Presence: Fall/Winter 2019

A publication of Saint Francis Health System | Winter 2020

A Family Leans on Faith and the Staff of The Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Welcoming New Warren Clinic Physicians Spotlight on Sepsis New Pediatric MRI at The Children's Hospital at Saint Francis

Israel’s Story Page 18

Contents Welcoming New Warren Clinic Physicians

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Spotlight on Sepsis

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A Family Leans on Faith and the Staff of The Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

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A Sepsis Survivor

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The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis Installs a New Pediatric MRI

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Know the signs and the symptoms of this potentially fatal illness that can affect anyone at any age.

“I am so fortunate to be here today.”

The Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Provides the

Highest Level of Care for Newborns in Eastern Oklahoma

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Health Zone at Saint Francis

– A Partner for Life in Health and Fitness – A Great Place to Work Out and a Great Place to Work – Health and Wellness Expo

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Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee Partners With Muskogee Parks for the

Active Okie Youth Triathlon

a publication of Saint Francis Health System

Letter from Jake Henry Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer Dear readers, As we begin a new year, I would like to reflect on the year past and set the stage for the year ahead. Looking back, gratitude is where I would like to direct my focus.

First to the women and men of Saint Francis Health System, thank you for all you do to extend the presence and healing ministry of Christ. Each interaction and intervention is an opportunity to be a representative of our great organization and, more so, an ambassador of our mission. From support staff and nurses, to physicians and business professionals—you are the hearts, hands and feet that make us who we are and for that, I am profoundly grateful.

To our patients and their families, thank you for trusting us with your healthcare. Each year we see an increase in the number of Oklahomans who turn to us in their hour of need. As the region’s and state’s largest and leading health system, we are ever cognizant of the responsibility we have to be the care partner you need and deserve. It is always my great hope that we are consistently able to meet and exceed the expectations you have of us—now and for generations to come.

And finally, to the Saint Francis Health System board of directors, thank you for your guidance and counsel. I hold affection for how deeply you care about the status and future of this organization. You understand the vital role that Saint Francis plays in the health and prosperity of the region. Eastern Oklahoma is a better place because of your firm commitment to ensuring the stability and sustainability of this region’s only locally owned and managed health system.

Looking forward, I see great opportunity—for our region, our system and our state. In 2020, Saint Francis Health System will celebrate 60 years of serving this community. It is our goal to never stop seeking opportunities to make things better—and better is an infinite goal.

I hope you and those you love had a Merry Christmas and I wish you all a very blessed New Year.

Warm regards,

Saint Francis Health System Board of Directors John-Kelly C. Warren, Chairman Judy Kishner, Vice-Chair Jake Henry Jr. Michael Case Michael Cooke, J.D. Ashley Gable, M.D. Reverend Gary Kastl William R. Lissau Charles McEntee, M.D.

Saint Francis Health System Executive Council Jake Henry Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer, Saint Francis Health System

Barry Steichen

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Saint Francis Health System

Eric Schick

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Saint Francis Health System

Mark Frost, M.D.

Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs, Saint Francis Health System

Mike Lissau, J.D.

Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Saint Francis Health System

Tom Neff

Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Corporate Business Development, Saint Francis Health System

Charley Trimble

Senior Vice President, Quality, Saint Francis Health System

Doug Williams

Senior Vice President, Saint Francis Health System and Administrator, Saint Francis Hospital

Collin Henry, J.D.

Vice President, Saint Francis Health System, Warren Clinic Operations and Physician Recruitment

Michele Keeling

Vice President, Saint Francis Health System and Administrator, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee

Todd Schuster

Jake Henry Jr.

Vice President, Saint Francis Health System and Administrator, Saint Francis Hospital South

President and Chief Executive Officer, Saint Francis Health System

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Throw Your Hands Up Kind of Happy From the looks of things, the Saint Francis All Employee Safari at the Tulsa Zoo has a way of bringing out the “happy” in guests—of all ages.

On Saturday, September 28, approximately 9,000 health system employees and their families gathered for the annual event which featured an evening of family fun, food, music and fellowship.

Year in and year out, the employee party is a highly anticipated event and provides a prime opportunity for employees and their families to enjoy a very special local attraction, the Tulsa Zoo.

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Volunteers United for the Community Friday, September 6, marked the 28th annual Tulsa Area United Way Day of Caring. As one of the community’s most enduring and popular events, the Day of Caring provides an opportunity for more than 5,000 local volunteers to work on approximately 450 community service projects.

