Boyd Street September 2020

Two Norman Residents Turn 100

Life of a Centenarian

Community Organizations Stepping Up

Virtual Learning Resources

New Primary Care & Physical Therapy

Bodyworx

September 2020 • Issue 9 • Volume 19

Ready...Set...?

Sooners prepare for season as uncer tainties remain

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Features

SEPTEMBER CONTENTS 2020

ISSUE 9– VOLUME 19 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Doescher

The Life of a Centenarian

14 by Roxanne Avery

MANAGING EDITOR Lindsay Cuomo

Neighbors reflect on the last century in Norman.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Mark Doescher

CONTRIBUTORS

Normanites in the Spotlight:

29 Bob and Ellen Usry

by Chelsey Kraft 52 years of marriage and giving back to the Norman community and beyond.

Roxanne Avery | Callie Collins Lindsay Cuomo | Kathy Hallren Joy Hampton | Josh Helmer Shannon Hudzinski | Chelsey Kraft Bill Moakley | Chris Plank Chat Williams

14

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Ready...Set...?

34 by Chris Plank

PUBLISHER Randy Laffoon

Sooners prepare for season as uncertainties remain.

Building hope

44 by Callie Collins

Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity hosts events to support its mission.

Virtual Learning Resources

48 by Lindsay Cuomo

Community organizations step up to help parents.

34

A New Tradition

52

by Josh Helmer

Lifesaving Tech

Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital offers CT imaging for pets.

Norman Regional expands to

74 East Norman

Spotlights Service Spotlight:

44

by Bill Moakley

20 by Lindsay Cuomo

Boyd Street Teacher Feature

24

Lieutenant Shon Elroy Service Spotlight:

by Joy Hampton

by Lindsay Cuomo Rezoning for new freestanding emergency department approved by city council.

61 Unconventional Times

Bodyworx

Patients seeking physical therapy or primary care have a new option in Norman. sportstalk1400.com

A Back to School Guide for

by Shannon Hudzinski - OUFCU

67 by Kathy Hallren - Joe’s Wines & Spirits

80 by Chelsey Kraft

Any articles, artwork or graphics created by Boyd Street Magazine or its contributors are sole property of Boyd Street Magazine and cannot be reproduced for any reason without permission.

Any opinions expressed in Boyd Street are not necessarily that of Boyd Street management.

10

Lieutenant Cary Bryant

Norman High and Norman North host inaugural softball invitational.

56 by Lindsay Cuomo

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Fun Wine & Seltzers

71 Development (LTAD)

10 pillars of Long Term Athletic

by Chat Williams - Youth Performance Cover photo by: Mark Doescher

LOCALLY OWNED. LOCAL DECISIONS.

COMM U N I T Y

BY: BILL MOAKLEY

Service Spotlight: Lieutenant Cary Bryant

N

orman Police Lieutenant Cary Bryant could not have known an officer-involved shooting in Memphis in 1987 would impact his career in law enforcement in Oklahoma decades later.

That Memphis incident involved a young man going through psychosis and ended with his death. It became the touchpoint for the national movement to train police officers in dealing with citizens with mental health issues, as well as homeless populations. As his department’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Bryant deals with both daily.

“Law enforcement officers had not been trained in de-escalation, mental health law and treatment,” Bryant noted about training prior to the Memphis incident.

“This was all over the U.S., not just Norman.”

What became known as the Memphis Model of Crisis Intervention, commonly called Crisis Intervention Training (CIT), is now taught nationally, including in Oklahoma. Bryant was trained in 2010 and now teaches CIT across the state in partnership with mental health agencies. Training includes 40 hours of studying disorders, addiction, crisis suicide, veteran’s issues, children’s issue and mental health law, among other areas.

“We work with the community to solve problems within the community,” Bryant said. “That’s what we do, but where it’s changed is our knowledge base of the problems, especially dealing with mental health.”

Norman’s outreach office has also changed, growing from handling such activities as Coffee With a Cop and the community policing program, to full-fledged efforts aimed at ensuring officers know how to deal with mental health crisis and the homeless. Norman currently has 55 officers that have completed CIT.

10 | September 2020

Bryant says the benefits of CIT are three-fold. Officers are better trained to approach a situation in a safer manner, often reducing the need for the use of force. Citizens experiencing crisis may be able to get into treatment sooner when an officer recognizes a need and knows how to work with mental health partners. The community payoff is the opportunity to reduce jail populations and the associated costs.

“We’re actually getting people help,” Bryant pointed out.

“That’s the key. They’re coming back into the community after treatment and they’re becoming productive members of the community.”

According to Bryant, the most important component of CIT is active listening; the ability for an officer to hear and accurately process what citizens are trying to tell them.

“Everyone has a story and it’s important to listen to that story and to understand that story,” Bryant said. “It’s going to tell you where you need to go. People want to be heard. You have to be able to do it safely and sometimes we can’t, but the ability and the desire to listen makes all the difference.”

A native of Hobart, Bryant earned his undergraduate degree in business from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and holds a Master’s of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University. He served 31 years with the Oklahoma National Guard, including an 18-month tour of duty in Iraq.

Since joining the Norman Police Department in 2002, Bryant has been an active community advocate for mental health and homeless issues. He serves as president of the board of directors for Transition House, and works with numerous mental health agencies and community partnerships.– BSM

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BY: ROXANNE AVERY

The Life of a Centenarian

H

Neighbors reflect on the last century in Norman

ave you ever wondered what life was like in Norman 100 years ago? Centenarians and Norman neighbors Doris Henke and Mary Bess Gamel will tell you!

Henke celebrated her 100th birthday this past August and Gamel will celebrate hers in May. The women both live at Arbor House, an assisted living facility in Norman.

Henke was born in Byron, Oklahoma and worked at five & dime stores as a young girl. She then lived in Ponca City and Nebraska before moving to Norman in 1950 where her brother Richard was a grain salesman, just like her dad.

Henke worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Henry Easterling and Dr. Randy White and she said the best part of her life has been her daughters Monta Jo, Linda, Jacquelyn and Jaralene.

“Having my four daughters has been the most exciting part of my life. I love all of them,” Henke said.

Living through the Great Depression and World War II, Henke remembers one of her three brothers, Bobby, serving in the Air Force in England.

“He hurt his back and was sent back 14 | September 2020

home and when he was released from the military, he worked for Pennsylvania Oil,” she remembered.

Gamel was born in Norman in 1921 and said she has been witness to many changes during her lifetime.

When asked what she believes has changed most in the world during her lifetime, Henke said “nothing has really changed much, but everything has gotten better.”

