The red-tailed hawk, indigenous to Oklahoma, can also be found everywhere from Alaska to the West Indies. Photo by Grayson Smith courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
Oklahoma is home to a wide variety of animals, many of which are indigenous to the state. Gray foxes, bobcats, barred owls, eastern box turtles, gray squirrels and southern flying squirrels are just a few of the creatures you can find scurrying throughout the state.
“Oklahoma is blessed when it comes to fish and wildlife,” says Jena Donnell, communications and education specialist at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “There are species like the red-tailed hawk and red-eared slider that are relatively common and do well in a mix of landscapes,” she says. However, the red-eared slider is on the list of the world’s 100 most invasive species.
“There are also species like the Sequoya slimy salamander or Delaware County cave crayfish that are only known to occur in Oklahoma,” Donnell says. The Sequoya slimy salamander is endemic to the Ouachita Mountains, while the cave crayfish resides in only three caves in Delaware Country, making them critically endangered.
Most of the species in Oklahoma are doing well, but there are a few, like the cave crayfish, that are struggling. More than twenty species of plants and animals that occur in Oklahoma are threatened or endangered, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“The Wildlife Department U.S. Forest Service manages a small population of endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers in McCurtain County,” says Donnell. The woodpecker suffers from habitat fragmentation, as their pine trees are continuously removed.
The red-eared slider is a semi aquatic turtle native to Oklahoma.
Photo by Jena Donnell/Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
Being Environmental Stewards
What can we, as everyday citizens, do to be better stewards to the environment?
“In general, wild animals need wild spaces,” says Donnell. “Some species require large tracts of undeveloped land that mimic historic conditions. For those, maintaining native habitat on Wildlife Management Areas, National Wildlife Refuges, or nature preserves can provide the greatest benefit.”
However, plenty of animals do well in smaller spaces.
“Maintaining native plants and other habitat elements in a pasture or backyard can provide food, water and cover to a wide range of wildlife and benefit species on a local level,” says Donnell. Plenty more information about landscaping for wildlife can be found at wildlifedepartment.com.
Safely Interacting
Interacting with wildlife is also a wonderful activity that anyone can take part in. Even better, you can form a community through your observations.
“Oklahomans can experience wildlife in their backyards, at local parks, state parks, Wildlife Management Areas, National Wildlife Refuges and nature preserves,” says Donnell. “You can have positive encounters regardless of your experience or comfort level. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fledgling or experienced naturalist, if you’re watching from a window or hiking miles from the trailhead.”
If you come across a fun sighting and find yourself taking plenty of photos, sharing them is a great way to get involved with other naturalists.
“One way to reinforce your experiences and increase awareness/appreciation for Oklahoma’s wildlife is to share your sightings on free nature platforms like iNaturalist or eBird,” says Donnell. “Documenting the what, when and where details of your sighting can help you remember your wild encounters, help fellow naturalists plan their next adventure, and help biologists learn more about Oklahoma’s wildlife.”
Wes Reynolds’ newest album, In the Afterglow, explores the grief of losing his son.
During a recording career that stretches back a remarkable 67 years, Tulsa’s Wes Reynolds has been inspired by a ton of different people, starting back in the late ’50s with classic rock ‘n’ rollers like Elvis, Chuck Berry and Little Richard. The inspiration for his newest disc, however, came from a much more personal and tragic place.
“This album came about because I wrote a song called ‘In the Afterglow,’” he explains. “It was a tribute to my oldest son, Corey, who died some years back. He had mental illness. He’d gone to Atlanta, Georgia. He was a journeyman electrician, and he started a business down there. He was pretty successful at it. Then things started going sideways. I did all that I could to try to help him, and finally I went down there, got him, moved him back here, and tried to get him some help.
“He just wouldn’t stay with that, you know? He’d disappear, and he’d be on the street, and I’d be out looking for him and not finding him. I worried a lot about him. Finally, I turned it all over to God, and when I did that, the next step was that he was gone. So I guess that’s what was supposed to happen.”
The song, which holds out hope for reuniting with loved ones in the next life, “just rolled out of me,” says Reynolds, as did another inspired by the loss of his son, “Life Without You.”
“I went through a lot just being a father that loved his son, and I know there are many people who have to experience mental illness with family and friends and so forth,” he adds. “I’d just like to maybe bring some awareness about that to people, to get people thinking about what they can do to help.”
While there are other deeply emotional numbers on the new disc, In the Afterglow is hardly a downbeat record. It opens with a classic Reynolds 12-bar blues, horn-accented, called “Bad Case of Love,” and ends with a reflective tune called “You Were Never Mine,” done in a 1950s ballad style that evokes the sense of loss that often accompanies nostalgic thoughts. Along the way, funky blues alternate with heartfelt ballads; there’s even a comedic tune (“To Far North”) bemoaning how hard okra, collard greens and hog jowls are to find once you leave our part of the country.
It’s Reynolds’ first record since 2009’s Burnin’ the Piano Down, and it marks his debut as a Muscle Shoals recording artist. Except for some vocals recut at Tulsa’s Church Studio, In the Afterglow was created entirely at Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., one of the longtime homes of the so-called Muscle Shoals Sound. That sound – R&B and funk elements like horns and Hammond organ combined with a kind of gritty country-influenced underpinning – echoes through Reynolds’ CD to great effect.
Why Muscle Shoals?
“I’d thought through the years that I’d like to go down there,” Reynolds says. “I had some other things I’d written, and I had the ways and means to record again. I did a song some time ago called ‘Doggone, My Doggone Dog’s Gone’ down in Nashville, with Elvis’s vocal group, the Jordanaires, behind me, so I was thinking about going back there. But then I thought, ‘Well, I’ll just go to Muscle Shoals and see what they’re all about.’”
He hired the band and called his own shots on the new disc. As you might imagine, that was a completely different experience than he’d had with his first record, “Trip to the Moon” – although that, too, was done at a place that would achieve an amount of fame.
In the 1950s, an Oklahoma City recording studio owned by Gene Sullivan, half of the country-music duo Wiley & Gene (“When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again”), became the destination for young Oklahomans experimenting with the new sounds of rock ‘n’ roll and rockabilly. Among their number was 15-year-old Wesley Reynolds of OKC, winner of a 1957 talent show sponsored by a Stillwater man named Bill Burden, owner of the small Rose Records label.
After he’d won the competition, Reynolds recalls, Burden “came to me and said, ‘We’re going to sign you to Rose Records and give you a two-record contract. And we’re gonna have a hit record. Now, I want you to go home and write a song called “Trip to the Moon.”’
“At that time, the headlines in the paper were all about how some day man was going to walk on the moon. So I go home and write – try to write – a thing called ‘Trip to the Moon.’ We went over to Gene Sullivan’s recording studio, and they had musicians from Al Good’s Orchestra to back me on this thing. I didn’t like that at all because I couldn’t get the sound I wanted, but I didn’t have anything to say about it.
“We recorded it, and they put it out on the Rose Records label. They took out a full-page ad in [the music-industry magazine] Cash Box, with my picture on it and the names of all the distributors and everything. They told me it cost $1,500. I quit school – my parents didn’t want me to, but they let me – and Rose Records put me on the road. We joined a tour with Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis and Ronnie Self, and we played the Cimarron Ballroom in Tulsa and went on to Joplin and Kansas City – about a two-week tour.”
