Spring/Summer 2010

Transcription

Spring/Summer 2010

S
Healthy pirit
S p r i n g / S u m m e r 2 0 10
Spring 2010
P U B L I C AT I O N O F I N D I A N H E A LT H C A R E R E S O U R C E C E N T E R O F T U L S A
Wellness Adventures Camp at the Tulsa Public Schools HelmZar Challenge Course
Operationally Speaking
Eddie Hathcoat, COO
Hello, I am Eddie Hathcoat, the Chief
Operating Officer for Indian Health
Care Resource Center of Tulsa. From
time to time, I will use this space in the
Healthy Spirit quarterly newsletter to
make announcements, make comments
and provide other general information of
potential interest to you.
In this issue, I am excited to
announce several recent enhancements
and additions to our operations:
• Phase one of our major facility
expansion project was completed
in mid-June. Completion of this
initial part of our construction and
remodeling project has allowed
our pharmacy, behavioral health,
substance abuse treatment and
diabetes wellness staff to move into
their permanent new spaces. The
medical team is also able to start
using nine of our new
exam rooms.
• Our Diagnostic Imaging
Department is going digital. The
quality of our images, ability to
access, store and share images with
other health care entities will be
greatly enhanced with the Selenia
Dimensions 2D mammography
equipment by Hologic and
our new Carestream DR 7500
x-ray equipment. The digital
data will be managed with the
Carestream Picture Archiving and
Communications Systems (PACS)
and the Radiology Information
Systems (RIS) by Kodak.
• The Komen for the Cure –
Tulsa Affiliate has renewed our
mammography funding in the
amount of $109,030 for another
year. These monies greatly enhance
our mammography services.
• We conducted Patient Satisfaction
Surveys in April and May. We will
be publishing the results of the
surveys in the
next newsletter.
• We have several new employees who
I would like to introduce you to:
Miranda Hall, Pharm.D., is our
newest full time pharmacist and
Larry Lofstron, D.Ph., is our newest
part-time pharmacist. With our
expanded pharmacy soon opening
with drive thru and other enhanced
features, I know they will both
be welcome additions to our
pharmacy team.
Ray Arsee, MLT, has joined our
medical team to run our medical lab
and to provide phlebotomy services.
Ray works very well with our
providers and staff for an efficient
experience. Shirley Womack is our
newest dental assistant to support
our expanded Dental department.
Beth Conner, RT (R), has
accepted the position of Diagnostic
Imaging Technologist. This position
became open upon the recent
retirement of Ruth Simpson, who
had worked at IHCRC for over five
years. Beth previously worked as our
Diagnostic Imaging Clerk. Karly
Fenscke, RT (R), has been hired as a
Diagnostic Imaging Clerk and will
serve as a back up technologist for
Beth. Good luck to Ruth
and welcome to all IHCRC’s
new employees.
Indian Health Care
Hours of Operation
Scheduled appointments
In this issue of the Healthy Spirit
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New digs and services for the IHCRC pharmacy
Welcome to the IHCRC Pharmacy online refill system
Schedule an oral health exam for your child today
A tribute to Wilma Mankiller, former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
Food for Life celebrates its first anniversary
Patronize your local farmers’ market
Use your SNAP food benefits to shop at local farmers’ markets
Summer camps for Native American Children
Highlights of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act
Health Reform for American Indians and Alaska Natives
Key benefits of health reform for Native Americans
Calendar of Events
Childhood Obesity Task Force Unveils Action Plan
Diabetes Facts
Mammography Department Excels
We can help you schedule an
appointment, if you will call (918)
588-1900, Option 1, 1 in advance of
your visit. Scheduled appointments
allow the time for you to be seen for
more than one health need, including
prescription refills. Thank you for
understanding and being patient. We are
doing our best to see as many patients
as possible. Busy daily schedules do not
allow us to schedule all requests for a
same-day appointment.
Medical services hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and
Friday 8 am-5 pm
Thursday 10 am-7 pm
1st Wednesday of the month the
Medical clinic opens at 1 pm (closed in
morning for staff meeting)
Human services hours
Monday - Wednesday 8 am-6 pm
Thursday 10 am-7 pm
Friday 8 am-5 pm
1st Wednesday of the month the Human
Services clinic opens at 1 pm (closed in
morning for staff meeting)
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Diagnostic Imaging Digitizes First Patient
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Komen Tulsa Affiliate
Benefits of digital radiology
Transitions in Diagnostic Imaging
Meet Dr. Yvette Roubideaux, Director, Indian Health Service
SoonerCare eligibility to go online with No Wrong Door
New grant promotes enrollment in SoonerCare Child Health Insurance
Restoring Harmony Pow Wow a Great Success
Addressing the mental health needs of young children and their families
The Systems of Care Approach
20th Annual Dance of the Two Moons
Volunteers make Dance of the Two Moons 20th Anniversary a memorable event
Success Story: Surviving Loopy Lupus
July is National Picnic Month
Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa
Board of Trustees
Madeline Teague, President, Cherokee
Janice Edmiston, Vice-President, Choctaw
Jim Cameron, Secretary, Cherokee
Herbert P. Haschke, Jr., Treasurer
Bob Bitting, Cherokee
Jay Anderson, DDS, Choctaw
Cindy Bear
Bobby Jones, Cherokee
Charles Knife Chief, MD, Pawnee
David D. Moon, DO, Choctaw
Goldie Phillips, Comanche
Ed Pierce, Citizen Nation Potawatomi
Jimmy Reeder, Cherokee
WIC Nutrition hours
Monday - Friday 8 am-4:30 pm
Same-day / fast track
appointment policy
When you come to the clinic for a sameday or fast track appointment we will do
our best to work you into the schedule
based on the following:
Sickest people are seen first
Patients are not seen on a first
come first seen basis. One problem
exam will be addressed – you are being
seen for one problem only, for an illness
that came on suddenly.
Time limitations
A same-day appointment does not allow
time to talk about prescription refills or
other issues. A walk-in appointment
will be seen as soon as a provider is
available if you are able to wait. We may
not get to all walk-ins in a day; however
we will do our best to serve all walk-ins.
New digs and
services for
the Pharmacy
By Justin Postier, IHCRC Pharmacy Director and
Russell Burkhart, IHCRC Director of Planning and Development
Downtown Tulsa as viewed through the
new pharmacy drive thru lanes.
Big changes have come to the IHCRC
pharmacy operation. Phase one of
the major IHCRC facility expansion
project was completed in mid-June and
Indian Health Care’s entire pharmacy
operation moved into completely
new quarters in the northeast corner
of the building. The move brings
Spring/Summer 2010 • 2
many welcome improvements and
enhancements to the IHCRC
pharmacy for both staff and patients
alike. For starters, the pharmacy staff
enjoy having room to move about
without bumping into each other in
their much expanded work area.
A large sub-waiting room provides a
comfortable area for patients to wait for
a prescription to be filled. Patients can
now use a new exterior door to enter
the pharmacy directly without passing
through the main front lobby.
The pharmacy waiting area includes
expanded consultation spaces for the
pharmacists to educate patients on how
to take their medications properly.
Watch for one more big event
in the pharmacy operation which
will occur later in the year when the
construction activity is cleared from
the north parking area. The pharmacy
will then add two drive-thru lanes for
patients to pick up prescription refills
without needing to leave their car. The
convenience of the drive-thru lanes
will further minimize the need for
patients to stand in line waiting to pick
up a prescription.
In recent years, IHCRC has
made a number of improvements to
increase the efficiency and capacity
of its in-house pharmacy. In 2004,
the IHCRC pharmacy underwent a
previous renovation and modernization
effort. The centerpiece of this
undertaking was the installation of
an automated dispensing system, a
robot affectionately known as “Bob.”
The robot fills prescriptions quickly,
while reducing the potential for errors.
Handling approximately 70% of the
prescriptions, the robot automatically
counts the medication, fills the bottle
and attaches the label.
With the robotic automation
system, the pharmacy staff is able
to serve twice as many patients and
significantly shorten the waiting time,
while providing our patients with
the most professional and accurate
service possible. IHCRC expresses its
continued appreciation to the many
Tulsa philanthropic foundations who
helped make the pharmacy automation
project a reality.
New pharmacy drive thru lanes
near completion.
Welcome to the Pharmacy Online Refill System
In addition to the many physical
improvements to the IHCRC
pharmacy, other electronic
improvements have been recently made
to add a web-based prescription refill
system. The pharmacy’s new online
refill system is easy to use from the
convenience of your home computer
or smart phone. In addition to using
the Internet to request a prescription
refill, you can also use the new web-
based refill system to see and print
your medication profile and view
the status of your prescription refill
request. The “Prescription List” feature
allows you to see the current status of
your prescription and if it is ready to
pick-up. The online system can also be
used to link family members’ accounts
for simplified refill requests. Look for
new features in the future, including
“prescription ready” notifications
through e-mail and text messages!
If you would like to set up an online
pharmacy refill account, just ask the
pharmacy staff to sign you
up during your next visit to the
IHCRC pharmacy.
For more information call
918.382.1270. To access the online
pharmacy refill system go to: www.
ihcrc.org/pharmacy.
Miranda Hall, Pharm.D.
Miranda Hall, Pharm.D., joined
IHCRC as a full-time pharmacist
in February. Ms. Hall comes
to IHCRC from a Walgreens
Pharmacy in Tulsa where she
was a staff pharmacist and from
SouthCrest Hospital pharmacy
where she was a pharmacy
intern. Ms. Hall graduated from
the University of Oklahoma in
Oklahoma City where she earned
a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
She is a member of the Phi
Theta Kappa International Honor
Society, the Alpha Gamma Delta
Sorority and the Golden Key
Honor Society. She is a member
in good standing in several
professional organizations,
including the Oklahoma Society
of Health-System Pharmacists
(OSHP), the Oklahoma
Pharmacists Association
(OPhA), the Academy of Student
Pharmacists (ASP) and the
Phi Delta Chi Pharmaceutical
Fraternity.
