Innovate May 2018

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May 2018

INNOVATE Stephenson Cancer Center Achieves Milestone: National Cancer Institute Designation

A publication of the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation


The Oklahoma Health Center

NOTICE: Please bookmark our new website address - www.oklahomahealthcenterfoundation.com. The new wayfinding campus project has taken over oklahomahealthcenter.com as a directional website for our visitors. Welcome to our green publication, Innovate. This communication tool is brought to you by the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation to promote the happenings at the Oklahoma Health Center and bring you the latest information about our member organizations. Since 2000, more than $534 million in construction costs has been invested on the campus. In 2016, the OHC employee and OUHSC student count is approximately 18,000 making it one of the largest employers in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Health Center is the premier address for research, patient care, education, technology and community health support. Located conveniently in the heart of Oklahoma City, this remarkable 325-acre complex unites 26 organizations ranging from cutting-edge biotechnology companies to government, education, patient care and community support institutions. As the second largest concentration of employees in Oklahoma, this health care consortium touts a $3 billion capital infrastucture that is continually growing to meet the needs and demands of the people. A recent study determined the Oklahoma Health Center has a more than $3 billion annual economic impact on the community.

800 N. Research Parkway, Suite 400 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Phone: (405) 271-2200 Website: www.oklahomahealthcenterfoundation.com Follow Us on Facebook and Twitter @OKHealthCtr

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INSIDE Stephenson Receives National Cancer Institute Designation

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OKC Innovates Presents Sensors, a half day symposium

Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic Honored with Regional Ethics Award from Better Business Bureau

11 Oklahoma researchers solve a genetic mystery— and save a teen’s life

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Oklahoma Health Center Campus Map

OHCF Members

18-19 22-46

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Stephenson Cancer Center Earns National Cancer Institute Designation

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National, state and local leaders joined the Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma today to celebrate the center’s designation as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Center. With this award, the Stephenson Cancer Center joins an elite group of 70 NCI-Designated Cancer Centers nationwide. “I am proud to stand with the Stephenson Cancer Center today as they announce NCI designation,” said NCI Director Dr. Norman E. Sharpless. “Designated cancer centers are recognized for their cutting-edge science and strong commitment to exceptional care of patients with cancer. They are at the core of the nation’s cancer research effort.” NCI-Designated Cancer Centers represent only the top 2 percent of cancer centers in the United States. The Stephenson Cancer Center is the only NCI-Designated Cancer Center in Oklahoma. With more than 100 investigators working in the basic, clinical and population sciences, the Stephenson Cancer Center is Oklahoma’s leading cancer research organization. Nearly 90 percent of NCI-sponsored research funding that comes to Oklahoma is awarded to Stephenson investigators. “Achieving this prestigious designation has been a top priority for the university for more than 15 years,” said OU President David L. Boren. “It highlights the Stephenson Cancer Center’s leading place among the top cancer centers in the nation, and it ensures that our citizens will have access to the highest standard of cancer care, right here in Oklahoma.” As a result of NCI designation, Stephenson Cancer Center patients will have access to new drugs, treatment options and clinical trials offered only at NCIDesignated Cancer Centers. The Stephenson Cancer Center also will be able to apply for federal research grants available only to NCI-Designated Cancer Centers, potentially bringing millions of dollars in additional funding to Oklahoma. The designation already includes a five-year, $10.1 million grant that will support research programs and infrastructure, recruitment of top academic researchers, and community outreach. To earn NCI designation, the Stephenson Cancer Center had to demonstrate innovative and impactful research in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as successful community outreach across Oklahoma. The center’s activities were evaluated in a rigorous review process. Key accomplishments achieved during this process include:

• Attaining $16.1 million in annual research funding from the NCI in 2017 • Receiving $43.8 million in annual cancer research funding from all sponsors in 2017 • Publishing 650 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals over the past three years • Enrolling more than 2,500 patients in clinical trials to access promising new cancer treatments over the past five years, reaching every county in Oklahoma and ranking number one in the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) across the country “It’s critically important that Oklahoma has an NCIDesignated Cancer Center as a resource to address the state’s high cancer incidence and mortality rates,” said U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04). “In addition, NCI designation will have a significant economic impact by opening the door to millions of dollars in grant funding, creating more research jobs, and enhancing opportunities for developing the biotechnology sector.” In Oklahoma, one in two men and one in three women will develop cancer during their lifetime. The state has the seventh highest cancer mortality rate in the nation. This year, the American Cancer Society estimates that 19,030 Oklahoma residents will be diagnosed with cancer and that 8,470 will die from their disease. The state’s large rural and American Indian populations have significantly higher cancer incidence and mortality rates than the national average. NCI designation allows the Stephenson Cancer Center to communicate and collaborate on new advances in cancer care with other NCI-Designated Cancer Centers across the nation. Locally, the Stephenson Cancer Center will be able to increase community engagement, including volunteers, patient advisory groups, and education and intervention programs. “This NCI designation recognizes the outstanding research and care that occurs at the Stephenson Cancer Center, and our deep commitment to making advances in the fight against cancer,” said Rainbolt Family Endowed Chair and Stephenson Cancer Center Director Dr. Robert Mannel. “In addition to the efforts of our cancer center faculty and staff, I want to thank the members of our federal delegation and our state, university and philanthropic leadership for supporting the Stephenson Cancer Center on its journey to NCI designation.” (continued to page 47)

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OKC Innovates Symposium Presents: SENSORS Monday, June 11 Embassy Suites Downtown/Medical Center

OKC Innovates presents its third symposium “Sensors” on 1-6 p.m., Monday, June 11, Embassy Suites, 741 N Phillips Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73104. This symposium will help our community understand the many amazing ways that advances in sensor technology are changing the way we run our businesses and live our lives. Sensors are used in many industries to minimize, optimize and maximize business applications. The ability for a system to see (photonic technology), feel (physical measurements), smell (electronic noses), hear (ultrasonics), think/communicate (smart electronics and wireless), and move (sensors integrated with actuators), is progressing rapidly and suggests an exciting future for sensors. A fantastic panel of experts will, over the course of a dozen different short talks, explain how sensors are being used to improve longevity, optimize processes, driven interventions, and measure phenomenon not easily measured before.

This will be a fast-paced and highly interactive event with lots of opportunities for discussion and networking interspersed between the thought-provoking presentations. Whether you are a student interested in technology, a business leader keeping up with market trends, or just a member of the community looking to stay connected with the latest innovative work being done locally, we think you’ll find value in this event and hope that you’ll join us. Focused tracks include longevity, optimization, intervention and from a distance (unmanned technology). Industries represented will be aerospace, medical, oil and gas, transportation and agricultural. Attendees will be given time to engage in table discussions and a lively Q&A with each panel of presenters. A reception will follow the event from 5-6 p.m. Tickets are $35 each. The last event sold out. Attendance is limited to 250. RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/innovation-district-sensors-symposium-2018-tickets-45697901654

Follow the OKC Innovation District on Twitter @okcinnovation, Facebook and Linked In www.okcinnovation.com 6


Scenes from the Big Data Symposium

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SATURDAY, JUNE 2 8 A.M. REGISTRATION & ACTIVITIES BEGIN 8:30 A.M. OPENING CEREMONIES & THE WALK 10:45 GRAND PRIZE GIVEAWAY

AT DELL OKC CAMPUS 3501 SW 15TH STREET OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73108

OUR ACTIVITIES MUSIC, INFLATABLES, ARTS & CRAFTS,YARD GAMES, STORY TIME, FACE PAINTING, AND MORE

WHY RMHC-OKC KEEPS FAMILIES NEAR THEIR HOSPITALIZED CHILD IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY AREA. IN 2017, 886 FAMILIES STAYED AT OUR HOUSE WITH AN AVERAGE STAY OF 9 NIGHTS AND 13,945 GUESTS FOUND A PLACE TO REST AND REGROUP DURING THE DAY IN OUR FAMILY ROOM AT THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. BECAUSE OUR GENEROUS COMMUNITY SUPPORTS FAMILIES WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST, OUR PROGRAMS ARE FREE TO FAMILIES.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

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EAM JOIN OUR T

TRATION! FREE REGIS OKC.org WalkforKids


PULL UP YOUR STRIPED SOCKS AND WALK FOR KIDS

Walk for Kids Benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities® Oklahoma City Ronald McDonald House Charities Oklahoma City her family. During the newborn checkups, the doctor (RMHC-OKC) invites everyone to come and support noticed Aspyn’s health was struggling and was immefamilies in a medical crisis by attending Walk for Kids diately medi-flighted to The Children’s Hospital at OU at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at the Dell OKC Medical Center and put in the Neonatal Intensive Care Campus at 3501 SW 15th St., Oklahoma City, OK Unit (NICU). 73108. While receiving care, Jaime and Kevin were told that Participation in Walk for Kids is Free, but registration is required at: WalkforKidsOKC.org.

Walkers will check in at 8 a.m. with Opening Ceremonies and the one mile Walk at 8:30 a.m. Giveaways and raffle prizes will be announced after the walk with the Grand Prize giveaway drawing at 10:45 a.m. Activities will begin at 8 a.m. and include: Forever After’s costumed characters to greet guests, a DJ, inflatables, arts and crafts, yard games, story time, face painting, and more. Walk for Kids is a fun, family friendly event that raises funds for RMHC-OKC by team fundraising. “Team Captains are crucial for spreading awareness about Walk for Kids,” said Karisa Rollins, RMHCOKC Director of Development. “By signing up as a Team Captain, you are opening doors for your family, friends and co-workers to help families from all over our state. We are still needing Team Captains for this year’s event, and we have some great incentives for teams who reach their goal of $1,050, which is what it costs to serve a family for two weeks to keep them near their hospitalized child.” Teams that hit the $1,050 fundraising goal become eligible for some amazing giveaways. Each member of the team who raises $75 or more of the team goal of $1,050 will be entered in the Grand Prize Giveaway Drawing of two round-trip tickets with Southwest Airlines. Anyone who donates $75 or more by May 15,, 2018, will receive a pair of our signature red and white striped socks. So gather your family, friends, church group, and even co-workers for some quality time and team building while giving families with sick kids the best medicine – each other. Walk for Kids helps families like the Randall Family from Ponca City, Okla. Jaime and Kevin Randall were expecting their fifth child. All prenatal checkups were normal, and they were excited to meet their new little girl. On May 1, 2017, at the hospital in Ponca City, Aspyn Mary Rose came into the world ready to meet

Aspyn’s conditions were terminal. She was diagnosed with Meconiam Asperation, a condition that occurs when meconium is present in the lungs during or before delivery and Microcephaly, a condition in which a baby’s head is significantly smaller than expected, often due to abnormal brain development. She was also diagnosed with Lissencephaly, a rare gene-linked brain malformation; Grin1 Genetic Mutation; and Chronic Lung Disease. Jaime and Kevin stayed 112 days at the Ronald McDonald House at The Children’s Hospital to stay close to Aspyn while she received treatment. “It was extremely important to me to keep our family together and try to live a normal life,” said Jaime Randall. “We wanted to keep our kids with Aspyn as much as possible, and the Ronald McDonald House allowed us to keep our kids involved in Aspyn’s care. My children have seen some scary stuff and have been through a lot. Without the Ronald McDonald House, we wouldn’t have been able to travel over two hours one way every day to see our baby girl and spend as much time with her as we can, while we can.” Currently, Aspyn receives ongoing treatments twice a month at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center and Integris Children’s at Baptist Medical Center. Aspyn and her whole family will be at Walk for Kids to talk about their experience and support all RMHCOKC families. For more information about Walk for Kids or families served by RMHC-OKC, please contact Jill Edenstrom, Director of Marketing/Communications at 405-4246873 x103 or jedenstrom@rmhc-okc.org.