Despite the promotion, “Trip to the Moon” didn’t make a significant impact on the national charts, and neither did his follow-up single, a rockabilly version of the Johnnie Lee Wills Western-swing hit “Rag Mop.” Reynolds recalls that he made no money on either one. (In fact, on the label for “Trip to the Moon,” Burden gets sole writing credit.) However, it was enough to launch Reynolds on a musical career that’s now lasted for well over six decades, re-igniting after he moved to southern California to live with his grandparents and go back to school, and continuing until 1970, when he quit the road and moved to Tulsa.
“I’d been playing the Vegas circuit for about five years at the time, all those towns in Nevada,” he remembers. “We were putting my son, Corey, in schools in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada. My mother and dad had moved to Tulsa, and my dad wanted me to move back and go into business with him, so I did.”
Reynolds continued, however, to play and record. He built a studio in his Tulsa home. And he found out that those teenage rockabilly records he’d cut in the distant past had made him something of a celebrity with hard-core fans of the genre.
“I went to Vegas last year and did the Viva Las Vegas rockabilly concert at the Orleans Hotel. It’s been going on for years. I did “Trip to the Moon” live there for the first time since I got off the road in ’58,” he notes with a chuckle. “A lot of people from Europe go to the thing; I get mail from Sweden, and Germany, and the UK, wanting autographed pictures. Evidently, I’ve stirred up a little commotion over there, and it’s all about that first record, and my next few records after that.”
At this writing, the Official Wes Reynolds Website was under construction. Featuring vintage posters and other career memorabilia along with Reynolds recordings, it was due to debut in August.
Reynolds’ 2023 performance of “Trip to the Moon,” in front of a packed house at the Viva Las Vegas event, has been preserved on YouTube.
The French island of Martinique would be what some call a “hidden gem,” complete with beautiful beaches, historical artifacts and entertainment galore. Photos by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley
There are some places that you know are going to be extraordinary just by the feelings and reactions you experience upon arrival. Martinique is a perfect example. The port brims with enthusiastic and hospitable local “ambassadors” who sing, dance and drum you towards an unforgettable vacation.
Martinique, one of the French territories of the Caribbean and part of the French West Indies, seems to have everything a tourist would look for in a destination: The island has a good mix of urbanity and pastoral beauty; it is visitor-friendly and has good signage; and tourists can appreciate the cleanliness found throughout the island. A stunning visual in the city is the steeple of St. Louis Cathedral in the Fort-de-France area. Reportedly, the architect was fascinated by the Eiffel Tower, so he mimicked the style of it within the cathedral’s steeple. It exudes a French impression into the skyline.
Driving through the island, there are picturesque bridges, stunning architecture and acres upon acres of banana and sugarcane crops. The main languages spoken there are French and Martinican Creole.
Tour guides will fascinate you with their explanations of banana and sugarcane farming, as well as shower you with interesting historical facts. For example, the Empress Joséphine de Beauharnais (first wife of Emperor Napoleon I) was from Martinique. As well, Christopher Columbus reportedly introduced sugarcane to Martinique on his second voyage there in 1493.
Visit the Clement Rum Distillery for a most delightful immersion into so many details that represent that Martinique mystique. So chic! Arriving there, you have so much to take in – it’s a tourist “whiplash” of visuals.
Sacré-Coeur BasilicaClement Rum DistilleryBalata GardensNymphea stellata – purple lotus flower
A sculpture garden beckons you to gawk and study the abstracts while the 300+ tropical plants also compete for your attention. An outdoor museum of historic rum distilling artifacts and machinery are on display for people to enjoy. Interestingly enough, they blend into the environs so as not to disrupt the landscape. The Creole mansion is a stunning villa filled with historic furniture. An art center also sits on the complex with artwork and mixed media representative of the Martinique history and lifestyle.
It’s no wonder this was the location where President George H. Bush and French President Francois Mitterrand held their historic meeting in 1991. The day is referred to as “the day America discovered Martinique,” and photos of the day are displayed on-site.
The rum distillery is impeccably curated and quite the sensory experience; you can smell notes of rum wafting through a fragrance tool at the push of a button. It feels like a Willy Wonka movie moment … but with rum instead of chocolate. Another important attraction is the Balata Gardens, a World Unesco Site. Shrouded in the mist of this actively volcanic island, Balata could be the Garden of Eden on Earth. Swinging bridges above and koi ponds below adorn the paths as you’re tucked away into a cooler microclimate haven.
Sacre-Coeur Basilica is another must-see. Signs of wear do not detract from the divine and somber feeling of this church. Candles, icons and statues throughout the basilica give a nice balance to your tours of rum distilleries, farms and rainforest gardens.
Culture aside, you can always relax at one of the many white sandy beaches of Martinique, and if you’re lucky, you’ll watch the antics of colorful sailboat passengers participating in races. There is so much jubilance in Martinique – a perfect blend of European influence and Caribbean natural beauty.
Main image credit: The French island of Martinique would be what some call a “hidden gem,” complete with beautiful beaches, historical artifacts and entertainment galore. Photos by Gina Michalopulos Kingsley
As medical communities continually strive to meet the needs of an ever-changing patient population, there’s been a greater focus on the ‘patient experience’ – an industry movement to define and improve the human experience within healthcare.
Jamie Di Piazza-Rodriguez, MSW, CPXP, is the manager of patient experience for Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa. Her department is relatively new, put in place two years ago, and it works with Warren Clinic and all Saint Francis hospital locations.
“We partner with the Beryl Institute, and they define the patient experience as the sum of all interactions, shaped by an organization’s culture, that influence patient perceptions across the continuum of care – and I like to say it’s the people that make the culture,” says Di Piazza-Rodriguez. “The patient experience encompasses a lot; we look at all the processes our patients face, from when they drive into the parking lot and throughout the entire journey they take within our health system.”
She says there are many ways her department gains the patient perspective, including regular collaboration with a patient family advisory council.
“Our patient family advisory council consists of patients, their family members and employees,” says Di Piazza-Rodriguez. “We gather and listen to their concerns and ideas. It welcomes discussion and helps us make changes that improve their care. For instance, our patients expressed that it was often difficult to make the long walk from the parking lot to the hospital, so we added valet and golf carts at some locations to meet this need.”
She also emphasizes that the surveys that patients complete don’t fall into a void – instead, they are reviewed and studied to help shape processes and develop tangible solutions.
“We look closely at the data to hear the voices of our patients,” she says, explaining that patients have the opportunity to participate in an exit survey after being discharged. “But we also partner with frontline staff, as well as employees within our system. Our departments have what we call unit-based councils, made up of leaders within the department. We work directly with them to learn what patients are saying and also how processes affect their work. Our goal is to work together to potentially elevate their communications or bring best practices to the forefront to help and empower their team.”
The ‘patient experience’ concept began over a decade ago and is now predominantly accepted as its own dimension of healthcare quality. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the lead federal agency charged with improving the safety and quality of healthcare for all Americans, recognizes the patient experience as an integral component of quality healthcare, citing it as a key step to more patient-centered care. In addition, it offers an explanation of the difference between patient experience and patient satisfaction – two terms often used interchangeably but that are fundamentally different.
According to AHRQ, “to assess patient experience, one must find out from patients whether something that should happen in a healthcare setting – such as clear communication with a provider – actually happened, or how often it happened. Patient satisfaction, on the other hand, is about whether a patient’s expectations about a health encounter were met.”
While two people can receive the same exact care, they may express different levels of satisfaction based upon their individual expectations. As a simple example, one patient may have expected less pain and a shorter procedure while another patient expected more pain and a longer procedure.