Lawrence L. Lofstrom,
D.Ph.
Lawrence “Larry” Lofstrom,
D.Ph., joined the IHCRC
Pharmacy Department as a parttime pharmacist in April. Prior to
coming to IHCRC, Mr. Lofstrom
has worked in the capacity of
pharmacy manager and staff
pharmacist for several retail
pharmacies, including Homeland,
Med-X and May’s Drug
Corporation. Most recently, he
worked for RPhS, an independent
contractor of professional
pharmacists. Mr. Lofsstrom is
a graduate of the University of
Minnesota, where he earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in
Pharmacy.
Pharmacy Team (l-r) back row: Teresa McIntosh, Ashley Simon, Miranda Hall, Becca Leath, Justin Postier and Sheramy Gregg.
Front row: Stacey Wilson, Jo Ann Gower, Cammie McIntosh, Creek youth volunteer, Evelyn Neel, cashier and Seng Vang, cashier.
Schedule an oral health
exam for your child today
The IHCRC Dental Department is
using a new oral health grant from the
Indian Health Service to encourage
Native American parents to schedule
an appointment for an oral health
exam for their children. Children as
young as one year old can be seen.
All children and adults are encouraged
to get an oral health exam every
six months.
The Indian Health Care pediatric
oral health program places priority on
providing preventive and corrective
oral health care to prevent disease and
reduce tooth loss. The prevention of
tooth and gum problems is emphasized
by promoting regular check-ups at the
clinic before problems develop.
At each pediatric oral health
screening session, a Registered
Dental Hygienist (RDH) will clean
and examine the patient’s teeth for
caries, gum disease and any pediatric
developmental issues. The dental
hygienist and dentist will conduct a
dental hygiene plan of care (assessment,
Shirley Womack,
Dental Assistant
diagnosis, planning, implementation
and evaluation). The dentist will
discuss with the child and the parent
any corrective procedure that may be
needed and why. When treatment
needs are identified, an appointment
will be scheduled for the child with an
IHCRC dentist.
Prevention and diagnosis services
provided by the dental hygienist
include dental screening (routine oral
health exam, including taking and
interpreting oral digital x-rays) and
conducting an oral health assessment
of carries, baby bottle tooth decay,
developmental eruption patterns and
any periodontal disease.
Shirley Womack joined the
IHCRC Dental Department in
March as a dental assistant.
She has been in the dental field
for 25 years and has worked
in all areas of a dental office.
She is certified by the State of
Oklahoma Board of Dentistry in
exposing radiographs, coronal
polishing, assisting in the
administration of nitrous oxide
and placing sealants.
Shirley was raised in
During the visit,
the dental hygienist will conduct
teeth cleaning and removal of plaque,
calculus and stains from the surfaces
of the teeth. Application of dental
sealants, fluoride and tooth polishing is
performed as a preventive measure to
control the future accretion of plaque
and tartar.
Oral hygiene patient education will
include instruction on brushing and
flossing techniques, a review of healthy
nutritional guidelines, sports safety and
tobacco education with referrals to the
IHCRC tobacco cessation program.
Oral health education includes the
promotion of sound nutritional habits
to avoid excessive consumption of
sugared beverages and foods.
McAlester, Oklahoma and
attended the Crowder School
until moving to Coweta in her
sophomore year. She has two
children, two grandsons, two
dogs and one bird. Shirley
enjoys yardwork, swing
dancing and camping.
She considers her greatest
accomplishment raising two
great children and one foster
child for four years. A champion
for the welfare of foster kids,
Shirley encourages anybody
who has ever considered
fostering a child to do it. “I
know that so many people
have a great need for foster
homes as does the state.
So many of these kids never
experience having a family
meal, a warm bath at night, or
somebody to give them hugs
and love them for just being
themselves.” said Shirley.
A tribute to
Wilma
Mankiller
former Principal Chief
of the Cherokee Nation
T
he first female chief of
the Cherokee Nation,
Wilma Mankiller, passed
away April 6 after battling pancreatic
cancer. Upon the announcement
of her diagnoses in March of 2010,
Wilma offered the following words
of inspiration, “I want my family and
friends to know that I am mentally and
spiritually prepared for this journey;
a journey that all human beings will
take at one time or another. I learned
a long time ago that I can’t control
the challenges the Creator sends my
way but I can control the way I think
about them and deal with them. On
balance, I have been blessed with an
extraordinarily rich and wonderful life,
filled with incredible experiences.”
Immediately following the
news of Chief Mankiller’s passing,
numerous government officials and
leaders in Indian Country expressed
their admiration of her leadership,
achievements and service to her
Cherokee people.
The Cherokee Nation Tribal Council
honored former Principal Chief Wilma
Mankiller with a resolution naming her
a National Treasure of the Cherokee
Nation. “Chief Mankiller was a real
treasure to the Cherokee people,”
said Chad Smith, Principal Chief
of the Cherokee Nation. “We feel
overwhelmed and lost when we realize
she has left us, but we should reflect on
what legacy she leaves us. We are better
people and a stronger tribal nation
because of her example of Cherokee
leadership, statesmanship, humility,
grace, determination and decisiveness.”
“Chief Mankiller was a trailblazer for
all women. Her leadership strengthened
the relationship between the Cherokee
Nation and the Federal Government
and her good works and commitment
to a brighter future for all,” Rep.
Dale E. Kildee (D-MI), Democratic
Chairman of the House Native
American Caucus says in a statement.
Chief Mankiller, who was awarded a
Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998,
was also memorialized by President
Obama. “Her legacy will continue to
Wilma Mankiller tells Dick
Pryor about her struggles
and triumphs in a remarkable
personal journey on OETA’s
“A Conversation With Wilma
Mankiller.”
Photo courtesy of Leon
Smith, OETA-The Oklahoma
Network.
encourage and motivate all who carry
on her work,” he says in a statement.
The Interior Dept. also noted that
under Mankiller’s leadership, Cherokee
tribal enrollment tripled, employment
doubled and new health centers and
children’s programs blossomed.
In a unanimous vote held on
April 14, 2010, the U.S. House
of Representatives passed House
Resolution 1237 to honor the life of
Chief Wilma Mankiller. The Resolution
was introduced by Oklahoma Second
District Congressman Dan Boren and
co-sponsored by the entire Oklahoma
House Delegation, the Co-Chairs of
the House Native American Caucus,
and the Chairman of the House
Natural Resources Committee.
Rep. Boren stated, “I am pleased the
House moved swiftly to acknowledge
Chief Wilma Mankiller’s life and
career, and to express its deep sorrow
on her passing . . . Chief Mankiller was
an inspiration to her tribe and to the
nation. Her dedication to improving
women’s role within the Cherokee
Nation, and her work strengthening
her tribe’s Nation-to-Nation
relationship with the U.S. government,
make her a beloved and legendary
figure in Oklahoma.”
Local Food Week at the Living Kitchen Father’s Day Chow Down Buffet and farm tour.
Food for Life
Celebrates its first anniversary
By Steve Eberle, IHCRC Food and Garden Coordinator
I
ndian Health Care’s “Food
for Life” community food
project celebrated its first
anniversary on May 1. The Food for
Life program addresses food security
in northeast Oklahoma. The program
takes a three-prong approach to food
insecurity and food deserts – teaching
moms and children how to cook and
shop for healthy foods, installing and
encouraging community gardens in
neighborhoods and behind schools,
and encouraging legislation to enhance
food security.
With the help of many associates
from the Tulsa Food Security Council,
many exciting projects have developed
over the past year. The formation of the
Tulsa Food Security Council (TFSC)
has organized more than 30 community
agencies and individuals to become
a unified voice to end food deserts –
neighborhoods without any
grocery stores.
Legislation is vital in provoking
change, especially in food security.
TFSC members have spoken before
State House committees to support
the passage of the Healthy Corner
Store (HCS) Initiative. The HCS
Initiative will support the creation
of co-op for healthy corner stores
and non-profit organizations that
currently buy groceries retail. Through
leadership provided by State House
Representative Seneca Scott, HB3015
is a crucial activity conducted by the
TFSC by providing presentations on
food deserts and the need to end a diet
of processed food and fast food.
The McLain High School Initiative
has brought the school’s greenhouse
out of mothballs and developed a
Greenhouse Council of 15 students.
These students are growing plants in
the greenhouse and installed raised
beds for vegetables. The students work
each week in the greenhouse and
gardens. The McLain High School
Foundation has formed with a board
of directors and established nonprofit
status. The Foundation will be used to
was passed by the Legislature and
signed by the Governor to provide low
interest loans to create new stores in
food deserts.
TFSC has also been active in the
media promoting “buy fresh, buy
local,” from healthy corner stores
and community gardens. Oklahoma
Horizon recently aired a 30-minute
documentary on food security in
Oklahoma based on interviews with
TFSC members. Community education
raise much needed funds for school
uniforms, sports equipment, the
greenhouse program and other needs
that Tulsa Public Schools cannot fund.
So many schools and communities
have added gardens this spring. Food
for Life will be implementing a
program to maintain or oversee those
gardens during the summer months.
Many schools have summer programs
so the children can be involved in the
gardens year around. The purchase of
garden tillers allows volunteers to till
existing community gardens, as well as
seniors’ home gardens.
Cooking 101 is a program which
teaches moms to cook, a lost art in
many families. We’re talking about
making healthy meals in 30 minutes or
less, using real basic food ingredients
and no prepackaged, processed food
helper kits. Regularly scheduled
cooking lessons are held at community
centers, apartment complexes, healthy
corner stores and for our WIC clients.