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Preparing to Respond: Oklahoma EMS Professionals to Learn to Treat Victims of HAZMAT Exposure Whether from a chemical spill or a dirty bomb, toxic exposures are real threats. When Oklahoma Emergency Medical Services responders get the call about possible casualties from a HAZMAT incident, they need the most up-to-date knowledge and training to provide effective, life-saving treatment. The Oklahoma Center for Poison & Drug Information is offering the two-day Advanced HAZMAT Life Support TM Course June 21 and 22 in Oklahoma City to train medical responders how to provide the best medical care due to incidents, such as chemical spills or biological attacks. This course is free to Oklahoma medical residents and includes 16 hours of free CME and free AHLS verification. Course participants will learn to rapidly assess hazmat patients, recognize the symptoms of a particular toxic substance and immediately give the appropriate antidote. The AHLS course is designed for paramedics, registered nurses, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, toxicologists, pharmacists, military medical personnel and other health care professionals. As the first and most comprehensive training program to provide the critical skills necessary to effectively manage all aspects of hazmat exposure, emergency medicine personnel will be ready to face the medical challenges that can come at any time. For more information about the course in Oklahoma City, visit the AHLS website at www.ahls.org and click on “Upcoming Courses� or call Shirley Christie at (405) 271-5062. AHLS was developed at the Arizona Emergency Medical Research Center, a Center of Excellence at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, in collaboration with the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology. Pharmacists and registered nurses at the poison center are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (800) 2221222. Please do not email the poison center or a member of the poison center staff, as poisoning emergencies are not handled through email. The Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Information is a program of the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy at the OU Health Sciences Center. For more information, visit OklahomaPoison.org.

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Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic Receives Regional Business Ethics Award “Winning the Torch Award for Ethics is truly a great honor for the OAAC. Each of our co-workers daily carry that torch of integrity and ethics to ensure our patients have the best experience at our OAAC clinics.” – Scott Dennis, COO to intermediate, to advanced skills in one program. The course is designed to be completed in one year and prepares graduates for the highest level of medical coding credentials. OAAC staff members gather to receive their award from the BBB. Better Business Bureau® of Central Oklahoma (BBB) recently announced the winners of the 2018 Torch Award for Ethics. The BBB Torch Award for Ethics is intended to spotlight the practices of organizations that generate a high level of trust, among their employees, customers, and their communities. The competition was created to honor businesses that demonstrate their commitment to trust and marketplace ethics, and the award embodies BBB’s mission to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. In this rigorous competition, businesses from 54 counties in BBB of Central Oklahoma’s service area completed a meticulous application process to illustrate their commitment to ethics and community leadership. “We are honored to present the most prestigious award a BBB can give a business to these outstanding and deserving Oklahoma companies,” said Kitt Letcher, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau of Central Oklahoma. “These awards demonstrate the pinnacle of commitment to the highest ethical business standards of trust toward customers, employees and the communities in which they do business.” The 1 to 10 employee, category winner was The Andrews School based in Oklahoma City. The Andrews School is a private vocational school developing medical coders throughout the nation, from beginning,

Drabek & Hill, Inc. took home top honors in the 11 to 49 employee category. Founded in 1961 by E.J. Drabek and Jackie Hill, Drabek & Hill, Inc. has earned a reputation for service excellence and total customer satisfaction. Over the years, Drabek & Hill, Inc. has grown to be one of Oklahoma’s largest heating and air conditioning contractors and prides itself on their staff’s delivery of quality and service. Homes by Taber, which was founded in 2000 by Taber LeBlanc, received the Torch Award in the 50 to 74 employee category. Homes by Taber, a local home builder in the Oklahoma City area which has offerings of new homes starting at 1,500 square feet and going up to 2,800 square feet of indoor living space. They currently build in 18 different locations around the OKC metropolitan area. The Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic was the winner for the 75+ employee category. Founded in 1925, OAAC is one of the oldest, largest and most respected allergy, asthma and immunology centers in the U.S. OAAC is committed to professional, compassionate, patient-centered care of the highest quality. The companies underwent a lengthy application process and were judged on six criteria; Leadership Commitment to Ethical Practices, Communication of Ethical Practices, Leadership Practices to Unify (continued to page 48)

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Oklahoma researchers solve a genetic mystery—and save a teen’s life A rambunctious kid with big brown eyes, Xander Auld liked to crack jokes and goof around with his friends. He loved sports and spent lots of time on the baseball diamond, football field and basketball court. He seemed like a healthy, happy, well-adapted child. Still, his parents worried. At the age of 1, Xander had been diagnosed with abnormally high levels of red blood cells, along with elevated blood pressure. A CT scan soon revealed another symptom: small growths, or “micro-cysts,” on his kidneys, pancreas and stomach. His physicians could not find a cause for the symptoms. They prescribed medication to control his blood pressure and regular phlebotomies to keep Xander’s red-cell levels down. For more than a decade, he saw doctor after doctor, all to no avail. Over time, said his mother, Felicia Gamble, “It just became a part of life.” Eventually, his case was referred to Klaas Wierenga, M.D., who holds the McLaughlin Family Chair in Genetics at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. After a battery of tests failed to cast any light on Xander’s condition, Wierenga turned to Patrick Gaffney, M.D., a genetics researcher at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. The best hope, the two researchers decided, was for Gaffney to use the DNA sequencing technology in his lab at OMRF to analyze Xander and all of his direct family members. That way, they could identify any potential genetic differences between him and his family, none of whom shared his symptoms. For Xander, who was 13 at the time, one more test was no big deal. Not so for his younger brother, Landon. When the 10-year-old went to Wierenga’s office— along with his parents, Xander and his oldest brother, Isaiah—“he was scared,” said Gamble. Still, knowing it could help his brother, he bravely allowed Wierenga to extract blood from his arm. Studying the results of a genetic sequence can be like trying to examine individual flakes in a snowdrift. While the test narrows the analysis to two percent of the human genome, that still leaves almost 30 million letters of DNA to analyze. “We looked at data for a long time and made very little progress,” says Wierenga. But one night, a particular piece of data—a gene— caught Wierenga’s eye. “I knew this gene,” he said. 12

Zander Auld “It’s associated with renal-cell carcinoma,” a malignant cancer of the kidney. Xander’s copy of this gene was mutated. Doctors ordered an MRI, which revealed a golf-ballsized tumor in Xander’s right kidney. Eleven days later, OU urologists Dominic Frimberger, M.D., and Mohammad Ramadan, M.D., removed the kidney. Happily, there was no sign the cancer had spread. When Xander awakened, he was groggy from the anesthesia and in a good deal of pain. Still, the first words he said to his parents were, “Will you please tell the doctors thank you?” Xander had imagined that recovery would be seamless. “He thought he was going to eat Buffalo Wild Wings right after surgery,” said his father, Matt Auld. “That didn’t happen.” Still, he was able to leave the hospital after two days. Three weeks later, he was back at school. He underwent a single phlebotomy after surgery. When doctors did follow-up testing, his red-bloodcell count had decreased to a normal level. And it’s remained there ever since—without a single phlebotomy. Similarly, after a few months, Xander’s blood pressure dropped. It fell so much that his doctors took him off all blood pressure medications. (continued to page 48)


You never outgrow the need for vaccines Although you may associate them with childhood, vaccines remain important at any age. “Vaccinations are an important part of staying healthy for all adults,” said Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation President Stephen Prescott, M.D. For starters, he said, make a point of getting the annual flu shot. It’s an every-year necessity, as the virus mutates constantly. “The flu shot is one that we know we should get, but that doesn’t mean we all get it,” said Prescott. “It’s not perfect, but it is your single best defense against the flu.” The combined vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (known as whooping cough) should also be on your checklist, said Prescott. All adults should receive this vaccine—known as DTaP or TDaP—if they didn’t as children, and then a tetanus and diphtheria booster every 10 years after. Since the introduction of the vaccine, cases of tetanus and diphtheria have dropped by 99 percent, and whooping cough has been reduced by 80 percent. But those numbers are expected to climb. “I really encourage this for protection from all three, but pertussis in particular has had a large resurgence in adults because of the waning in immunization for children,” said Prescott. Two more key vaccines come along once you’re a little longer in the tooth. The FDA recently lowered the vaccination age for shingles to 50, and doctors say the new shingles vaccine, Shingrix, is a must. It’s also recommended that you get the new vaccine even if you’ve previously received the first shingles vaccine, Zostavax. “If you have ever had chicken pox, the shingles virus is already in your body, and as you get older your immune system becomes less equipped to keep it at bay,” said Prescott. “This new vaccine is superior and everyone should get it as soon as they are eligible. The risk rises with age, so get it as soon as you can to be safe.” Another must-have for adults age 65 and up is the pneumococcal vaccine. The CDC also recommends the vaccine for children younger than 2, but it’s important to receive it again later in life. Pneumococcal symptoms can range from ear and sinuses infections to pneumonia and bloodstream infections. It can even be fatal. There are two primary

vaccines for pneumococcus, PCV13 and PPSV23, that you should receive about one year apart. Other vaccines are a little more specialized and the need for them depends on your lifestyle, travel habits, health condition or other factors. These include yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, and HPV. If you never received the MMR vaccine—measles, mumps and rubella—you should also consider getting one now because the number of cases is on the rise as fewer people immunize their children. “You should ask your doctor for advice on which additional ones you need for your circumstances,” said Prescott. “The important takeaway message is: get vaccinated. Many of the vaccines you’ll need as you age will give you the best shot at long-term health and can even save your life.”