“Addressing the patient experience is a powerful thing,” says Di Piazza-Rodriguez. “The patients we treat are everything to their loved ones, so they want the best for them and so do we. It’s a privilege to take care of someone’s ‘everything.’ It’s a very exciting time as healthcare is changing and evolving for the benefit of our patients.”
Just the thought of running a marathon can be intimidating.
Whether you love running and just haven’t had time to participate in an event, or you want to challenge yourself to get truly in shape, there are steps you can take to get both your body and your mind ready.
“Start with a visit to the doctor if you don’t get regular checkups,” suggests Chuck Mikkelson, race director for the Oklahoma City Running Club. “I research for a training plan that fits with my current physical fitness and follow it. Local clubs or groups are a wonderful place to start. There isn’t one plan that fits everyone, so you should be flexible and find what works best for you.”
There can be hurdles along the way as you prepare for your first marathon, especially if you aren’t a seasoned runner. Mikkelson mentions that training can take 16 weeks or longer, and setbacks are just a part of the process.
“You will deal with exhaustion, sore muscles, nagging injuries … but one needs to be smart on when to cut back or push it,” he says. “Stay positive. You must love the small steps, as you don’t go from the couch to a marathon in a week. Over-training is worse than under training. Listen to your body.”
In most plans, runners will do a gradual increase in activity for three or four weeks, then taper off for a week to allow their body to heal.
Training in the summer – particularly in states where the heat can be as extreme as Oklahoma – can look much different than training in the winter.
“Most people in the heat will need to slow their pace and work on keeping hydrated between workouts,” says Mikkelson. “Workouts don’t do you much good if you are dehydrated and exhausted. In cold weather, warm up your muscles before pushing them to a higher intensity. You also need to hydrate even though it is cold; you are still losing fluids.”
Mikkelson adds that it takes time for your body to adapt to the changing seasons. Be sure you have the proper equipment, such as running shoes that fit your body mechanics.
“Find a local group, as there will be plenty of members that are willing to share what worked and did not work for them,” he says. “Plus, a group will help you get out the door and get in those long miles that are needed. Treat race day as a day to celebrate all the hard work it took to get there. Smile and be thankful for what you have accomplished.”
While it may seem like a tough hobby to break into, Mikkelson thinks many people can enjoy the thrill of marathon competition.
“While I’m no expert, I’ve achieved the feat of running marathons in all 50 states over the past 20 years,” he says. “Along the way, I’ve trained alongside thousands of runners, forged numerous friendships and had the pleasure of visiting every state in the U.S. – while enjoying a beer in each one.”
Preparing for Your Marathon
• Hydrate. The National Academy of Medicine recommends that athletic men drink 104 oz. of water (13 glasses) and athletic women drink 72 oz. (9 glasses) per day. Don’t go too far beyond this, as over-hydration can be dangerous.
• Carb load. Eat plenty of carbohydrates the night before your marathon.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages. Running whilst tipsy or hungover is a recipe for disaster.
• Get enough sleep. While you may be anxious, ensuring you get a full 8 hours is key to a strong run.
• Be prepared. Have clothes, shoes, protein packs, headphones and other items ready to go the night before.
• Give yourself time. Set your alarm early so you have a moment in the morning to relax and prepare.
Duncan, about three hours from Tulsa and 1.5 from Oklahoma City, offers outdoor recreation, educational opportunities and a vast business portfolio. Photos courtesy Duncan Convention & Visitors Bureau
Beginning its life as a critical stop on the historic Chisholm Trail – the famed path that, in the late 1800s, saw thousands of cattle herded from Texas to markets in Kansas – Duncan is an anchor of southwest Oklahoma that continues to leave its mark.
Far from isolated, the Stephens County seat of just over 23,000 residents offers abundant job opportunities and recreation for locals and visitors alike, alongside intriguing museums, recreation and retail shopping.
The rich offerings in Duncan start with the Simmons Center, a 105,000-square-foot entertainment and physical fitness complex that, for the past three decades-plus, has served as the hub of civic life.
Rex Outhier, executive director of the Simmons Center Foundation, says the complex attracts civic groups, hosts concerts, festivals, theater productions, conventions and banquets, and has a recreation center with two gyms, a swimming pool and a childcare center.
Duncan also has a series of five municipal lakes offering a variety of outdoor recreation, and a vibrant, historic downtown. For anyone keeping a checklist of Oklahoma’s must-visit locations, Duncan is surely on it.
Duncan is situated about 30 miles east of Lawton and 80 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, with U.S. Highway 81 running north and south through town. State Highway 7 provides an easy connection to Interstate 35, about 45 miles east of the city.
“Duncan is known for being the heart of the Chisholm Trail,” says Teri Knox, executive director of the Duncan Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, she said, is a “top ten western museum that brings visitors from all over the world to Duncan.”
The Chisholm Trail Heritage Center recently hosted a traveling exhibit that featured the life of Comanche leader Quanah Parker, an early-day Comanche leader, and his mother, Cynthia Ann Parker.
Jennings says the Visitors Bureau’s website offers a sample “weekend menu” that includes a smorgasbord of activities and attractions. Besides the Chisholm Trail center, Duncan has several other local museums.
Economically, Duncan is holding steady, says Lyle Roggow, president of the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation.
Energy production, embodied primarily by oil well service provider Halliburton, which got its start in Duncan, remains the city’s largest employer. But Halliburton is followed closely by a 21st-century health care entity, DRH, which serves the Stephens-Jefferson County area with hospitals, family care clinics, specialty clinics and a cancer center.
“There are job opportunities in Duncan that fit a lot of people’s needs,” Roggow says, describing Duncan as “an energy community that is trying hard to diversify.”
He mentions, as an example, Model 1, a newcomer to Duncan that retrofits buses, vans and other types of transportation. The company set up shop in Duncan last year, and now has 45 to 50 employees.
“It’s a unique business that is doing very well,” says Roggow.
Knox, meanwhile, calls inquirers’ attention to Duncan’s Main Street, which offers a variety of shops that carry antiques, western wear, home décor and other items. Additionally, Fuqua Park includes a water garden, amusement rides for kids, plus a gazebo ideal for weddings and picnic facilities. The park is the site of the Stephens County Historical Museum, located in Duncan’s former National Guard Armory.
The Rock Island 905 Railroad Museum, featuring a restored locomotive, presents an entertaining stop for rail fans and others curious about the railroad’s role in developing Oklahoma and Duncan.
Main image credit: Duncan, about three hours from Tulsa and 1.5 from Oklahoma City, offers outdoor recreation, educational opportunities and a vast business portfolio. Photos courtesy Duncan Convention & Visitors Bureau
Photos courtesy Duncan Convention & Visitors Bureau
For More Information
Duncan Convention & Visitors Bureau 580-252-2900 ext. 240 visitduncan.org
Simmons Center 580-252-2900 simmonscenter.com
Chisholm Trail Heritage Center 580-292-6692 onthechisholmtrail.com
Stephens County Historical Museum 580-252-0717 stcomuseum.com
Duncan Chamber of Commerce 580-255-3644 duncanchamber.com
City of Duncan 580-252-0250 duncanok.gov
Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation 580-255-9675 ok-duncan.com
Forming good habits can be tough full stop, but especially hard when it comes to money. However, learning how to manage your family’s finances can provide you and your loved ones with a greater sense of security and a better quality of life. You can get on the right track with a little help.
Track, Track, Track
In the age of paper receipts, the ability to track spending was much more difficult. Now, families can use banking apps to track and even categorize their expenses automatically.