Through the leadership of the
Oklahoma Buy Fresh Buy Local
campaign, Local Food Week was
celebrated in Tulsa this June for
the second year in a row. Created
by Sustainable Green Country,
Tulsa’s Local Foods Week festivities
highlighted local family farms and
farmers’ markets who hosted a variety
of events, a farm table dinner, cooking
demonstrations, a scavenger hunt
for children, a salsa festival and
canning classes.
Gov. Brad Henry has made the
event official with a proclamation
encouraging Oklahomans to celebrate
Local Foods Week during the week of
June 13-20, 2010.
Above: Cooking 101. Below: Taste of
North Tulsa held at McLain High School.
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Patronize your LOCAL
Farmers’ Market
A
rea farmers’ markets are
open for the 2010 growing
season. Every Thursday
evening from 4:00-7 pm you can visit
the Pearl Farmers Market, located
across the street from Indian Health
Care Resource Center at 6th Street and
Peoria Avenue in Centennial Park. As
Tulsa’s only evening farmers’ market,
the Pearl Farmers Market is open all
summer, until its September 30 close.
The Pearl Market offerings include
Oklahoma grown fresh produce,
organic eggs, free range meat and live
garden and bedding plants. Adding
ambience to a visit to the market in
the park is a regular fare of free music.
Come out and join the fun!
IHCRC provides grant support
to the Pearl Farmers Market and
Sustainable Green Country’s Buy Fresh
Buy Local campaign to promote a
healthier, more sustainable community.
Area farmers’ markets underscore a
commitment to build the local food
supply and support our local farmers.
Farmers’ markets offer food shoppers
a wide variety of fresh, locally grown
fruits, vegetables, herbs and other farmfresh items. Many markets also have
eggs, honey, plants, flowers and handcrafted items. Some have meats, dairy
products, nuts, and other tasty foods.
Farmers markets provide family
farmers a reliable place to sell the fruits
of their labor directly to the public.
Visit a Green Country farmers’ market
near your work or home, and get to
know your local farmers. Every crop has
a season in which it grows and becomes
ready for harvest. Some do well in cool
temperatures and others need lots of
heat. Fruits and vegetables are most
flavorful when picked at or near their
peak ripeness. When shopping at an
Oklahoma Grown farmers’ market,
expect to find an ever changing
selection of fruits and vegetables over
the course of the growing season.
SNAP
Use your
food benefits
to shop at local farmers’ markets
Many farmers’ markets in Tulsa and
northeastern Oklahoma now accept
SNAP/EBT cards (formerly known
as food stamps). This means Access
Oklahoma cardholders can now use
their SNAP benefits to buy locally
grown fruits and vegetables. To use
your “Access Oklahoma” SNAP/EBT
card to any farmers’ market where a
sign is displayed saying, “SNAP/EBT
accepted here.” The Market Manager
will swipe your EBT card using a
wireless swiping machine for the
amount you want to spend. In return
the Market Manager will give you
“wooden market tokens” which you
can use to make purchases from any
food vendor in the market.
The addition of EBT machines at
Oklahoma farmers’ markets has finally
removed an access barrier for local
low-income residents who wanted to
shop at farmers’ markets to get fresh,
locally grown foods. It’s a win-win
for shoppers and farmers alike to
now have a system in place to allow
farmers to sell to SNAP customers.
Now SNAP shoppers can take
advantage of the bounty of our green
country local farms, instead of buying
produce and meats that have been
transported long distances from other
states and countries.
The Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP),
formerly known as the Food Stamp
Program, helps people buy enough
food each month. People who meet
the eligibility requirements receive a
monthly SNAP benefit. The SNAP
benefit varies from family to family
according to income, family size, and
available resources. SNAP benefits
are placed on the Access Oklahoma
electronic benefit transfer (EBT)
card. The Access Oklahoma card
looks like a credit or debit card and is
used in the same way. Visit your local
Oklahoma Department of Human
Services (OKDHS) to apply for
SNAP benefits.
You can use SNAP benefits to purchase:
•Foods for the household to eat
• Breads and cereals
•Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, fish, and poultry
•Dairy products
• Plants and seeds which produce food for the household to eat
Summer
camps
for Native American Children
I
t’s summer camp time again for
Tulsa area Native children and
youth. For a ninth consecutive
year, the Health Education and
Wellness Department of Indian
Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa
(IHCRC) will host the popular camp
program. The camps emphasize the
role of healthy lifestyle choices to
maintain an active lifestyle, nutritious
diets and healthy weight. By promoting
healthy lifestyles to young children,
the IHCRC staff strives to establish
behaviors which will be continued
into adulthood to prevent diabetes and
cardiovascular disease.
This year, an expanded ten weeks of
summer camp programs will be offered
to an expected attendance of 400
Native children and youth. A healthy
breakfast and lunch will be provided
to all attendees at the Indian Youth
Program Wellness Camps, with the
exception of the half-day basketball
camp which includes a healthy snack.
All of the camps are free to any
Native American child with a CDIB
card. Financial support of the camps is
provided through the annual Dance of
the Two Moons fundraising event and
government wellness grants.
All camp participants must provide
a current medical release form,
demonstrating they have received a well
child exam within the past year and can
safely participate in the camp activities.
Although camp enrollment is full,
parents can call 588-1900, extension
3219 or 3218 to find out if any slots
become available due to cancellations.
Healthy Trails Camp features
CATCH curriculum fitness and
nutrition lessons, experiential learning
activities, vegetable gardening activities
and traditional Indian games. These
camps will be held at Jane Addams
Elementary School, 5323 S. 65th W.
Avenue, Tulsa.
The Wellness Adventures Camp
is focused on diabetes prevention in
Native American children. Participants
will enjoy adventure-based health and
fitness activities at the Tulsa Public
Schools HelmZar Challenge Course
(1006 N. Quaker). Activities will
focus on nutrition and fitness, diabetes
awareness and prevention, cultural
awareness, making healthy choices and
problem-solving skills. This year, the
children will also take a field trip to
Camp Okiwanee.
Sports & Recreation Camps
teach youth the fundamental skills of
8 to 10 sports. Sports offered include
basketball, softball/baseball, football
and soccer. The camps emphasize skill
development. A healthy breakfast and
lunch will be provided. The Sports &
Recreation camps will be offered on
July 19-23 from 8:30 am to 3 pm
for youth who have completed grades
3 to 6.
Basketball Camp is for boys and
girls who have completed grades 3
to 6, and will meet July 12-16. This
camp will meet from 8:30 am to
noon. Emphasis is on fundamentals,
shooting skills, and basics of offense
and defense. Friendly tournament
competition engages youth to
highlight the week. Basketball Camp
location will be determined due to
school repairs.
Deanna Douthit, New Activity
Specialist introduces herself
Hello! I am Deanna Douthit, the new activity
specialist within the IHCRC Health Education
and Wellness Department. I earned my BS
in Health Promotion from Oklahoma State
University, with an emphasis on Exercise
Science. This career path is one that is near
and dear to my heart, as I have witnessed
firsthand the devastating consequences of
lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, heart
disease and kidney failure – all due to poor
eating habits and inactive lifestyles. I made
the decision to take a career that would allow
me the opportunity to not only help my family
and myself live healthier lives, but also help
others change their lives for
the better!
I currently operate my own personal
training and wellness business and teach
group exercise classes for the YMCA. I
previously worked as a healthy lifestyles
educator, teaching companies the
importance of regular physical activity, proper
nutrition and stress management.
As an Activity Specialist at IHCRC, I
conduct individual and group exercise
classes on a weekly basis within the Health
Education and Wellness Department. I
also participate in a children’s fitness group
once a week and the employee wellness
programs. My role is to help educate and
motivate our patients to move more for
better overall health. At IHCRC, we are able
to combine physical activity instruction with
our wellness staff of registered dietitians and
licensed counselors who provide patients
with a well-rounded program of nutrition,
counseling and fitness all in one location
– giving them all the necessary tools to
succeed and improve their health status.
If you have any fitness related questions,
feel free to contact me at (918) 382-2226. If
you would like more information about the
services and programs offered within the
Health Education and Wellness Department,
please contact Kay Meek at (918)
382-2226.
Highlights of the Indian Health
Care Improvement Act
The Indian Health Care Improvement
Act (IHCIA), which authorizes
Congress to fund health care services
for American Indians and Alaska
Natives through the Indian Health
Service, was originally approved by
Congress in 1976 and last reauthorized
in 2000. The Affordable Care Act
(national health reform law) of 2010
makes the reauthorization of this
law permanent and authorizes new
programs within the Indian Health
Service to ensure the Service is more
equipped to meet its mission to
raise the health status of American
Indians and Alaska Natives to the
highest level. For example, it includes
authorization to expand programs
for mental and behavioral health
treatment and prevention. The new
IHCIA act also authorizes long-term
care services, including home health
care, assisted living and communitybased care. Finally, the IHCIA includes
improvements in the Contract Health
Services program, facilitation of care for
Indian veterans and expanded support
for urban Indian health programs.
Importantly for Indian Health Care
Resource Center and the Oklahoma
City Indian Clinic, the IHCIA
reaffirms both urban Indian health
organizations as permanent programs
within the Indian Health Service’s
direct care program and their status
as Service Units and Operating Units
in the allocation of resources and
coordination of care.
Source: Adapted from an Indian Health
Service fact sheet.
Health Reform for American
Indians and Alaska Natives
American Indians and Alaska Natives
(AI/ANs) are celebrating passage of the
historic national health reform law –
the Affordable Care Act, P.L.111-148.
This law will improve the quality of
health care and make it more accessible
and affordable for all Americans,
including Native Americans.
Enactment of the Affordable Care
Act also included the permanent
reauthorization of the Indian Health
Care Improvement Act, which
extends current law and authorizes
new programs and services within the
Indian Health Service.
