TULSA TULSA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
AUG07 OSUFirstYearMedicalStudent WelcomeLunch OSU-CHSTandy411 12:00PM -Noon
AUG09 OSMABoardofTrusteesMeeting 10:00AMatOSMAinOKCorviaZoom
AUG31 ScholarshipDeadline OpentoOU/OSU 2 ,3 &4 YearMedical StudentsTosubmitScholarship Applications nd rd th
SEP01 LaborDay TCMSandTCMSFoundationOfficeswill be closed
SEP20 OklahomaAllergy&AsthmaSociety AnnualMeeting 8:00AM-3:00PM TheFirstNationalHotel OklahomaCity,OK ToRegisterorformoreinformationcontact JoettaCunningham, 918-743-6184or joetta@tcmsok.org
SEP23 OSDSRegularScheduledSeries Moredetailsto come
LEADERSHIP
TULSA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
Physicians Advancing Health Care
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ondria Gleason, MD - Pres.
John Tedesco, DO - Pres.-Elect
Sharon D’Souza, MD - V.P.
Stephen Bruns, MD - I.P.P.
Christopher Emerson, MD
Karen Gold, MD
Diane Heaton, MD
Brian Macha, MD
Reetu Singh, MD
Sharon Smallwood, MD
James Webb, Jr., MD
STUDENT RESIDENT COUNCIL LEADERSHIP
Sydney Marouk, OSU, OMSIV
Lily Robistow, OU, MSIII
TULSA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUNDATION
Physicians Caring for the Community
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Griffiths, MD - Chair
Peter Aran, MD
Stephen Bruns, MD
Ondria Gleason, MD
Michael Hairston, CTFA
Martina Jelley, MD
Brian Macha, MD
David Minielly
Kulsum Siddiqui
John Tedesco, DO
Matthew Wenger, MD
Mark McElreath, MPA Executive Director TCMS & TCMS Foundation mark@tcmsok.org
Pam Oppelt Care Coordinator Project TCMS pam@tcmsok.org
Joetta Cunningham Director of Operations TCMS joetta@tcmsok.org
Ashley Bishop Development Coordinator Project TCMS ashley@tcmsok.org
OCT02 ChampionsofHealth 6:00–9p.m. National Cowboy&WesternHeritageMuseum 1700NE63rdSt,OklahomaCity, OK73111
OCT03 LaughterisTheBestMedicinewith CarolineRhea,ComedianandActress ProjectTCMSFundraiserat UniversityofTulsa, LortonPC MoredetailsonPage05
PROPERPRESCRIBINGCMEDATES(VIRTUAL)
SEP12 NOV13 DEC05 Friday,September12,12-1PM Thursday,November13,6-7PM Friday,December5,12-1PM
Speaker: Cori H. Loomis, JD., McAfee & Taft Free for OSMA members& $75 for non-member physicians
Tosignup,orfor moreinformation,contactKatie Kemper, 405-601-9571, kemper@okmed.org,orvisit www.okmed.org
*Signed into law in 2018, Oklahoma’s Senate Bill 1446 mandates that all physicianscomplete one hour of CME
A Night to Laugh, Connect, and Give BackLaughter is the Best Medicine Event
Ondria C. Gleason, M.D.
As summer begins to wind down and we turn our focus toward a busy fall, I want to thank each of you for the remarkable work you continue to do in your practices and in our community It’s an honor to serve as your president and to witness the dedication, resilience, and compassion that define our profession
Today, I’m writing with an exciting invitation to an evening that promises laughter, networking, and purpose - all in support of our shared mission
“Laughter is the Best Medicine,” our annual fundraiser for Project TCMS (Tulsa Charitable Medical Services), is happening on Friday, October 3rd at 5:30 PM at the University of Tulsa Lorton Performance Center I’m thrilled to announce that our headliner this year is the brilliant and hilarious Caroline Rhea! You may know her from Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Hollywood Squares, and her long-standing career in stand-up comedy Her warm, witty humor will remind us all why laughter truly is the best medicine
We spend our days and nights caring for others, this evening is about caring for ourselves, having fun, and supporting an event that directly benefits our program and community.
This is the perfect opportunity to make it a date night, plan a fun night out with friends, or gather your favorite colleagues for a well-deserved evening of entertainment. We’ll enjoy great food, conversation, and laughter, all for a great cause.
Here are several ways you can support Project TCMS and “Laughter is the Best Medicine”:
Attend the event!
Come solo, bring a partner, or invite a group It’s the perfect occasion to relax, connect, and recharge Don’t miss the chance to upgrade to VIP tickets, which include a pre-show reception with great food and drinks and premium seating.