Keeping a close eye on your account activity can help you identify and dispute unauthorized transactions. In fact, fraudulent activity and scams have risen over the last couple of years, with U.S. consumers losing over $10 billion in 2023.
By understanding where your money is going, you can also set a realistic budget for your family.
“Instead of starting with how much you’re going to spend, let’s talk about how much you’re going to save,” advises Robert Wagner, CPA and leader of the specialty services practice at HoganTaylor, an accounting firm headquartered in Tulsa.
A general rule of thumb? Save at least 10% of your earnings. Next, take stock of your necessary expenses, like groceries and utilities. Whatever is left over afterwards can be spent at your discretion.
“Maybe you can splurge. That’s the beauty of a budget; it gives you freedom to be okay with spending money on things,” says Wagner.
Keep an Eye on Your Debt
With current interest rates still high, borrowing money is expensive. If you have debt, paying down the amount you owe can help you achieve your long-term financial goals.
A common strategy for getting out of debt is the “avalanche method,” which entails paying off your accounts with the highest interest rates first. To really make a dent, put more towards your debt than the monthly minimum payment. This approach attacks your principal balance, helping you pay less in interest over time.
Wagner advises to consider why you got into debt in the first place. For many families, it comes down to making large purchases that they cannot afford, oftentimes in order to keep up with their peers.
“There’s a lot of pressure, and it’s hard feeling like you’re not able to do what other families are doing,” he says. “But the dirty little secret is people aren’t as wealthy as they often live. It’s not worth the stress of putting yourself in a hole and being unprepared for the future.”
Create a Contingency Fund
Life is full of curveballs. Home and car repairs, medical emergencies and the like can quickly put you in a bind if you don’t plan ahead.
“As the leader of your family’s finances, strike the words ‘unexpected expenses’ from your vocabulary,” Wagner says.
By establishing a rainy day fund, your family can be in a better position to navigate hardships and times of uncertainty. At minimum, Wagner advises having $400 set aside. If possible, consider automatically allocating a percentage of your paychecks to go toward your rainy day fund. This extra cash can help your family stay afloat when dealing with out-of-pocket costs.
Contributing more towards your family’s contingency fund can empower you to stay on track with your financial goals, too.
“It really is a good feeling,” says Wagner. “Even if it [your rainy day fund] goes from $700 to $1,500 this year, that’s awesome. It’s a big win. It really is a motivating factor to see your savings start building with time.”
Prepare for Expected Milestones
Unlike emergencies, some expenses can be forecasted. Think about life events and major milestones that your family might experience in the next decade, like sending kids to college or needing to purchase a car.
By giving yourself plenty of time to save, you can reduce the stress involved with planning for these changes and explore different savings options. For example, parents that are saving for their children’s college education may be eligible for Oklahoma 529, a tax-advantaged savings plan that can be used to cover tuition, textbooks and other common expenses. Establishing an irrevocable trust is another option for parents who’d like to cover their child’s educational expenses.
Another milestone to consider is retirement. The earlier you begin saving, the better. In many cases, employers provide 401(k) plans, and even matching contributions to their employees.
“Go for the free money,” encourages Wagner. “Figure out what your employer will match and maximize it. That’s the best way to get started with long-term savings.”
Plan to Care for Two Generations
The term “sandwich generation” describes middle-aged adults who care for both their not-yet-grown children and their aging parents. This phase of life can be particularly challenging for families – both emotionally and financially.
According to the U.S. Administration for Community Living, about 70% of adults over the age of 65 will need some form of long-term care. To best prepare for this transition, talk with your parents about their financial standing and assets.
Knowing what their priorities are can help your family avoid conflict and make more informed decisions when that time comes. If your parents need assistance with end-of-life planning, consider consulting an attorney who specializes in elder law.
You may also qualify for a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA), a pre-tax account that can help you save up to 30% on dependent care services. Funds from this account can be used to support a child, spouse, or relative that resides in your home.
Consider your Home Equity
Buying a house may be one of the biggest purchases that you ever make. It can also be one of your greatest investments.
“For most Americans, a house is their number one asset and the best way to build wealth,” explains Wagner.
Many homeowners who have paid down their mortgage may qualify for a home equity loan. If you do borrow against your home, Wagner advises to put those funds toward home-improvement projects.
“It makes sense for people who need to either renovate their kitchens or bathrooms – the things that have been proven to add value,” he says.
Families may also consider refinancing to get a better interest rate. There are costs involved, but Wagner recommends the consideration of refinancing if it would drop your current rate by a half point or more. You may also want to consider shortening the length of your mortgage, which can help you secure an even lower interest rate.
Look Over Your Insurance Policies
There are a wide variety of insurance policies that you can sign up for to protect your most valuable assets. Common forms of insurance are health, life, auto and homeowners.
Regardless of the type of insurance, consider what your family’s needs are. You may want to opt for extra protection or coverage, depending on those needs. For example, if you expect to incur several medical expenses in the near future, you may want to set up a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA) to help plan ahead and maximize your savings.
Check with your insurance providers to see if they offer any discounts to bundle your insurance, too. Even if that’s not an option, you may be able to save a little bit of cash by going paperless or paying for your annual policy in full.
Oklahomans may also qualify for Insure Oklahoma, a health premium assistance program for low-income adults. Some employers participate in the program, so it’s worth checking if your family qualifies.
Hire an Expert
When in doubt, getting help from the pros is always a good idea. A financial advisor can help your family create a customized plan based on your personal goals, whether that’s purchasing a house or retiring early.
There are several types of advisors, from accountants to wealth managers. Research financial professionals in your area and choose one that seems to be the right fit based on your family’s needs.
Some banks and credit unions offer their customers access to financial advisors without charge. If that’s not an option, working with a wealth management firm may be the way to go. Although there may be costs associated with hiring a financial advisor, the long-term benefits are well worth it.
“I’m passionate about family finances because I know it’s such a big generator of stress for families,” says Wagner. “There are a lot of things you can do to… make the path a little smoother for your family.”
Make Smart Investments
The world of investing can seem intimidating to many. After all, there’s always some risk involved. But if you do a little research, make a plan and consult with the experts, investing can truly help to secure a strong financial future for both yourself and members of your family.
Firstly, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. This means diversifying your economic portfolio. Stocks, bonds, real estate and other options mean you can maximize your potential returns and minimize potential risk.
Next, consider passive income streams you can enact. Essentially, work smarter, not harder – and make your money work for you. Passive income can look like rental properties or low-maintenance dividend-paying stocks.
Avoid impulse-led or emotional investments. This means taking out overconfidence, fear, greed or thrill from your investment choices. Instead, create a well-researched plan and don’t stray from that plan unless an expert is advising you to do so.
You can also take a look at low-cost index funds.
“Index funds are defined as investments that mirror the performance of benchmarks like the S&P 500 by mimicking their makeup,” says Jason Fernando in an article for Investopedia. “These passive investments, long considered an unimaginative way to invest, are behind a quiet revolution in U.S. equity markets, attracting a widening swath of investors.”
While they may be coined as ‘unimaginative,’ the numbers as they relate to index funds don’t lie.
“Passive index funds tracking market benchmarks accounted for just 21% of the U.S. equity fund market in 2012. By 2023, passive index funds had grown to about half of all U.S. fund assets,” Fernando continued.
Investing, paired with other decisions like smart budgeting, considering home equity, consulting with experts and reviewing your insurance plans, will help your family in securing the financial future you’ve always dreamed of.