Saint Francis Health System employees spent this specially designated day at Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, where they assisted with various tasks such as stocking and reorganizing cans and other items in the pantry.

With the mission of uniting people and resources to improve lives and build a stronger community, the Tulsa Area United Way focuses on the three building blocks of a better quality of life: education, health/safety and financial stability. For more information on ways you can help, please visit tauw.org.

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Of Dancers and Superheroes You know it’s going to be a super day when dancers from the Tulsa Ballet stop by for a surprise visit to The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis.

And, what could make the experience even better?

When the Tulsa Ballet II group provides patients with superhero capes and tutus – each handmade by students and parents of Tulsa Ballet’s Center for Dance Education.

With the hope of inspiring the young patients to channel their inner superheroes or ballet dancers, odds are good that these dancers are “on pointe” for a repeat performance at The Children’s Hospital in the near future.

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Hometown Pride For communities all over Oklahoma, there's something special about Fridays in the Fall— and about high school football.

It's a time that fans young and old celebrate their teams and their hometown pride.

Throughout this most recent season, Saint Francis Health System and Warren Clinic teamed up to support several local schools as game night sponsors for districts like Kiefer (pictured), Glenpool, Sand Springs, Muskogee, Vinita, McAlester and more, providing "Home Team" T-shirts customized for each school.

With over 10,000 employees living in and around Eastern Oklahoma, Saint Francis is proud to call this region home and we are proud to serve our neighbors as their "Home Team" for healthcare.

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Welcoming New Warren Clinic Physicians In order to help ensure that patients throughout the region have access to the highest quality of care, medical services and specialties, Saint Francis Health System places a strong emphasis on the recruitment of new primary care physicians, physician specialists and advanced practice providers.

Please join us in welcoming the following women and men to the Warren Clinic and Saint Francis Health System family:

Sahil Agrawal, M.D.

Jeff Banks, M.D.

Scott Dull, M.D.

Family Medicine, Sand Springs

Neurosurgery

David Erickson, M.D

Vijay Gadiraju, M.D.

Scott Ghere, D.O.

Cardiology

Family Medicine

Tucker Harrison, D.O.

Basmah Jalil, M.D.

Ajay Joseph, M.D.

Interventional Cardiology

Internal Medicine

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Rheumatology

Interventional Cardiology

Sumit Kumar, M.D.

Weyman Lam, M.D.

Samuel Leung, M.D.

Allergy and Immunology

Pediatric Gastroenterology

Sharon Little, D.O.

Tony Little, D.O.

Ryan Massay, M.D.

Family Medicine, Glenpool

Rheumatology

Nikhil Mukhi, M.D.

Nisha Sharma, M.D. Gastroenterology

John Marc Shellenberger, M.D.

Hematology/Oncology

Shilpa Shukla, M.D.

Olivia Xu-Cai, M.D.

Zohny Zohny, M.D.

General Surgery, Muskogee

Family Medicine, Glenpool

Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Internal Medicine

Trauma Surgery

Neurosurgery

Not pictured:

Maria Vargas, M.D. Endocrinology

For more information, or to find a Warren Clinic physician, specialist or Urgent Care location, please call Saint Francis HealthLink at 918-488-6688 or visit saintfrancis.com.

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SEPSIS SEPSIS SPOTLIGHT ON

KNOW THE SIGNS AND THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL ILLNESS THAT CAN AFFECT ANYONE AT ANY AGE

EVERY YEAR, MORE THAN 1.7 MILLION AMERICANS DEVELOP SEPSIS— A LIFE-THREATENING MEDICAL CONDITION THAT ARISES WHEN THE BODY INITIATES A POWERFUL IMMUNE RESPONSE AGAINST AN INFECTION.

Your immune system is designed to fight any germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites) to prevent infection. If an infection does occur, your immune system will try to fight it, although you may need help with medication such as antibiotics.

Sometimes however, for reasons that are still somewhat of a mystery, the immune system stops fighting the “invaders,” and begins to turn on itself. This is the start of sepsis.

it results from something else (most likely an infection) developing within the body,” says Dr. Mike Angelidis, medical director hospitalist services and department chair internal medicine at Saint Francis Hospital.

“If a person has a generalized infection or illness that persists and steadily worsens despite treatment—it is extremely important that they contact their physician as soon as possible.”

What Causes Sepsis?

Time is of the Essence: Early Detection is Key

Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and lifethreatening response to infection or injury which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure or ultimately death. It can be caused by any type of infection in one’s body. It is often associated with infection of the lungs, urinary tract, skin and gastrointestinal tract.