“When I grew up, Main Street ended at the east side of the railroad tracks where Sooner Theater is today,” she remembered. “And it was all dirt road.”

And that includes the way we start our cars. Henke recalled the days when her dad had to crank the car to start it. She also fondly recalls walking to the stadium on game days to watch OU football under head coaches Bud Wilkinson, Barry Switzer and Bob Stoops.

She’s also a fan of Lincoln Riley.

“I loved to entertain and hosted lots of fun football parties back in the day,” she said.

In fact, Henke credits her long life in part to Sooner football, that and enjoying cocktails and dancing, she said, adding that her best advice is to do what you love. She also credits the caregivers at Arbor House.

“I don’t know how I managed to make it, but I’m here,” Henke said. “The staff at Arbor House… they keep us healthy and they keep us going.”

She said that today there are schools everywhere and that Norman has spread out and grown so much.

County records show the population in Norman in 1920 was a mere 5,004, compared to 124,000 today.

Gamel graduated from Norman High School and, during her sophomore year at OU, World War II broke out. She and her husband, Lyle Gamel, decided to get married. Since Lyle became a career military man, they enjoyed living in Europe, North Africa, France and the East Coast of the United States.

Together they had three daughters and one son.

When it came to retirement, Gamel said there was nowhere else she wanted to live but Norman. Coming home to her roots, she remembered stories of her father, Claud Pickard, graduating from OU and marrying her mother.

“In 1913, no one wanted to run for sheriff, and my dad became the first republican in office. He served two terms from 1913 to 1917,” she recalled.

He even has a street named after him, Pickard Street.

As a full-time mother and community volunteer, Gamel spent her days working with the Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, as president of the Norman Regional Hospital Auxiliary and many more organizations.

Her hobbies included “anything fun,” she shared. Gamel enjoyed swimming, golf and Friday night dances at the student union.

When asked about the most important events in her life, she quickly answered, her surprise 99th birthday party. Held during the quarantine, Gamel did not have the usual 45-member family entourage but a few were able to attend. She said she still cries just thinking about the most special 20 minutes of her life when she realized what was happening.

Gamel said that while Norman has changed in many ways, it has also stayed the same.

“It’s the people,” she said. “This town is full of good people.

You can pick out an Okie anywhere.”

Her advice on living a long, healthy life is to stay busy and keep a sense of humor. – BSM

16 | September 2020

COMM U N I T Y

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Teaching Norman

B

Janae Anderson, Wilson Elementary

eing an educator takes passion and dedication. Janae Anderson, a first grade teacher at Wilson Elementary, sees teaching as a dream come true.

“For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher,” she said. “As a little girl, I would always ‘teach’ my stuffed animals and imaginary students. The older I got the deeper my desire to teach became.”

She studied early childhood education at the University of Central Oklahoma and is starting her fifth year of teaching first grade.

“First grade is a wonderful year full of growth,” she shared. “I love watching students learn how to read and see their writing develop throughout the year. It is amazing to watch a student go from sounding out all their words to reading paragraphs.”

As the Norman district begins the school year virtually, teachers have been challenged to transition to a new style of learning.

20 | September 2020

“Obviously, this year will look different, but my goals and desires are the same as they always have been,” Anderson assured. “We still have many fun and engaging lessons planned for our students. My focus will continue to be on building a classroom community and meeting students where they are.”

“One of my favorite parts of our day is a time where we focus on our classroom community. We greet each other, sing songs, talk about our day, play a game and read stories together. We always end our day talking about something we learned that day or about the best part of our day. It is great to hear students give a shout out to their peers of something amazing that they noticed,” she added.

Even with social distancing a priority, Norman teachers will continue to lean on each other for support and guidance.

“My most memorable moments of my teaching career have been with

my Wilson family,” Anderson said.

“Teaching at Wilson is an honor and blessing that has shaped me into the teacher I am today.

“I teach with wonderful educators that are student focused.”

Living amidst a global pandemic has affected nearly every level of daily life and experts are concerned about the repercussions students might be experiencing, citing an anticipated higher risk of adverse childhood experiences and a greater need for trauma-informed interventions. Anderson said she is working towards becoming fully trained in trust-based relational intervention.

Despite the challenges ahead, Anderson said she is excited for the school year.

“It’s going to be a wonderful year full of lots of learning and wonderful moments.”

Anderson was named Wilson’s Teacher of the Year. – BSM

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Service Spotlight:

Lt. Shon Elroy

A

ppropriate and adequate training are imperative to saving lives, the lives of the public and those in law enforcement. Lt. Shon Elroy has taken on the important task of teaching the current generation of Cleveland County deputies.

“I’m a big proponent of training,” Elroy said. “I believe a lot of problems in law enforcement can be solved with training.”

Elroy serves as the weapons instructor and range master, but also coordinates a full range of training for the Sheriff’s Office. Elroy trained and mentored the current sheriff, Blake Green, as well as past sheriff Todd Gibson, and he has seen firsthand the difference training makes in an officer’s decision-making abilities.

Elroy started part-time at the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office in 2019 and helped the agency launch its less lethal shotgun program as well as training deputies on the Generation 5 Glock handguns with RMR sighting.

The less lethal shotguns provide an alternative to lethal force while keeping a suspect at a distance, which can be particularly helpful if the person is out of control due to a mental health episode or is acting out under the influence of drugs.

Deputies can de-escalate and disarm the suspect in these situations without deploying deadly force.

“Many times, the less lethal shotgun is enough of a deterrent to de-escalate and disarm, but if force is warranted, this weapon allows us to take the person into custody without serious bodily injury,” Elroy said.

In the case of the Glock with RMR sighting, the new sighting allows deputies to see the whole person and make better judgments as to the potential threat.

“It can reduce what we call ‘mistake of fact’ shootings,” Elroy explained.

“Anything that promotes better decision making in the field will reduce preventable injury to both parties.”

The success of Elroy’s training programs prompted Green to ask Elroy to come on full time as the training lieutenant.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Shon Elroy’s experience and character,” Green said. “His skill in training and knowledge of defensive tactics as well as his years in the field bring an unparalleled resource to our agency.”

Like many, Elroy went into police work because his father was in law enforcement.

“My father was a police officer in a suburb of LA,” Elroy said. “He actually served during the LA riots back in the 60s. The bars I’m wearing right now on my uniform are his lieutenant bars.”

“They’re like 50 years old which is kind of cool,” he added.

Elroy’s father left local policing to join the FBI and was an investigative agent for 21 years before retiring. Elroy said that influence is why he joined the Norman Police Department where he served 30 year before retiring.