In Oklahoma City, Riversport is a designated U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site for a variety of water sports. Pictured here are Olympic trials for the kayak cross. Photo by Georgia Read courtesy Riversport
When you think Oklahoma sports, you probably think football. Or maybe basketball. Or baseball … or softball, or soccer, or BMX, or kayaking. The point here? Oklahoma has a hand in so many semi-pro and pro sports, which not only enhance state pride, but boost our bottom line, too.
In this year’s sports feature, we examine the unique foothold Oklahoma has in the sporting industry. We talk to some state-based teams about their inner workings, how athletes remain healthy during their rigorous workout schedules, and just how much money is infused into our economy thanks to these efforts.
The Rise of Unique Pro Sports
Opened in 2022, the BMX National Headquarters in Tulsa offer a state-of-the-art race track. Novices and pros alike are welcome to compete or just enjoy a ride on select days of the week. Photo by Stephanie Phillips
Oklahoma sports fanatics love the classics – football, basketball, baseball. And for good reason: we’re great at them. But we’ve also carved out footholds in some niche and unique professional sports outside of the traditional box, thanks in part to the establishment of Olympic training sites and regional and national sports facilities. Add onto that the world-class equestrians who live and work in Oklahoma and it’s safe to say the Sooner State is a pro sports hot spot.
Opened in February 2022, the USA BMX National Headquarters and Hall of Fame Museum stands watch over downtown Tulsa. Track operator Jacob Nelson says everyone – from toddlers to octogenarians to Olympic athletes – can be found at the Hardesty National BMX Stadium.
“We see all skill levels, as long as you can ride a bike,” he says. “We’re open to the public Thursdays and Saturdays and offer weekly clinics on Tuesdays. Usually, riders will try us out first before joining in on a clinic. We also offer the BMX Race League. Olympians are made at the BMX facility, with the U.S. Olympic team training in one of the top training facilities and tracks in the country – if not the world.”
It doesn’t require intense athletic prowess to have fun on a bike, and the facility is family friendly, with summer camps and school programming. In the fall, racing sessions ramp up.
“It’s a great way for brand new riders to get coaching and training on the level they’re at,” says Nelson, “We just ask that you can ride a bike, and we will teach the skills to get you around the track.”
About 8,000 racers participated in events just last year, Nelson says, “and that is just local. We also hosted races including the Gold Cup Championships, Legacy National races, international World Cup qualifiers with riders from 30 countries, to name a few. There are also thousands of visitors for each event.”
Another major sporting niche Oklahoma harbors is in water-based competitions. The Boathouse District in downtown Oklahoma City is home to Riversport OKC, a unique outdoor destination unlike any other water-sports facility in an urban setting nationwide. There, novices, pros and those in between can find opportunities for rapids riding, paddle sports, canoeing, kayaking, zip-lining, climbing, surfing and more. It’s also an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site and features the OKC National High-Performance Center, a premier water-sports facility.
“We became a Paralympic training site in 2009 after successfully hosting Olympic trials,” says Mike Knopp, Riversport’s executive director. “This is an inspiration for people who come to use our facilities and programs, including families doing various water activities. It adds authenticity to the experience – to be where the very best at canoeing and kayaking training occurs, including Team USA before competing in Paris.”
Knopp mentions that their programming, headquartered at the Devon boathouse, began with a focus point on rowing, “but then included canoe and kayak sprints,” he says. “We have, for example, world class sprint kayaker Gus Cook training here and competing at an international level on the national team, and we host national training camps.”
The University of Oklahoma defensive back
Billy Bowman Jr. amps up his team during a game. Photo by Morgan Givens/OU Football
Oklahoma’s Tireless Teams
Oklahomans have a lot of teams to support – from semi-pro to pro in categories ranging from hockey and soccer to softball and basketball. Perhaps the most fervent fan base can be found on the national stage with NBA team the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Oklahoma City Thunder (above) and Oklahoma City Blue (below) contribute positively to Oklahoma’s economy, alongside raising state morale. Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE/Getty Images
In December of 2023, the Oklahoma City Council approved a development agreement to create a new $900 million arena in downtown Tulsa where the old Cox Convention Center once sat; this will keep the franchise in OKC through 2050.
And while the Thunder brings a major morale boost to Oklahomans, the team – and the construction of a new stadium – are huge economic drivers.
According to the Economic and Revenue Impacts of the Oklahoma City Arena Report by Applied Economics, the operations of the Paycom arena and the operations of the Oklahoma City Thunder support an annual economic impact of $513 million, directly and indirectly supporting close to 2,500 jobs and $273.8 million in annual labor income.
“With a total of about 472,900 non-local visitor days per year for basketball games and ticketed third-party events, the arena supports an estimated $45.5 million in annual visitor expenditures outside the arena for lodging, food, retail and local transportation, says the report. “The estimated economic impact of construction could total $1.3 billion, supporting over 10,000 jobs during the construction period.”
Commenting at the end-of-season press conference on the Thunder continuing to grow as a team, executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti said that the future is bright for the organization.
Photo by China Wong/NBAE/Getty Images
“We understand there’s no silver platters in Oklahoma City,” he said. “We’re going to have to take it. We’re going to have to improve. We’re going to have to scratch. We’re going to have to claw. We’re going to have to battle to get progress, especially in our conference, and our guys are fine with that.”
The Tulsa Drillers welcome thousands of fans each season. Photo by Tim Campbell/Tulsa Drillers
Another hardworking Oklahoma team that’s boosting the state’s economy is the Tulsa Drillers. Brian Carroll, the Drillers’ assistant general manager, says the team typically draws an average paid attendance each season of between 5,000 to 5,500 for their 69 home games at ONEOK Field.
“Since the Drillers moved to downtown Tulsa with the opening of ONEOK Field in 2010, the area around the ballpark has changed immensely,” he says. “So many new restaurants, bars, museums, galleries and office buildings have been constructed and opened in those 14 years, completely changing the landscape around the stadium. A baseball game can now include so much more than the game for Drillers fans. An outing might include a visit to the Bob Dylan Museum down the street, followed by a stop for dinner or drinks at a nearby restaurant before ever entering the stadium. After the game, many establishments are still open and might be visited, too.”
Athletic Trainers
If you want to get involved in the world of sports but don’t have the athletic skills it will take, there are other avenues to explore.
Athletic trainers, for example, are highly trained specialists involved in the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of enhancing a player’s overall health and performance.
Athletic trainers greatly impact the health and careers of pro athletes. Oklahoma State University offers a master’s program to get into the field. Photo courtesy OSU
Robert Fulton, currently in his 21st year as OU Athletics’ Director of Athletic Medicine/Student-Athlete Health and Wellness, is involved in the matriculation of tomorrow’s trainers. The education, he says, is rigorous.
“An athletic trainer must graduate with a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited athletic training education program and pass a certification exam administered by a board of certification,” he says. “Once certified, the athletic trainer must maintain licensure under the supervision and in collaboration with a physician, as allowed by their state medical practice act.”
Trainers, day-to-day, have a dynamic schedule.
“Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals responsible for managing a broad spectrum of injury and illness, including prevention, recognition, rehabilitation and return to play,” Fulton continues. “Day to day, our role is to serve as primary athletic health care providers, ensuring appropriate preparation and response to a wide range of needs. We are often first to arrive and last to leave a practice or a game. We collaborate with a network of providers and professionals to communicate with athletes, parents, coaches and administrators, ensuring an appropriate plan of care.”