Pet Owners Encouraged to Vaccinate Against Rabies

With the onset of Spring, it is common to see an increase in cases of animal rabies across the state. Thus far in 2018, there have been a total of nine rabid animals in the state – eight skunks and one cow. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) encourages those with pets and livestock to make sure their animals are properly vaccinated. “Vaccinating your animals, particularly dogs, cats, horses and valuable cattle, against rabies can prevent both disease and heartbreak for you and your family,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley. “When pets are unvaccinated, their vaccinations are out-ofdate, or pets are not vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian, their owners have some very tough decisions to make if their pets are exposed to a rabid animal.” In order to prevent the continued spread of rabies, public health law requires unvaccinated animals exposed to a rabid animal to be either quarantined at a veterinarian’s clinic for four months (dogs and cats), or euthanized at the owner’s expense. Unvaccinated horses or livestock animals exposed to a rabid animal are generally quarantined on the owner’s premises for six months with periodic evaluation by a licensed veterinarian. Although rabies symptoms can vary, it is important to be suspicious of animals exhibiting the following (continued to page 48)

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Give Blood and Let the Adventure Begin! Summer 2018

Oklahoma Blood Institute has an exciting new adventure in store for donors who give blood to help patients in local hospitals! Donors who give blood May 14 through August 30 will receive a limited edition “Let the Adventure Begin” t-shirt and a voucher for free admission to Science Museum Oklahoma for one adult and one child.* Oklahoma Blood Institute is proud to partner with Science Museum Oklahoma, named by USA Today as a best attraction for its must-see, interactive exhibits, and commitment to advancing a hands-on understanding of science and technology. “With summer on the way, we want to give donors another extraordinary reason to give the priceless gift of blood,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute. “Patients need blood 365 days a year, but the summer months present a unique challenge since so many of us are busy with travel and activities, and we may get out of our normal donation routines.” Donors will also receive a coupon for a free honey butter chicken biscuit from Whataburger and a chance to win Whataburger for a year.*

Only ten percent of people in the United States who are eligible to give blood actually do. Blood donation takes just about an hour, and each donation can save the lives of up to three patients. Donors also receive free health screenings. If they opt not to take the t-shirt, Oklahoma Blood Institute will make a monetary donation to Global Blood Fund for blood center assistance in developing countries. As a non-profit blood center, Oklahoma Blood Institute’s donors provide every drop of blood needed for patients in more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide. Approximately 1,200 volunteer blood donors are needed each day to maintain the supply. Appointments are not required but can be made by calling Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org. *16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds. Blood donation not necessary to enter prize drawing.

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Big Giveaways for Blood Donors Who Give Before Memorial Day-May 24 & 25

Generous blood donors who give blood before the Memorial Day weekend will bring home the bacon with some incredible giveaways. Oklahoma Blood Institute is joining forces with the Oklahoma Pork Council and Tyler Media radio stations for a pre-Memorial Day blood drive event. Thursday and Friday, May 24 and 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., anyone 16 or older* who is healthy is urged to donate blood. Donors can participate at one of the following donor centers: • Central OKC, 901 N. Lincoln Blvd. • North OKC, 5105 N. Portland Ave. • Edmond, 3409 S. Broadway • Norman, 1004 24th Ave. N.W. Or one of two select mobile blood drives: • Tinker Federal Credit Union (Thursday, May 24 only, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m), 400 SW 6th, Oklahoma City (OK Pork Council will serve bbq ribs) • Cabela’s (Friday, May 25 only, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m), 1200 W. Memorial, Oklahoma City (OK Pork Council will serve carnitas) Each blood donor will receive: • FREE pulled-pork sandwich and fixings from Oklahoma Pork Council • FREE, limited-edition bacon-themed Pork Council/OBI t-shirt • Pass for 2 to Science Museum Oklahoma • Entry for a chance to win the grand prize: a new Oklahoma Joe’s combo grill and BBQ starter kit • FREE mini-sundae token from Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers • Entry for numerous prizes provided by Tyler Media including suite tickets to a Texas Rangers home game, various concert tickets including Def Leppard/Journey and Cody Johnson, a pair of JAKE JAM VIP tickets, and a $100 Melting Pot gift card This is the twelfth year Oklahoma Pork Council has teamed up with Oklahoma Blood Institute before a holiday to save lives. “Oklahoma’s hog farmers have an ethical obligation to support our local communities,” said Roy Lee Lindsey, executive director of Oklahoma Pork Council. “Some of our farmers and members of their families have needed blood before, so we realize the personal impact of blood donation.” “We urgently need people to give before the Memorial Day weekend. The lives of patients could easily be in jeopardy without help before this first summer holiday,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute. “We are truly grateful for those who take just an hour of their time to help patients in our area.” Historically, Oklahoma Blood Institute sees a decline in donations around holidays, but the potential for emergencies increases. Every drop of blood needed by patients in 90% of the state’s hospitals comes from Oklahoma Blood Institute’s volunteer donors. Those with negative blood types are especially urged to give. Each blood donation saves up to three lives. Appointments are not required but can be made at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777. * 16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year- olds must weigh at least 110 pounds. Official giveaway rules on obi.org. Giveaways available while supplies last. 15


Wayfinding System & Signage at the Oklahoma Health Center Campus

You may have noticed when driving around the campus, new signage and symbols have been going up. As the Oklahoma Health Center changes and grows, we need a wayfinding system to get us there. Patients and visitors have high expectations about the quality of care they receive. Their ability to easily find their way around our buildings directly impacts their perception of the care that the members of the Oklahoma Health Center provide. An effective wayfinding system is a key ingredient in a positive visitor experience. An important part of this system is for all Oklahoma Health Center employees and volunteers to speak the language of the wayfinding system. This information is now housed on the www.oklahomahealthcenter.com website. The new wayfinding system should be up and completely operational over the next six months. The 4 Simple Steps are an important part of the new sign system on campus. These “steps” are designed to highlight key transitions for any patient, visitor and even employees to find various destinations on campus. These visual breadcrumbs start the trail on the new street signs around campus. It is important for all employees to use these four steps, when applicable, enabling us to all speak a clear message and consistently provide effective directions whether driving to campus or following the PATH. Street From Lincoln Boulevard, the thoroughfare of our campus, the street names/numbers are the first iconic step for drivers to find the right destination. These entry points to campus are emphasized by the new signs near intersections to help funnel traffic from Lincoln into naturally formed zones that will help overall traffic flow. 16

Parking New symbols for parking help motorists and pedestrians quickly identify important parking structures or lots. These symbols are being strategically used on internal and external signs, maps and directions to help visitors find the best parking for their destination. Landmark Landmarks are meant to be easily identifiable or important points of transition inside a building while still in route to a destination. In most cases, the landmarks are elevators, but in some cases, this could be a specific entrance, a visible sculpture or a monument that is clearly identified by a visitor—ideally visible from parking or the main entrance. Landmark Elevators The high-traffic patient and visitor elevators that are located on the Path have all been identified with a letter on a black and white symbol. Elevators A through Z are organized along the Path from West to East. You will see signs for Landmark Elevators inside buildings, adjacent parking garages and along the Path. Destination Destinations can be indicated in several forms, but are rarely just a building. The previous steps guide individuals to a building. A destination is a particular location inside a building. It could be a floor, suite, department or clinic. Many of the OHC clinics and hospital destinations have adopted a colored shape to uniquely identify their location. These types of IDs are used at: OU Medical Center and The Children’s Hospital.


Tips for Planning Summer Camps Are you planning on summer camps for your children? By careful planning, parents can choose the best fit for their child to attend a camp that accommodates children with allergies. Plan a visit with the camp director and if your child has food allergies, the camp’s dietitian. Explain your child’s allergies and if your child has asthma, have an asthma action plan in place. Give a copy of your child’s food allergies to the camp dietitian. Look at the camp’s policies. If your gut reaction is no, then follow your feelings. Teenage camp counselors may not be paying very close attention to severe allergies without proper training. “If your child is mature enough to understand his or her allergies,” said Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic Board-Certified Allergist Dr. Richard Hatch, “this can help be your guide as to what kind of camp would work best. Today, camps are available specifically for kids with special medical needs.” Dr. Hatch had these suggestions for families. “When your child is at a full day camp, prepare ahead of time,” said Dr. Hatch. “Bringing their own lunch or snacks can help decrease food allergy concerns. Any contact activities should be addressed with the camp director in case foods are used in craft activities.” When a child hits the tween ages, and doing successful overnight sleepovers at friends’ houses, an overnight camp might be a good choice. Of course, the same considerations concerning food and other allergic issues should be discussed. Once a child is older, there are more available options and special interest camps. However, teens are in their high-risk anaphylaxis years. Adults need to understand the risks and children need to fully understand how to use their epinephrine and keep it with them at all times. The following are some potential questions you can ask the camp before you make a commitment: • Is the camp accredited? An accredited camp with the American Camp Association has met more than 300 health and safety standards. • How does your camp handle food allergies? Hopefully, the camp has a written policy with practiced emergency procedures. Is the camp staff willing to address your child’s special needs?

Dr. Richard Hatch • Does the camp have epinephrine auto-injectors? Your child should always carry his/her epinephrine, however, it would be helpful if the camp stocked epinephrine. • Are there any medical professional on-site? Ask if the staff has been trained to administer epinephrine. • Where is the closest medical facility and how long does it take to get there? • Are the children taken off-site and is the accompanying adult trained to administer epinephrine? • Has the staff been trained in food allergies and do they know how to recognize an allergic response? • Does the food service staff understand specific procedures for preparing and serving food with safe ingredients and without cross contamination? • Pre-planning – have a written food allergy management plan, having a trained adult nearby, providing safe snacks or special meal prep, serving and seating arrangements. Camps should be able to make reasonable modifications and not deny participation due to food allergies. If you feel uncomfortable about a particular camp and the staff, look for another camp. If possible, find one that is set up to accommodate children with food allergies. That way, you can know that your child is safe and having fun away from home. A board-certified allergist can diagnose allergies, and determine the specific triggers that cause them, through simple tests. The allergists at OAAC evaluate and manage patients of all ages. The main clinic is on the Oklahoma Health Center campus. For patient convenience, satellite offices are located in Edmond, Norman, Midwest City and northwest Oklahoma City. For more info: OAAC website at www.oklahomaallergy.com or call (405) 235-0040. 17


Oklahoma Health Center Campus *Member Organizations Oklahoma Health Center Foundation

1. American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma 2. Dean McGee Eye Institute* 3. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4. WovenLife* 5. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner 6. Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic* 7. Oklahoma Blood Institute* 8. Children’s Hospital Foundation* 9. Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation* 9a. OMRF Research Tower* 9b. OMRF Bell Building* 9c. OMRF – Acree-Woodworth Building* 9d. OMRF – Massman Building* 10. Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics* 11. Oklahoma Department of Health* 12. Baker Hughes GE* 13. Department of Human Services 14. OU Medical Center* A. Professional Office Building B. OU Medical Center C. The Children’s Hospital D. Oklahoma Transplant Center E. OU Medical Center Surgical Center 15. OU University Research Park 655 Conference Center Pall Forte Oklahoma Business Roundtable Oklahoma State Regents OneNet OTRC OU Medical Center Financial Services OU Medical Center Marketing Presbyterian Health Foundation* Potts Family Foundation Pure Protein SIWA ViewSolid, Inc. 755 DNA Solutions COARE Biotech Haus Spaus Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center URP Management Office MedEncentive Moleculera NewSpin360 Nova Venture Services, LLC OCAST*

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OptumRX Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center OUHSC Center for Intelligence and National Security* Potawatomi Federal Solutions Purmabiologics Sigma Blood Systems Sylvia Bottomley 800 Biolytx Pharmaceuticals Corp. Charlesson Comp. Risk Management Crisalis Cytovance Biologics EyeCRO Inoveon Oklahoma Health Center Foundation* OU Health Sciences Center* Transtimulation Research, Inc. Zanek 825 Camilles Sidewalk Cafe Richey’s Grill 840 ARL Bio Pharma* Cytovance Biologics DNA Solutions* Gear Up i2E, Inc. LabCorp Office of Educational Quality and Accountability Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education OU Physicians - Reproductive Medicine* OUHSC Financial Services* OUHSC Payroll* Selexys Pharmaceuticals 865 Accele Biopharma ARL Bio Pharma* Drik LLC Michael F. Price College of Business Miles Associates OUHSC Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance* OUHSC Facilities Management* OUHSC Office of the Fire Marshal* OUHSC Grants and Contracts* OUHSC Office of Research Administration* OUHSC Vice President for Research* OUHSC Vivarium* University Health Club 885 Cytovance Biologics

16. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center* A. Allied Health Practice Center B. Basic Sciences Education Building C. Campus Police Station D. College of Allied Health E. College of Dentistry F. Biomedical Sciences Building G. Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing H. Henry D. & Ida Mosier College of Pharmacy I. College of Public Health J. David L. Boren Student Union K. Don E. Hogg Greenhouse L. G. Rainey William Pavilion M. Harold Hamm Diabetes Center N. O’Donoghue Research Building - OU Medical Center Senior Health Clinic O. Stephenson Cancer Center P. Child Study Center Q. OU Physicians Building* R. OU Physicians Dermatology* S. OU Physicians Family Medicine Center* T. Robert M. Bird Library and Graduate College U. OUHSC Technology Center V. Service Center Building W. Stanton L. Young Biomedical Research Center X. Steam and Chilled Water Plant Y. University Health Club Z. University Village AA. OUHSC Faculty House BB. OUHSC (Formerly Oklahoma City Clinic) CC. OU Children’s Physicians 16. Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services* (located off campus) 17. University Hospitals Authority and Trust* 18. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City* (located off campus) 19. Ronald McDonald Family Room (in The Children’s Hospital)* 20. Ronald McDonald House II (in Garrison Tower)* 21. Andrews Academic Tower (UHAT)* 22. Embassy Suites Downtown/Medical Center* 23. OK Kids Korral 24. Oklahoma’s Credit Union* (located off campus) 25. Focus Federal Credit Union* 26. Land Run Commercial Real Estate*


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Experts propose improving clinical trials for lupus An Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation physician-scientist is spearheading a call for transformative changes in clinical trials for new lupus drugs. In a new paper Joan Merrill, M.D. led a large team of lupus specialists and treatment developers to detail approaches that could lead to new and effective drugs reaching hospitals and clinics. “In a nutshell, the goal of the paper is to create a dramatic shift in how lupus clinical trials are conducted so effective treatments can stand a chance to succeed,” said Merrill, Director of Clinical Projects in the Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program at OMRF, who also serves as the Lupus Foundation of America’s Chief Advisor of Clinical Development. The paper addresses long-standing barriers that have limited the development of new treatments for lupus. Only one new drug, belimumab, has been approved since the 1950s. “I have been involved in more than 30 failed clinical trials since the 1990s, and they did not all need to fail. Because of the way things have been set up, a lot of these drugs will never be made available even though they might have been effective,” said Merrill. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause unpredictable flares of inflammation affecting almost any organ in the body. While the disease can be relatively mild in some people, it can become serious and even fatal for others, causing serious damage to the brain, heart, kidneys or lungs. According to the LFA, more than 1.5 million Americans have one or more form of lupus, which primarily strikes women. The standard of care relies on trial and error, primarily using treatments borrowed from other illnesses that have not been properly studied in lupus. In the paper, Merrill and her colleagues propose making it possible to test more treatments by decreasing the size of trials. This can be accomplished through designs that increase the differences that can be detected when effective treatments are given, while reducing false impact from ineffective agents. The specific recommendations about how to do this are based on the analysis of many past, disappointing studies in lupus, and include the evaluation of more clear-cut disease manifestations, more stringent endpoints and use of current scientific 20

advances to help select patients most likely to benefit from a specific therapy. “If you take these ideas and apply them to clinical trials, we will be able to interpret the data better,” said Merrill. “This could lead to more approvals of effective drugs and will prevent ineffective drugs from succeeding. That would be huge, because our patients need safer and more effective treatments.” The group also urged a community-wide effort to make trials available to patients with more types of lupus and to more minority patients, who, when left out of trials are also left out of access to new treatments that could work for them. Merrill authored the paper, which appeared in the journal Lupus Science & Medicine, with substantial input from Susan Manzi, M.D., M.P.H., Chair of the Medicine Institute at Allegheny Health Network and Medical Director of the Lupus Foundation of America, and Victoria P. Werth, M.D., Professor of Dermatology and Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, as well as a large group of leading lupus clinicians and trialists, and advice from biopharmaceutical experts. The Lupus Foundation of America will be presenting the findings of this paper to the FDA in the coming months. At OMRF, Dr. Merrill works closely with Dr. Judith James, Head of the Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program, in designing trials for lupus that are linked to complex immunologic profiling of the patients. “We are working on small pilot projects to bring lupus treatment kicking and screaming into the 21st century,” she said.


ARL Bio Pharma, Inc.

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Baker Hughes - GE

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Children’s Hospital Foundation

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Dean McGee Eye Institute

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DNA Solutions, Inc.

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Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic

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Oklahoma Blood Institute

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Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology

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Oklahoma Health Center Foundation

30

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services

31

Oklahoma State Department of Health

32

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

33

Oklahoma School of Science & Mathematics

34

OU Medical Center

35

OU Physicians

36

Presbyterian Health Foundation

37

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Oklahoma City

38

University Hospitals Authority and Trust

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University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center: College of Allied Health • College of Dentistry College of Medicine • College of Nursing College of Pharmacy • College of Public Health Graduate College • Stephenson Cancer Center Harold Hamm Diabetes Center

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Woven Life

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Member Organizations

Associate Members Oklahoma’s Credit Union

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Embassy Suites

44

Focus Credit Union

45

Land Run Commercial Real Estate Advisors

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Member

Tom Kupiec, Ph.D., President and CEO 840 Research Parkway Suite 546 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Phone: (405)271 1144 Website: www.arlok.com ARL Bio Pharma is a contract laboratory that provides analytical and microbiological testing services for the pharmaceutical industry. Our laboratory works with pharmaceutical companies, compounding and hospital pharmacies, drug manufacturers, academic institutions, and research scientists bringing excellence to pharmaceutical sciences. ARL recognizes the importance of providing quality testing services. With over 100,000 formulations tested, we assist our clients in providing quality drug products to their patients. Our services include: full analytical and research and development support, stability and compatibility studies, micro-

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biology testing, dissolution testing, microbial identification, bioequivalence studies, and pre-clinical and clinical support. ARL also assists local and government agencies and regulatory bodies with forensic drug investigations including: drug diversion testing, chemical and biological analysis, complaint sample testing, litigation support, product contamination and patent infringement. Contact ARL for more information on analytical, microbiological analysis and forensic drug investigation services at 800-393-1595.


Member

Taylor N. Shinn Director – Ventures & Growth Baker Hughes, a GE Company 204 N Robinson Ave Ste 1300, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Website: www.bhge.com Baker Hughes, a GE company (NYSE:BHGE) is the world’s first and only fullstream provider of integrated oilfield products, services and digital solutions. Drawing on a storied heritage of invention, BHGE harnesses the passion and experience of its people to enhance productivity across the oil and gas value chain. BHGE helps its customers acquire, transport and refine hydrocarbons more efficiently, productively and safely, with a smaller environmental footprint and at lower cost per barrel. Backed by the digital industrial strength of GE, the company deploys minds, machines and the cloud to break down silos and reduce waste and risk, applying breakthroughs from other industries to advance its own. With operations in over 120 countries, the company’s global scale, local know-how and commitment to service infuse over a century of experience with the spirit of a startup – inventing smarter ways to bring energy to the world.

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Member

Kathy McCracken, Executive Director 901 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 305 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 405-650-1718 Toll Free: 888-229-KIDS Tax ID: #73-1200262 Website: www.chfKids.com Children’s Hospital Foundation improves the health of children through its support of research, educational and clinical care at the Oklahoma Health Center. 100% of funds raised through the Foundation will stay in Oklahoma giving children access to exceptional pediatric specialists without leaving the state and regardless of their ability to pay. Quick Facts • All funds raised stay in Oklahoma • 36 endowed research chairs and 20 research programs • Supports training of 75% of Oklahoma’s pediatricians • More than 233,000 patient encounters each year • 3,000+ volunteers • More than $121 million raised • Private 501 (c)(3) nonprofit established in 1983 • Specialized Programs • Adolescent Medicine • Cancer and Blood Disorders • Diabetes, Growth and Thyroid • Emergency Medicine • Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases • General Pediatrics • Infectious Diseases • Heart, Lung, Kidney Disorders • Medical Genetics • Neonatology • Pediatric Education • Pediatric Surgery CHF is currently recruiting endowed chairs and has naming opportunities available. For more information, contact Children’s Hospital Foundation toll free 888-229-KIDS (5437) or (405) 271-2260.

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Member

Gregory L. Skuta, M.D., President and CEO 608 Stanton L. Young Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73104-5065 Phone: (405) 271-6060 Website: www.dmei.org Dean McGee Eye Institute Benchmarks of Excellence The Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) is dedicated to serving all Oklahomans and the global community through excellence and leadership in patient care, education, and vision research. It is one of America’s largest and most respected centers for medical and surgical eye care with approximately 195,000 total patient visits annually from all 77 Oklahoma counties and the surrounding region, and serving more than 8,300 surgical patients annually in its state-ofthe-art ambulatory surgery center. Twenty-two of DMEI’s 29 ophthalmologists (and all of those recruited before 2013) are listed among the Best Doctors in America and/or Castle Connolly Top Doctors. In U.S. News and World Report’s 2016-2017 survey, DMEI was recognized as one of the nation’s top 20 academic eye centers (seventh among those affiliated with a public university). The Eye Institute’s residency program also was ranked among the country’s top 20 by Doximity (eighth among public universities) and attracts top medical students from across the nation. In 2015, the University of Oklahoma (OU) College of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology, which is housed in the DMEI, ranked among the country’s top 20 departments in National Institutes of Health funding (tenth among departments affiliated with a public university) and 14th in the nation in cumulative funding from Research to Prevent Blindness (seventh among public universities).

dent of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus in 2018; and one is a Past President of the American Glaucoma Society. DMEI provides approximately $1 million of care to needy Oklahomans each year. The Dean McGee Eye Institute provides more than $1 million of care to needy Oklahomans each year.

In a survey released by Ophthalmology Times in November 2017, DMEI was ranked third in the nation overall behind the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute/University of Miami and the Wilmer Eye Institute/Johns Hopkins University. It was ranked second for clinical care and the residency program and fifth among research programs. Its physicians and scientists hold or have held numerous major leadership positions in national and international organizations. DMEI’s Director of Vision Research is a Past President of the International Society for Eye Research, Past Vice President of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and a recipient of ARVO’s prestigious Proctor Medal; two members of the faculty are recent directors of the American Board of Ophthalmology; three serve or have recently served on the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) including two who are Past Presidents; another will become Presi-

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Member

Thomas C. Kupiec, Ph.D., CEO and President DNA Solutions, Inc. 755 Research Parkway, Ste. 510 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104 Phone: 405-271-6033 Fax: 405-271-6034 www.dnasolutionsusa.com DNA Solutions is a genetic testing laboratory that reveals answers contained within the strands of DNA. Trusted for over 17 years, our dedicated team of scientists utilizes the most advanced technologies to deliver superior, cost effective results for many types of genetic testing including humans, animals, and microbial identification. Our laboratory is one of a select few private labs in the United States that has the combination of FBI Quality Assurance Standards, American Association of Blood Banks, and ISO/

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IEC 17025 accreditations including our accreditation in Mitochondrial DNA sequencing. As a world leader in genetic and human remains testing, our laboratory partners with federal, state, and city government agencies to assist in the processing of forensic casework including the United States Department of Agriculture, Federal Aviation Administration, police agencies, District Attorneys, Public Defenders, and Medical Examiners. DNA Solutions also works with academic and private researchers to develop novel genetic applications and technologies including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), allele determination, and marker development. Contact DNA Solutions today if you require DNA Testing at (405) 271-6033 or www.dnasolutionsusa.com.