He worked in a variety of positions including the street crimes unit, bicycle patrol and as an instructor in defensive tactics, use of force and firearms. He served his last nine years as the NPD rangemaster.

Elroy said the Sheriff’s Office’s mission to courageously protect and compassionately serve the people of Cleveland County drew him to the agency.

“Law enforcement is really the art of dealing with people and we need to teach that to this younger generation. I think it’s really important that we train our officers to compassionately deal with people.”

This is a continuation of our series on public servants in Norman.

24 | September 2020

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NORMANITES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Bob & Ellen Usry

B

ob and Ellen Usry epitomize what it means to be partners. In their nearly 52 years of marriage, they have not only built their own immediate family but also cultivated an extended family through years of service.

The couple married Dec. 26, 1968, when Bob was home on leave from the Vietnam War. Their oldest son, Bobby, was born when Bob was in Vietnam. Four years later, the Usrys welcomed a second son, Jamie.

Bob said Ellen pushed him along the way to be who he is today and attributes other key moments in his life such as when he accepted Christ in 1987 and during a 1982 Dale Carnegie class when Bob was voted as president of the class.

Bob was born and raised in Norman, living first on George Street south of the Duck Pond then in a two-story farmhouse where Oklahoma Ave. and Classen Blvd. meet, which at the time was the edge of town. Ellen was originally from Seminole, Oklahoma, but moved to Norman when she was 14 years old.

Now they also have four grandchildren – grandsons Jacob and Sam, whose parents are Bobby and Marcy McCurdy, and granddaughters Annie and Lainey, who are Jamie and his wife Kori’s children.

“It was something that totally blew me away because I didn’t see that in myself, but then it gave me a real boost because I thought if other people see that, that’s got to mean something,” Bob explained.

“I think that’s where my confidence started building, and I realized that I was just as good as anyone else.”

The two met through friends. Bob’s best friend was dating a friend of Ellen’s.

In 1973, the Usrys started their plumbing company, now named Bob Usry & Sons. Ellen worked for the City of Norman for many years before leaving in 1998 to work at the family company.

“Truthfully, I didn’t really care for him, and he said I was homely,” Ellen recalled with a laugh.

She returned to her role as deputy city clerk in 2008 after her boss reached out and asked if she would come back.

Initially, Ellen tried to match Bob with some of her friends, but one night when everybody had to go home but the two of them, Bob and Ellen realized their connection.

Bob and Ellen came from different backgrounds. Bob shared that he “was a mess” and was thrown out of Norman High School three times before being told on the third time to not come back.

He was two weeks shy of finishing 10th grade. Later, he earned his GED and was the first keynote speaker of a local GED recognition program, a moment he says he took pride in.

“There were fireworks,” according to Bob, and the couple decided they were going to get married, which they did six months later.

boydstreet.com

An initiative that is “kind of our heart,” according to Bob, is the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, or RYLA. This summer camp, which the Usrys developed and have organized for 26 years, is for students entering their senior year of high school.

Campers come not only from bigger communities like Norman and Ardmore but also smaller towns in the state. All of them are leaders, and Ellen said that throughout the week, the campers start to realize they have a lot in common, even though they come from different areas.

“The beauty of this camp is, I say, we do heart surgery on these kids,” Bob BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 29

shared. “We teach them to dig in and look at their heart, look at who they are and look at the people around them.”

RYLA wasn’t held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Usrys have developed strong relationships throughout the years and are still in touch with many of the campers.

Campers will often come to the Usrys’ house to do laundry while attending the University of Oklahoma or live with them for a time, like a doctor did for 30 days while he was on rotation at Norman Regional Hospital. Bob even recently officiated a wedding of a former camper.

In addition to the camp, the Usrys give back to the community in a multiple of ways. Both Bob and Ellen are active in the Rotary Club of Norman, Bob for 30 years and Ellen for more than 20. They also serve on the DHS Citizens Advisory Board, which Ellen was president of for five years.

30 | September 2020

Recently, Bob was appointed to the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. Bob has sat on the Oklahoma Electric Cooperative Board for 16 years and was chairman of the board at CrossPointe Church for 17 years. Ellen is active in the Assistance League of Norman.

They’re also active with Norman Public School Foundation and the United Way. Additionally, Bob has traveled to Côte d’Ivoire, Africa, 13 times through the 1040i program, most recently in February for two weeks with the medical team. He volunteers as the superintendent of the camp, keeping the generators and air conditioners running so that the doctors can perform surgeries and provide medical care to people in the area. Bob says those trips are special to his heart, and he now has a lot of family over there too, many of whom call him “Mr. Bob” or “Papa,” as a sign of respect.

Bob recalled Christmases from early in his life when his mother did all she could do, but that were slim because they did not have much money. He remembers going to a sorority house and receiving gifts there. Now, he gives back because that is what people have done for him.

“We just try to give where it’s necessary,” Bob explained. “You see a need, you go for it, and we’ve always been able to do that. We will probably die poor people, but we’ve just given a lot to our community and don’t regret a dime of it, don’t regret a minute of it.”

Bob added that Norman has been good to him and Ellen, in part thanks to the great people they are able to hang out with and serve in the community.

“If God called me home today, I would say I’ve had an incredible life,” Bob stated. “Not all of it was fun … But I’ve done probably as much as a person can do. I will probably die not a wealthy man but wealthy in heart.”– BSM

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S P O RT S

BY: CHRIS PLANK

Ready...Set. Sooners prepare for season as uncertainties remain

34 | September 2020

T

he day the Big 10 and Pac 12 conferences decided to postpone the fall college football season was a day filled with concern and anticipation. It was arguably one of the biggest days in college football history.

While the Big 10 and Pac 12 opted to move the football season to the spring, the ACC and SEC were both resilient in its belief they could safely hold a fall football season.

But which side would the final Power Five conference choose?

The timing coincided with a scheduled Big 12 Conference Board of Directors meeting. The Big 12’s board of presidents, chancellors and athletic directors had a 90-minute briefing with team doctors and medical consultants before the board went into executive session to reach a decision.

The college football world waited. Would the conference home of the Oklahoma Sooners decide to play or delay the season?

“Opinions vary regarding the best path forward, as we’ve seen throughout higher education and our society overall,” said Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby of the decision to proceed as planned. “But we are comfortable in our institutions’ ability to provide a structured training environment, rigorous testing and surveillance, hospital quality sanitation and mitigation practices that optimize the health and safety of our student-athletes.