Sponsor through your practice or organization. Sponsorship is a wonderful way to show your support while receiving recognition before and during the event. Various sponsorship levels are available to fit different budgets and visibility goals For members of TCMS and their practice or organization who sponsor, there is a special discount - contact the TCMS Foundation for more details - mark@tcmsok.org or 918.743.6184.
Know someone who might want to sponsor?
Whether it's a friend, patient, or local business owner, we’d love an introduction. This is a feel-good event that brings our whole community together - professionally and personally
Can’t attend? Make a donation. If your schedule doesn’t allow you to join us, you can still make an impact. Your donation supports the continued advancement of health in our community and the well-being of your fellow physicians
Help spread the word.
Please share the event with your staff, social circles, and on social media Personal invites go a long way toward helping us fill the room - and our mission
You can find more details on pg 5 about the event.
Let’s come together for a night of laughter, positivity, and purpose I truly hope to see you there!
With warm regards and gratitude,
Ondria C Gleason, MD TCMS President
Caroline Rhea, Comedian & Actress,
Project TCMS Fundraiser, “Laughter is the Best Medicine.”
We are excited to bring back the TCMS Foundation, Project TCMS Fundraiser ‘Laughter is the Best Medicine’ on Friday, October 3, 2025. This isn’t your typical fundraiser, so see below for details on how you can join us for a night of laughter and giving back.
Date: Friday,October3,2025
Time(s): 5:30PM-Pre-ShowReception
*VIPTicketsandSponsorsOnly
*IncludesFreeValetParking
*IncludesHorsd'oeuvresandBar
*VIPSeatinginAuditorium,earlyseating
7:00PM-Show/ProgramBegins
*Premier,Preferred,andReservedTickets doorsopenat6:30PM
Location: UniversityofTulsa LortonPerformanceCenter 550SGaryPl,Tulsa,OK74104
Tickets: VIP-$100
*IncludesFreeValetParking,Admissionto 5:30PMReceptionwithHorsd'oeuvresand Bar,VIPSeatinginAuditorium Premier-$75 Preferred-$50 Reserved-$30
*Premier,Preferred,andReservedTickets includeadmissionto7:00PMShow/Program (Doorsopenat6:30PM)
Attire: SmartCasual,ComeDressedtoLaugh
Howto Purchase Tickets:
TULorton Performance Center
SeatingChart Online:
Online-Clickonthe‘BuyTickets’Buttonand selecttheseatsyouwantatthepriceyouwant. It’sthatsimple. Call-918.743.6184-We’llhelpyouthroughthe processorselectseatsforyou.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available with Discounts for Member Practices (Tax Deductible)
Caroline Rhea is a stand-up comedian and actress, best known for her role as "Hilda Spellman” from the hit series ‘Sabrina The Teenage Witch’ and her numerous comedy specials. She voices the Mom on Disney’s hit series, ‘Phineas and Ferb’. She has starred in many films including Hallmark’s A Mrs. Miracle Christmas as Mrs. Miracle and roles in NBC’s Lopez vs. Lopez and Jon Cryer’s Extended Family.
She has hosted her own talk show and has been a regular panelist on the game shows, Funny You Should Ask, Match Game, Name that Tune and Hollywood Squares. She recently filmed her 7th comedy special at the Sydney Opera House. Caroline tours comedy clubs throughout the world and still makes time and for hosting and serving as an auctioneer for numerous charities. She is delighted to be hosting for her favorite charity.
We hope you'll join us for a night of comedy and laughter, while making a difference for our Project TCMS patients.
Our Headliner: Caroline Rhea
Medical Student Scholarship Closes Soon
Tulsa County Medical Society and TCMS Foundation
The TCMS Foundation is pleased to announce that it is now accepting scholarship applications from the OU-TU School of Community Medicine and OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Medical Students. From July 1 to August 31, 2025, medical students are invited to apply for this prestigious scholarship opportunity.
The Scholarship Fund was established in 1964 as a 501(c)(3) organization from proceeds received from a community-wide mass immunization for Polio sponsored by TCMS. In 2010, the fund became a program of the Tulsa County Medical Society Foundation. The Fund had a total of $31,500 in the beginning. It was envisioned that approximately $2,500 annually would be presented until the fund was depleted.
To date, over $1.52 million in scholarships has been given to 1,342 medical students. The number of applications received annually ranges from 40 to 50.
The Educational Assistance Award Scholarship aims to support and empower the next generation of healthcare professionals by providing financial assistance to eligible candidates.