Upon passage of the IHCIA,
President Barack Obama stated, “Our
responsibility to provide health services
to American Indians and Alaska
Natives derives from the nation-tonation relationship between the federal
and tribal governments. And today,
with this bill, we have taken a critical
step in fulfilling that responsibility by
modernizing the Indian health care
system and improving access to health
care for American Indians and Alaska
Natives.”
Key benefits of health reform
for Native Americans
The Affordable Care Act law applies
to American Indian and Alaska Native
individuals because they are a part
of the U.S. health care system, and
may use sources of health care other
than the Indian Health Service, such
as private or employer-sponsored
health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid,
community health centers and
the Veterans Administration. The
Affordable Care Act provides expanded
health coverage choices for American
Indians and Alaska Natives. Members
of federally recognized Indian tribes
can continue to use the Indian Health
Service –and they can purchase
affordable health care coverage. Based
upon their eligibility, they can also
enroll to receive Medicare, Medicaid
and the Children’s Health Insurance
Program (CHIP) benefits.
The Affordable Care Act also
benefits Indian tribes because they may
purchase insurance for their employees
or their members, with the ability to
offer more affordable insurance options
and reduced costs. The Indian Health
Service and its hospitals and clinics are
also enhanced under the Affordable
Care Act because many provisions
expand coverage or improve the quality
of health care for all Americans,
including under-represented minorities.
When the Affordable Care Act is fully
implemented in 2014, all Americans
will be guaranteed full eligibility,
regardless of any pre-existing health
conditions – this benefit becomes
effective this year for children under the
age of 18. Also effective this year, young
adults up to age 26 will be allowed
to be covered by their parents’ family
insurance plan. In 2014, all health
insurance plans will be prohibited
from imposing any cost limitations on
lifetime coverage benefits.
Calendar of Events
2010 Holiday Clinic Closings
Monthly Staff Training Closings
First Wednesday morning of every month.
Clinic opens at 1 pm on these days.
Heart Savers Classes
To learn more about how to become a
participant in the Heart Saver’s Program
for Type II Diabetes, call Stacy Berg, CVD
Case Manager at (918) 588-1900 ext.
3228.
Nurturing Families Classes
Classes are held every other Wednesday
from 1-2 pm at the IHCRC Satellite office,
1630 S. Main in the Conference Room.
Everyone is welcome – expecting
parents, new or experienced parents and
grandparents! Snacks provided, childcare
provided and transportation available.
Prenatal parents eligible for car seat
drawing (last Wednesday session of the
month) and baby door prizes.
For more information, contact Susan
Dudley, Maternal and Early Childhood
Case Manager at (918) 382-1292;
LaToyia Williams, Healthy Start Case
Manager at 382-1275; Elizabeth
Duncklee, LCSW at 382-3237 or
Margaret McIntosh, Prenatal Assistant at (918) 588-1900 ext. 4256.
Tobacco Cessation Classes
The IHCRC Health and Wellness
Department will be offering a six-week
smoking cessation class to be held on
Wednesday evenings at the IHCRC
Satellite Office, 1630 S. Main. Classes
are held on Wednesdays from 5:307 pm. We ask participants to attend
all six sessions. Interested participants
are eligible to receive Chantix nicotine
replacement therapy patches if they
attend at least four of the six sessions.
IHCRC will see patients on a one-on-one
basis as well, if schedule permits.
For more information or to enroll,
contact Clayton Tselee at (918)
588-1900 ext. 2244.
Council and Camp Fire Community
Family Club
The Native Nations Youth Council and
Camp Fire Community Family Club
meet on an ongoing basis. Contact
Kerri at 588-1900, ext. 3219 for more
information.
Continued to next page
Childhood Obesity Task Force Unveils Action Plan:
Solving the Problem
of Childhood Obesity
Within a Generation
O
n May 11, 2010, the
federal Childhood Obesity
Task Force unveiled its
action plan: “Solving the Problem
of Childhood Obesity Within a
Generation.” In February, First Lady
Michelle Obama launched the Let’s
Move! campaign to solve the childhood
obesity epidemic within a generation.
As part of this effort, President Barack
Obama established the Task Force on
Childhood Obesity to develop and
implement an interagency plan that
details a coordinated strategy, identifies
key benchmarks, and outlines an action
plan to solve the problem of childhood
obesity within a generation.
“For the first time, the nation
will have goals, benchmarks, and
measureable outcomes that will
help us tackle the childhood obesity
epidemic one child, one family, and one
community at a time,” Mrs. Obama
said. “We want to marshal every
resource – public and private sector,
mayors and governors, parents and
educators, business owners and health
care providers, coaches and athletes – to
ensure that we are providing each and
every child the happy, healthy future
they deserve.”
The action plan defines solving the
problem of childhood obesity in a
generation as returning to a childhood
obesity rate of just 5 percent by 2030,
which was the rate before childhood
obesity first began to rise in the late
1970s. In total, the report presents a
series of 70 specific recommendations,
many of which can be implemented
right away. Summarizing them broadly,
they include:
Getting children a healthy start
on life, with good prenatal care for
their parents; support for breastfeeding;
adherence to limits on “screen time”;
and quality child care settings
with nutritious food and ample
opportunity for young children to be
physically active.
Empowering parents and
caregivers with more actionable
messages about nutritional choices
based on the latest Dietary Guidelines
for Americans; improved labels on
food and menus that provide clear
information to help parents make
healthy choices for children; reduced
marketing of unhealthy products to
children; and improved health care
services, including BMI measurement
for all children.
Providing healthy food in
schools, through improvements in
federally-supported school lunches
and breakfasts; upgrading the
nutritional quality of other foods sold
in schools; and improving nutrition
education and the overall health of the
school environment.
Getting children more physically
active, through quality physical
education, recess, and other
IHCRC Native Nations Youth
opportunities in and after school;
addressing aspects of the “built
environment” that make it difficult for
children to walk or bike safely in their
communities; and improving access to
safe parks, playgrounds, and indoor and
outdoor recreational facilities.
Improving access to healthy,
affordable food, by eliminating
“food deserts” in urban and rural
America; lowering the relative
prices of healthier foods; developing
or reformulating food products to
be healthier; and reducing the
incidence of hunger, which has been
linked to obesity.
NNYC will hold regular meetings on the
first and third Thursday of the month,
from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Youth Services
of Tulsa Activity Center, located at 311
S. Madison Avenue, just a few blocks
northwest of the IHCRC main clinic.
Healthy food and refreshments will be
provided. Upcoming events:
July 16-20 – National UNITY Conference
– San Diego.
August 5 – NNYC Dinner and Discussion
(6:30-8:30 pm). We will meet at the Youth
Services of Tulsa Activity Center at 6pm
for dinner and fellowship. The attendees
at the National UNITY Conference
will share their experiences at UNITY
Conference and will lead a discussion
about developing plans for fall activities
for the Native Nations Youth Council.
TBA – Honoring Our Elders Inaugural
NNYC Golf Tournament (tentative).
Concept is under development – event
may be held in late summer.
TBA – Back to School Gathering. Details
still under development; event will be
scheduled sometime before school
resumes.
Healthy Snacks Class
Diabetes Facts
Diabetes prevalence among Native Americans has reached
epidemic proportions. Consider the following recent statistics
from the Indian Health Service:
•18.8% of American Indian and Alaska Native adults have
been diagnosed with diabetes (compared with 8.7% of nonHispanic whites)
•A 68% increase in diabetes has occurred from 1994 to
2004 among American Indian and Alaska Native youth aged
15-19 years
•An estimated 30% of American Indians and Alaska Natives
have pre-diabetes
•The death rate due to diabetes for American Indians and
Alaska Natives is three times higher as compared with the
general U.S. population (2004)
Source: Indian Health Service “Diabetes in American Indians and Alaska
Natives: Facts At-a-Glance” ( June 2008)
Learn how to make quick, easy, and
healthy snacks! Classes are held once a
month on the last Tuesday of the month.
Classes are held at the IHCRC Satellite
Office, 1630 S. Main. Contact Alison
Forsythe (918) 588-1900, ext. 3216 with
any questions.
Kids Group Exercise
This class will resume in September. If
you want to meet other kids and get
some exercise, this is your chance!
Classes are held at Central Community
Center every Tuesday from 4:30-5:30 pm
– except for the last Tuesday of the
month when Snack Class is held instead
(see above). Contact Alison Forsythe
(918) 588-1900, ext. 3216 for answers to
any questions.
Walking Class
DeAnna Douthit and Kay Meek will be
hosting a walking class July 8 and 22.
Class will be held at Centennial Park,
located at 6th and Peoria, just across
the street south of IHCRC. The class will
include a walk and a tour of the Pearl
Farmers Market. This class is open to all
Health Education and Wellness department patients. Please call to reserve your
place in class by calling 918-382-2226.
Mammography
Department ExcelS
By Edward E. Rogers, IHCRC Credentialing Coordinator
Karen McAhren, Diagnostic Imaging Supervisor, inspects the new digital x-ray
equipment during installation.
For the second year in a row, Indian
Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa
(IHCRC) is thrilled to announce again a
dramatic increase in the number of Native
American women who received a screening
mammogram from our Diagnostic
Imaging Department.
This achievement was accomplished by
Karen McAhren, ARRT, who was hired as
IHCRC’s mammographer in January 2008.
Under Karen’s leadership, IHCRC’s annual
mammogram exam productivity increased
the past two years to three times the
level achieved in previous years. In 2008,
1,213 screening exams were conducted
and in 2009, mammographic screening
exams increased even further to 1,353. The
dramatic increase in mammographic exams
has helped ensure IHCRC patients are
being adequately screened for breast cancer
and referred for further diagnosis and
treatment when needed.