Sepsis progresses to severe sepsis when there are signs of organ dysfunction—such as difficulty breathing (problems with the lungs), low or no urine output (kidneys), abnormal liver function and/or changes in mental status. Many patients with severe sepsis require treatment in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

DR. MIKE ANGELIDIS, MEDICAL DIRECTOR HOSPITALIST SERVICES AND DEPARTMENT CHAIR INTERNAL MEDICINE AT SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL

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“It is very important to understand that sepsis never develops on its own. Rather,

As is the case with other serious health conditions, early detection is critical in diagnosing and treating sepsis—and, quite frankly, can make the difference in life and death. Septic shock is the most severe level and is diagnosed when your blood pressure drops to dangerous levels.

“Sepsis is complicated and can present itself in a number of ways—and can also be easily confused with other conditions.

Once sepsis enters a person’s bloodstream, it can disastrously affect any organ within the body, as well as their overall health,” Dr. Angelidis says.

DR. ROOPA THUKARAM, PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE SPECIALIST AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS

Raising Awareness: From Newborns to the Elderly According to pediatric critical care specialist, Dr. Roopa Thukaram, many have never even heard of sepsis.

“While sepsis is a serious condition at any age, it is particularly dangerous for children because their symptoms can be more difficult to detect. As with adults, a child’s early warning signs can mimic common cold symptoms—which can quickly escalate to sepsis, especially with high-risk patients,” Dr. Thukaram says.

As part of its involvement with a national initiative, Improving Pediatric Sepsis Outcomes (IPSO), The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis is committed to doing its part to raise awareness about sepsis—as well as continue to drive home the message that early detection is of utmost importance.

“First and foremost, it’s always better to seek medical attention sooner rather than later.

We can’t possibly overstate the importance of awareness when it comes to early detection of sepsis not only in children, but in patients of all ages, as well,” Dr. Thukaram says.

The Good News Yes, even with a condition as serious as sepsis, there is some positive news to share.

“The good news is national hospital protocols and guidelines for early detection and awareness of this deadly disease have been fine-tuned and are vastly improved today. Clearly, better, more expedient diagnoses lead to more effective treatment,” Dr. Angelidis says. “Despite the gravity of sepsis, a full recovery is certainly possible.”

FACTS ABOUT SEPSIS WHAT IS SEPSIS? Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection or injury which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death. It can be caused by any type of infection in your body. It is often associated with infections of the lungs, urinary tract, skin and gut.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT SEPSIS? •G et vaccinated – helps make you immune to viruses • Wash your hands – before eating or handling food, after using the bathroom, after touching pets or other animals, after blowing your nose or coughing • Care for open wounds – harmful bacteria can enter the skin through cuts, scrapes, or breaks - Keep wounds clean - Watch for sign/symptoms of infection: redness, warm to touch, increased pain or discharge - Take antibiotics correctly (if prescribed)

 ACT FAST

Get medical help if you suspect sepsis or have an infection that is not getting better or is getting worse.

WHO IS AT HIGHEST RISK?

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• Adults 65 years or older • Children younger than one • People with chronic medical conditions (diabetes, lung disease, cancer, kidney disease) • People with weakened immune system

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? • S – shivering, fever or very cold • E – extreme pain or general discomfort (“worst ever”) • P – pale or discolored skin • S – sleepy, difficult to rouse, confused • I – “I feel like I might die.”

• S – short of breath

TIME IS IMPORTANT

T – temperature I – infection M – mental decline E – extremely ill

“IT’S ALWAYS BETTER TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. WE CAN’T POSSIBLY OVERSTATE THE IMPORTANCE OF AWARENESS WHEN IT COMES TO EARLY DETECTION OF SEPSIS.” – DR. ROOPA THUKARAM

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A SEPSIS

SURVIVOR

“I AM SO FORTUNATE TO BE HERE TODAY.”

IT’S BEEN FOUR-AND-A-HALF YEARS SINCE JENNIFER RYAN, RNC, BSN EXPERIENCED SEPSIS; YET, AS SHE TELLS HER STORY, IT’S DIFFICULT FOR HER TO HOLD BACK HER EMOTIONS. “THE WHOLE THING WAS JUST SO TRAUMATIC AND I AM SO FORTUNATE TO BE HERE TO TELL MY STORY,” SHE SAYS.

On March 5, 2016, when Jennifer Ryan, RNC, BSN first noticed a pain in her back, she thought it was her “normal.” She’d had a history of kidney stones and knew that’s what was happening again; and, in fact, had managed to pass them on her own on several occasions.