To be eligible, students must be in good standing and enrolled in their second, third, or fourth year in the 2024-2025 academic year at OU School of Community Medicine or OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.
TCMS Foundation Scholarship Fund - Click Here to Give Now
The TCMS Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is dedicated to:
Supporting Education: Providing scholarships to medical students through educational and charitable giving. Creating a Lasting Legacy: Ensuring the enduring impact of the Tulsa County Medical Society.
Project TCMS to be honored at the 2025 Champions of Health - Champion of the Uninsured
TCMS Foundation
Tulsa County Medical Society Foundation’s initiative, Project TCMS (Tulsa Charitable Medical Services), was recently named Champion for the Uninsured and will be honored at the upcoming Champions of Health Awards Gala, held on October 2, 2025, at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, this prestigious recognition highlights Project TCMS’s critical role in bridging gaps for uninsured, low-income residents of Tulsa County.
What Makes Project TCMS Stand Out
Launched by the Tulsa County Medical Society Foundation, Project TCMS coordinates donated specialty care for uninsured individuals who rely on safety-net primary clinics. It centralizes referrals, matches patients to volunteer specialists, and ensures equitable distribution through a rotating system—all while easing burdens on physicians and hospitals. This streamlined, compassionate model has yielded remarkable impact:
$11.7 million in donated care
7,160 program services
1,806 referrals
Support from 185 volunteer physicians and 12 hospital partners
By eliminating inefficiencies like individual clinics having to search for specialists one by one, Project TCMS not only improves access but also preserves specialist goodwill and sustainability of donor efforts.
Champion for the Uninsured
This year’s award placement in the “Champion for the Uninsured” category underscores Project TCMS's commitment to serving
individuals aged 18–64, residing in Tulsa County, uninsured and ineligible for public programs like Medicaid or Medicare, with household incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. With mental, physical, and financial barriers still impeding healthcare access, our program exemplifies how community collaboration can yield meaningful, measurable change.
Why it Matters Now
Oklahoma continues to rank poorly on national health metrics, particularly in insurance coverage and overall health outcomes. The Champions of Health program is dedicated to spotlighting game-changing initiatives that improve access and equity for Oklahomans, especially for underserved populations.
Becoming Champion for the Uninsured not only awards Project TCMS immediate recognition, it amplifies the program’s mission, inspiring further partnerships and advocacy for sustainable care for the uninsured. Congratulations to the entire Project TCMS team, volunteer physicians, safety-net clinics, and hospital partners for their dedication to healing Tulsa County’s most vulnerable, and for earning this well-deserved honor.
From the Clinic to the Capitol: Why Medical Students Should
Be at the Policy Table
Saramarie Azzun, MSIII, OU College of Medicine
– Tulsa
A commentary on the importance of advocacy and becoming politically active in Oklahoma as a medical student.
The sun had risen to its fullest as we gathered in the conference room. From the minute we walked into the room, there was not a second of silence as we filed in like a current, flowing shoulder to shoulder around the packed table. One by one, white coats found their way into the room: some fresh off a busy shift at the hospital, others arriving in scrubs with stethoscopes still lining their necks.
A few students had hurried in straight from lectures, with some even driving nearly two hours away for this historical moment. Residents, attendings, and medical students filled the room, bound together not by hierarchy but by a shared sense of camaraderie Every inch of space was filled with voices, purpose, and presence. We were not here for rounds or lectures. We were about to walk into a different kind of exam room: the Oklahoma State Capitol
Before we stepped foot into a legislator’s office, we began with a crash course in the heart of the issues. As the room continued to fill, organizers and physician leaders stepped at the front of the room to guide us through the day’s agenda. As our profession’s principle stands, we were here to put our patients yet again before ourselves We flipped through pages that detailed everything, such as insurance clawbacks, those retroactive payment denials that threaten the stability of clinics and the care continuity for countless patients of Oklahoma
Many of us were hearing these bills in detail for the first time, and just as sobering was the thought that the public, too, had likely never heard of these bills, never been given the chance to sit in a room like this, to learn how a quiet signature or line of policy jargon could determine the care they receive or coverage they lose.
In each room we entered, we led not with credentials but with conviction. We were learning a different way to practice medicine, one where our mouths were our stethoscopes and our treatment plan was a vote.
