10: Pioneering Norman Regional with the NRH Foundation

The Norman Regional Health Foundation plays a pivotal role in Norman Regional Health System’s growth and momentum forward. The Drs. Vedala bring in Erin Barnhart, Executive Director of the NRH Foundation for the last episode of Season 1 of Vital Visions. Erin talks about how the Foundation funds employee grants and awards scholarships, the Equipped For Tomorrow Campaign, and much more. Hear about all the amazing opportunities the Foundation provides to Norman Regional and its healers! 

Guest Bio: Erin Barnhart has been leading the Norman Regional Health Foundation as its Executive Director since 2014. Her 20 years experience in working with nonprofit organizations began with event coordination for the American Heart Association. After moving to Norman, OK, she worked for Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity and the Center for Children and Families. Prior to working in the nonprofit field, Erin managed the NCAA's Corporate Partner program for Host Communications, a Lexington, KY sports marketing company. She is a member of the Norman Rotary Club, a sustaining member of the Junior League of Norman and a graduate of Leadership Norman. Born and raised in West Virginia, Erin graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and a Master's Degree in Sports Marketing from West Virginia University. She is the proud mom of two adult children, Blake and Grace.

Links:
NRH Foundation
Equipped For Tomorrow Campaign

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The information in this show is not to be used as medical advice. If you are needing medical care, please consult with your physician.

Norman Regional is hiring! See all our open opportunities here: https://careers.normanregional.com/careers-home/

Transcript

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Welcome, friends.

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This is DR’s Krishna and Veer Vedala.

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And we are the Vedala Bros.

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So in this podcast, we'll be discussing
important medical topics

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that affect your community.

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We'll be looking into medical research, 
Health and wellness tips

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and also available health

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care resources brought to you
by the Norman Regional Health System.

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That's right.

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And in each episode, we'll also be joined
by medical professionals,

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local community leaders
and even some of our friendly neighbors

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as we talk through various issues
that are affecting our community.

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So if you want to lead healthy lives
or learn about the new healthy trends,

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we want this podcast to be your
go to resource.

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Welcome back, friends.

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Doctor Veer Vedala again here, joined
by my co-host Doctor Krishna Vedala.

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And we are the

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Vedala Brothers

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Thank you, guys again for joining us
for yet another episode of Vital Visions

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where we discuss all things
Vital. Krishna,

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I want to start this episode off
with an exercise.

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Oh boy. Okay,

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So for our

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listeners,
imagine you're building a house. Yes,

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In this market.

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Okay, You're building a house.

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What do we need that.

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Money and supplies? Sure.

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Before that, let's start with the house
needs a frame or scaffolding, right?

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To have structure
to connect the various pieces.

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A roof to protect you from the outside
elements.

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Windows for light, doors for entry.

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What about cement?

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To hold everything together.

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But before all that, what do we need?

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Krishna? Uh...

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That's correct.

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We need a foundation. Oh okay. All right.

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Now a foundation for a home provides
some important functions.

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It transmits load of the structure
to larger areas for underlying support.

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It prevents
differential settlement of the structure,

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and it provides stability.

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It does this
so the House may achieve its goal

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of becoming a home, providing protection
and habitation for a growing family.

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So what does this have to do
with our episode today?

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Well, much like the foundation
of a home, health care

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organizations also have foundations
that play a crucial role

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in supporting and advancing the system's
goals and initiatives.

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Their functions include fundraising,
campaigning, providing

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grants and scholarships, patient
support and advocacy, just to name a few.

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And we are so excited today to have Ms.

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Erin Barnhart
talk to us about our own Norman

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Regional Foundation and what exciting
things we have in development.

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Krishna,
you want to give our guest an intro?

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yes, of course.

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Once again, everybody,
we have Ms. Erin Barnhart today,

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executive director
of the Norman Regional Foundation.

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Ms. Barnhart,
thank you so much for being here today.

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We really appreciate you being here
and answering some of our questions.

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Well,
thank you for having me this morning.

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I'm excited.

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Okay, cool.

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So can you please tell us a little bit
about yourself?

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Well, I have lived in Norman for 20 years

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and I grew up in West Virginia

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and just made my way across the Midwest.

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But after college, I worked for a sports
marketing company for ten years,

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so I kind of transitioned

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into the nonprofit world in a unique way.

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So I have to ask because I'm a huge college
football fan.

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Are you a West Virginia Mountaineers fan
or a OU Sooners fan?

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I bleed blue and gold.

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Okay, So that's the Mountaineers.

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Got it. Just I just had to know.

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Just had to know.

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But secondary teams
you Well, among a few others.

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Among a few others.

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Well, what are some of the other ones?

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Some of the other ones. Well, Kentucky.

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I lived in Lexington, Kentucky
for ten years, so a little blue and white.

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Go Wildcats.
Go Wildcats. Kansas State.

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My daughter went to Kansas State
for a while.

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Go Wildcats again. Go Wildcats again.

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And so that's yeah, that's about
that's about it.

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A little Tennessee.

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My daughter graduates
in May from the University of Tennessee

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so I have a few, a lot of SEC yeah so.