“My first thought was, ‘This couldn’t possibly be happening at a worse time!’

My husband was out of town on business and it was hectic as always with my two boys’ school and sports schedules; but thankfully, my in-laws were in town to help out,” she says.

As a busy mom of two boys (8 and 11 years old at the time), as well as full-time manager of Saint Francis Hospital’s postpartum and newborn unit, Ryan certainly had her hands full.

“I thought I would deal with the kidney stone later and continued to work as long as I could. Reflecting back, I know I pushed myself harder than I should have,” she says.

“I think a lot of women do that—taking

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care of everything and everyone else before themselves.”

Around 2:00 p.m. that afternoon, Ryan’s pain was getting worse and she was becoming nauseated. So, she left the office and headed home. Later that evening, Ryan’s pain continued to worsen, and she agreed it was time to get help. She went to a local emergency room, where she received fluids, antibiotics and pain medication. “I felt better, but not great,” she says. “I figured I would follow-up with my urologist in the morning.”

A Rude Awakening The following morning, Ryan awakened to discover she was severely shaking. “I knew I really needed help, but I still felt I needed to make sure my kids were tended to first.

I didn’t want to scare them,” Ryan says.

“I asked my mother-in-law to take them to school and then we would deal with my situation. I tried to get up out of bed, but no matter how hard I tried, I simply

JENNIFER RYAN, RNC, BSN

“WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE SAINT FRANCIS TRAUMA EMERGENCY CENTER, THEY ROLLED ME RIGHT IN AND I WAS FULLY AWARE OF AT LEAST 20 DOCTORS AND NURSES SURROUNDING ME.”

couldn’t. I felt so awful. When my motherin-law returned, she called an ambulance immediately.”

bodily distress included an alarmingly low white blood count, as well as a dangerously low blood pressure reading.

While en route to Saint Francis Hospital, the medics quickly grasped the gravity of Ryan’s condition and began administering IV fluids. “When we arrived at the Saint Francis Trauma Emergency Center, they rolled me right in and I was fully aware of at least 20 doctors and nurses surrounding me,” Ryan says.

All in all, it was clear Ryan’s body was in a state of septic shock and in the process of shutting down.

The Saint Francis emergency team soon determined that the kidney stone was blocking her ureter on the left side. As a result, urine was being backed up into her kidney, causing rampant infection throughout her body. Other markers of dire

Lifesaving Measures The next thing she remembers is waking up in the Intensive Care Unit, where she ended up spending a total of five days, followed by three days in the urology care unit. Throughout the course of her hospital stay, she received lifesaving fluids and highpowered medications, as well as a urologic surgical procedure in which a nephrostomy tube was inserted to drain her kidneys.

Throughout it all, she was surrounded by family as well as her “work family members.”

In the end, Ryan was lucky. Within a week’s time, her condition began to improve, and since that time, she has suffered no lasting ill effects from her illness. Although it has taken time for her to regain her strength, she feels more and more like herself and is eternally grateful to be a sepsis survivor.

“Yes, I get emotional when retelling this story. And, I know I probably always will,” Ryan says. “I am so fortunate to be here today. I hope my story will resonate with other moms, and also with everyone else out there. In order to care for others, we must first take care of ourselves. Nothing is as important as that.”

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The Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Provides

The Highest Level of Care for Newborns in Eastern Oklahoma The Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis is one of only two Level IV NICUs in the state, and the only one in Tulsa. Level IV is the highest rating by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

It’s not just the level of clinical care that makes this NICU so special; it’s the extraordinary level of planning and effort that went into creating this state-of-the-art, family-focused facility.

“What distinguishes our NICU is the breadth of surgical and subspecialty services we offer,” says Raymond Sanders, M.D., medical director. “Plus, we have an outstanding transport program with our mobile NICU, and we’re the only facility in Eastern Oklahoma that offers neonatal/pediatric ECMO.” ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, is a life-saving procedure for infants with heart and lung failure. “ECMO is essentially heart-lung bypass,” says Rachel Everette, M.D., who oversees the NICU’s transport, clinical outreach and ECMO programs. “It provides oxygenation and 16

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ventilation for a critically ill baby until their lung and cardiac function has sufficiently recovered.”

Tulsa’s first NICU. Both board-certified neonatologists, Dr. Everette and Dr. Sanders joined the staff of The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis in 2007, when the NICU was still in its original location, next to Saint Francis Hospital’s labor and delivery department.