Member

Serving Oklahoma and the southwest since 1925, the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic is one of the oldest and largest medical practices in the United States dedicated solely to the treatment of allergy, asthma and immunology. The Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic has seven physicians on its medical staff; board certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology and are on the teaching faculty at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. OAAC is one of only a few allergy groups in the United States with a full-time Nurse Practitioner who holds a Doctorate and is a pulmonary disease management coordinator consulting with individual patients about breathing techniques and asthma education. Also on staff are two full-time, registered, licensed nurse practitioners. Almost one-fourth of Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic’s patients are referred from outside Oklahoma City and travel many miles for the sophisticated, high-level allergy and asthma care and to participate in the numerous research studies.

Scott B. Dennis, MHA 750 N. E. 13th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73104-5010 Phone: (405) 235-0040 Website: www.oklahomaallergy.com Facebook oklahomaallergyandasthmaclinic Twitter @okallergyasthma The Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic has a Burkard pollen and mold collection instrument on the roof of its main location and provides the daily counts to the media and the counts are also posted on the website and on social media. The Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic has its central clinic location on the Oklahoma Health Center campus. Four full-service satellite clinics are located in Edmond, Norman, Midwest City and Northwest Oklahoma City, adjacent to Mercy Hospital. A new Norman practice building opened in December 2016. How is an allergist different than a regular physician? An allergist is a doctor who is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases and conditions. Those conditions include asthma and frequent coughing; hay fever; sinus infections; eye allergies; reactions to food, insect stings and drugs; and immune system problems that might cause frequent infections. You should see an allergist if you have any of these conditions. More than 50 million people in the United States have these allergic diseases. Although symptoms may not always be severe, allergies and asthma are serious and should be treated that way. Many people with these diseases simply don’t realize how much better they can feel with proper treatment. An allergist is trained to find the source of symptoms, treat it and help patients feel healthy. After earning a medical degree, the doctor must complete a three-year residencytraining program in either internal medicine or pediatrics. Then, an allergist completes two or three more years of study in the field of asthma, allergy and immunology.

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Member

or other blood disorder. Oklahoma Blood Institute regularly ranks in the top performance tier, due to its ability to recruit marrow registrants from ethnically and age-diverse populations.

John Armitage, M.D., President, CEO 1001 N. Lincoln Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Phone: (405) 278-3100 Website: www.obi.org Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America. Every drop of blood needed by patients in more than 160 medical facilities in Oklahoma is provided by Oklahoma Blood Institute donors. Every hospital in the metro-Oklahoma City area is exclusively serviced by Oklahoma Blood Institute. An average of 1,200 blood donors a day is required to meet these needs. Volunteer blood donors give more than 280,000 units of blood annually to provide a safe and adequate blood sup¬ply. Blood donors with Oklahoma Blood Institute know they are, literally, saving the lives of their friends, family and co-workers, who may one day need blood in an urgent situation. One blood donation can save as many as three peoples’ lives. Oklahoma Blood Institute is responsible for recruiting blood donors, as well as collecting, processing and testing blood components and transporting them to hospitals across the state. Random inspections by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) confirm the consistent quality of Oklahoma Blood Institute’s operations at every donation site. Oklahoma Blood Institute employs nearly 800 Oklahomans and works with 1,200 volunteers and 2,600 blood drive coordinators throughout Oklahoma’s communities. Its donor centers are located in Ada, Ardmore, Edmond, Enid, Lawton, Norman, central Oklahoma City (Oklahoma Health Center), north Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Dozens of mobile blood drives are conducted in conjunction with businesses, schools and civic groups each week across the state. Oklahoma Blood Institute is the state’s only affiliate of Be The Match®, the national marrow donor program. For more than 12,000 Americans each year, a marrow or stem cell transplant is the only hope for a cure of a life-threatening blood cancer

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Oklahoma Blood Institute has developed, and is the first blood center in the nation to launch the Thank-the-DonorTM program. It is a unique, patent-pending web-based application that allows blood recipients to send an electronic thank you note to their individual blood donors. Oklahoma Blood Institute has teamed up with several hospitals across the state to introduce Thank-the-DonorTM to blood recipients and their family members. Oklahoma Blood Institute is also a vital link in cell therapy, procuring healthy stem cells for transplants from adult marrow and umbilical cord do¬nations. The future holds great promise as Oklahoma Blood Institute expands research and treatment partnerships within the healthcare biosciences industry. Cell therapies and regenerative medicine applications are predicted to revolutionize care for the most lifethreatening diseases. Oklahoma Blood Institute is uniquely positioned as a ready-made ‘cell bank’ with hundreds of thousands of combinations of genetic characteristics among its blood donors. Through Oklahoma Blood Institute’s BioLinked, a confidential research database, these giving people may be offered the opportunity to further make a difference in the lives of others as part of medical research. Oklahoma Blood Institute can accelerate this revolutionary research cost effectively, so that today’s vision more rapidly becomes the reality of life-enhancing, routine medical treatments.


Member

Michael Carolina, CEO 755 Research Parkway, Suite 110 Oklahoma City, OK 73104-3612 Local: (405)319-8400 Toll Free: 866-265-2215 In Tulsa: 618 East Third Street, Suite 5 Tulsa, OK 74120 918-576-7650 Website: www.ocast.ok.gov Facebook: www.facebook.com/ocast.ok.gov Twitter: www.twitter.com/ocast The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) was established in 1987 as the state’s agency for technology-based economic development. OCAST’s mandate is to “expand and diversify Oklahoma’s economy and provide new and higher quality jobs for Oklahomans” by encouraging “. . . the development of new products, new processes and

whole new industries in Oklahoma.” (O.S. 74, Sections 5060.1a and 5060.2A) MISSION To foster innovation in existing and developing businesses • by supporting basic and applied research • by facilitating technology transfer between research laboratories and businesses • by providing seed capital for innovative firms in the development of new products or services • by helping Oklahoma’s small and medium-sized manufacturing firms become more competitive through increased productivity and modernization (O.S. 74, Section 5060.3) VISION OCAST funds cutting-edge science and technology through processes that are recognized nationally and internationally for demonstrating excellence, objectivity and economic impact. OCAST’s vision is continued growth and vitality of its basic premise of facilitating collaborations between state government, universities, start-up companies and established large-scale firms to develop an entrepreneurial environment which supports technologybased economic development. OCAST’s strategy includes technologies such as biosciences, information technology, sensors and electronics, advanced materials, energy and alternative fuel sources. Achieving this vision will result in continued growth of advanced technology companies in the state thereby increasing Oklahoma’s global competitiveness, per capita income and quality of life.

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Member

Terri White ODMHSAS Commissioner 2000 N. Classen Blvd, Ste E600 Oklahoma City, OK 73106 Phone: (405) 522-3908 Website: www.odmhsas.org TThe Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is the State’s statutory authority responsible for prevention, treatment and recovery of mental illness, substance abuse and addictive disorders. This includes management and oversight of the state’s behavioral health Medicaid services along with rule-making responsibility for statutory certification processes stipulated by O.S., Title 43A. It is the agency’s core mission to assure that prevention and treatment services are provided for all Oklahomans. The services, programs and initiatives undertaken by the department are dedicated to this end. ODMHSAS, primarily through a network of contracted private providers, delivers services to approximately 197,000 Oklahomans annually, provides prevention activities in all 77 counties, and certifies and reviews more than 3,300 public and private treatment providers (organizations and individuals) throughout the state. Oklahoma experiences consistently high rates of mental illness and addiction, and increasing negative outcomes for those unable to access appropriate care. Only a third of Oklahomans who need services are actually getting those needed services. This is a problem that has existed for decades. The continued demand on state-funded services, in addition to increased stress on private systems, has created a crisis situation 30

that will only grow worse if we are unable to provide additional opportunities for service engagement. ODMHSAS was established through the Mental Health Law of 1953, although publicly supported services to Oklahomans with mental illness date back to early statehood. Until the mid-1960s, the primary means to treat mental illness was institutionalization in large state hospitals. On an average day in 1960, nearly 6,400 Oklahomans were in the state’s mental hospitals. In the mid-1970s, the concept of “deinstitutionalization” prompted states to increase efforts to utilize outpatient services through Community Mental Health Centers. This approach has proven to be an effective means of recovery and a less costly method to provide services as compared to long-term inpatient care in a hospital setting. Today, the majority of individuals seeking services in the state system are effectively served in their communities. Despite challenges, Oklahoma has become a national leader in several areas of community based services including the implementation of programs for assertive community treatment, alternative criminal justice initiatives such as drug and mental health courts, and comprehensive services for children and families. In many ways, Oklahoma already is “ahead of the curve” in terms of treatment success for people with mental illness or substance abuse problems. With a focus on community-based and proven practices, and emphasis on treatment across the lifespan, from children to the elderly, more Oklahomans experiencing brain disease are finding recovery and wellness.


Member

Terry Taylor, President 800 N. Research Parkway, Suite 400 Oklahoma City, OK 73103 Phone: (405) 271-2200 www.oklahomahealthcenterfoundation.com The mission of the Foundation is to promote innovations in healthcare and science, and to serve as a connector between our member organizations, in order to raise awareness of the Oklahoma Health Center’s profile among business and governmental entities as a key driver of economic development. The Oklahoma Health Center (OHC) is unique, unlike any other medical center in the United States or even the world. With an annual economic impact of almost $3 billion in the greater Oklahoma City area, the OHC represents the second largest concentration of employees and students in Oklahoma — more than 18,000 —larger than a number of Oklahoma communities. Chartered in 1965, the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation, Inc. (OHCF) was established to assist the Oklahoma Health Center, and its 21 member entities, in matters of mutual physical, administrative and planning concerns. This assistance helps drive the OHC’s potential in attracting and developing biomedical and biotechnical industries in Oklahoma. From cutting-edge biotechnology companies to government, medical education, patient care and community support institutions, OHCF serves as the facilitator to 21 world-renowned organizations. OHCF works closely with many aspects of the campus and its organizations, serving as a liaison between Federal, State, County and City governments by representing the various interests of the campus.