Medical training often teaches us that our sphere of influence begins and ends in the clinical or hospital walls. That day, at the Capitol, I was reminded how much of our communities’ health was determined more by policy than prescriptions. In a state like Oklahoma, the current political atmosphere has several polarizing push and pull factors; however, as future physicians, medical students need not let this polarization sway them. We cannot afford to disengage simply because the path forward is complex. The truth is, no matter their affiliation, every lawmaker wants to see the health of Oklahomans improve: they just differ in how to get there Our shared goal is our entry point What struck me the most that day was how few barriers there are for medical students’ voices to be heard. No dramatic debates, no locked doors. Just eye contact, questions, and conversation In a world where policymaking often feels distant and untouchable, this experience made it clear: change begins with showing up.
The most powerful thing medical students can bring into the room is our presence. Our experiential diversity adds a layer of authenticity and depth that cannot be replicated. We are not yet bound by the constraints of billing codes and bureaucracy. This season of our training is one of the most impactful times to speak up. We are close enough to the classroom to still question the status quo, and close enough to the clinic to understand what is at stake for us and our patients. Advocacy does not start with doctoral graduation regalia or a medical license. It starts now
Welcome New Members!
By joining TCMS and OSMA our members are among friends, colleagues, and peers, who share their interest, concern, and dedication, to the medical profession Our strength relies on individual members like these, who are committed to making an impact on the field of medicine. Share with them the opportunity to join! Have them visit www.tcmsok.org/join or have them contact Mark or Joetta at 918.743.6184 or email tcms@tcmsok.org.
SaraM.Coffey,DO
Psychiatry,NeurologyGeneralPsychiatry NeurologyChild&AdolescentPsychiatry
OSUBehavioralMedicine
5310E31StSteLL st TulsaOK74135
918.236.4000
In Memoriam
We take a moment to honor the memory of our esteemed members and colleagues who have passed away, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and compassion in the field of medicine. Their contributions have profoundly impacted countless lives, and their absence will be deeply felt within our community. As we reflect on their lives, let us remember the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." We encourage all members to share their memories and tributes, celebrating the remarkable individuals who have shaped our society and inspired us all.
Dr. Paul M. Krautter Member since 1989 - 36 Years
Paul Marsh Krautter passed away peacefully at home in Tulsa, Oklahoma on July 5th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 70 years old. He fought courageously against adenocarcinoma of the lung for three years. Paul was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on November 28th, 1954 to Alice Anne Krautter and Eugene Frank Krautter. Paul is preceded in death by his mother and father, and his brother, Frank Krautter. He is survived by his twelve children, Lacey, Caleb, Lisanne, Lydia, Christian, Lyrica, Liesl, Lark, Campion, Linnea, L’aria, and Lilian, by the mother of his children, Wendy Fore, by his grandchildren, Aria and Preston Giuliano, by his sister, Louise Fell, and by his niece and nephews.
Paul graduated with honors from Richardson High School in Texas before completing a triple major in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at Rice University. Feeling a divine call to medicine, he achieved a score in the 99th percentile on the MCAT, earning him a place at the University of Texas Medical School in Galveston. He went on to complete his Family Practice Residency and three years of a Surgical Residency at Youngstown Hospital Association, Northside Hospital, Youngstown, Ohio. He then went on to complete two years of a Surgical Fellowship at the City of Faith Medical Research Center through Oral Roberts University School of Medicine.
After this fellowship, he enlisted in the United States Army and served for two years as a U.S. Army doctor at Madigan Medical Center. To view the full details, please click here
Dr. Sara Lee Newell
Member since 1983 - 42 Years
Sara L. Newell, M.D. passed away on June 25, 2025, at the age of 77. Born October 5, 1947, in Denver, Colorado, she grew up on a farm in Iowa. She received her B.A. from Vassar College, M.S. in Molecular Biology from the University of Wisconsin, M.D. from the University of Iowa, and subsequently completed her internal medicine residency and rheumatology fellowship at Washington University (Barnes Hospital). In 1982, she began her practice of medicine in Tulsa, OK first at Springer Clinic then at Warren Clinic and practiced for 40 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend David W. Cone, and her parents, Russell R. Newell and Margaret L. (Carper) Newell. She is survived by daughter, Margaret E. Cone, OK; son-in-law, Patrick G. Henderson, M.D., OK; stepdaughter, Lydia J. Lewis, VA; brother, Michael R. Newell, IA; nieces Elizabeth A. McKinney, IA, Alexandria N. Aliaskari, VA, and Christina J. Newell, CA; step-granddaughter, Katy M. Cone, MD; and step-great-grandson, William B. Coleman, LA.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Eastern Oklahoma Arthritis Foundation or to the medical student scholarship fund at the Tulsa County Medical Society. To view the full details, please click here.
5315 S. Lewis Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74105-6539
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