When it opened in 1978, it was known as Eastern Oklahoma Perinatal Center (EOPC), and was Tulsa’s very first NICU. “The original NICU was outstanding,” says Dr. Sanders. “However, it was a big, open and rather noisy place. With the building of the new children’s hospital in 2008, we had an opportunity to create the region’s premier NICU.”

Which is precisely what happened. Taking up residence on the fifth floor of The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis in November of 2009, the 30,000-square-foot Henry Zarrow NICU features 58 beds, including 38 private rooms and six semiprivate/twin rooms. The NICU also has an eight-bed stabilization unit located near the labor and delivery area in Saint Francis Hospital.

Dr. Sanders says one of the NICU’s most significant changes from the original are the private rooms that allow parents to be in room with their babies in a quiet setting, which is much better for healing and development.

“Our job here is to get the babies healthy enough to go home, and that includes helping families with their transition home,” says Dr. Sanders. “We have a case manager and a social worker to assist families, and we educate parents on caring for their baby.

We always send our patients home with the appropriate level of care.”

“Having all of these capabilities in one place here in Tulsa is a big advantage for area families. They can remain close to home, close to the support of family and friends.”

“No need to go anywhere else.”

It takes a very dedicated team to provide around-the-clock care for the approximately 850 newborns hospitalized in the NICU each year—and a very large, highly organized team. The staff of the NICU includes six physicians, 11 certified neonatal APRNs, an eight-person ECMO team, 125 nurses, more than a dozen respiratory therapists, a social worker, case manager, pharmacist, lactation consultant and a speech therapist, who helps infants overcome feeding concerns.

“We have five teams led by six physicians delivering a continuity of care,” says says Dr. Rachel Everette. “There is at least one physician and one APRN on-site 24/7.”

On a typical day, a newborn occupies almost every one of the NICU’s 58 beds, with an average patient stay of 19 days.

The needs of each baby varies widely, but the most common services required are preterm infant care, general surgery and cardiology. Orthopedics, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, pulmonology and genetics are among the many other specialty services offered by the NICU team.

“Parents in this community and throughout eastern Oklahoma need to know they don’t have to go anywhere else to receive the highest-quality care,” says Dr. Everette.

“With very few exceptions, we have everything they need right here. And we have such a dedicated staff. This is not a job to us. You don’t work in the NICU if you don’t absolutely love what you do.”

Rachel Everette, M.D., medical director NICU outreach and transport

“While our families are so grateful for what we do for them, we feel so blessed to be part of helping them and their babies get through a difficult time,” through a difficult time,” says Dr. Everette.

“Having all of these capabilities in one place here in Tulsa is a big advantage for area families.”

Raymond Sanders, M.D., medical director, NICU

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Care Unit e v i s n e t Neonatal In w o r r a Z The Henry f o ff a t s and the

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Tiffany and Steven Poe always wanted a big family. When they got married, their plan was to have four kids: two boys and two girls.

Their first child was a boy, followed by two daughters. The plan was right on schedule.

They were living in Tulsa with their three young children when they were given an opportunity to purchase a bedand-breakfast in Pawhuska, Oklahoma: the Grandview Inn. It was not something Tiffany, a professional chef, and her entrepreneurial husband ever expected to do, but it was an exciting prospect, and sometimes a change of plans is a good thing. They decided to take a leap of faith, pull up stakes and make the move in 2012.

Soon after the Poes took over the Grandview Inn, Tiffany learned she was expecting the couple’s fourth child.

Just as they’d hoped and planned, the ultrasound revealed it was a boy. His name would be Riley. But at a routine 36-week checkup, the Poes received terrible news: Riley had no heartbeat.

His umbilical cord had become tangled and knotted. The Poe family was devastated.

But they did not give up hope of having another child and in 2014, little Sophia was born. “She was such a healing force in our lives,” says Steven. “She was everything we needed.”

In 2017, she became pregnant with their youngest child, a boy, and they chose the name Israel. “I looked up the meaning of Israel,” says Tiffany. “The definition that stood out to me was ‘God always has the last say, and He always keeps his promises.’”

As with Riley, baby Israel posed no complications until late in the pregnancy. At 38 weeks, an ultrasound revealed excess fluid around Israel’s body. The Poes were referred to Saint Francis, where it was discovered that Israel had hydrops fetalis (fetal hydrops), a serious condition involving an abnormal accumulation of fluid in two or more fetal compartments. Only about 20 percent of babies diagnosed with fetal hydrops in the womb survive to delivery. Of those who do, only half survive after delivery.