“We believe all of this combines to create an ideal learning and training situation during this time of COVID-19. Ultimately, our student-athletes have indicated their desire to compete in the sports they love this season and it is up to all of us to deliver a safe, medically sound and structured academic and athletic environment for accomplishing that outcome.”

With those words, the Big 12 decided to continue to pursue a college football season in the fall. It was a massive sigh of relief for many Oklahoma Sooner Football fans, and perhaps college football fans in general.

...?

Had the Big 12 board of directors decided to shut down the fall season and pursue spring football, the entire landscape of college football would have been affected. The decision was a jolt of confidence and was followed with a release of the full 2020-season schedule. But questions will still remain until the 2020 season officially kicks off.

“We have been unwavering in putting our focus squarely on the well-being of our student-athletes and staff members,” Sooner Athletic Director Joe Castiglione said. “We have gone to great lengths in setting a list of protocols that were guided by our medical team and in consultation with industry leaders. There has been great effort expended in areas like testing and sanitizing, which are part of a comprehensive plan.

“We are prepared to not only continue those practices, but to expand them as we move into this phase of the upcom-

boydstreet.com

BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 35

ing season. We have been clear in presenting our plans to student-athletes, parents and guardians and we will continue in a spirit of transparency to provide our student-athletes with opportunities and information so they can make well-informed decisions.”

The decision is by no means a guarantee and Sports Illustrated college football writer Ross Dellinger, one of the go-to sources for information during this pandemic, still has valid concerns about the Big 12 season.

“I think the difficult decision for Big 12 athletic directors was the risk taking,” Dellinger said during an interview on Sports Talk 1400 and 99.3FM. “The risk of playing in a pandemic and the uncertainty of those risks versus the (impact) of not playing on your students, which is mental health and the structure that comes with playing a season. The latter won over… but things are still hanging by a thread in the Big 12.

“It feels as if they are still very split in a lot of ways. There were vigorous 36 | September 2020

debates that continued and they will continue to monitor medical advice.”

The Big 12 did make a major adjustment in how it is treating one of the biggest concerns with COVID-19. One major change that took place during the Big 12’s decision to commit to pursuing a season was increased testing and continued understanding of myocarditis, which is an inflammation of the middle layer of the heart wall.

All Big 12 players who test positive for COVID-19 will go through EKGs, troponin blood tests, echocardiograms and cardiac MRIs as part of their return-to-play process to monitor any potential heart-related issues.

“We know the heart gets involved and myocarditis is a very serious complication,” Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU’s chief of COVID-19 operations said on Sports Talk 1400. “When you have a person who has (COVID-19) symptoms, particularly around 49 and up, about two thirds have had evidence of myocarditis even after recovery.

“When I first started meeting with (OU Team Physician) Dr. (Brock) Schnebel, he had put those tests into the protocols with the research available from the American Heart Association. All of the testing has been put into place as guidelines for getting athletes back into their full activities. It could be a major concern if you do not test for the potential of myocarditis. Things like troponin levels and cardiac MRIs are extremely sensitive. It is one more safeguard.”

The protocols for OU student athletes have been rigorous. Some of the protocols include: only one entrance into each team facility, locker rooms limited to a certain number of people at a time and teammates working together in smaller groups.

Masks have been mandatory everywhere on campus and social distancing along with smaller social circles are encouraged.

“The health of our student-athletes is paramount,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “Our decisions for the fall

sports season are made based upon the guidance of national medical experts and our seasoned medical team including our chief football physician, head athletics trainer and OU’s chief COVID officer.

“To date at OU, we’ve been highly successful in mitigating the transmission of the virus in our athletics operations because of their expertise. Their considered opinion at this time is that with the additional safety measures, our student-athletes’ overall health and welfare is best protected by proceeding with the season. Their decades of experience inform their opinion that our students would be at greater health risk by being outside the rigorous protocols we have in place. In addition, we have listened to our student-athletes that have made it clear that they want to play. With the number of additional safety precautions being put in place by the Big 12, combined with OU’s sophisticated protocols, we’re poised to move forward with the season as safely as we practically can. As in everything we do

boydstreet.com

in response to COVID-19, we will proceed cautiously, constantly assessing the state of the virus and its impact on our community members.”

The adjustment in testing for potential heart conditions left a major impact on Bratzler.

“The increased modifications build on OU Athletics’ already well-established set of protocols to protect its student-athletes,” Bratzler said. “The enhanced practices coming out of the Big 12 will only add to the important policies already in place at OU.” Schnebel concurred with Bratzler’s view.

“We understand that the virus comes with risk and we work to manage that risk every day,” said Schnebel. “As the student-athletes continue training and competing, we will continue to subject them to the same rigorous standards that have been in place thus far, while recommending other safeguards for stadium management and travel.

“To be clear, there are risks in playing, in not playing and in returning everyone to their homes. We feel that for the student-athletes’ mental and overall well-being, it is best to let them continue in this setting with the additional modifications that will be enacted as we expand to game settings.”

With so many factors at play, concerns about whether the Big 12 will actually be able to conduct a season are very real. But, for now, the league is moving forwards in hopes of competing and completing a fall football schedule in 2020.

“If we get to the place where our doctors and scientists say, ‘You know what, you guys got two wheels off the tracks and you’re headed for a train wreck,’ we will pivot that day,” Bowlsby said.

“And if it’s during camp, it’s during camp. If it’s during October, it’s during October. If it’s the week before our championship game, that’s when it is.

Making adjustments on the fly are going to be part of this. But our medical

BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 37

professionals have said go forward, move slowly, make small adjustments and constantly be vigilant about changes in the environment. That’s what we’re listening to. They have told us that it’s safe to move forward on that basis. When they tell us otherwise, we will be listening to that as well.”

The schedule release brought even more surprises for Sooner fans. Despite the fact that the Missouri Valley Conference shifted its season to the spring, the Sooners will still open up against Missouri State but the game has been moved to Sept. 12.

After opening conference play against Kansas State on Sept. 26, the Sooners will spend the entire month of October away from Norman. The October stretch includes an Oct. 10 date with Texas, still scheduled to be played in the Cotton Bowl.

“We’ve done such a tremendous job really this entire time.”

In addition to the nine players who tested positive, a relatively small number of players have been isolated due to contact tracing.

“It’s a hindsight decision that would be pretty easy for me to say right now that I regret it,” Riley said. “I also feel like if I keep a team hemmed up here for a 6-7 week training camp, I would probably regret that, too.”