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Okay. It makes a good fit that OU is joining.

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Joining. Us right well I mean the
the main thing is we didn't see any orange

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you know and well other than Tennessee
we didn't see any burnt orange.

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So that was that was the main
that was my main concern.

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So nobody should wear burnt orange.
You know.

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My wife's from Austin.

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Oh My apologies. Well.

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No, no, no.

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You can, you know.

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she also went to
Texas and she did get us
these burnt orange scrubs at one point.

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So yes.

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I had some.

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I've worn it twice. Yes. So far.

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Otherwise, could you tell us your journey
and how you got to Norman Regional.

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Well, my journey.

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So I was on the board of the American
Heart Association in Lexington, Kentucky,

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and I received a phone call
from their executive director.

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So when people have times

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in their lives
where life circumstances change.

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So I just had my second

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child, I had a newborn

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and a two year old, so I wasn't attending
a lot of board meetings.

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So they called to bless and release me
from my service, from my board service,

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as I like to call it.

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And that phone call transitioned

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into a job opportunity
for the American Heart Association.

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And that was really my role
into the nonprofit world,

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and I just fell in love with it.

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I so I, I worked for
the American Heart Association

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when I moved here to Norman and I,

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someone came up to me and they're like,
I heard you love fundraising.

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I'm not quite sure
how that word got spread, but

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so that was I worked with Cleveland
County, Habitat for Humanity at the time,

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and then the Center for Children
and Families,

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which is a local Norman nonprofit
and that really transitioned.

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Someone approached me about the Norman
Regional Health Foundation, which honestly

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at the time I wasn't I didn't know
there was a health foundation, right?

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Didn't know anything about

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this opportunity.

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But they had such a strong board presence

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that I felt really compelled to

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investigate
a little bit more and applied for the job.

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And I've been here
starting my eighth year.

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Wow. Wow. Well, congratulations.

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Thank you.

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So so you

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and we apologize for asking this question,
but could you explain to our listeners

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what the Norman Regional Health Foundation
is and what the foundation does?

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Certainly.

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So the foundation,
our our main mission is to enhance

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the health care experience,
whether that is for our patients

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or our employees
who we call healers at Norman Regional.

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So we do that through several avenues.

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Any employee can write a grant

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to the foundation for a piece of equipment

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or training or a patient enhancement.

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And what I mean by patient
enhancement is comforts

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that maybe may not be a priority
for the health care system,

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but really can just make our patients
more comfortable, such as a vein finder.

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So if you go in and you have difficult
they have difficulty finding your veins.

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It illuminates the vein. 

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In several of our floors,

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we have blanket warmers.

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So if you have have been in a hospital,
they can be a little chilly.

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Nothing is better than a nice warm
blanket.

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So the blanket warmers,
cell phone chargers,

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those are the types of things
that are our healers.

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write 

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a grant for. Along with any type of training or

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or education support that they may need.

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And then we also provide scholarships.

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So each year
we award $50,000 in scholarships.

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And the foundation is celebrating its 40th
anniversary. Wow.

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We're wrapping that up in in 2023.

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So since that time, we have awarded
more than 530 scholarships.

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Wow. To our our healers.

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So any healer, it takes everyone
in the health system to make it function.

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So we have had

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healers from security, I.T.

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so just not only
the medical professionals,

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but also across the entire health system.

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So we're really proud.

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In 2024, we'll award

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our $1 million in scholarships. Wow.

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It's amazing. It's exciting.

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And anybody like as long as you're
a healer

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and looking to apply for the scholarship
and then they're reported towards

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that, those funds are awarded towards
their educational endeavors, right?

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That's correct.

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That's correct.
It can be anything that they're doing.

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It can be anything.

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It can be anything.
They have to be accepted into the program.

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Of course,

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we also provide scholarships
for the general community,

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but that has to be a health care,
a medical related field,

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and they have to be accepted
into the program.

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I'd say probably
about 85% of the scholarships

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we award, though, are internal to our
and to our healers.

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So that's a
that's amazing because it's, you know,

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really speaks volumes of Norman Regional
investing back into our healers.

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Yeah.

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Helping helping our healers
with their own personal growth,

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which I think is fantastic.

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I had another question to

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ask you regarding that, ma'am. And,

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one of the things we keep hearing about
is this Equipped For Tomorrow campaign

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and a fascinating concept
and lots of improvement to multiple areas.

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Could you tell our listeners
about what that is.

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Certainly so about, oh

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gosh, a year and a half ago,
our board of directors,

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we were talking about how can we support
the Inspire Health projects?

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And we were instrumental in helping
with the original HealthPlex

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build in, in raising money for that endeavor.

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So we, 
the board voted on a $4 million campaign

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and we started looking at different areas
to fund kind of focused on our Centers

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of Excellence and divided up

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that $4 million into equipment.

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And so some new

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high latest and greatest technology,
medical equipment,

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and then our education center. 

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The renovation of that that center.

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So I can go in a little bit
more detail of each.

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Okay.

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So far, our cardiovascular services,
unfortunately, in in Oklahoma,

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heart disease is the number one
killer of Oklahomans.