Degrees to Consider
For those interested in entering the sports industry through an academic standpoint, there are plenty of avenues forward. In fact, Oklahoma colleges and universities offer a bevy of classes, certificates and degree programs focalizing on sports. These include:
Sports management
Sports media
Sports marketing & revenue generation
eSports
Advanced sports medicine
Sports communication
Sports psychology
Sports journalism
Exercise physiology
Occupational therapy
Sports science
Jobs in sports can run the gamut, from journalists and agents to general managers, athletic directors, scouts, trainers, coaches, contract negotiators, marketing managers and nutritionists.
The Physical and Time Demands
No matter the sport – from football and basketball to golf, tennis or swimming – physical demands are intense for athletes. Coaches, players and trainers are always cognizant of the tolls on the body, and work to take care of and repair their bodies after practices and games.
“For baseball today, the biggest injury concern involves shoulder and elbow injuries for pitchers,” says Carroll. “Many professional pitchers now routinely throw 95-100 miles per hour – where 20 years ago, there were only a handful of pitchers reaching those speeds. The strain on the shoulder and elbow has become an even bigger concern for athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches.”
OU’s Fulton agrees that the physical demands are great, but education and awareness are also greatly improved as they compare to prior decades.
“Many athletes today are more aware of the physical and mental demands of sport, and recognition is the first step toward action,” says Fulton. “Now more than ever, preparation and recovery from such demands allow for some to separate from others. Resources for educating and addressing healthy habits such as sleep, diet, movement, strength and regeneration are all gaining popularity. Athletes are motivated by development and success. To each, recognizing the value of good habits and science-based practices drives the motivation for development and excellence.”
Alongside the physical demands of the job, the time requirements are hefty.
“Baseball is unique among other professional sports because of the number of games that are played,” says Carroll. “In the majors, there are 162 games each season, while with our team, we play 138 games in a season. Basically, from the first of April through the middle of September, the Drillers play every day – with the exception of Mondays almost always being an off day. For professional baseball players at all levels, the sport of baseball goes on all year despite games ending in the fall for most teams.
“Players today are putting in more hours than ever,” he continues. “For Drillers players, their day begins with arrival at the ballpark around 1 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game. Everything from cardio, to stretching and mobilization drills, to weightlifting take place during the afternoons prior to games, with the activities switching from day-to-day. After that, it is batting practice and drills as well as fielding work for position players and individual, specific drills for pitchers. Most of the same drills are continued on a near daily basis in the off-season.”
Discipline and structure are noted as key elements for every major athlete, says Matt Tumbleson, vice president of basketball communications and engagement at the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“The schedule for professional athletes is structured in order to help prepare the individuals for high performance,” he says. “A typical day in OKC will see a player arrive at the facility between 8:30 and 9 a.m. for an 11 a.m. practice. During those two hours, players are on a schedule that is prepared by the performance team that will see them do pre-practice court work, lifting, meeting with assistant coaches, eating breakfast and getting pre-practice treatment. Practice will typically last from 11 a.m. to 12:30 or 1 p.m. Following practice, depending on their individual plans, players will do more shooting, some will do post practice lifting, and some will do meetings with coaches and post-practice treatments.”
Photo credit for header image: In Oklahoma City, Riversport is a designated U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site for a variety of water sports. Pictured here are Olympic trials for the kayak cross. Photo by Georgia Read courtesy Riversport
As you go about your day-to-day life in the great state of Oklahoma, you may not realize just how many people are working hard to ensure your needs are met. Whether you’re enjoying a fine dining experience, receiving healthcare, visiting a spa, searching for financial advice or even just admiring the Tulsa skyline, there are hundreds – if not thousands – of people helping to make your experiences in Oklahoma better.
Enter Faces of Oklahoma, which shines a well-deserved spotlight on those people – the company owners, employees and creative minds that make up the strong and vibrant businesses that do their work in Oklahoma. Within the following pages you’ll see experts in everything from construction and architecture to medical aesthetics, hospitalty, real estate and emergency medicine. Here, they truly stand out as the unique face of their field.
When deciding which businesses to trust, turn to the Faces of Oklahoma.
The Face of Commercial Architecture – KKT Architects
Sarah Gould and Cindy Chanslor share a passion for education and its transformative power. Sarah Gould, Owner and CEO of KKT Architects, has always found joy in school-related projects and volunteering in architectural outreach programs. “Education is vital. I considered teaching to impact future generations,” says Sarah. “And an architectural curriculum engages students holistically, teaching them to think with their entire brain.”
From left to right: Sarah Gould and Cindy Chanslor
In 2021, Sarah hired Cindy Chanslor as a full-time Education Consultant to lead career outreach efforts for KKT. Realizing the vast opportunities in the community, Sarah and Cindy decided to establish a nonprofit, the Education Foundation for Architecture, Engineering, and Design, a 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation leverages the expertise of architects, engineers, designers, and construction professionals to offer programs, activities, and guest lectures to schools and educational organizations, aiming to introduce the next generation to the world of architecture and design and to bridge the workforce diversity gap.
The Foundation’s mission is to enhance students’ critical thinking skills and raise awareness of the diverse career opportunities within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries. In its initial years, the foundation has collaborated closely with KKT Architects and received support from numerous industry partners, including Green Acorn, CEC Engineering, Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC), Nabholz, Crossland, AC Owen, Wallace Design Collective, Beantown Enterprises, and Kitchen Ideas Design Center.
Cindy Chanslor, the Foundation’s Executive Director, invites all local AEC professionals to join these outreach efforts.
“Together, we can create more opportunities for students and build more awareness of the value of architectural education, leading us to a stronger, more vibrant community.”
Get involved today and support our mission through your time or through donations. Contact Cindy Chanslor at [email protected] and be sure to check out our website at ThinkArchitecture.org to see how you can contribute to building a brighter future.
Ross Group began as a small contracting company based out of Catoosa, Oklahoma, in 1979, when Jesse Ross founded J. Ross Acoustics and Drywall. The company specialized in carpentry and interior finishes and quickly earned a reputation for quality construction, professional excellence, and good, old-fashioned hard work. In 1996, Warren Ross joined his father in the business and The Ross Group Construction Corporation was incorporated in the great state of Oklahoma. Building on each other’s strengths, the father/son duo used their knowledge and reputation to make a seamless transition into general contracting.
From left to right: Scott Trueman, Amanda Robison, Courtney Alston, Jonathan Estrada, Brandon Brown, David Hull, Jamia Matthews, Vince Adamek, Cindi Givens, Brittany Kirk
Since its incorporation, Ross Group has evolved into a development, engineering, and construction firm serving government, energy, industrial, and private/commercial clients under the leadership of CEO Warren Ross. Working hand-in-hand with our clients, we provide industry-leading solutions in a variety of markets, such as oil and gas, industrial, manufacturing, aerospace, government, medical, aviation, hospitality, and education. By offering an integrated suite of services to fit any need in any market, we commit to achieving our client’s vision for each project.
While our company has grown to include more than 140 employees spread across two offices, we are still a roll-up-our-sleeves and get-to-work kind of place. Just like our founder Jesse, our leadership and staff realize that companies don’t build projects. People do. We are team players who will help anyone who asks, regardless of our titles, because we know we all succeed or fail together. With that in mind, Ross Group’s dedicated employees continue to build our firm’s reputation through our actions, while delivering tangible benefits to our clients as a one-stop-shop for project delivery. Visit us at www.withrossgroup.com to learn more about how Ross Group can help your make your vision a reality.