The Sooners returned for voluntary workouts on July 1. After going three consecutive weeks with zero positive tests during voluntary workouts, the team did have one player test positive on the last week. But these nine positive tests are a reminder of just how challenging putting on a season will be and how much personal responsibility is involved.

ration efforts,” Castiglione said. “But it is by no means the only step. We have been and will continue working on protocols that will be in place for our student-athletes, staff and patrons.

A capacity reduction will allow us to create distancing in the seating bowl.

Other policies in the stadium will be introduced as we alter our operations because of the COVID-19 virus.”

Stadium procedures have been developed to meet fan needs from “driveway to driveway,” according to Castiglione. The athletics department will unveil a new app just prior to the season that will contain an extensive list of services including digital ticketing, parking assistance, a digital game program and an interface with stadium concessions to allow fans to order in advance and pick up at designated locations. The university will also re-

However, the key word for the entire schedule is flexibility, as it has been for every angle of life during a pandemic.

“We have to be flexible,” Castiglione said. “We have to be nimble, just like with issues around our players. Something that might develop might cause us to pivot, stopping practice or maybe not even having a game or a season.

All that is still ahead of us.”

With the schedule set, the Sooners are now in the process of preparing for the season, but even that came with a speed bump. Head Coach Lincoln Riley gave his team some time away from practices as the Big 12 made its decision. That time away resulted in more challenges as nine Sooners tested positive for COVID-19 upon the return to practice. “(We are) so disappointed by the news, obviously,” said Riley, who added all were community-based infections.

“We, as a team, have to do a better job of educating and mitigating as much as we possibly can when they are outside this facility,” Riley said. “What we’ve learned up to this point is when they’re (at the football facility), we’ve done a pretty good job. We’ve got to continue to do well and get better.

“When they’re out of here, that’s been the most danger … in terms of students coming back. I think that’s a concern of every single college football coach in the country right now. The numbers game becomes much more difficult any way you slice it when these students all get back to campus, like what’s happening here at our university right now.”

Beyond team preparations for the season, the Sooner administration continues to prepare for what a game day experience will look like for fans.

“This is the next step in our prepa-

quire face coverings be worn in the stadium on game day.

“That’s just the way it’s going to be,” Castiglione said. “I understand that might not be what people want to do. I respect that. I respect the fact that they don’t want to wear a mask, but if you’re going to come to a game at Oklahoma, it’s going to be a requirement.

“If you don’t want to accept that, then you probably should make the decision not to come to the game and there’s just not going to be any argument about that.”

The schedule is set, the Sooners and the Big 12 are moving forward and fans will be in the stands for the 2020 season, but even the best laid plans could change at a moment’s notice.

“The season, while still on our radar screen, is not a guarantee,” Castiglione said. “It’s not a given.”– BSM

38 | September 2020

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COMM U N I T Y

BY: CALLIE COLLINS

Building Hope

Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity hosts events to support its mission

A

series of community events slated this fall and winter will benefit Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity. The organization is breaking ground on its first home project of 2020 and the community is invited to celebrate. A groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Sept. 18 at 630 Iowa Street in Norman. There is no cost to attend but donations are welcome.

Officials are also organizing a brand new event, the Common Ground Coffee Festival, planned for Jan. 16 at the Cleveland County fairgrounds. This coffee tasting opportunity will feature micro batches from local coffee roasters and cafe suppliers as well as bakery items and other food novelties.

Randy Gardner, Habitat for Humanity president and CEO, encourages community members and vendors interested in participating to save the date!

“Vendors do not have to be from Cleveland County,” said Gardner. “I hope they turn out from all over the state to participate.”

Gardner will be the featured speaker at a community networking event on Sept.

11 at 8 a.m. at the Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity ReStore, located at 1100 W. Main St. Gardner will share the stage with Scars and Stripes Coffee 44 | September 2020

as the event’s coffee sponsor and supporter. The event is free to attend and attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about Habitat’s work.

The Cleveland County organization has served Norman, Moore, Lexington, Slaughterville and Noble since 1993 and is an affiliate of the national organization, “advocating for affordable housing and by helping those who would not otherwise qualify for homeownership,” Gardner said.

Habitat for Humanity volunteers renovate and repair homes all over the world and help build new homes.

Those who benefit from services come from diverse backgrounds, including veterans, adults with disabilities, the elderly and families with young children.

“A common myth is that Habitat for Humanity gives away homes,” Gardner shared. “ We do not. We sell homes based on an identified prospective homebuyer’s ability to pay. The program is designed to help low-income, first-time homebuyers achieve their dream of homeownership.”

Selected applicants must meet stringent eligibility requirements, including the ability to make monthly payments with a zero percent interest loan. A down payment is required and

those selected must also complete 350 hours of sweat equity.

“Basically, our sweat equity requirement is community service,” explained Gardner. “Some of that can be working on the house but there are also other ways to complete that requirement where the whole family can participate. Even children already involved in service projects at school or through organizations like Scouts can count those hours as part of the family’s investment in their new home.”

All funds collected through monthly mortgage payments go right back into Habitat for Humanity properties.

Staff furloughs in March and fewer donations overall due to COVID-19 have impacted the organization. Donations of items to ReStore, Habitat for Humanity’s second hand resale store, did increase as families cleaned out their closets during quarantine. However, the inability to hold gatherings has affected their plans to host fundraisers planned for this summer.

Although uncertainty about in-person events remains, Gardner is hopeful events can resume in-person soon with proper precautions in place. Find more information about upcoming events and volunteering at cchfh.org. – BSM

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COMM U N I T Y

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Virtual Learning Resources

Community organizations step up to help parents

W

hen several districts in the metro area including Norman Public Schools made the announcement that school year would begin virtually, many parents began searching for options to balance the demands of work and schooling at home.

The Norman community is well versus at finding solutions and the United Way of Norman is levering its network to connect families with important resources.

“We understand that many families need help with supervision,” United Way Vice President Jed Dembowski said. “Our desire is to relieve the burden on families as much as possible.

We are collecting information from community partners and putting it all together in one spot for parents.”

As a result, they began reaching out to local nonprofit organizations creating services to help parents manage this new challenge and sought out the support to help parents in need.

“United Way of Norman is also providing funds for scholarships to the programs available to students,” 48 | September 2020

Dembowski shared. “ We are especially appreciative of the generous donors whose gifts allow us to provide assistance. We don’t want cost to be a barrier for families in our community that need help.”

The United Way has compiled a variety of community resources at unitedwaynorman.org/vlr, including:

• Norman Parks & Recreation is organizing day camps for elementary students with integrated virtual classrooms. Camps are open Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Norman Recreation Centers. The cost is $75 per week.