“It was very scary,” says Tiffany.

“We went from thinking we had a healthy baby to realizing we might lose another one.”

An emergency C-section was ordered, and Israel was delivered on November 22, 2017. He was immediately (continued)

r with the le after anothe ac ir m e on d ce “…we experien es and doctors” wonderful nurs y an m so of lp he –

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hospitalized in the Henry Zarrow Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis.

“That started our three-month journey in the NICU,” says Steven, “There we experienced one miracle after another with the help of so many wonderful nurses and doctors.”

“I had to relinquish all that control to the care of the NICU professionals, and that’s a very humbling place to be as a mom. But I knew that these were the best people on Earth at that moment to take care of my child.”

Over the next 92 days, Tiffany stayed in the hospital with Israel while Steven went back and forth to Pawhuska to operate the inn and take care of their older children. As Israel began treatment for his condition—a delicate, lengthy process of draining excess fluid from his system—doctors discovered that he also had Down syndrome. That was okay with the Poes. They just didn’t want to lose another baby.

“I spent a lot of time in the chapel downstairs,” she says. “I had a conversation one morning with God, and I said, ‘I can’t do this anymore. I give it all to You – win, lose or draw, whatever happens.’ That was a pivotal point for me. That’s the moment things started to improve.”

For a planner like Tiffany, having no control over the situation was almost unbearable.

“When your baby is in the care of the NICU, it’s a different feeling for a mom,” she says. “I remember walking in the NICU for the first time and thinking, ‘This can’t be my baby. I know I had a baby, but this can’t be him.’ He was so sick, attached to all these machines. I could do nothing other than love him, pray for him, be right beside him and let him hear my voice.”

Tiffany also relied on help from a higher power.

“The care in the NICU was so personalized. I felt like there was a beautiful textbook that was written just for our experience there, and every decision that was made, every person who came in, every call made for any reason, was specific for our situation, for our Israel.”

For infection-control reasons, the four Poe siblings were not allowed to physically meet baby Israel until he was finally released from the hospital.

The first meeting, captured on video, is heartwarming, to say the least.

“For me, the day Israel came home was the most memorable,” says Steven.

“The c are in the NI there CU wa was a s so p b eautif for ou erson ul tex r expe alized tbook rienc . I felt made that w e ther like , every as wr e , a n p e d i reaso t r e t s e v o n e n ry dec just n, was who c ision ame i specifi that w n, eve c for o ry cal as ur sit l mad uatio e for a n, for ny our Is rael.”

– T i f fa n y P oe

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“There were so many days that we didn’t know if he was going to survive or not. He has brought so much joy to this family.”

In November of this year, Israel celebrated his second birthday “Sometimes you can’t truly appreciate the good until you’ve gone through something like this,” says Tiffany. “There were times we really didn’t think we’d make it through, and yet here we are. It’s like sunshine every day.

It’s beautiful. It truly is.”

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The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis Installs a New Pediatric MRI

New equipment made possible by generous donors

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On Tuesday, October 22, staff from The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis joined health system volunteers and other special guests for a blessing of a highly anticipated new piece of equipment designed just for children’s healthcare—a dedicated pediatric MRI suite.

achieved by letting each child pick their favorite color of room lighting and music, as well as a specific scene (such as zoo animals or fish swimming in the ocean) that will be featured throughout the procedure. Before they know it, the procedure is over with no time at all to get nervous!”

The acquisition of the pediatric MRI system was made possible by generous donations of more than 1,000 guests that attended the 2017 Painted Pony Ball, which benefited The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis.

In addition, the new pediatric MRI system, called the Caring Suite MR, features a more spacious bore (opening of the scanner) and a 3 Tesla (3T) magnet (a stronger magnet that helps reduce the scan time).

“We are so pleased to provide our young patients and their families with the Caring Suite MR, which is the most advanced technology of its kind available anywhere today,” says Pamela Mitchell, director, Saint Francis Health System Imaging Services.

“This remarkable MRI technology helps to deliver a positive and even pleasant experience for our young patients. This is

Saint Francis Health System and The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis would like to thank the many corporate and community partners for making the installation of this new technology possible—and for allowing those at the children’s hospital to continually provide the best care available for kids in our region.