The significant increase in the number of
mammogram exams helped pave the way
for an increase in the annual grant funding
received by IHCRC from the Tulsa
Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
– up from $64,782 in 2008 and $105,089
in 2009 (for a 15-month project period),
to $109,030 in 2010 (for a 12-month
project period). IHCRC would like to
extend its thanks for all of the support the
Komen Tulsa Affiliate has shown to our
organization since 2000.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure and
the Komen Tulsa Affiliate
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying
sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do
everything in her power to end breast
cancer forever. In 1982, that promise
became Susan G. Komen for the
Cure and launched the global breast
cancer movement. The Tulsa Affiliate
of Komen for the Cure is working to
better the lives of those facing breast
cancer in the local community. They
join more than a million breast cancer
survivors and activists around the globe
as part of the world’s largest and most
progressive grassroots network fighting
breast cancer. Through events like the
Komen Tulsa Race for the Cure, the
Tulsa Affiliate has invested over $3.5
million in community breast health
programs in Tulsa County. Up to 75
percent of net proceeds generated by
the local Tulsa Affiliate stays in Tulsa.
The remaining income goes to the
national Susan G. Komen for the Cure
grants program to fund research. For
more information, call (918) 744-5099
or visit www.komentulsa.org.
Diagnostic Imaging Digitizes First Patient
On June 2, Cherry L. Temple became
our first patient to experience
the newly installed, state-of-the-art
digital x-ray equipment now being used
in the Diagnostic Imaging Department
of Indian Health Care Resource Center
of Tulsa.
“It was amazing to see the
automation and high tech movement
and processing of this equipment.
Once the x-ray technologist keyed in
all of the information for my exam, it
automatically tracked my position and
took a series of images, as requested
by my doctor at Indian Health Care.
It was an awesome and enlightening
experience,” said Cherry.
Beth Conner, IHCRC Diagnostic
Imaging Technologist, explains, “The
new Carestream system is much more
efficient than our previous filmbased photographic x-ray system. It
produces highly detailed images and
the execution from start to finish is
exceptional. I believe this equipment
will facilitate our department’s ability to
handle more volume, while providing a
higher quality of care for our patients.”
Five of Carestream’s engineers –
Kelly Hammack, Brandon Chambers,
David Bonine, Randy Bigler and
Robert Morley – installed and
calibrated the new Kodak Carestream
DIRECTVIEW Digital Radiography
(DR 7500) digital x-ray equipment.
Carestream Applications Specialist
Kim Hubbert trained Karen McAhren,
IHCRC’s Diagnostic Imaging
Supervisor, Karly Fenscke, Diagnostic
Imaging Clerk/Technologist and Beth
on the correct usage of the new
digital equipment.
We are most appreciative of the
philanthropic support provided by
the H.A. and Mary K. Chapman
Charitable Trust and the Mary K.
Chapman Foundation and the Susan G.
Komen for the Cure – Tulsa Affiliate to
help finance our facility digital imaging
equipment improvement project.
Cherry L. Temple is our first patient to benefit from IHCRC’s new digital imaging equipment.
Benefits of digital radiology
be used to assist in image analysis
and diagnoses to get a more precise
picture of a medical condition.
• Reduced radiation exposure to
patients. With digital radiology
there’s less of a chance patients will
need to be called back to retake
images due to poor exposures.
Digital radiography can reduce
retakes by compensating for
exposure variations.
• Improvement in customer service.
Kodak Carestream PACS / Dashboard
The installation of the new digital x-ray
and mammography systems at Indian
Health Care represent achievement of
a major milestone. The cost to convert
all of our x-ray systems from film-based
systems to digital imaging and record
storage totaled nearly $1 million. The
move to all digital imaging systems
will be followed next year by IHCRC’s
implementation of an electronic health
record system.
The benefits from digital radiology
are significant. By moving to a filmless
system, physicians are able to view the
requested digital image on a desktop
personal computer, just minutes after
the examination is performed. The
digital images can be easily viewed by
physicians and specialists who are miles
apart. This capability is particularly
helpful when referrals must be made
to area Indian hospitals or Medicaid/
Medicare providers for additional
diagnosis and/or treatment. Conversion
to digital imaging will complement
IHCRC’s conversion to an electronic
health record system and adoption of
telehealth technologies.
Key benefits of digital radiography and
mammography include:
• Improved image quality. Easy-touse image processing tools such as
contrast and color enhancement can
By moving to a
filmless system,
physicians are
able to view the
requested digital
image on a desktop
personal computer,
just minutes after
the examination is
performed.
With instantaneous results, patients
will have shorter wait times and
improved communication with their
physicians. Patients can have their
x-rays or mammograms placed on
a compact disk to take to another
physician or hospital.
• Simplifies film image storage and
facilitates image retrieval. Since
images are stored digitally, there is
no film storage which saves physical
space needed for conventional
film storage. Films are no longer
at risk of being lost – the stored
images can be easily retrieved using
basic computer file management
technology.
• Ability to share images. The
physician can send digital images
anywhere in the world electronically
to be viewed on a workstation by
another physician to secure their
opinion.
• Decrease in cost and improved
productivity. No film, no chemicals,
no hazardous waste, no darkroom.
Daily film processor maintenance
chores are eliminated.
Transitions in Diagnostic Imaging
It was with a heavy heart that the staff at Indian Health
Care said goodbye to Ruth Simpson on April 30, 2010. In
recognition of her outstanding service and commitment to
IHCRC as an x-ray technician, Judy Gibson, CFO, presented
Ruth with a Pendleton blanket at a going away ceremony
held in her honor. This recognition was made to convey the
respect the IHCRC management and staff have had for Ruth
and her job performance at IHCRC.
Ruth was hired in November 2004, as an x-ray tech in the
Diagnostic Imaging department. Because of her pleasant
demeanor, dedicated work ethic and team player attitude,
Ruth quickly became a favorite of both staff and patients.
All of the health providers knew that Ruth would provide a
quality product and was not afraid to stay late or to do what
was needed to get the job done.
Ruth first came to IHCRC in June 2004 as a participant
in the Senior Community Service Employment Program
of AARP. This program is geared at providing seniors with
recent work experience and new skills from which full time
employment may be possible. We certainly found a winner
when Ruth arrived at IHCRC. Upon her new retirement, Ruth
has relocated to Arkansas, where she is helping take care of
a family member.
Ruth Simpson is presented a going away cake by Hope Cates and
Gary Phippen.
express my thanks to IHCRC for
giving me this opportunity and to
say that I will and already do miss
Ruth very much and feel that I
learned so much from her,”
said Beth.
Beth Conner, X-ray
Technician
Elizabeth “Beth” Conner, RT (R)
joined IHCRC in July 2009 as
the Diagnostic Imaging clerk
and backup x-ray technician.
On May 1, 2010, she was
promoted to the X-ray Tech
position. Beth graduated
from the Tulsa Community
College with an Associates
Degree in Applied Science in
Radiography/X-ray. She passed
the ARRT Registry in May 2009
and is a Certified Registered
Radiologic Technologist. Beth
has a daughter named Abigail
“Abi” Mackenzie. “I would like to
Karly Fenscke, X-ray
Tech and Diagnostic
Imaging Clerk
Karly Fenscke, RT (R) joined
IHCRC in May of 2010 as the
Diagnostic Imaging clerk and
back up x-ray technician. She is
26 years old and has a threeyear-old son named Jake.
Karly graduated from the Tulsa
Community College in May of
2009 with an Associate Degree in
Applied Science in Radiography/
X-ray. Karly passed the AART
Registry in May 2009 and is a
Certified Registered Radiologic
Technologist.
Raymond Arsee, MLT,
Lab Technician
Raymond “Ray” Arsee, MLT
joined the IHCRC Medical
Department in January as a lab
technician. Ray comes to IHCRC
from the Okmulgee Memorial
Hospital where he worked as a
Medical Lab Tech. Previously, he
was employed as the Medical
Technologist at the W. W.
Hastings Indian Hospital and as
a Medical Lab Tech/Coagulation
Supervisor at the Okemah
Community Hospital. Ray is licensed by the
American Society for Clinical
Pathology Board of Registry
as a Medical Laboratory
Technician (MLT). Ray received
an Associates of Science in
Medical Laboratory Tech from the
Seminole State College where he
earned placement on the Dean’s
Academic Achievement List. He
also attended the Northeastern
State University (NSU) where he
studied medical technology
and chemistry.
Ray enjoys drawing and
painting and recently finished a
tattoo design for a friend. He is
also a huge car fanatic. He enjoys
drawing/designing cars and
working on cars, when he’s not
busy enjoying sports or spending
time with his family.
Meet
Dr. Yvette
Roubideaux
Director, Indian Health Service
One year after her confirmation by
the U.S. Senate as the new Director
of the Indian Health Service last
May, Dr. Yvette Roubideaux has now
been on the job since May 12, 2009.
Yvette Roubideaux, MD, MPH, is a
member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe,
South Dakota. The Indian Health
Service (IHS), an agency within the
Department of Health and Human
Services, is the principal federal
health care advocate and provider for
American Indians and Alaska Natives.
The IHS was created in 1955 to deliver
health services to Indian people in
accord with the federal government’s
trust responsibility to Indian Tribes,
acknowledged in treaties, statutes, court
decisions and Executive Orders.
As the IHS Director, Dr. Roubideaux
administers a $4 billion nationwide
health care delivery program
composed of 12 administrative
Area (regional) Offices. The IHS is
responsible for providing preventive,
curative, and community health care
to approximately 1.9 million of the
nation’s 3.3 million American Indians
and Alaska Natives in hospitals, clinics
and other settings throughout the
United States.
Dr. Roubideaux previously worked
for IHS for three years as a clinical
director and medical officer at the
San Carlos Service Unit on the San
Carlos Apache Indian reservation in
Arizona, and she worked for one year
as a medical officer at the Hu Hu Kam
Memorial Indian Hospital on the Gila
River Indian reservation in Arizona.
Dr. Roubideaux recently served
as assistant professor of family and
community medicine at the University
of Arizona College of Medicine. Dr.