• The Spot, a service provided by Bridges of Norman, offers free WIFI, tutoring, snacks and more for youth ages 14 to 21. Limited transportation is available and The Spot is open Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 526 W. Main St. • Loveworks Leadership offers programming for middle school students. Focus on developing leadership skills, students engage

in a variety of personal growth activities to build communication skills and career-readiness. The program costs $200 a month and takes place at 151 12th Ave SE.

• Boys & Girls Club of Norman has been selected as a Community HOPE Center and is providing a space for kids ages 6 to 18 to focus on academics in a small group setting. In the afternoons, students can participate in arts, games and recreational activities. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be served.

The program, located at 210 S. Cockrel Ave., is open to Norman Public School students and is free.

• Sooner Bowling Center is offering bowling field trips and bowling STEM group activities. Email soonerbowling@gmail.com for more information.

For even more resources and educational activities available in the Norman community, visit unitedwaynorman.org/vlr. – BSM

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BY: JOSH HELMER

A New Tradition

Norman High and Norman North host inaugural softball invitational

N

orman North softball won the inaugural NPS/Veteran Bat Invitational, topping Norman High in the championship game 2-0. The jointsite tournament was the first of its kind on Norman High and Norman North’s new turf-infield playing surfaces.

munity of Norman, to get more recognition for our teams and our district,” O’Hara said. “Not only to possibly host something, but to co-host it. Very similar to what we did with our basketball tournament last year where both high schools are working together.

“To win what we are considering our inaugural tournament with our brand-new facilities and being able to do that on our home field was really special,” Norman North head softball coach Trey Palacol said. “For our girls, it was really special because not only did we get to win our own tournament, but of course we had the feeling of the Crosstown Clash.

“We tried to come up with a product to promote Norman Public Schools and the city of Norman and we were able to accomplish that right off the bat the first year.”

“I know the girls were just ecstatic.”

An event like the NPS/Veteran Bat Invitational was something district athletic director T.D. O’Hara anticipated hosting once facility upgrades were completed.

“One of the things we envisioned once we completed our facility upgrades was the opportunity to host a tournament and get more teams into the com52 | September 2020

Norman North beat Putnam City North 3-0 and Healdton 5-4, while Norman High won 7-0 over Lawton and 7-3 over Bridge Creek in pool play to set the stage for a Crosstown Clash showdown in the championship game.

“It was exciting to get out there and host our first one and to get to showcase our new turf infields,” Norman High head softball coach Zack Swart said. “Not having to load up on a bus and travel to play was nice. A hometown game is always good.”

The new turf has eliminated some of the concerns that arise when Oklahoma weather comes into play.

“First and foremost, thank you to Norman Public Schools, the community and our athletic department,” Palacol said. “It’s been great, knowing that we’re not losing days of practice even whenever there’s weather. I know the infielders love it because they get those true hops.”

The facility upgrades have also saved on hours of daily field maintenance.

“The maintenance side of it is amazing, being able to focus more time on practice instead of 20 to 30 minutes of cleanup every day,” Swart said. “That saves a lot of time in itself.”

The NPS/Veteran Bat Invitational was a great first showcase for the facilities and an event both programs can look forward to for years to come. – BSM

Don’t Medical Distance The COVID-19 pandemic has many people worried about their health. Please don’t be afraid to seek essential medical treatment. It’s important to still: • Call 911 or visit the Emergency Room if you experience chest pain, stroke symptoms or other urgent medical needs • See your physician for wellness visits and routine exams • Take your child to the doctor for well child checks and stay up to date on immunizations • Talk to a provider about your mental health and seek help if you experience troubling signs of depression, anxiety or thoughts of harming yourself Norman Regional’s team is taking extra precautions to ensure your safety including masking, enhanced disinfection measures and staggered appointment times. We also offer several options to see a provider virtually through your phone, tablet or computer.

Call us today at 405.515.5000 to be matched with the perfect physician for you.

Getting Us All to a Healthier Place NormanRegional.com

B U S I N E SS

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Lifesaving Tech

Rose Rock Veterinary Hospital offers CT imaging for pets

R

ose Rock Veterinary Hospital & Pet Resort is offering a new service that is intended to help take some of the guesswork out of diagnosing and treating pets. Drs. Beverly and Bryce Fritzler, a mother and son veterinary team, said they are using advanced medical technology to help save more pets.

CT scans, just like what is used for human diagnostics, help pinpoint any abnormalities and how significant the problem might be.

“We focus on having extensive dialogistic services and, with every test you do, you hope you get an answer,” Dr. Fritzler said. “A CT scan is a very accurate way to determine what is wrong and what the best treatment option is.”

The Fritzlers said they added CT scans to help more pets and pet owners.

56 | September 2020

“The desire is to find a diagnosis sooner and whether or not the situation is treatable to help pet owners make better decisions from the start,” Dr. Bev explained. “And we may be able to catch some things that we might have missed before.”

before surgery,” Dr. Fitzler said.

The scans can also look into hard-toreach and complex areas like a pet’s nasal cavity to find tumors, Dr. Fitzler said.

“People don’t often realize what is possible and how much we can do for pets so the more you know at the beginning the better,” she added.

CT imaging scans are also available on a referral basis and the results can be sent to a patient’s regular vet. Some pet owners used the scans as a preventive measure to find any that might be of concern before it becomes a problem.

A CT scan looks at soft tissue to find foreign bodies, abnormalities, infections as well as diagnose skull and orthopedic diseases.

Pets must have a consultation exam prior to the procedure to discuss medical history and whether the scan is an appropriate option.

“For example, if a pet suddenly loses the use of their legs, we can use the CT scan to localize the issue and help us determine the proper treatment steps. Plus, we’ll know exactly where the problem is

“The patient needs to be still so some level of anesthesia is involved,” Dr. Bev said. “There are options but the whole scan takes about 20 to 30 minutes.”

The Fritzlers have been in pet care for

many years. Beverly joined the practice in 1986 and became the owner in 1990. Bryce started working at Rose Rock in 2015, but he grew up watching his mother.

“I grew up at Rose Rock. I cleaned kennels as a kid growing up, and after college I worked as a veterinary assistant

for one year before going to veterinary school,” he said.

Today, Bryce serves as the director of medical services, managing a wealth of services including pet wellness, diagnostics, surgeries and rehabilitation.

Rose Rock also offers alternative pet

medicine such as acupuncture, massage and joint mobility therapy. They also have boarding and grooming.

To learn more about CT scans and the other services available at Rose Rock, visit roserockvethospital.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. – BSM

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A Back to School Guide for Unconventional Times

ack-to-school season is traditionally marked by a run on discounted pencils, overcrowded malls and lots of nail-biting nerves about new teachers. But this year, the back-to-school season is entirely different.