OHCF’s Board recently voted to assume management of the emerging OKC Innovation District which encompasses the Health Center across I-235 to Automobile Alley. OHCF, in the spirit of fostering collaboration, OHCF is hosting symposiums and quarterly Mind-Meld events. OHCF is a founding member of the 10th Street Medical Business Corridor, a vital and stabilizing anchor to north downtown, which links the OHC campus to other medical facilities in the area, along 10th street. OHCF is responsible for the implementation of the campus Master Plan. Treasures For Tomorrow program began in 2002, and almost $3 million was raised. Projects included public art sculptures at Dean McGee Eye Institute and The Children’s Hospital, and Founders Plaza at Stiles Park featuring the Beacon of Hope. In 2016, the focus was changed to donate monies raised to health-related research projects. Treasures For Tomorrow, $50,000 was awarded to OUHSC and the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center to further the research on this existing project focusing on diabetes. OHCF is involved in the plans for a modern and comprehensive way-finding signage project. Since 2000, more than $534 million in construction costs have been completed at the campus. OHCF continues to serve as a facilitator between developing agencies and their surrounding agencies, ensuring the successful and orderly growth of the campus. OHCF continues to serve the campus interests as a key stakeholder through meetings with the City of Oklahoma City in discussing the proposed MAPS 3 streetcar development and its potential service to the OHC. OHCF continues to represent the interests of the OHC in the successful, revitalization development of downtown Oklahoma City by closely working with the City of Oklahoma City, the Greater OKC Chamber of Commerce and Downtown OKC, Inc. 31


Member

Tom Bates Interim Commissioner 1000 N.E. 10th Oklahoma City, OK 73117 Phone: (405)271-4200 Website: www.health.ok.gov A Day in the Life of Public Health… From the time you get up in the morning till you go to bed at night, public health is involved in your life: • When you got up this morning, you made food choices for breakfast. We provide you messages on healthy food choices. • You have a yearning for that cigarette you are trying to give up. We work with the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline to help you quit smoking. • Hopefully, you brushed your teeth. We work with communities to fluoridate water supplies. • You got in the car and buckled in your children, put the baby in the car seat, and buckled your own seatbelt. We encourage seat belt use and provide car seats to those who need them. • You dropped the kids off at school. All should have their mandated immunizations to protect them from childhood diseases. We provide immunizations. • You go to work where most of your colleagues seem to be sick. We investigate disease outbreaks. • You go to lunch at a local restaurant. We inspect food service facilities. • You decide not to go back to work – since everyone’s sick anyway – so you think you’ll get that tattoo you’ve been dreaming about. We license tattoo artists. • You decide to visit your grandmother to show off your new tattoo. She’s at a local nursing facility. We license nursing homes. • You pick the kids up from the after-school program. It’s one that works with the health department to 32

provide lots of physical activity and healthy snacks. • You stop off at the grocery store where you see a friend selecting fresh fruits and produce. You know she’s on WIC, the special nutrition program for women, infants and children. We administer the program. • You start to prepare dinner. You wash your fruits and vegetables to help prevent contamination from E. coli bacteria. The Public Health Laboratory analyzes food specimens during foodborne illness outbreaks. • Your sister calls and says she has enrolled in the Children First program. This is a special nurse visitation program provided by county health departments to visit first-time mothers in their home and teach them about caring for their new baby. • After dinner you go for a walk and let the kids ride their bikes. Public health partners with communities to encourage safe sidewalks and bike trails to promote physical activity. • While outside, you make sure everyone has used insect repellent containing DEET to prevent mosquito bites and tick bites. We investigate cases of West Nile virus caused by mosquito bites, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, caused by tick bites. • You put the baby to bed in a crib that meets current federal safety standards and is free of bumper pads so the baby cannot suffocate. You place the baby on its back, the safest position. We provide education on child safety. • On the 10 o’clock television news, you learn that HIV continues to be of concern in Oklahoma. Public health provides testing for HIV. • Overnight, a tornado hits your community. When you turn on the radio the next morning, you hear messages that your local health department will be providing tetanus shots for those involved in the cleanup. So indeed, public health is at work every day to keep Oklahomans healthy!


Member

Stephen M. Prescott, M. D., President 825 N.E. 13th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Phone: (405)271-7400 Website: www.omrf.org JOBS at OMRF -- https://jobs.omrf.org/applicants/jsp/ shared/frameset/Frameset.jsp?time=1380829938244 What if there was a place solely focused on research? A place where collaboration could thrive and ideas could grow? Where the stage was set for life-changing discoveries? There is.

It’s the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. • OMRF scientists hold 700 US and international patents and have developed two FDA-approved drugs. • The Scientist magazine named OMRF among the “Best Places to Work” for postdocs and in academia in 2011, 2012 and 2013. • For our work on rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, the National Institutes of Health has designated OMRF as one of only nine Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence in the US. • Our internationally recognized cardiovascular biologists are studying how blood-vessel formation impacts heart disease and breast and colon cancer. • Researchers at OMRF have identified more than 25 genes associated with lupus and five linked to Sjögren’s syndrome.

• Physicians in OMRF’s Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence offer the region’s most comprehensive center for researching and treating MS. • OMRF is seeking novel methods of preventing age-related macular degeneration, hearing loss, osteoarthritis and diabetes. • For 12 consecutive years, OMRF has earned a four-star rating—the highest possible score—from Charity Navigator, America’s largest independent charity evaluator. • With 18 vertical wind turbines that generate 85,000 kilowatt hours of energy each year, OMRF’s research tower is home to the world’s largest wind farm. • Our new biorepository holds more than 1 million patient samples in a massive freezer that maintains a constant temperature of -112 degrees Fahrenheit. • Scientists at OMRF led the largest genetic experiment ever in the field of lupus research, working with 50 scientists in 6 countries to study biological samples gathered from 15,000 patients. • OMRF has discovered an experimental medication to treat a deadly form of brain cancer. The investigational new drug is currently in clinical trials. OMRF. Discoveries that make a difference.

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Member

Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics Frank Wang, Ph.D., President The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics 1141 North Lincoln Boulevard Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104 Phone: (405) 521.6436 Website: www.ossm.edu Only one of a handful of high schools of its kind in the nation, the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics is a unique learning institution for Oklahoma students. OSSM is Oklahoma’s public residential high school for juniors and seniors with exceptional interest and abilities in mathematics and science. OSSM operates its two-year residential program in Oklahoma City, Regional Center programs around the state and also serves all Oklahoma schools and students through math contests, research, teacher training and outreach activities. OSSM was created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1983 and is funded by the state, with additional private partnership garnered by the OSSM Foundation. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by legislative leaders and the Governor. Located on a 32-acre site near the state capitol and adjacent to the teaching and scientific research resources of the Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OSSM is committed to building a strong academic foundation for each student. The school’s residency program is designed to encourage an atmosphere of informal interaction among peers and foster each student’s highest potential. The availability of laboratories along with evening and weekend programs of interest challenge students and stimulate studies. Since classes began in 1990, students have matriculated from all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties to undertake OSSM’s advanced curriculum taught by a world class, largely Ph.D. faculty, leaping forward in their academic progress. While in residence at OSSM for their junior and senior years, students receive five and one-half days of academic instruction every week in college-level courses 34

and participate in physical education and Fine Arts programs. Most science classes feature a two-or-threehour weekly laboratory experience, and many seniors participate in mentorship programs with researchers and other professionals in areas of personal interest. Students must also receive satisfactory participation reports in both campus and community service of which a total of 120 hours are required for graduation (see more at www.ossm.edu/academics). All OSSM graduates go on to pursue higher education with many earning valuable scholarships and, depending on their receiving school, many begin college with substantial credit hours already completed. OSSM graduates are continuing to leave indelible marks on Oklahoma. Of the more than 1,500 OSSM graduates thus far, more than a third have pursued engineering and roughly another third are in medicine or bioscience. Based on alumni reports, we estimate more than half of OSSM grads who have completed their higher education have also earned graduate degrees, and a substantial number have served or are serving in the U.S. armed forces. Some 85% of OSSM alumni are staying in careers in science, math, engineering and technology. More than half are now working or living in Oklahoma and a number have also begun their own businesses. GE Global Research cited OSSM as one of ten critical site selection factors in their decision to build a new research facility in Oklahoma City, and a recent independent analysis found OSSM and its graduates already stimulating more than $40 million each year in economic activity in Oklahoma. OSSM’s impact is growing with every graduating class!


Charles L. Spicer, Jr., FACHE

Member

President and Chief Executive Officer of OU Medicine, Inc.

Jon Hayes, MHA, CMPE

President, The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center

Kris Wallace, RN, MBA President, OU Medical Center

OU Medical Center 700 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104 The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center 1200 Childrens Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Find OU Medicine at www.oumedicine.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Children’s Hospital can be found at www.oumedicine.com/childrens and on Facebook.

The 350-bed OU Medical Center is home to the state’s only level I trauma center. We provide a full range of heart care services at OU Medicine Cardiovascular Institute, the state’s premier center for treating cardiac and vascular patients. We offer the highest level of care for stroke patients when “time is brain,” and provide unmatched neurology and neurosurgery services ranging from the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy to the most complex and advanced brain surgeries. We work alongside Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma’s only comprehensive academic cancer center. With more specialists in more fields than any other hospital in the state, we’re making sure Oklahomans are alive and well. The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center has 314 inpatient beds and is the most comprehensive pediatric

hospital in the state. Our pediatric staff blends years of specialized training with education, research and technology to treat conditions ranging from cardiothoracic and oncology-related illnesses to neonatal specialty care and pediatric solid-organ transplants. Our 93-bed neonatal intensive care unit provides the highest level of neonatal care in Oklahoma. The Children’s Heart Center brings cutting-edge research, treatment and surgery to patients with congenital and acquired heart conditions. We have the state’s largest staff of Child Life specialists to help children and families cope with hospitalization, as well as Oklahoma City’s only 24/7 pediatric emergency room. Oklahoma is alive and well, and OU Medicine is at its heart. 35


Member

1200 N. Childrens Ave., Suite 2900 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Phone: (405) 271-3932 Website: www.oumedicine.com OU Physicians is part of OU Medicine, combining academic knowledge and advanced health care. With more than 1,000 doctors, OU Physicians is the state’s largest physician group. The practice encompasses almost every adult and child specialty. Many OU Physicians have expertise in the management of complex conditions that is unavailable anywhere else in the state, region or sometimes even the nation. Some have pioneered surgical procedures or innovations in patient care that are world firsts and many are conducting groundbreaking research to develop new treatments and cures. More than 320 of our doctors and advanced practice providers are OU Children’s Physicians. The majority of them are board-certified in children’s spe¬cialties, and many provide pediatric-specific services un-available elsewhere in the state. Many children with birth defects, critical injuries or serious diseases who can’t be helped elsewhere come to OU Children’s Physicians. Oklahoma doctors and parents rely on OU Children’s Physicians depth of experience, nationally renowned expertise and sensitivity to children’s emotional needs. In 2009, OU Children’s Physicians opened a new state-ofthe-art facility on the OU Health Sciences Center campus. A year and a half later, the Children’s Atrium was opened creating a new entrance to not only the children’s physician offices, but the hospital as well. The following year, the final piece of this construction project was completed with the opening of the Samis Education Center, further enhancing the campus’ ability to provide the highest quality education services to faculty, staff and students. Many OU Physicians see patients through specialty centers like The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center and Harold Hamm Diabetes Center. The Cancer Center building represents the largest public-private biomedical initiative in

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Kevin Elledge, Chief Administrative Officer