Attending the blessing for the new pediatric MRI are (left to right): Mike Barkley, chairman, The Children's Hospital Foundation at Saint Francis board of directors; William K. Warren, Jr., trustee, Saint Francis Health System; Suzanne Warren, member, The Children's Hospital Foundation at Saint Francis board of directors; Jake Henry Jr., president and chief executive officer, Saint Francis Health System; Fr. Gary Kastl, member Saint Francis Health System board of directors; and William M. Lissau, member, The Children's Hospital Foundation at Saint Francis board of directors.

Thank You to Our Donors for the Pediatric MRI Project AcrobatAnt American Bank and Trust Company Anderson-Remchuk Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation

Crossland Construction Company, Inc. Direct Energy Flintco, LLC Larry D. Fleming Family Charitable Fund Fred Daniel & Sons, Inc.

Anonymous

Marge and John Gaberino, Jr.

Bank of America

Elizabeth and Roger Hagans

Bank of Oklahoma

Hall Estill

Cathey and Mike Barkley

Hardesty Family Foundation

Julie Blankenship

Kathy and Jake Henry Jr.

Broadhurst Foundation

Nancy and Paul Hinch

Tiffany and Stuart Campbell

IBC Bank and Marti and Andrew Levinson

Pat and Mike Case Erin and Don Chappel and Williams

Jackie Cooper Imports Johnson Properties, LLC

CommunityCare

JPMorgan Chase

Coretz Family Foundation

Jeanette and the Honorable Terence Kern

Lisette Coston

Carolyn and Wayne Landwerlin

Radiology Consultants of Tulsa

Mabrey Bank

RibCrib

The Mary K. Chapman Foundation

Mallory and Alan Roark and Roark Landscaping Corp.

Meshri Family

Sharon and Jim Ruley

MidFirst Bank

Saint Francis Auxiliary

Montereau

Saint Francis Health System

Nabholz Corp.

Senior Star

Evelyn Rayzor Nienhuis

Signal Factory

Oil Capital Electric

Skanska

Oklahoma Blood Institute

Tulsa World Media Company

OSU Center for Health Sciences

The University of Tulsa

OU Physicians-Tulsa and OU-TU School of Community Medicine

US Acute Care Solutions

The Oxley Foundation

Warren Clinic Neonatal Specialists

Robert Patterson

Stephen K. Warren

Perkins+Will

The William K. Warren Foundation

Physical Therapy of Tulsa Prosperity Bank

Monica Williford, Steve Bayles, Richard Williford, Jr. and Mollie Williford

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Health Zone

at Saint Francis A Partner for Life in Health and Fitness

As far as 87-year-old Dorothy Mullowney is concerned, being active is her chosen path to a healthier life.

“I just like to keep moving and have been active for as long as I can remember,” she says. As a devoted member of Health Zone at Saint Francis since February 1996, one could say the fitness facility has been a partner of sorts along that path.

“Before I became a member, I’d always heard good things about Health Zone and decided to check it out for myself. Some of the staff members took me on a tour and that was all the convincing I needed,” Mullowney says.

Around that time, Mullowney had undergone knee replacement surgery, and soon discovered how much exercise helped with her recovery. Mullowney had similar results with exercise and recovery when she later had her other knee replaced, as well as surgery on both shoulders and her spine.

Along the way, Mullowney has noticed other fringe benefits of incorporating exercise into her life, namely improved and sounder sleep, added energy and mental alertness.

Making Tracks When she isn’t working out at Health Zone, Mullowney spends time volunteering at Saint Francis Hospital South—where, happily, she is able to log in extra “steps.”

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“It’s perfect for me,” she says. “I walk all over the Saint Francis Hospital South campus as I escort patients and visitors to various offices and buildings. So I not only get in a lot of exercise, but I also have the opportunity to meet a lot of different people.”

Health Zone a Comfort Zone for Everyone Health Zone at Saint Francis is a medically based fitness facility that offers something for everyone. Most days, Mullowney can be found participating in a swimming class in one of Health Zone’s saltwater filtrated pools—or front and center in Joint Efforts (a gentle studio exercise class geared to those with arthritis).

Mullowney believes everyone’s reason for exercising is different; but for her, it has everything to do with being active, as well as being part of a community and making lasting friendships.

“Anyone—regardless of their age or fitness level—is welcome at Health Zone. It’s a very family-oriented, friendly place to be,” she says. “I’ve made many friends here; and the staff members are very attentive to each individual’s well-being and health. I’d encourage anyone to incorporate exercise into their lifestyle. It’s certainly a way of life for me. As for me, I guess you could say I simply refuse to rust!”

A Great Place to Work Out and a Great Place to Work Since Janice Bamford moved to Tulsa 12 years ago, she has been a Pilates instructor at Health Zone at Saint Francis.

