the Thunder Community Foundation.

The mission of the Thunder Community Foundation is to positively impact youth in the communities where they live and play. Since 2009, the foundation has provided financial resources to renovate spaces for nonprofits that serve youth. These renovated spaces expand opportunities for academic enrichment such as reading, STEM, creative arts and other essential services in underserved areas. In addition, the Thunder Community Foundation has installed or refurbished 31 basketball courts in 17 counties across Oklahoma.

... how everyday Oklahomans can get involved with the Foundation.

Fans can get involved with the Thunder Community Foundation through various initiatives including bidding on in-game and online auctions, purchasing raffle tickets and supporting our general fund. Our work is made possible thanks to the support of generous fans, community and corporate partners.

... goals.

I am currently in the process of creating a new strategic plan. It’s important for us to take the time to investigate our current plan of action so we can maximize impact through an awareness of our community’s changing needs. We are intentionally building upon the strong foundation of the Thunder’s community engagement platform to create an even more robust impact moving forward.

... the Thunder’s excellent season.

Winning is fun! We are a basketball team, so of course we want to win games, but it’s bigger than that. We often say that we can’t control what happens on the court, but we can provide the highest level of entertainment experience for our fans, drive economic impact and inspire moments that resonate far beyond the court.

Photo courtesy the OKC Thunder

NATURE vs. NURTURE?

A Peak Retreat Where Adventure Awaits

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