Forget the crowds and a race to find the hottest-selling backpack. This year, it’s all about the trendiest face masks and getting ready for a school year that promises to be unlike any other. For a child, that can be more than a little frightening.

As with every transition, proper mindset and preparation is key to smoothing out the inevitable bumps and hurdles.

Whether your school district is starting off the year exclusively with distance learning, going back to in-person learning or they’ve settled on something in between, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s our complete guide to helping you prepare your child for the new school year in these unconventional times.

TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT

The more your child knows about the dynamics of the upcoming school year, the better off they’ll be. As the situation evolves, and you learn more details about the year’s schooling, speak to your child about what to expect. If your school’s administration has decided to continue in-person instruction with daily temperature checks, let your child know to expect them. If the school year will start off with remote learning and tentative plans for returning to in-person instruction in January, share this information with your child. The more your child knows, the easier it will be for them to handle changes as events unfold.

CREATE A BACK-FROM-SCHOOL PROTOCOL TO KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE

If your child will be going to school full-time, or even partially, it’s important to establish a sanitizing ritual for them to adhere to when they walk through the front door after each day of school.

“When children return from school, they should immediately sanitize their hands,” advises board-certified pediatrician, Dr. Candice W. Jones. “Once at home, at the very least, they should remove clothes/shoes and place them in the laundry, or in a designated safe place for disinfecting.

A shower would be great, but is not absolutely necessary.”

Talk to your child about this daily disinfecting routine, and run a practice round or two to make it easier to remember when school starts.

ZOOMING IN ON REMOTE SCHOOLING

Many states and school districts have announced the continuation of distance learning for the start of the new school year. If the idea of sitting your child down in front of the screen for hours at a time again makes your head spin, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Dr. Linda Carling, an associate boydstreet.com

research scientist at Johns Hopkins University, shares these tips for helping children succeed at remote learning:

ENCOURAGE MOVEMENT

Squeeze in some stretching breaks throughout the school day and pencil in larger chunks of time for longer exercises, like a bike ride around the block. If your child finds it particularly difficult to sit still for long periods of time, set up a tablet or laptop on a raised surface and have your child stand through their classes.

REDUCE DISTRACTIONS

Create a distraction-free zone for your child’s learning to help boost their focus. Noise-canceling headphones can also be helpful to drown out auditory distractions.

ADJUST YOUR SCHEDULE AS NEEDED

Many younger children need constant or intermittent guidance to help them with their remote learning. If possible, adjust your own schedule so you can be on hand to help your child as necessary.

USE A CHECKLIST FOR FOCUS

A basic visual checklist of tasks that need to be completed can help children focus. Draw up the checklist with your child at the beginning of each day and have them cross off tasks as they’re completed.

PROVIDE IMMEDIATE POSITIVE FEEDBACK

Each time your child successfully follows instructions, provide immediate and positive feedback. You can keep it small, from a sticker on their work assignment or words of praise to an extra 15 minutes of play before bedtime.

HELP YOUR CHILD PREPARE FOR FACE COVERING WEARING WHILE AT SCHOOL

School supply lists are looking very different this year, with “face masks” penciled in right next to “erasers” and “glue.”

But having your child wear a mask for hours on end while sitting through school can sound next to impossible.

BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 61

To help your child prepare, it’s best to model positivity.

It’s no secret that kids mimic the adults in their lives.

Though you may find it difficult to wear a mask yourself, you can help your child build up a positive attitude about mask-wearing by talking about how your mask is keeping you and others safe, as well as how the discomfort is a small price to pay for safety.

It’s also a good idea to practice mask-wearing at home.

This will serve the dual purpose of getting your child accustomed to wearing a mask, and help to ensure your child is wearing it correctly before school starts. If your child is particularly resistant to wearing a mask, you may want to employ some strategies, like having them wear the mask for the length of their favorite song, or playing dress-up as a doctor or your child’s favorite superhero.

For the sensory child, face masks can be a nightmare. Make it easier by finding the style that is most comfortable for your child. Extenders or button headbands can also be a welcome relief for irritated ears.

Finally, make masks fun by choosing a child-friendly pattern. You can go with an adorable bear face masks from Amazon, have your child design their own mask on Etsy, choose an extra breathable and lightweight mask from Athleta or pick out a mask featuring your child’s favorite movie character from Disney.

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BY: KATHY HALLREN | JOE’S WINES & SPIRITS

Fun Wine & Seltzers

LI F EST Y L E

O

base is less and reduces the cost to the end consumer.

Seltzers come in two basic types: hard seltzer with an alcohol base or a wine base. There are also fruit flavored malt (beer) products.

Want to be creative and make your own wine cocktail? A Paloma is easy to make. Start with a highball glass or large wine glass, combine one part tequila, two parts grapefruit juice. Add ice and top off with sparkling wine. Garnish if you want with a slice of orange.

ver the past couple of years, there has been an explosion of new products in the wine, beer and spirits industry, thanks in part to a demand for products lower in alcohol and calories, as well as new flavors.

Looking for interesting flavors with a low alcohol content and a little fizz? Try Love Lavender, Mango or Strawberry or aptly named fun wines such as Coconut Chardonnay, Sangria & Strawberry Moscato from Barefoot Fruitscato’s fizzy lineup. These wines are 5 to 6.5 percent alcohol content, with fruit flavors added to create new and interesting experiences.

Hard seltzers produced in the USA are generally from fermented sugar cane or less commonly malted barley. White Claw, Truly and several others are essentially alcohol from fermented sugar cane mixed with seltzer water and fruit flavoring. Barefoot uses wine as the base for its seltzer.

Malibu started with a wine-based splash in cocktail flavors, but switched to malt base because the tax on a malt

Most seltzers are available in variety packs and often include at least one flavor not available separately.

A Campari cocktail is a great option when serving a larger crowd.

Enjoy and stay safe, Kathy

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BY: CHAT WILLIAMS | YOUTH PERFORMANCE

10 pillars of Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD)

L

TAD, as defined by the National Strength and Conditioning Association, is the habitual development of athleticism over time to improve health and fitness, enhance physical performance, reduce the chance of injury and develop confidence and competence.

1. The health and well-being of all kids is the central tenet of LTAD.

8. Testing is only a snapshot of performance on that given day which is prudently when determining ability.

2. Development of fundamental motor skills and muscle strength are paramount to successful participation in sport, physical education and physical activity.

