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MARGARET CREIGHTON
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Positive Tomorrows is Oklahoma’s only elementary school that specifically serves homeless children. As development director, Margaret Creighton is responsible for all aspects of the organization’s fundraising department. Since assuming her role five years ago, Creighton has helped increase Positive Tomorrows’ fundraising budget by more than twofold. She also facilitated the campaign to raise funds for an expanded facility that tripled the school’s student capacity. While the new building requires a larger operating budget, Creighton said the children and their families make it all worthwhile. “My daily motivation comes from the positive impact I see in our families’ lives,” she said. “I watch children grow and flourish academically and socially while their families receive the support they need to build a supportive and self-sufficient family environment. Students will grow three, sometimes more grade levels per year because of the specific service we are able to provide.” Creighton’s career in fundraising began in 2003 in New York City, where she worked for Ballet Tech Foundation, setting the stage for her later career as an Oklahoma City-based fundraiser. Between leaving New York City and starting at Positive Tomorrows, Creighton added Oklahoma Arts Institute, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center to her resume. “I learned early in my education that I loved learning and the arts, but I had even more of a passion for the background — providing resources for experts to make true change in the world,” she said. Creighton’s professional advice is to find a cause that you consider important and pursue it fearlessly. “Be transparent, always,” she said. “Build genuine and honest relationships.”
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR POSITIVE TOMORROWS
OCULAR ONCOLOGIST AND PATHOLOGIST DEAN MCGEE EYE INSTITUTE AND UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
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BRIAN FIRESTONE
Brian Firestone, MD, is now in his fifth year of practicing ocular oncology and pathology — in other words, caring for people with cancer and other tumors affecting their eyes. He works at Dean McGee Eye Institute and University of Oklahoma. As a clinical educator, Firestone has earned top rankings in resident evaluations and didactic lectures. Consistent words of praise from residents attest to his undeniable personal and professional investment in bettering the lives of others. “I have found the old expression, ‘It is better to give than to receive,’ to be entirely true in the practice of medicine, ophthalmology and ocular oncology,” he said. “Any sacrifice that I have made on behalf of patients has been repaid to me many times over through their gratitude and friendship.” Firestone’s credentials include a bachelor of arts in family psychology from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, where he graduated with honors, and a doctorate in medicine from University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City. His professional background includes numerous other honors and activities, including a stint as chief resident at Baylor University’s Scott & White Eye Institute in Dallas, Texas, along with a wide range of lectures, presentations and publications spanning the last several years. As a Christian and volunteer, Firestone has been involved with medical mission trips to locations such as Huaraz, Peru; Ixtapa, Mexico; and Siteki, Swaziland, between 2005 and 2015. Firestone’s memberships include American Academy of Ophthalmology, Oklahoma Academy of Ophthalmology and American Medical Association.
CONGRATULATIONS
RACHEL HOLT We are so proud of you and grateful for all you do for us and for the community! We love you, David, George & Maggie
O KG A Z E T T E . C O M | N OV E M B E R 1 4 , 2 0 1 8
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