510 E. 2nd St., Tulsa | 918.234.3811 620 W. California Ave., OKC | 405.235.0726 | withrossgroup.com
The Face of Fine Dining – The Summit Club
Since 1967, The Summit Club has been Tulsa’s premier destination for exceptional dining and social experiences, nestled in the heart of downtown. Perched on the 30th, 31st, and 32nd floors on the corner of Sixth Street and Boulder Avenue, our club offers breathtaking panoramic views that serve as a stunning backdrop for any occasion. Whether you’re savoring an intimate dinner, attending a grand event in our elegant ballroom, or enjoying a handcrafted cocktail in the Penthouse, each visit promises a memorable blend of sophistication and warmth.
Our culinary team crafts fresh, chef-prepared menus using the finest ingredients and techniques, complemented by an impressive selection of premium wines, handcrafted cocktails, and mocktails.
Our staff at The Summit Club brings a wealth of industry experience and professional training, delivering top-notch service to every member and guest. Whether you’re here for a casual outing or a special event, our team is committed to making every moment memorable.
Membership at The Summit Club is more than exclusive dining access – it’s an invitation to join a vibrant community of professionals and socialites. Our club serves as a hub for networking, celebrating milestones, and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow members. With its blend of refined ambiance, exceptional service, and unparalleled views, The Summit Club stands as Tulsa’s premier city club. Discover the benefits of membership today.
The Face of Medical Spas – For Inner Good (FIG) Medical Spa
For Inner Good (FIG) Medical Spa, located in Tulsa, is known for its expertise in the science of anti-aging for face and body rejuvenation. Under the direction and supervision of Cristie Lehr-Hawkins M.D., Fig offers the latest treatments for the face, hair and body.
The staff at Fig brings multiple years of experience in patient care and is dedicated to providing the most innovative treatments for their patients. Fig is honored to have won numerous awards for Best Medical Spa, Skin Care, and Wellness Center in Tulsa, the state of Oklahoma and nationally. Fig has also been awarded Oklahoma Magazine’s The Best of the Best Award in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Dr. Cristie Hawkins and staff
Medical and wellness services offered at Fig include dermal fillers, injectables, microneedling, PDO threading, weight loss programs and hormone therapy. They also provide a full range of laser treatments and aesthetic services.
Some of the newest treatment modalities at Fig include Opus Plasma and TED. Opus Plasma is a skin resurfacing treatment using plasma energy and radio frequency to repair photodamage and treat the signs of aging with minimal down time. Fig is also the only medical facility in Tulsa to offer TED (Transepidermal Hair Restoration). This new treatment uses ultrasound technology to stimulate hair growth. The TED treatment is painless and needle-free with no downtime. TED is quick and beneficial for any individual suffering from hair loss or wanting to improve the appearance and health of their hair.
Fig carries numerous skin care lines such as SkinCeuticals, Caudalie, Revitalash, ZO Skin Health, iSClinical, Skin Medica, and Revision. Fig also has the SkinCeuticals SkinScope LED Lamp. With the help of the aestheticians and The SkinScope lamp, patients can learn about their visible and underlying skin imperfections and what products will work best for them. FIG recently launched its own skincare line, Fig MD. This medical-grade skincare line is both preventative and corrective. Fig MD products are built on a layered system of the highest quality ingredients resulting in healthy and beautiful skin.
To learn more about Fig’s services or purchase products, please visit their website figtulsa.com. To schedule an appointment for a service or free consultation, call 918-932-8810.
918-932-8810 | 8921 S. Yale Ave., Suite B., Tulsa | figtulsa.com
The Face of emergency Medicine – Tulsa ER & Hospital
Dr. Blubaugh is a native Oklahoman. Born and raised in Ponca City, Oklahoma, he attended Northeastern State University, then pursued his medical education at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 2001.
After residency, Dr. Blubaugh spent the next 13 years practicing and teaching emergency medicine at Oklahoma State University Medical Center. During this time, he saw the need for more personalized, patient-focused care.
Dr. Mark Blubaugh
Since 2019, Dr. Blubaugh has been a founding partner at two of Oklahoma’s only physician-owned micro-hospitals, Tulsa ER & Hospital, and Oklahoma ER & Hospital. Both hospitals were designed by emergency physicians in an effort to improve the access and quality of emergency care and hospital services. Local ownership and management allow for the hospital to adapt to the needs of the community. The physicians are able to customize services for community providers and patients without the bureaucratic delays and hurdles, typical of larger corporate health systems. Emergency room services, observation care, inpatient care, outpatient imaging, outpatient laboratory services and outpatient therapies are offered at both facilities.
Tulsa ER & Hospital and Oklahoma ER & Hospital are the only facilities in Oklahoma that offer outpatient services 24/7 without an appointment. Dr. Blubaugh is currently the Medical Director at the Tulsa facility. This position has afforded him the ability to spend more time with patients and experience both the administrative and political aspects of healthcare within the state.
Our physicians and staff strive to create an atmosphere where the patient feels heard and receives healthcare that is above and beyond.
918-517-6300 | 717 W. 71st St. S., Tulsa | tulsaer.com
The Face of Dentistry – Utica Dental – Dr. Matthew Walker • Dr. Brian Gosnell & Hygiene Staff
Dr. Matthew Walker and Dr. Brian Gosnell and the team at Utica Dental offer patients a truly relaxed, professional, state-of-the-art experience, with beautiful results from the moment they walk through the door. Conveniently located between 15th and 21st Street on South Utica Ave. in Tulsa, Utica Dental provides patients with peaceful, serene views out of the floor-to-ceiling windows while the dental team provides gentle care. Television monitors allow patients to get comfortable and watch a favorite show or movie. Want to hear music instead? Just ask Alexa to play it while in the dental chair.
Dr. Walker and Dr. Gosnell provide cosmetic and family dentistry to patients of all ages. General restorative care, dental implants, Invisalign, teeth whitening, root canal treatment, extractions, crown and bridge, preventative hygiene care, sedation dentistry, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and full mouth transformation procedures are all available at Utica Dental.
Our hygiene staff is one of the best in the area. We offer many different techniques to make your visit with us as comfortable and painless as possible. We are a family-based practice so all members of your family can be seen in the same office, no more traveling to different offices for dental care. We take pride in the care that we give to our Utica Dental family.
Infection control and sterilization are top priorities at Utica Dental. Using the most up-to-date, strictly followed CDC guided sterilization procedures and products, Dr. Walker and Dr. Gosnell are committed to creating a sterile environment for the safety of every patient and team member.
Utica Dental is an Oklahoma Magazine “The Best of the Best” recipient, and Dr. Walker and Dr. Gosnell continue to elevate his dental techniques to provide the best dental care to patients. Dr. Walker and Dr. Gosnell encourages you to come and experience Utica Dental, where every patient is a priority and truly a member of the family.
Marc Kulick is the visionary founder and CEO of Vesta Capital and Vesta Realty, established in 2017. Under his leadership, Marc oversees all aspects of the businesses, including asset management, operations, and acquisitions.
Vesta Capital is a fully integrated real estate investment firm specializing in the acquisition and renovation of multifamily communities across Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Vesta Realty, a wholly owned subsidiary and property management company, ensures comprehensive operational control and real-time monitoring of on-site activities.
