Forty Under 40
Forty Under 40 Sarah Adams-Cornell
Twice a month, Reji Pappy drives four hours to serve patients in rural Oklahoma who otherwise would not have access to a cardiologist. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions and serves as a part of the leadership team at St. Anthony Hospital, which will soon launch a relatively new cardiac procedure that allows patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve disease to have the aortic valve replaced through a nonsurgical approach. Pappy’s story began when his parents came to the United States from India in the 1970s. “Due to the financial and social challenges that my dad faced as a new immigrant, he was not able to pursue his goal of becoming a physician,” Pappy said. “I attribute my becoming a physician to the qualities instilled in me by my parents: outstanding work ethic, perseverance, honesty and spirituality.” He has always valued the importance of making civic contributions, doing medical research while completing his internal medicine residency, cardiology fellowship and advanced interventional cardiology fellowships. He also serves as a council member for the Oklahoma Chapter of the American College of Cardiology.
Reji M. Pappy
AGE
38
Native American activist; board member, Live Indigenous OK; co-creator, Matriarch, Inc.
AGE
37
Medical doctor and interventional cardiologist, St. Anthony Hospital
Sarah Adams-Cornell is a member of the Choctaw Nation. She and her daughters have learned the Choctaw language, songs, dances, beadwork and history to help preserve and celebrate their heritage. She was a recipient of the Greater Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America’s 2015 Oklahoma Human Rights Award. She’s also professionally dedicated to advocating for Native American education, rights and culture. “As Native people, we think long-term. When making decisions, we think about how it will impact our relatives in seven generations,” Adams-Cornell said. “This way of living and being has very much impacted every aspect of who I am. … Seeing pain and need in my community also drives the work I do.” Adams-Cornell recently served as activist-inresidence at the University of Oklahoma. She hosts the Matriarch program on the Success Native Style Radio Network and serves on the boards of Live Indigenous OK and Not Your Mascot. She also serves on Oklahoma City Public Schools’ Native American Student Services Parent Committee. “Many Native women have come together in my community to educate and advocate for our people and especially our children,” she said. “I am proud to work alongside these Native women.”
Shannon M. Lavicky
AGE
28
Private equities accountant, Hall Capital
Sara Kaplan is a geologist by education, works for the City of Norman as a retail marketing coordinator during business hours and co-owns foodie haven Native Roots Market with her husband. She also is an instructor in geology for Independent and Distance Learning and the proud mother of a kindergartner, Stella, whom she says is her most significant creative contribution. “My job is not something where I am out saving lives, but I try to help people whenever I can,” she said. “I think in today’s environment, we are exposed to so much negativity, a kind word and giving attitude can go a long way.” She also has served on the Children’s House Montessori School Parent Teacher Organization since 2014 and was copresident for the 2015-16 school year. She is president of Urban Neighbors downtown neighborhood association and has been a member since 2012. She also serves on Norman Arts Council’s Norman Public Arts Board. “I try each day, both in my personal and professional life, to look at issues from all perspectives and understand other people’s viewpoints,” she said.
Sara Kaplan Retail marketing coordinator, City of Norman; co-owner, Native Roots Market
26
N OV E M B E R 1 6 , 2 0 1 6 | O KG A Z E T T E . C O M
AGE
36
Shannon Lavicky is a tax accountant at Hall Capital, a private investment company dealing in private equity, real estate, automotive and oil and gas. On a daily basis, she prepares the financials and tax returns for a majority of the firm’s entities and particular family members. “After working in public accounting for three and a half years, I became the youngest accountant by a large gap to start working privately for the Hall family,” she said. She said the Hall family has been important in shaping her career. “Seeing their drive to constantly bring new and exciting investments and opportunities to Oklahoma City and other parts of our nation makes me realize that we have not only the obligation, but the honor of helping our community’s economy and culture with the talents and assets given to us,” she said. She also founded a nonprofit, Senior Step Companions. “We are partnered with Epworth Villa, a retirement community located in north Oklahoma City,” she said. “Our volunteers are paired with seniors who have lost their loved ones or have out-of-state family. A volunteer can weekly or biweekly go into the facilities and walk with the elderly.”