Lynn Mitchell, M.D., Chief Medical Officer

Oklahoma history. The 210,000 square-foot facility provides patient-center care, offering the most advanced cancer detection and treatment technology, the largest and most experienced group of cancer specialists, a wide array of supportive services and an environment that provides a warm and comforting experience for patients and caregivers. Members of the Cancer Center - including faculty from OU Health Sciences Center, OU Norman, OU Tulsa, Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation - conduct innovative and nationally-funded cancer research in the basic, clinical and population sciences. The Hamm Center serves as the focal point for coordinating and expanding numerous avenues of research, patient care, education and prevention that are required to address the diabetes pandemic in a comprehensive manner. The Center collaborates across the state with communities and other agencies both inside and outside the University of Oklahoma. It was established by the University of Oklahoma with the goal of promoting the well-being of all people with or at high risk for diabetes in Oklahoma, regardless of ethnic background or financial status. OU Physicians see patients in their offices at the OU Health Sciences Center and in Edmond, Midwest City and other cities around Oklahoma. When hospitalization is necessary, they often admit patients to OU Medical Center. Many also care for their patients in other hospitals around the metro area. OU Physicians serve as faculty at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and train the region’s future physicians. For more information about OU Medicine, including OU Physicians and OU Children’s Physicians, go to www. oumedicine.com. OU Physicians faculty and staff are employed by the University of Oklahoma, one of Oklahoma’s largest employers. The university attracts leading faculty and staff from around the world. To view job opportunities within OU Physicians, go to this site: www.oumedicine.com/ ouphysicians/job-opportunities


Member

Tom Gray, President & CEO 655 Research Parkway, Suite 500 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Phone: 405-319-8150 Fax: 405-319-8168 Website: www.phfokc.com Founded in 1985 with the vision of creating a premier medical center in Oklahoma City, the Presbyterian Health Foundation has invested over $118 million in medical education and research in Oklahoma. This investment has led to medical breakthroughs which touch the lives of individuals and families in communities across the state and nation. It has also brought exciting economic opportunities by positioning Oklahoma at the forefront of genetic research and biotechnology. Proceeds from the 1985 sale of the Presbyterian Hospital were used to create a foundation which would enhance medical research and education in the state of Oklahoma. Trustees of the Presbyterian Hospital continued with the newly formed foundation and believed the potential for excellent health could become the norm, rather than the exception, for all people. Nearly 30 years later, Trustees of the Foundation continue to share a set of values, expectations, and modes of behavior refined under strong leadership and forged by a long history of success that has made a tremendous impact on the people of Oklahoma.

Over the last decade, Presbyterian Health Foundation developed the PHF Research Park which contains 700,000 square feet of wet lab and office space and provides a place for researchers to translate discovery to solutions, putting science to work solving a specific human health need. Following the 2013 sale of the PHF Research Park to the University of Oklahoma, the Foundation has returned to focusing its efforts on supporting scientific research and medical education at the Oklahoma Health Center Campus. The purpose of the foundation is to provide resources and to encourage the development of medical education and research programs, conducted primarily in Oklahoma. The Foundation concentrates its support in four areas: • Medical Research • Medical Education • Community Health Programs • Technology Transfer Researchers, mentors, administrators and leaders in biotech companies are all part of a community of people who bring to life the ideas of PHF’s mission. PHF will continue its mission to support excellent biomedical science where discovery may be translated to therapies that save and enhance human life. Today, the disclosures in good science, evidenced based knowledge, yield brand new widened horizons of human existence.

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Member

Susan Adams, President & Chief Executive Officer Ronald McDonald House Charities® Oklahoma City Administrative Offices 13439 Broadway Extension Oklahoma City, OK 73114 (405)271-3180 Ronald McDonald House at The Children’s Hospital Phone: (405)271-3180 Family Room at The Children’s Hospital Phone: (405)271-2215 Website: www.rmhc-okc.org

When a child is hospitalized or receiving ongoing medical treatment, we believe the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine. Unfortunately for most parents, being with a hospitalized child means eating out of vending machines, sleeping in chairs, or bearing the expense of hotel rooms. That is why Ronald McDonald House Charities® Oklahoma City (RMHC-OKC) is here: to keep families close…when they need it most. The 14-bedroom Ronald McDonald House located in Garrison Tower at The Children’s Hospital opened in 2015. At the House, families have a private bedroom, a family-style kitchen with home-cooked meals, laundry facilities for their personal use, and support from staff and other parents going through a similar situation. For the child in the hospital, having a Ronald McDonald House means that they can rest easier, knowing that mom and dad are staying nearby. Soon, RMHC-OKC will be expanding the House at The Children’s Hospital in two phases to grow to 40 rooms. We are excited to soon be providing additional rooms, amenities and support so that even more families will be able to stay closest to their hospitalized child. The Ronald McDonald Family Room®, located on the sixth floor of The Children’s Hospital, opened in 2008 38

for day-use respite services. Open to all families with a sick or injured child in The Children’s Hospital, parents can relax and regroup just steps away from their child’s bedside. The positive, comforting environment of both facilities allows families to focus on their child’s recovery process. Services are available to any family with a child 21 years of age or younger receiving medical treatment in the Oklahoma City area, regardless of their economic status. RMHC-OKC relies on donors and the community for support of daily operations. Guest families stay for free and are never turned away due to lack of finances. RMHC-OKC offers career opportunities within the charity, at the House and Family Room to help with daily operations. For open positions, please visit http:// rmhc-okc.org/about-us/join-our-team/ Volunteers are the heart of our charity. Individuals or groups can volunteer in the House or the Family Room. Volunteer opportunities include Guest Chef Volunteers who cook a meal for our guest families; House and Family Room Volunteers who provide administrative support and greet families with welcoming smiles; Project Volunteers who help with projects such as decorating for holiday festivities, assembling welcome bags and taking pull tabs to the recycler; and Special Event Volunteers who help with setup, registration and other event related tasks for Walk for Kids and the Red Shoe Gala. For more information on volunteering please visit: https://rmhc-okc.org/get-involved/volunteer/ The organization has many ways to give which include our Wish List for donated items, Pull Tabs Recycle Program, Vehicle Donation Program and Donation Box Giving. To check out our Wish List and other special ways you can help the House visit: https://rmhc-okc. org/get-involved/other-ways-to-give/ For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities® Oklahoma City, please visit www.rmhc-okc. org or call (405)424-6873.


Member

Jason R. Sanders, MD Senior Vice President and Provost P.O. Box 26901, LIB 221 Oklahoma City, OK 73126 Phone: (405) 271-3223 Website: www.ouhsc.edu

In education, research and patient care, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is the state’s premier academic health center and regional leader in meeting the challenges of 21st-century health care. The most concentrated source of medical expertise in Oklahoma, the OU Health Sciences Center’s new facilities and new technology -- plus an internationally prominent faculty -- place it at the leading edge of the nation’s institutions of medical education. One of only four comprehensive academic health centers in the nation with seven professional schools, the OU Health Sciences Center serves more than 3,800 students enrolled in more than 70 health professions, graduate and undergraduate programs on the Oklahoma City campus and at the Schusterman Center at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. In addition, more than 700 physicians are receiving residency training in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Research, training grants and contracts, and sponsored program activities at the OU Health Sciences Center totaled more than $120 million

in FY 2013. With a budget of over $870 million, OUHSC employs more than 1,200 full time faculty and 4,000 staff. More than half of all NIH expenditures in the state of Oklahoma result from OU Health Sciences Center research. The OU Health Sciences Center serves as the state’s training facility for physicians, biomedical scientists, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and a wide range of allied health and public health professionals. The OU Health Sciences Center is known for its research programs in cellular and molecular medicine, gene regulation, structural biology, cancer, diabetes, microbiology and immunology, vision, cardiovascular physiology, neuroscience and pharmaceutical sciences. The center’s growing faculty and facilities offer unparalleled opportunities for students, patient care and the development of the biomedical industry in Oklahoma. OU Health Sciences Center-developed technology is advancing the economy of Oklahoma. Companies that commercialize technology created by OU Health Sciences Center researchers have been established in Oklahoma City. OU has become one of the primary centers in the world for genome studies, with the Norman campus contributing to the human genome project and the OUHSC campus providing a number of microbial pathogen genomes. The OU Health Sciences Center ranks second in the world for the number of microbial genomes being sequenced. (Continued on page 40)

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Member

Two-thirds of all Oklahoma physicians, half of the state’s dentists and a significant percentage of Oklahoma’s other health care professionals earned their degrees from the OU Health Sciences Center. In addition, the seven OU Health Sciences Center colleges are the primary source of continuing education for the state’s health care professionals. The scientists, scholars and clinicians appointed to the OU Health Sciences Center faculty stand at the leading edge of their profession. They not only train the next generation of health care providers and researchers,

With cancer being one of the leading causes of death in the United States, The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center opened in June 2011. This cancer center allows the people of Oklahoma to receive world-class treatment without leaving the state and is staffed with some of the nation’s finest cancer physicians. It offers state-of-the-art technology, unparalleled cancer research programs, and bench-to-bedside care.

many are themselves practicing professionals actively involved in improving the lives and health of Oklahomans. The clinical practice of the OU College of Medicine is provided through OU Physicians. These physicians represent the largest multi-specialty medical group in the state with more than 500 physicians, offering almost every adult and child specialty. OU Physicians accepts referrals from across the state and region and care for hospital patients at the OU Medical Center. OU Children’s Physicians is an integral part of OU Physicians.

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The Harold Hamm Diabetes Center is a comprehensive treatment, research, and educational facility dedicated to eliminating and controlling the effects of all types of diabetes. The Diabetes Center is at the forefront in diabetes-related research, and OUHSC physician researchers are specialists in diabetes care and utilize cutting edge research for the best treatment available research.


Member

Dean Gandy, Chief Executive Officer University Hospitals Authority & Trust PO Box 26307 Oklahoma City, OK 73126 Phone: 405-271-4962 Website: www.universityhospitalsauthority.com The University Hospitals Authority and Trust are a state agency and a public trust of the state of Oklahoma. Their mission is to be a catalyst for excellence in medical education, research and health care. Through the leadership of the University Hospitals Authority and Trust, state and federal resources are maximized to ensure a dependable source of revenue for growth, development and ongoing support for programs aimed at improved health for all Oklahomans. Since 1998, the Authority and Trust have invested approximately $900 million in buildings, equipment and programs. The Trust has built or renovated and now manages over 1.6 million square feet of office and clinical space. Here are a few key projects funded by the University Hospitals Authority and Trust:

• OU Physicians Building, home to more than 130 physicians, with expertise in a wide range of medical specialties • Support for the Clinical Skills Testing and Education Center at the OU Health Sciences Center, offering cutting-edge medical simulation equipment and facilities, as well as a robot-assisted surgical training facility • Support for phase two of the Stanton L. Young Biomedical Research Center, a hub of research activity on the OUHSC campus. • Support for enhancement and expansion of the Dean McGee Eye Institute • Facility enhancement for the OU College of Dentistry, providing important upgrades and technological enhancements

• The M. Dewayne Andrews academic office tower for the OU College of Medicine • The Children’s Atrium, which serves as the front door for The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center and OU Children’s Physicians Building • Samis Education Center, a three-story, state-of-theart facility designed to accommodate a wide variety of meeting needs. • OU Children’s Physicians Building, the first freestanding, pediatric multi-specialty, medical office building in the state, featuring 336,000 square feet of medical office space designed with the needs of young patients and their families in mind 41


Member

Paula K. Porter, President & CEO 701 NE 13th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Phone: (405)239-2525 Website: www.wovenlifeok.org Did you know that we were founded as the Oklahoma Society for Crippled Children, Inc.? Since 1925, we have provided services in Oklahoma to people of all abilities. Over the years we have adjusted our services to meet the needs of our community and even changed our name a few times. Along with our board

of directors, we have once again evaluated the needs of our clients, and determined that in order to better meet the needs of Oklahomans it was time to make a change. Effective August 31, 2017, we will change our name to WovenLife, Inc. Although our name is changing, the services we provide within our community will continue. We remain committed to serving the needs of people of all ages and abilities through our inclusive Child Development Program, Adult Day Center, unique intergenerational 42

programming, educational programming, therapy services; which include behavioral, speech and occupational therapy, and financial assistance program. With this new change we will refocus to become completely concentrated on the local needs of our community, ensuring every dollar raised goes back into our community to serve Oklahomans. We are committed to empowering people of all ages and abilities to find hope and independence through compassionate care, education and support.