Marc Kulick
Marc focuses on identifying multifamily investment opportunities with strong in-place cash flow, significant upside potential through value-add implementations, and robust downside protection against macroeconomic headwinds. Throughout Vesta’s operations, 48 properties with 12,480 total units have been purchased, and 9 properties have been sold, equaling 2,505 units. Today, Vesta’s portfolio value exceeds $1B.
Leveraging years of industry relationships, he has cultivated a pipeline of proprietary deal flow that meets his stringent investment criteria. His innovative approach to due diligence and property management maximizes the potential of each investment.
Marc started his real estate career as a multifamily leasing agent for his college dorm. His career progressed through every facet of property management – from leasing agent to Senior VP of multifamily – before he founded Vesta Capital. This extensive background laid a solid foundation for his expertise and success in the industry.
Marc has built a corporate culture that is intensely focused on employee satisfaction and engagement, which in turn has resulted in providing high-quality housing and experiences for residents. “Few people have the experience of building a brand-new company and creating the culture they dream of. That is one of the greatest blessings of this entire journey. I’m so proud of our progress towards creating an environment where people are happy coming to work and feel valued, which in turn leads to the highest quality of life for our residents,” says Marc.
He is proud to have built an organization that is dedicated to giving back and whose employees are actively engaged in the communities they serve. Marc and his wife, Alicia, are active supporters of The University of Tulsa, Ronald McDonald House Charities, The Friendship Circle of Kansas City, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Juvenile Diabetes research.
At Tulsa-based Conrad’s Roofing, every single roof is backed by the owner’s name: Conrad. With core values that include aggressive authenticity, passion and customer obsession, Conrad’s Roofing puts the same care, attention to detail and premium workmanship into every job, whether it’s locating and repairing a small leak, or a total tear-off and replacement of your roof.
From left to right: Jordan and Kenneth Conrad
Conrad’s provides personalized service with its expert roof installations, touting the resources, financial strength, and stability that make them a leader in the industry. The business is fully licensed, bonded and insured, meaning that clients can rest easy knowing only the best are working on their homes. Only Conrad’s Roofing can guarantee and deliver this kind of personalized service. In short, they’ll get the job done –affordably, safely and thoroughly.
“My team and I have had many years of trial and error,” says owner Ken Conrad. “We pride ourselves on keeping the local business aspect, while having an operation that runs as efficiently as possible. I have only one option available for myself and every roof we touch: my word and my work.”
Dedicated to serving Tulsa and surrounding areas, Conrad’s has installed 21,792,000 shingles with over 12,000 satisfied customers. Services range from roof installations to leak detections and gutter design and installation.
With a promise to put the same effective, efficient practices into every job, Conrad’s is laser focused on client satisfaction, which is evident in their exceptional customer service, free estimates and free 22-point roof inspections. The team also understands that a new roof is a major investment – which is why they offer a variety of financing options to ensure you get the services you need at the right price.
Reputable, reliable and results-driven: Conrad’s Roofing.
The Face of Private Schools – Riverfield Country Day School
Riverfield Country Day School educators have been empowering students since 1984. The life blood of any school is the faculty and staff. In Riverfield’s 40th year, we honor all of our educators, past and present.
At Riverfield Country Day School, we ignite adventure, inspire inquiry and build excellence to empower students to change their world. Supporting our Reggio-Emilia-inspired approach to education, from infants through 12th grade, Riverfield teachers create socially collaborative spaces which honor the whole student.
Staff at Riverfield
Our teachers are at the heart of creating a trusting, respectful, and positive school environment where they can support students’ creativity and inquiry as a resource and guide, putting the power of learning in the students’ hands. Students are empowered to develop their own questions, seek understanding and input, and consider how they can make their world a better place.
With an average of 14 years teaching experience, Riverfield faculty encourage students to achieve their potential in all aspects of their development: intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and moral.
Riverfield educators take full advantage of the 120-acre campus of wooded trails, creeks, ponds, and barnyard with animals. On any given day, you will see children working together inside the rooms, reading outside in the sun, collecting data from water sources, or heading out for a hike in the woods. Rain boots and sunscreen are staples on campus, throughout all grades, as the natural world is a fantastic landscape for learning.
Thanks to the dedication of our teachers, we are a strong community of caring educators, staff, and families that value each individual student within a safe, respectful, learner-focused school that bravely grows and evolves together as one Riverfield.
Riverfield teachers, we thank you for an incredible 40 years and we look forward to shaping the future of our school.
The Face of Barbecue – RibCrib
Founded in 1992 by Bret Chandler, RibCrib lit its first smoker in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Opening its doors with a menu of four meats and three sides, the brand has grown to 45 locations in Oklahoma and neighboring states. Matt Thompson, vice president of operations, says the secret to RibCrib’s success is its authenticity. Every location smokes its meats on-site daily, using only split-green hickory, crafting the unmistakable flavor fans have loved for 30 years.
Jeff Baird, Beth Ruddle, Matt Thompson
What truly defines RibCrib? Its core values.
“‘Make Every Rib Righteous’ isn’t just a slogan we use during training. It’s our pledge to always go the extra mile,” Thompson says. “We’re driven to never settle, to innovate and to invest in our team and guests. Our communities are an enormous part of RibCrib’s success.”
Community engagement is central to RibCrib, with initiatives ranging from school sponsorships to a semiannual golf tournament that raises funds for local charities. Looking ahead, RibCrib has plans. Adapting to the ever-changing food scene, they’re working to make barbecue accessible to more people. They’re also refining their scratch side recipes and rethinking their loyalty program to reward guests more.
As RibCrib looks forward to smokin’ the good stuff for the next 30 years, Thompson’s vision is clear: “We’re focusing on a 21st century smokehouse experience, ensuring RibCrib remains a go-to for barbecue enthusiasts.”
918.712.7427 | 4535 S. Harvard Ave., Tulsa | ribcrib.com
The Face of Medical Aesthetics –Radiance Medical Aesthetics
Radiance Medical Aesthetics is proud to bring Beauty by the Best!® to Oklahoma City as the premier destination for aesthetic treatments. With over 65 years of combined experience, the professionals at Radiance are dedicated to helping their patients feel and look their very best with results-driven treatments. Radiance was founded by Kasey L. Swayden, PA-C, in 2020. With more than a decade of experience in Aesthetic Medicine, Kasey dreamed of opening a Medical Spa that was centered on skin health and built around a professional team that delivers advanced cosmetic treatments in a beautiful, spa-like atmosphere. Today, Kasey’s dreams have become reality, and patients travel from all over for the advanced aesthetic treatments at Radiance Medical Aesthetics. Under the supervision of a board-certified dermatologist, Radiance offers a variety of industry-leading treatments and technologies to achieve the best results for their patients. From state-of-the-art Sciton lasers, to injectables like Botox and dermal fillers, HydraFacial, Diamond Glow and more, the team of professionals have curated a comprehensive selection of treatments designed to address various aesthetic and skin concerns. Since opening, Radiance Medical Aesthetics has evolved into one of Oklahoma’s most recognized names in Aesthetic Medicine. As the official medical spa of Miss Oklahoma and Miss Oklahoma’s Teen, Radiance has earned many accolades. These include being named OKC’s “Best Medical Spa” and “Best Aesthetician” by Oklahoma Magazine and earning national recognition for their anti-aging results. Radiance is conveniently located just off the John Kilpatrick Turnpike at Portland and Memorial. To learn more about Radiance Medical Aesthetics of Oklahoma, view their services or schedule a consultation, visit www.rmaok.com.
405-807-6265 | 3308 N.W. 135th St., Suite 100 | rmaok.com