“It didn’t take me long to figure out where I wanted to be,” she says.

“I noticed right away how knowledgeable the staff is and what excellent care they provide for each member. I believe Health Zone is a great place for anyone to work—or begin their fitness journey.”

A Passion for Pilates In Bamford’s case, it also didn’t take her long to figure out that Pilates would be her chosen path. “I have always had a passion for health and fitness and Pilates appeals to me on so many levels,” she says.

In her role as a Pilates instructor at Health Zone, Bamford spends about 90 percent of her time working one-on-one with members—of ages ranging from 15 to well into their 80s. She also teaches two classes— a larger group class known as Pilates Lite (designed for those new to Pilates); and a small group Pilates Reformer class for those who prefer a smaller instructor to student ratio using Pilates apparatus.

An Interesting Trend Throughout her years as a Pilates instructor at Health Zone, Bamford has noticed an interesting trend.

“I’ve noticed that many people come in initially for help in recovering from a hip, back or knee surgery, injury or other type of issue. But the interesting thing is that most of them continue on because they begin to enjoy the benefits of increased flexibility and a much stronger core—they begin to noticeably carry themselves better,” she says. “Pilates is a great method for building strength, minus the injury risk—for people of all ages and fitness levels.”

CoreAlign® System Health Zone’s Pilates studio is filled with an impressive assortment of equipment, tools and machines. “We have quite an array here and I know some of it can look pretty intimidating, but it is anything but that,” Bamford says.

Our newest equipment is the Core Align system, which provides a unique exercise experience to improve gait, posture, balance and functional movement—and is applicable to anyone, no matter their age or fitness level. Bamford, as well as fellow Health Zone Pilates instructor, Linda Wilborn, are two of only a few instructors in the area who are Balance Body trained to operate and teach on this elite system.

Whether it is Pilates, Zumba, spin or aquatics, Health Zone at Saint Francis really and truly has something for everyone.

“At Health Zone—regardless of what type of workout a member gravitates to—we work very hard to meet them where they are in their fitness journey,” Bamford says. “Health Zone is a special place. That’s why it has been my ‘fitness home’ ever since I made Tulsa my home 12 years ago.”

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 2020 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

5353 East 68th Street South | Tulsa, Oklahoma

Join us on Saturday, January 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and sample everything the Health Zone at Saint Francis has to offer. The event is free and open to the public and will include fitness classes, a free health fair with screenings, physician presentations and wellness education.

HEALTH ZONE FEATURES AND SERVICES:

• Two indoor saltwater pools

• Indoor cycling

• Steam rooms and saunas

• Aqua Stand Up® paddleboard classes

• Premier cardio, weight training and strength equipment

• Kids Zone activity center

• Year-round swimming lessons • CrossFit® • Racquetball courts • Pickleball • Basketball • R.I.P.P.E.D. and RUMBLE

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• Zumba, barre and yoga • Pilates equipment studio • Boot camp, suspension training • Massage services • Health and wellness education events

• Specialized kids’ programming • Indoor walking track • Grab-and-go deli with smoothies, wraps and sandwiches • Discounted membership rate for Warren Clinic patients and seniors

JOIN FOR FREE. VALID JANUARY 6 – 11, 2020.

918-494-1671 | saintfrancis.com/healthzone Saint Francis Health System

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Saint Francis Health System

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6161 South Yale Avenue • Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136

a publication of Saint Francis Health System

MISSION

To extend the presence and healing ministry of Christ in all we do

VISION

Saint Francis Health System will be the leading integrated Catholic healthcare system providing high quality, comprehensive and innovative care across our regional continuum of services.

VALUES EXCELLENCE Promoting high standards of service and performance DIGNITY Respecting each person as an inherently valuable member of the human community and as a unique expression of life JUSTICE Advocating for systems and structures that are attuned to the needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged and that promote a sense of community among all persons INTEGRITY Encouraging honesty, consistency and predictability in all relationships STEWARDSHIP Ensuring prudent use of talents and resources in a collaborative manner

SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL | THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS | WARREN CLINIC | HEART HOSPITAL AT SAINT FRANCIS | SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL SOUTH | LAUREATE PSYCHIATRIC CLINIC AND HOSPITAL SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL MUSKOGEE | SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL VINITA | SAINT FRANCIS BROKEN ARROW | SAINT FRANCIS CANCER CENTER | SAINT FRANCIS HOME CARE COMPANIES | SAINT FRANCIS GLENPOOL

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