Roubideaux has conducted extensive
research on American Indian health
issues, with a focus on diabetes in
American Indians/Alaska Natives and
American Indian health policy. Dr.
Roubideaux served as the co-director
of the Special Diabetes Program for
Indians Demonstration Projects, in
which 66 American Indian and Alaska
Native communities are implementing
diabetes prevention and cardiovascular
disease prevention initiatives. She also
served as director of two University
of Arizona programs designed to
recruit American Indian and Alaska
Native students into health and
research professions.
Dr. Roubideaux received her medical
degree from Harvard Medical School
in 1989 and completed a residency
program in primary care internal
medicine at Brigham and Women’s
Hospital in Boston in 1992. She
completed her Master of Public Health
degree at the Harvard School of Public
Health in 1997. She also completed
the Commonwealth Fund/Harvard
University Fellowship in Minority
Health Policy before transitioning to a
career in academic medicine and
public health.
She is a past president of the
Association of American Indian
Physicians and co-editor of the
American Public Health Association’s
book “Promises to Keep: Public Health
Policy for American Indians and
Alaska Natives in the 21st Century.”
She has authored several monographs
and peer-reviewed publications on
American Indian/Alaska Native health
issues, research and policy.
Sources: IHS
SoonerCare eligibility to go online with
No Wrong Door
In an effort to make it easier for
eligible children and adults to receive
SoonerCare health insurance coverage,
the Oklahoma Health Care Authority
has developed an online enrollment
process called No Wrong Door. No
Wrong Door is an online enrollment
process that creates a single-point-ofentry eligibility intake to determine an
applicant’s SoonerCare eligibility. With
a projected “go live” startup in July, the
No Wrong Door enrollment process
will remove many obstacles and “open
the door” to thousands of low-income,
uninsured Oklahomans.
With the new No Wrong Door
system, IHCRC’s eligibility staff will
be able to enroll potential Native
American SoonerCare children “on
the spot” without need for the parent
to supply any paperwork (the system
is tied to state employment and other
databases). It will even be possible for
IHCRC to complete an enrollment or
annual eligibility recertification
over the telephone.
Because there are no co-payments
to use Oklahoma’s SoonerCare health
system, this is one of the big “selling
points” for Native American parents
to enroll their children in SoonerCare.
A child who enrolled in SoonerCare
will gain access to a broad network
of health services that are often very
difficult to access through IHS contract
health, including dental, behavioral
health and medical specialists, and even
access to hospital emergency rooms.
Many working parents mistakenly
think SoonerCare eligibility is available
only for the unemployed or families
with incomes below the federal
poverty level. In fact, the children
in a family of four with a household
income of $40,000 a year are eligible
for free SoonerCare health insurance.
SoonerCare coverage is available for
children of all ages, from infants to
teenagers up to age 19. SoonerCare will
also pay for prenatal care and family
planning (birth control) services.
SoonerCare
health
insurance
New grant promotes enrollment in the Child
Health Insurance Program
By Russell Burkhart, IHCRC Director of Planning and Development
IHCRC of Tulsa is one of 41 health
programs operated by Indian tribes,
tribal organizations and urban health
Indian organizations recently awarded
a federal grant to encourage Native
children to enroll in state Medicaid
and the Children’s Health Insurance
Programs (CHIP). The grants were
made by the US Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) to help improve outreach and
enrollment of American Indian and
Alaska Native (AI/AN) uninsured
children eligible for, but not enrolled in
Medicaid and CHIP. IHCRC received
the maximum grant award of $300,000
for the three-year project.
According to HHS Secretary
Kathleen Sebelius, “There are thousands
of uninsured American Indian and
Alaska Native children across the
country who are eligible for health
coverage under Medicaid or CHIP, but
not enrolled.” To be eligible for these
grants, AI/AN health providers were
required to demonstrate credibility
with their local tribal and urban Indian
communities in conducting outreach
and enrollment activities.
“We are glad to know that these
grantees will be working in new ways
to specifically reach out to American
Indian and Alaska Native children and
families,” said Cindy Mann, director
of the CMS Center for Medicaid
and State Operations. In addition
to IHCRC, the Cherokee Nation,
Northeastern Tribal Health System,
Choctaw Nation and the Absentee
Shawnee Tribe received grants to serve
Oklahoma tribal members.
Oklahoma has the eighth highest
uninsured rate in the nation. In 2006,
an estimated 85,000 children aged 18
and under had household incomes that
qualified them for SoonerCare benefits,
yet they were not enrolled.
Melissa Still, CHIPRA
Outreach Coordinator
Melissa Still joined Indian Health
Care Resource Center of Tulsa
(IHCRC) as the CHIPRA Project
Coordinator in the Eligibility
department in early June. The
Children’s Health Insurance
Program Reauthorization Act
of 2009 (CHIPRA) is designed
to expand coverage to children
without health insurance and to
improve the quality of pediatric
care. With the benefit of a CHIPRA
grant, IHCRC conducts outreach
to educate Native Americans about
the benefits and availability of
free SoonerCare health insurance
available through the Oklahoma
Health Care Authority.
Melissa comes to IHCRC from
a medical spa in Fort Smith,
Arkansas where she worked as
the marketing director and also
assisted the internal medicine
doctor and the clinical aesthetician.
During this time period, she earned
and was issued an Esthetics
license from the Arkansas State
Board of Cosmetology, a 600 hour
program. Melissa graduated from
the Southside High School in Fort
Smith, Arkansas. She attended
the University of Arkansas where
she obtained general education
requirements. She transferred to
John Brown University in Siloam
Springs, Arkansas to complete
her studies, earning a Bachelor
of Science degree in Business
Administration with an emphasis in
Organizational Management.
Restoring
Harmony
Pow Wow
A Great Success
By Tim Shadlow, IHCRC Indian Youth Program Coordinator and
Tamara Newcomb, PhD, IHCRC GSRH System of Care/SONY Project Director
O
n Saturday, May 8,
2010, the Tulsa Indian
Community Advisory
Team (TICAT), the Strength &
Restoring Harmony (GSRH) System
of Care and the Native Nations Youth
Council presented the 3rd Annual
Restoring Harmony Pow Wow at
the Westside YMCA. The Restoring
Harmony Pow Wow was presented
in partnership with Indian Health
Care Resource Center of Tulsa’s
(IHCRC) GSRH System of Care
and Strengthening Our Native Youth
(SONY) Methamphetamine and
Suicide Prevention programs.
The Restoring Harmony Pow Wow
is an annual celebration to recognize
National Children’s Mental Health
Awareness Day. Over 800 people
attended the event including spectators,
dancers, singers, volunteers, arts and
crafts vendors and exhibitor booths.
The pow wow was a great success,
thanks to all of the community support
and involvement. We could not have
asked for a better day and location for
our children and their families to be
together around the arena. Emcees provide the energy necessary
for a successful pow wow and IHCRC
would like to thank our masters of
ceremonies, Mr. Mark Wilson and
Mr. Robby Boston, for providing that
energy. As well, we want to give a
special thank you to Mr. Rob Anquoe,
Arena Director, for keeping the arena
in rhythm while taking care of the
drums, dancers and arena activities.
Aho (thank you).
We had several speakers (youth,
elders and mental health professionals)
throughout the day emphasizing
the importance of mental health
and its relation to overall wellness.
Our keynote speakers were Ms.
Carrie Slatton Hodges, Oklahoma
Department of Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Services
(ODMHSAS) Deputy Commissioner,
Mr. Jeff Tallent, Executive Director
Intertribal Dancers (l-r): Savannah Waters (Head Girl Dancer), Josh Graham Badoni, Eligea Crowels and Jiles Pourier (Head Man Dancer).
of the Evolution Foundation and
Oklahoma Federation of Families
consultant, and Ms. Jackie Shipp,
ODMHSAS Director of Community
Based Services. Mental health
awareness messages were also posted on
signs around the arena by members of
the Native Nations Youth Council.
This special day started with a
Mental Health Awareness and
Wellness Walk led by IHCRC Activity
Specialist Kevin Heeney. Following the
walk, Native American sports historian
Mr. Matt Roberts (principal at Owasso
High School) educated the group
and celebrated the history of Native
American athletes. Next up on the
event program, the Euchee language
program students demonstrated
some unique and fun ways to teach
their Native language. Following the
language program presentation, the
ceremonial activities got underway in
the arena with gourd dancing. A prayer
was offered for the host gourd dancer
“Dwayne Cahwee” and his family, as
they recently experienced the loss of
a family member and were unable
to attend. As is our custom, Native
American people are always ready to
help and we were fortunate to have a
representative from the Pawnee Black
Beard Descendants step up and assume
the position of Head Gourd Dancer.
A pow wow is not a pow wow
without beautiful songs – a thousand
Aho’s to Mr. Lance Goodfox, Head
Singer and Ryan Goodfox, Head Youth
singer. Mr. Joe Don Waters led the host
Northern Drum, Tall Grass, and the
Red Land drum group also represented
the Northern Drum. Many songs
were sung and members of the Native
Nations Youth Council were invited
and received the opportunity to sing
with these well respected drum groups.
We want to recognize and thank our
Head Man and Lady dancers, Mr. Jiles
T. Pourier and Ms. Claudia Tyner Little
Axe. Also, special thanks go out to our
Continued to next page
Head Boy and Girl dancers,
Talon Ray Satepauhoodle and
Savannah Jo Waters.
Last, but certainly not least, thank
you to the pow wow staff for their
tireless and dedicated commitment to
the event. Every element of the event
went smoothly including morning
activities, afternoon gourd dancing,
vendor and exhibitor booths, dinner,
Grand Entry, and pow wow contest
dancing.