Associate Member

Mark W. Kelly, President and CEO 3001 N Lincoln Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73105 For all locations visit: www.okcu.org/locations/ Phone: 405.606.6328 Website: www.okcu.org Oklahoma’s Credit Union (OKCU) has been happy to help Oklahomans for over 60 years. In 2003, OKCU was granted a community charter which opened membership to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in the Oklahoma City Metro Area. The financial services industry is rich with innovation and OKCU is at the forefront offering digital document signing, Apple Pay™, Touch ID™ and apps for Android™ and iPhone®. If you’re looking for top-rated technology from your financial institution then OECU is right for you. OKCU loves to support community efforts around the Oklahoma City Metro. For example, over the last 5 years donations totaling more than $141,000 have been presented to The Children’s Hospital Foundation. OKCU also values the importance of keeping your money local and partners with Keep it Local OK, Plaza District and Uptown 23rd on community enhancement initiatives. Don’t be surprised when you find OKCU

staff passing out goodies from their Treat Trike and volunteering at events around OKC. In 2012, OKCU opened a flagship branch at 3001 North Lincoln Boulevard conveniently located 1.5 miles north of the Oklahoma Health Center Campus. OKCU offers two ATMs located on campus. You will find our ATMs inside the OU Medical Center and at the Presbyterian Professional Building. OKCU members also enjoy free access to over 900 ATMs across Oklahoma. Currently, OKCU has almost half a billion dollars in assets, employs 125 people and offers branch access at over 91 locations across Oklahoma and over 5,000 locations nationwide. OKCU serves over 40,000 people who enjoy benefits such as low or no fees on services, higher rates on deposits, and low rates on home or auto loans. To keep your money local and join a community that puts people first, not profits visit www.okcu.org or call 405.606.6328 today.

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Associate Member

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Associate Member

Kyle M. Roush, President 420 N.E. 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104 405-230-1328 Fax: 405-488.2818 Website: focusok.com In 1955, a group of seven people obtained a Federal Charter to organize a Credit Union. Employment with the University Hospital, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and Oklahoma Medical School created a common bond that today has grown to include the Oklahoma City Metro Area, more than 11,000 members and over $100 million in assets. Today, we are still a local financial institution and are proud to be made in Oklahoma. Focus Federal Credit Union personally invites anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Oklahoma, Cleveland, Canadian, Lincoln, Logan, McClain and Grady Counties to become a member and experience superior service first hand. We look forward to having the opportunity to serve you and welcome you to the Focus Family.

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Associate Member

Johnathan Russell, Land Run Commercial Real Estate Advisors: Johnathan Russell is the founder and CEO of Land Run Commercial Real Estate Advisors. Founded in 2001, Johnathan grew the two-man brokerage firm into a full service commercial real estate company that includes brokerage, construction, management and development. A former mayor, Johnathan’s activities and memberships include International Council of Shopping Centers, Urban Land Institute, Commercial Real Estate Council, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and Uptown 23.

Anna Russell is involved in both Development and Brokerage at Land Run Commercial Real Estate Advisors. She is also the owner of The Art Hall located at The Rise in Uptown OKC. Anna’s responsibilities at Land Run Commercial Real Estate Advisors include acquisition, design, marketing, leasing, and sales on a local, regional, and nation-wide basis. Activities and memberships include International Council of Shopping Centers, Urban Land Institute, Commercial Real Estate Council, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Paseo Arts Association, and Uptown 23rd.

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114 NW 6th Street, Suite 206 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 www.LRCRE.com Office 405.231.5700 Fax 405.231.5701

Land Run Commercial Real Estate Advisors, based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was formed in 2002. A privately held firm, LRC, and its affiliated companies, specialize in all aspects of commercial real estate from project conception to disposition. Our clients include local and national retailers for whom we locate new locations, property owners who depend on our expertise in managing and leasing their properties, and private investors who trust their hard earned savings to our projects. We give to these clients our expertise, professionalism, honesty and integrity; we owe them everything we have accomplished and will achieve.


Stephenson...

(Continued from page 9)

As the major referral center for cancer within the state, this designation status also strengthens OU Medicine’s overall mission of leading healthcare in Oklahoma. “The Stephenson Cancer Center is an integral part of the OU Medicine health system,” said Mike Samis, chair of the OU Medicine Board. “Earning NCI designation is a tremendous accomplishment and confirms the Stephenson Cancer Center as a national leader in cancer treatment and research. With this prestigious designation, patients will know they will receive the best care in the management of their disease, no matter how complex the diagnosis.” Bringing NCI designation to Oklahoma has been a goal since 2001 when the Oklahoma State Legislature approved House Bill 1072 with bipartisan support, calling upon the university to create a comprehensive cancer center to provide leadership in cancer treatment, research and outreach, as well as to achieve national recognition as an NCI-Designated Cancer Center. Over the past decade more than $400 million has been committed to support the development of the Stephenson Cancer Center, making it the largest public-private biomedical partnership in state history. Important stakeholders supporting the cancer center and its quest for NCI designation include the Oklahoma Legislature, the University Hospitals and Trust Authority, OU Medicine, the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, the state’s philanthropic community, the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations, and the citizens of Oklahoma. Special recognition goes to the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), an endowment created by voters in 2000 to improve the health of Oklahomans. TSET has committed more than $58 million to support cancer research at the Stephenson Cancer Center and more than $24 million to support tobacco research at the center’s Oklahoma Tobacco Research Center (OTRC). Since 2010, the Stephenson Cancer Center has recruited more than 50 researchers to Oklahoma institutions, including the OU Health Sciences Center and OU Norman campuses, as well as the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. These researchers have brought $26.6 million in out-of-state research grants and have attained an additional $93.4 million in total research

funding since arriving in Oklahoma. “In addition to research and treatment, this designation strengthens the educational mission of the OU Health Sciences Center,” said Dr. Jason Sanders, Senior Vice President and Provost for OUHSC. “In our quest for NCI designation, the OU Health Sciences Center has recruited world-class faculty who will train future generations of oncology healthcare professionals and cancer researchers, building our expertise in translational research, clinical trials and basic science, as well as cancer prevention.” Clinical and research activities at the Stephenson Cancer Center support more than 1,000 employees, including physicians and clinic staff as well as research scientists and laboratory staff.

About the Stephenson Cancer Center The Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma is the only National Cancer InstituteDesignated Cancer Center in Oklahoma. Less than 2 percent of cancer centers nationally have earned this prestigious and highly competitive accreditation for outstanding patient care and research. The Stephenson Cancer Center is the largest oncology practice in the state, with more than 70 board-certified oncology physicians and a large team of advanced providers and supportive care specialists delivering the highest standard of patient-centered, multidisciplinary care for every type of cancer. The Stephenson Cancer Center currently ranks number one among all cancer centers in the nation for the number of patients participating in NCI-sponsored treatment trials, and it is one of only 30 lead centers in the NCI’s National Clinical Trials Network. The Stephenson Cancer Center is Oklahoma’s leading cancer research organization, with more than 100 research scientists working to eliminate cancer through conducting innovative basic, clinical and populationbased research. These researchers are working on 225 cancer research projects supported by $44 million in annual grant funding from the National Institutes of Health and other sponsors. With a legislatively mandated mission to provide statewide leadership in addressing Oklahoma’s cancer burden, the Stephenson Cancer Center supports numerous outreach, education and screening programs in partnership with the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Oklahoma’s Tribal Nations among many other aligned organizations. 47


Rabies...

(Continued from page 14)

behaviors: • Lack of fear of people • Listless, confused, or less active than normally expected • Having difficulty moving or appearing paralyzed • Unusual or inappropriate aggression (without being provoked) “Although most rabies cases in Oklahoma occur in skunks, most human exposures to rabies result from contact with unvaccinated pets or livestock which become rabid following an encounter with a rabid wild animal,” said Bradley. “Having your pets currently vaccinated has the added benefit of protecting your family from exposure to rabies and avoiding any need for the costly and uncomfortable process of receiving post-exposure shots.” Oklahoma rules and regulations require an owner to present their dogs and cats to a veterinarian for rabies vaccination by the time the animal is 4 months of age, but the vaccines can be safely given as early as 3 months of age. The time to revaccinate depends upon the documentation of previous vaccines, age of the animal, type of vaccine administered, and city licensing codes. All horses and livestock having frequent contact with humans, such as those in petting zoos, fairs and other public exhibits, are recommended to be vaccinated against rabies. Owners should consider vaccinating other livestock that are particularly valuable. It is recommended to consult with a veterinarian about vaccination recommendations for all pets and livestock. Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system and is usually fatal once symptoms of the disease have started. Rabies is found in the brain, spinal cord, and saliva of infected animals and is transmitted through a bite or through contact with open skin wounds or mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, or mouth. If anyone suspects an animal has been exposed to rabies, they should immediately contact a veterinarian or the local county health department for guidance. Individuals can also consult with the OSDH Acute Disease Service epidemiologist-on-call 24 hours a day at (405) 271-4060 for evaluation of rabies risk and guidance on submitting an animal for rabies testing. For more information about rabies, visit the OSDH web site at http://www.ok.gov/health/.

Teen...

(Continued from page 12) Similarly, after a few months, Xander’s blood pressure dropped. It fell so much that his doctors took him off all blood pressure medications. Since that time, Xander has grown several inches and put on 20 pounds or so. He’ll turn 15 on Sunday, and he’s finishing up his freshman year at Yukon High School. Like his older brother, he joined the swimming team. Most importantly, the cancer has shown no signs of returning. The discovery of the mutation and the ensuing surgery, Gamble said, have been “life-changing. I am so thankful for this research. “It could have been really bad if they didn’t catch it when they did.”

OAAC... (Continued from page 11) the Organization, Organizational Commitment to Performance Management Practices, Organizational Commitment to Ethical Human Resource Practices, and Organizational Commitment to the Community. The awards were presented at each of the businesses offices, so the companies and their employees could celebrate their achievement. All four companies are now qualified and entered into the 2018 International Torch Awards for Ethics. Presented annually since 1996, the International Torch Awards for Ethics honors companies who demonstrate best practices in leadership character and high standards of organizational ethics that benefits their customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and communities. To enter the International Torch Awards for Ethics, a business must first be a winner of their local BBB award program.


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