9. All kids should be introduced to strength & conditioning, which can be integrated into sports practice and/or personal training, so that they develop positive healthy habits, learn to enjoy strength & conditioning, and get in shape to play, not vice versa.

3. Kids should be routinely provided opportunities to develop health-fitness and skills-fitness capacities across childhood and adolescence.

4. Kids do not grow at the same rate and growth is not a linear progression.

5. All kids deserve an opportunity to play, be active and participate in sport at every age and ability.

6. Kids should be exposed to a variety of sports, games and physical activities.

10. Coaches and trainers need to understand pediatric principles of youth growth and development, including pedagogical instruction, in order to best serve youth.

Chat Williams, MS, CSCS*D, NSCA-CPT*D, CSPS*D, FNSCA chat@youthperformance.net • www.youthperformance.net 405-701-3416

7. While focusing on positive sports and physical activity, it is important to remember proper injury prevention protocols and practices for youth.

boydstreet.com

BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 71

HE A LT H

Norman Regional Expands to East Norman

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Rezoning for new freestanding emergency department approved by city council

Dr. Robin Mantooth

T

he Norman City Council recently gave Norman Regional Health System the go ahead to increase their footprint in the city as they approved the rezoning of a 30-acre property located in southeast Norman.

The property located at the southwest corner of the intersection of Highway 9 and 24th Ave SE will be the site of a new freestanding emergency department. The campus will also house a variety of outpatient services, increasing access to what is now an underserved area, said Dr. Robin Mantooth, Norman Regional’s medical director of Emergency Services.

“For the people who live in east Norman and the surrounding area, the new location will make it much more convenient to get medical care,” she said. “All of the physicians work at all of the campuses so the care will be streamlined and cohesive across the health system.”

Mantooth said the design for the facility is modeled after Norman Regional Moore’s campus.

“The Moore facility is sort of a blueprint that has helped prepare for this new freestanding emergency department,” she explained. “That facility works very well and has been very helpful to the Moore community.”

The freestanding emergency department is just the first in a series of projects Norman Regional intends to build under a plan they are calling Inspire Health. Inspire Health is Norman Regional’s plan to transform health care by delivering greater accessibility and convenience for the community.

74 | September 2020

“We are excited to launch Inspire Health in the fastest growing area in Norman,” said President and CEO, Richie Splitt. “Our goal is to be a good neighbor and provide services that better reach our patients and their families where they live, work and play.”

Construction is set to begin in the spring of 2021 and is expected to take a year to complete. The Highway 9 master plan, in addition to the emergency department, will include laboratory and diagnostic services, physical therapy, physician clinics and meeting space. The surrounding landscape integrates walking trails, green spaces and water features.

“Our patients and staff need a peaceful, relaxing environment,” Mantooth shared. “The whole environment, from the inside out, will reflect that.”

These are only a small part of what the Norman Regional hopes to bring to the community as part of the Inspire Health plan. The size of the Highway 9 property allows for future growth and development such as senior living residences. Other components of the plan include an expansion to the HealthPlex, an ambulatory care pavilion, a cancer care center and the revitalization of the Porter campus.

To learn more about the new freestanding emergency department and all of the Inspire Health projects, visit normanregional.com. – BSM

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

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BY: CHELSEY KRAF T

Bodyworx

Primary Care & Physical Therapy Patients seeking physical therapy or primary care have a new option in Norman

P

hillicia Hawkins, who graduated from Langston University in 2008 with her doctorate degree in physical therapy, opened the first Bodyworx Physical Therapy clinic in 2013 in her hometown of Oklahoma City. About three years later, she added a location in Mustang. As of earlier this year, the newest Bodyworx facility can be found at 4019 North Flood Ave in Norman.

Growing up with a mom who was in the medical field, Hawkins always had a love for medicine. She was drawn to physical therapy because of the way it allowed her to take a hands-on approach to someone’s care. At Bodyworx, she places focus on quality care for patients.

“I wanted to create a facility that provided quality care with the patient as a priority,” Hawkins shared about why she opened the initial clinic. “We have to make ends meet, but we don’t want to lose the quality of care that

80 | September 2020

we give patients. We also want to have a place where employees enjoy coming to work because if they’re in good spirits and they’re happy and enjoy what they’re doing, that just leads to better care too for patients.

We’re trying to have a two-fold facility for patients and for employees to flourish.”

eran disability assistance, aesthetics with Botox, juvederm dermal fillers, B12 injections, hydration therapy, massage therapy, cupping and dry needling. They are also willing to expand their offerings to match community needs and will research and develop a plan to implement new treatments.

Bodyworx offers comprehensive physical therapy services to its patients, including orthopedic physical therapy, manual therapy, an AlterG unweighting treadmill, mechanical traction, dry needling, cupping, massages and more, with treatment tailored specifically for each patient.

Leading the primary care initiative is nurse practitioner Kristal Vasquez, who recently started at Bodyworx and will be providing primary care for adult and geriatric patients. Additionally, the facility is going to offer a range of aesthetic procedures to help people look and feel their best. This includes facials, dermal fillers and hyperhidrosis treatments, using Botox to help with excessive sweating.

In addition to physical therapy, the Norman location also provides primary care, and Hawkins said they are excited to expand into this area and offer additional services to the community.

Bodyworx goal is to provide holistic healthcare treating the mind, body and spirit offering primary care, vet-

“With it being a new facility, it gives me the opportunity to ask the clients what they want and what they envision for our future,” Vasquez explained. “We can connect with the community so I

can find out what the community’s needs are and then tailor our services. I think that that’s wonderful.”

Bodyworx Physical Therapy is accepting new patients, and people can call 253-5076 to make an appointment or visit bodyworxpt.com for more information. The facility is taking precautions for COVID-19, including wearing masks and sanitizing and cleaning measures, Vasquez said.

When it comes to therapy, Hawkins shared that Bodyworx takes a holistic approach and that may mean looking not just at the joint that a patient is visiting for but also checking above and below to get a more complete view of the issue, especially if it’s a chronic one. This holistic mindset also extends to the environment.

“We try to keep our environment uplifting,” Hawkins stated. “It’s a medical facility, but we try to have fun. We try to keep people uplifted, and I feel like that helps a lot with your rehab if we can get you motivated and to keep coming and being consistent.”

Vasquez echoed this thought, saying the location offers a professional but laid-back atmosphere where people can banter while watching a football or basketball game.

“Our clients are more like friends and family than they are a patient,” Vasquez continued. “We keep it professional where we have a physician-patient relationship, but we also try to incorporate them into more of a family. We know who they are, when they’re coming in and they know all of us, not just their provider.” – BSM

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