In closing, we would like to thank all
of you for attending the 2010 Restoring
Harmony Pow Wow and helping us
bring awareness to and destigmatize
mental health issues. Please walk in
beauty and we’ll see you next year…
Dance Contest Winners
Golden Age Women
1st Place – Anoli Wood
2nd Place – Martha St. John
3rd Place – Claira McIntosh
Junior/Teen Boys Fancy
1st Place – Thunder Lieb
2nd Place – Josh Badoni
3rd Place – Kyle Sine
Many Thanks to our 2010 Restoring
Harmony Pow Wow Sponsors
Association of American Indian
Physicians (AAIP)
Billy Sims BBQ
Carmelita Skeeter
Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa
Buffalo Nickel Creative
Louis and Michelle Gray
Flintco Construction
Brittany Hill
Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa
Litefoot Enterprises
Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma
Osage Nation Counseling Center
Pat Noah
Pahsetopah family
Parkside Psychiatric Hospital and Clinic
Goldie Phillips
Sand Springs Indian Education Parent
Committee
Shadow Mountain Behavioral
Health/Eagle Creek
Tulsa Indian Club
Tulsa Two Spirits Society
Dorcas Williams
Joe Don Waters and family
Westside Tulsa YMCA
Wraparound Tulsa
Youth Services of Tulsa
2010 Restoring Harmony
Pow Wow Head Staff
Head Singer: Lance Goodfox
Head Youth Singer: Ryan Goodfox
Head Northern Drum: Tallgrass
Head Man Dancer: Jiles Pourier
Head Lady Dancer: Talon Satepauhoodle
Head Girl Dancer: Savannah Waters
Head Gourd Dancer: Lorenzo Beard
Head Youth Gourd Group: Pawnee Black
Beard Descendants
Master of Ceremonies: Mark Wilson
Youth Master of Ceremonies: Robby Boston
Arena Director: Rob Anquoe
Color Guard: Muscogee Honor Guard
Golden Age Men
1st Place – Gene Tsatoke
2nd Place – Jimmy Johnson
3rd Place – Charles Harjo
Junior/Teen Girls Fancy & Jingle
1st Place – Tayloure Baker
2nd Place – Brionna Badoni
3rd Place – Camiyah Hooper
Junior/Teen Girls Cloth
1st Place – Tara Goodfox
2nd Place – Cher Satepauhoodle
3rd Place – Avery LeClair
Junior/Teen Girls Buckskin/Traditional
1st Place – Julie Wakeford
2nd Place – Nazhoni Tsosie
3rd Place – Amy Rudman
Junior/Teen Boys Traditional/Grass
1st Place – Wolf Leitka
1st Place – Terrence Harjo
2nd Place – Zane Baker
Junior/Teen Boys Straight
1st – Robert Pratt
2nd Place – Ian Shawnee
3rd Place – Forest Red Elk
Amos Satepauhoodle, Youth Fancy Dance contestant.
Above: Mental Health Awareness and Wellness Walk participants. Below: Indian Princesses representing various community and tribal organizations.
Tiny Tot Dancers.
Seminole Color Guard Representatives.
Round Dance led by Jiles Pourier (Head Man Dancer)
Addressing the mental health needs of young children and their families
Young children experience mental
health challenges that impact early
learning, social interactions, and the
overall well-being of their families.
It is estimated that between 9% and
14% of children from birth to 5 years
of age experience social and emotional
problems that negatively affect their
functioning and development. Among
babies, signs of depression can include
inconsolable crying, slow growth, and
sleep problems.
Mental health challenges among
young children occur within the
context of early childhood growth
and development, during which
children develop self-control and
learn to tolerate frustration. For
example, although temper tantrums
may be developmentally normal for
toddlers, tantrums characterized by
self-destructive behaviors or aggressive
behavior toward people or property can
indicate that emotional and behavioral
problems are present. A young child
who withdraws regularly from social
situations and experiences fear when
interacting with others may have
mental health needs.
Providing effective age-appropriate
services and supports to young children
and their families has immediate, as
well as lifelong benefits. Young children
who receive effective age-appropriate
services and supports are more likely
to complete high school, have fewer
contacts with law enforcement
and improve their ability to live
independently.
Systems of Care
at IHCRC:
The Systems of
Care Approach
Systems of care is a national service
delivery model that uses a communitybased approach to promote positive
mental health outcomes for children
and youth from birth through 21 years
of age and their families.
The mental health symptoms of
young children can also affect the wellbeing of their caregivers and families.
Caregivers of young children entering
systems of care report their own
emotional well-being and family
lives are often strained due to their
child’s problems.
The focus of systems of care to
provide family-driven, culturally and
linguistically competent, evidencebased services and supports is
ideally suited to address the mental
health needs of young children and
their families.
Systems of care facilitate
coordination among each child’s service
providers, including preschools, schools,
child protective services, primary care,
and mental health providers. Families
partner with public and private
organizations to develop individualized
service plans for their children that
build on child and family strengths to
establish effective services and supports
in the least restrictive settings possible.
Tailoring mental health programs
and services to individual child needs
can promote the success of young
children in preschool and school
environments. Children who enter
kindergarten with effective social
skills generally have an easier time
developing relationships with peers and
do better in school. Young children’s
social and emotional skills are strong
predictors of academic success in the
first grade.
Systems of care help children, youth
and families thrive at home, in school
and in the community throughout
their lives. The federal Systems of Care
program is supported through funding
provided by Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA).
Source: Edited from the report,
Addressing the Mental Health Needs
of Young Children and Their Families,
released in 2010 by Health and
Human Services, SAMHSA. http://
www.samhsa.gov/children/docs/MH_
Needs_Children_Families.pdf
Gathering Strength and
Restoring Harmony
Through a partnership with the Oklahoma
Department of Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services, Indian Health
Care Resource Center of Tulsa (IHCRC)
provides Systems of Care services to
Native American children and youth with
emotional and behavioral health needs.
IHCRC developed its Gathering Strength
& Restoring Harmony system of care
with the input and guidance we received
from local Indian community members
who participated in our Circles of Care
children’s behavioral health planning
process conducted during 2005-2008.
At IHCRC, we use the systems of care
approach to create partnerships with
mental health professionals, providers
from community agencies (maybe a
teacher or probation counselor) and
friends of the family (could include
relatives, neighbors, close friends, coworkers). Working together with the child
and the family, the partners develop a
tailored set of treatment and support
services to meet the physical, emotional,
social, educational needs of the child
and family. The Gathering Strength &
Restoring Harmony staff work closely with
the family to identify the strengths
of the youth and family and develop a set
of supports.
Families work closely with a Care
Coordinator and Family Support Provider
to identify natural supports and service
providers to form a Family Team. The
team works with the family to develop
an individualized plan of care to assist
in meeting the youth’s emotional,
educational, intellectual, physical,
family, cultural and social needs. Family
strengths and culture are used to meet
needs and reach goals. Above all, every
family has ownership of the decisions that
affect their lives.
For more information about IHCRC’s
Gathering Strength – Restoring
Harmony program, contact Tamara
Newcomb at 382-2201 or by email at
[email protected].
Andrea “Andie” Doyle, Donne W. Pitman, C.L. Henson and Jason Doyle.
20 Annual Dance
of the Two Moons
th
The Dance of the Two Moons returned
to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
Tulsa Saturday, April 24 with over 400
guests in attendance. Twenty years
strong, the Dance of the Two Moons is
the annual fundraising event of Indian
Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa.
Monies raised at the Dance of the
Two Moons support our pediatric
programs. This year, the funds are
helping support our summer wellness
camps and the Food for Life program.
Our summer camps enable over 400
Native American children to attend one
of IHCRC’s summer wellness camps
at no cost. These camps provide a full
schedule of team building, exercise and
nutrition education activities for
Native children.
The Dance of the Two Moons
featured an entertaining and enjoyable
evening of activities. The event began
with an exceptional dinner and silent
auction, followed by traditional Native
American dancing performed by Mike
and Lisa Pahsetopah. A live auction
was conducted by Dan Duckwall of
Duckwall Auctions. As has been our
recent custom, the Fabulous Mid-Life
Crisis Band kept the party lively and
our guests dancing.
The 2010 Dance of the Two Moons
Honoree was Mr. Donne Pitman,
Manager, Chapman Foundations
Management, LLC. The Chapman
Foundations are strong supporters of
Indian Health Care and recognize
many children do not have guaranteed
access to quality health care and
health education activities. Mr. Pitman
and the Chapman Foundations share
IHCRC’s commitment to help
reduce health disparities and promote
healthy living.
Guests joined in the honoring
of our special guests with the
presentation of either a Pendleton
blanket or Native American shawl.
Honorees included Mr. Donne
Pitman, Mr. Bert Marshall, President
of Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Oklahoma, and Mr. Brad Carter,
Chief Operating Officer for Carter
Healthcare. IHCRC also recognized
several staff members, including
Deanna Holman, Accounting
Supervisor for over 25 years of service
and Emily Bolusky, Public Relations
Manager for her ongoing dedication
and efforts to stage the Dance of the
Two Moons.
Donna Henry and Aquila Loftus provided photography
services and Claude Denize monitored the auction table.
Special guests in attendance were
Ross Swimmer - Special Trustee
for American Indians at the US
Department of the Interior,
C.L. Henson of Phoenix, Arizona previous Director of Administration,
Office of Indian Education and
Deputy Director at the Bureau of
Indian Affairs in Washington, DC,
and Rear Admiral Kevin Meeks Oklahoma City Area Director of the
Indian Health Service.
Beth Conner assisted with both the silent and live auctions.
Volunteers make Dance of the Two Moons 20th Anniversary a memorable event
By Edward Rogers, IHCRC Volunteer Coordinator
I am very pleased to report 2010 was a
record year for volunteer support and
participation in the 20th annual Dance
of the Two Moons held April 24 at the
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tulsa.
Volunteer staff from Indian Health
Care Resource Center, RSVP and
the community stepped up in larger
numbers than ever before to make the
2010 Dance of Two Moons a success.
They got to work as early as midJanuary and stayed on task until the
clean up was completed after the night
of the event. As they are the brick,
mortar and glue that facilitated and
that held the event together, I would
like to extend a special thank you to all
who volunteered for this event.
Highlights of this year’s recordsetting volunteer effort for the Dance of
the Two Moons include:
• Volunteers Kristen Treager, Patty
Vogel and Ann F. Ellis spent 27
hours on the telephone making calls
•
•
•
•
to request silent auction
item donations
27 volunteers attended the preevent volunteer orientation and
training session
41 volunteers assisted with the
event set up
40 volunteers assisted during
the event
A total of 407 volunteer hours
were contributed to coordinate
and facilitate the event
2010 Dance of the Two Moons
Honorary Chair
Mr. Donne Pitman, Manager, Chapman
Foundations Management, LLC
Board Chairperson
Dr. Jay Anderson
Presenting Sponsor
H.A. & Mary K. Chapman
Charitable Trust
Premier Sponsor
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Wolf Sponsors
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma
Carter Healthcare, Inc.
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Jim And Sharon Ruley
Emily Bolusky, IHCRC PR Manager is honored with a shawl.
Bear Sponsors
Bank of Oklahoma, N.A.
Public Service Company of Oklahoma
Buffalo Sponsors
Chickasaw Nation
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Delores Titchywy Sumner
Turtle Sponsors
Dr. Jay and Nancy Anderson
Bacone College
Jim and Janet Cameron
Eller & Detrich, P.C.
Flintco, Inc.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa
Hille Foundation
Marrs Electric
Medical Professionals, LLC
Regional Medical Lab
Summit Bank
Tulsa Housing Authority
Ken Ray Underwood Law Offices
Lee and David O. Marks, DDS, Nancy Anderson and Dr. Denny Southard.
Dance of Two Moons attendees dance to the music of the Fabulous Mid Life Crisis Band.
2010 Dance of the Two Moons Coordination
Donne Pitman, Honorary Chair
Jay Anderson, DDS, Indian Health Care Board of Trustees
Member
Donna Birkenfeld, IHCRC Optometry Clerk
Emily Bolusky, IHCRC Public Relations Manager
Beth Conner, IHCRC Diagnostic Imaging Clerk
Heather Curl, IHCRC Claims Clerk
Claude Denize, PA-C, IHCRC Physician Assistant
Susan Dudley-Spring, IHCRC Maternal and Early Childhood
Case Manager
Steve Eberle, IHCRC Community Food and Garden
Coordinator
Janice Edmiston, V.P., Indian Health Care Board of Trustees
Ann F. Ellis, Community Volunteer
Elizabeth Fair, IHCRC Medical Records Supervisor
Judy Gibson, IHCRC CFO
Eddie Hathcoat, IHCRC COO
Brandi Hines, IHCRC Medical Receptionist Lead
Angie Lanning, IHCRC Medical Assisstant
Karen Rodgers, IHCRC Registered/Licensed Dietitian
Edward E. Rogers, IHCRC Credentialing Coordinator
Tim Shadlow, IHCRC Indian Youth Program Coordinator
Holly Shinnen, PA-C, IHCRC Physician Assistant
Nicky Shinnen, Community Volunteer
Carmelita Skeeter, IHCRC CEO
Shawn M. Williams, IHCRC Appointment Clerk
Shirley Schelper, Billie Reeder with granddaughter and Jimmy Reeder.
Donne Pitman, Honoree, is honored with
a Pendleton blanket.
Julia and Marcy Wakeford.
David Haggard, MD with Margaret and Ross O. Swimmer.
Success Story:
Surviving
Loopy Lupus
Two years ago Amber Reeder noticed the
first symptoms of her disease. At first, she just
didn’t feel quite herself or fully well. She felt
tired and couldn’t sleep.
For about nine months, she attributed
her symptoms to the stress of going
through a divorce and raising a
seven-year-old son who was acting
out because he didn’t understand her
recent behaviors. It was after the onset
of extreme hair loss, becoming more
forgetful and experiencing pain
from head to toe that finally grabbed
her attention.
While visiting her grandparents,
Jimmy and Billie Reeder, she visited
Indian Health Care Resource Center
of Tulsa (IHCRC) as a walk-in patient.
It was then she met Claude Denize,
PA-C, the physician assistant who
was examining walk-in patients. “His
concern concerned me. He ran a large
panel of lab tests including a leukemia
screen,” said Amber. Although the
initial tests came back negative, Claude
insisted they stay on top of the situation
by continuing the diagnostic testing
until they could identify the problem.
Finally, Claude ran a lupus lab panel
last September, which resulted in a
diagnosis of both systemic lupus
erythematosus and rheumatoid
arthritis.
One of the symptoms of lupus is
inflammation of the blood vessels of
the brain which causes memory loss,
extreme headaches and affects overall
cognition. Since verbosity is a big
part of Amber’s persona, she knew
the disease was affecting her thought
processes and communication skills.
Lupus is a disease
known for a
rollercoaster ride
of flare ups and
remissions.
Once Claude made the diagnosis,
he started Amber on all medically
appropriate treatments available at
IHCRC – yet he knew being seen by
a rheumatologist was still essential for
her full recovery. Claude solicited the
help of Eddie Hathcoat, IHCRC’s
Chief Operating Officer to assist
in making referrals to all qualifying
clinics and hospitals in Oklahoma and
several of the surrounding states – but
all to no avail. Unwilling to accept
failure, Claude and Eddie petitioned
the Oklahoma Medical Research
Foundation for a referral. They referred
Amber to the Health Sciences Center
of the University of Oklahoma (OU)
where there is a whole department
devoted to both lupus and
rheumatoid arthritis.
(l-r): Eddie Hathcoat,
Amber Reeder and
Claude Denize, PA-C
Initially, OU’s staff thought Claude
had misdiagnosed Amber as having
both lupus and rheumatoid arthritis,
as it is extremely rare to have both
diseases. But in the end, the OU
physicians agreed that Claude’s
diagnosis was correct. Amber had her
first appointment at OU in February,
when she found out that she also had
steroid induced diabetes. To control
her symptoms, the OU staff prescribed
a combination of weekly injectables
that included steroids and immunosuppressants. These medications have
enabled the health providers at OU and
IHCRC to identify a flare up before
it happens. This is key to Amber’s
recovery since lupus is a disease
known for a rollercoaster ride of flare
ups and remissions.
Since stress is a primary cause of
flare ups, Amber has learned to control
contributing factors in her life. She gets
plenty of sleep. Many lupus patients
require 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day.
Through her journey, Amber has been
able to educate her son and involve him
in her treatment. She allows him to see
her give herself insulin injections and
keeps him informed with all of the ageappropriate information. Keeping her
son involved and educated has greatly
improved his behavioral issues, which
stemmed from him not knowing or
understanding her disease.
Since February, Amber’s quality
of life has dramatically improved.
“Knowing your disease and your
triggers are both key to your recovery.
I have learned how to eat and drink
differently. I have had to learn a
whole new way of life. For example, I
would not leave my home without my
medications or supplements. I am so
thankful for Claude and Eddie taking
my case to heart and their assistance in
paving a way for me to get treatment
and from that a much improved
lifestyle for me and my son. It has made
a huge difference in my life,”
said Amber.
July is National Picnic Month
Nothing says summer, like a picnic in
the park. Since July is National Picnic
Month, what better time to pack up
the fixings, fill the cooler with ice, load
up the kids, and head to your favorite
picnic spot. Whatever your plans,
take care to prepare and transport
food safely. Whether your picnic is an
elaborate affair or a simple cook-out, a
little planning will help prevent food
borne illnesses. Follow these practical
pointers to help ensure your food
arrives safe at the plate.
When transporting foods:
• Plan ahead and try to take only
what will be eaten so you won’t
have to worry about leftovers.
• Chill the food thoroughly before
packing for your outing.
• Keep food in the cooler until
serving time.
• Pack condiments in small
containers rather than taking
whole jars.
• Do NOT partially precook meat
or poultry before transporting. If
it must be precooked, cook until
done then chill thoroughly before
packing in the cooler.
• Put the cooler in the inside of the
car rather than in the hot trunk
550 S. Peoria Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74120
918-588-1900 • www.ihcrc.org
If you would like to be removed from our
mailing list, contact Emily Bolusky at
918-382-1206 or [email protected].
• Keep the cooler in the shade. Use
two coolers. Store food in one
cooler and beverages in the other,
as beverage cooler will be opened
frequently.
For safe grilling:
• Be sure all utensils, plates, and
cooking surfaces are clean, and
your hands are washed well before
handling food.
• Leave raw meat in the cooler. Take
only as much food out of the cooler
as you’re going to cook right then.
• Be sure that meats are cooked
thoroughly. Check them with
your thermometer.
• Transfer cooked meat to a clean
plate – never place cooked meat on
a plate which held raw meat.
• The USDA recommends fully
cooking meats to ensure bacteria
is destroyed. To be sure bacteria
are destroyed, hamburgers and
ribs should be cooked to 160° F or
until the center is no longer pink
and juices are clear. Cook ground
poultry to 165° F and poultry
parts to 180° F. Reheat pre-cooked
meats until steaming hot.
• Never reuse marinades that have
come in contact with raw meat,
chicken or fish, and do NOT put
the cooked food back into the dish
that contained the marinade.
Leftovers?
• Place leftover foods in the cooler
promptly after grilling or serving.
• Don’t let your food sit out on the
picnic table for longer than 2 hours
(one hour if temperature is over
90 degrees). Any food left outside
for more than an hour should be
discarded. Remember keep hot
food hot and cold food cold.
• And remember, when in doubt,
throw it out!
Source: University of California
Cooperative Extension

Spring/Summer 2010

Transcription

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