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So we wanted to support
an additional cath lab.

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And so that's the largest piece
of our $4 million campaign.

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It's 1.6 million for, to help support

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pieces that go into the cath lab.
We have for our,

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and then the number two leading
cause of death is cancer.

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So we wanted to support equipment
that will help those patients

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going through through that trial.

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And so we, one piece of equipment
that we were able to purchase

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already because of the campaign is a Clarix
imaging system.

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So we have a

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a breast surgeon, Dr.

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Denise Rable,
who has who joined the staff in the fall.

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And so she's been already
utilizing that piece of equipment.

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And what it does is
when she is in surgery, she can see

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she can right there
in the surgical suite, assess

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whether she has a clear margin

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so she doesn't have to take
too much of the breast tissue.

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She'll know right there
instead of sending the specimen off.

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And so it's a great piece of equipment
and we're proud that we've been already

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able to purchase that and really see
the fruits of our donor gifts.

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And what what had what difference
it has made to our patients.

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That's amazing.

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That's such an invaluable service
for our patients.

236
00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:12,356
It really is.

237
00:12:12,356 --> 00:12:15,359
And to our listeners, once again, health

238
00:12:15,526 --> 00:12:19,655
care in general involves a lot of money,
and the foundation

239
00:12:19,655 --> 00:12:23,117
is there to help provide
additional support for our healers

240
00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:26,871
to make sure that they're able
to better take care of our patients.

241
00:12:26,954 --> 00:12:30,624
And that's a and that's a big deal
because without the money,

242
00:12:30,708 --> 00:12:33,544
we're limited in our resources
and we're limited in the number of

243
00:12:33,544 --> 00:12:37,465
patients and the number of different types
of treat, diseases that we can

244
00:12:37,548 --> 00:12:38,883
and that we can treat.

245
00:12:38,883 --> 00:12:42,553
And so we really appreciate,
you know, the foundation for all that

246
00:12:42,636 --> 00:12:43,596
that it does for us.

247
00:12:43,596 --> 00:12:47,475
And we can't really emphasize enough
how important the foundation has been here

248
00:12:47,475 --> 00:12:50,811
at Norman Regional.
So thank you so much for that. Sure, sure.

249
00:12:50,895 --> 00:12:51,061
We're

250
00:12:51,061 --> 00:12:54,398
really excited
about renovating the education center.

251
00:12:54,398 --> 00:12:59,820
So this will be one of the main pieces
on the Porter Avenue campus.

252
00:12:59,820 --> 00:13:04,450
And that is a lovely 32 year

253
00:13:04,450 --> 00:13:07,453
old facility that needs a little updating.

254
00:13:07,495 --> 00:13:10,790
So the foundation
we thought it was important to partner

255
00:13:10,790 --> 00:13:16,712
with the auxiliary and so our auxiliary
has contributed $900,000

256
00:13:16,796 --> 00:13:19,799
and we are
the foundation is raising $900,000,

257
00:13:20,007 --> 00:13:23,219
so we can renovate this because it truly

258
00:13:23,219 --> 00:13:27,264
is a community

259
00:13:27,348 --> 00:13:28,140
facility.

260
00:13:28,140 --> 00:13:31,811
And what I mean by that, it's
not only the Norman Regional healers

261
00:13:31,811 --> 00:13:36,690
who are who go there for
trainings and in education,

262
00:13:36,774 --> 00:13:41,737
but it's also for patient support groups
and any community,

263
00:13:41,737 --> 00:13:46,242
civic organization, nonprofit organization
can utilize that facility.

264
00:13:46,242 --> 00:13:49,954
Six conference rooms and auditorium
for free. Wow.

265
00:13:50,037 --> 00:13:55,292
So we are really looking forward
to seeing that come to fruition in 2024.

266
00:13:55,376 --> 00:13:58,087
Do you have any ideas of like
they're going to be like community

267
00:13:58,087 --> 00:14:01,841
lectures or resources that are going to be
utilized in that

268
00:14:01,841 --> 00:14:02,091
building?

269
00:14:02,091 --> 00:14:06,428
We we've had we've had health fairs.

270
00:14:06,512 --> 00:14:09,765
So if we can get that,

271
00:14:09,849 --> 00:14:13,185
get that back into the community,
you know, unfortunately,

272
00:14:13,269 --> 00:14:18,482
the entire education center was shut down
during COVID.

273
00:14:18,566 --> 00:14:21,151
I mean, it was used as

274
00:14:21,235 --> 00:14:25,364
a vaccination center for our teams

275
00:14:25,447 --> 00:14:29,869
and our our providers
throughout the community.

276
00:14:29,869 --> 00:14:33,831
our police, fire,
really to keep everyone protected.

277
00:14:33,831 --> 00:14:37,293
So when it while
it was shut down to the community,

278
00:14:37,543 --> 00:14:41,046
it was still utilized in a much
needed way.

279
00:14:41,130 --> 00:14:41,589
Yeah.

280
00:14:41,589 --> 00:14:44,258
I used to actually work in the auxiliary
department when I was in college.

281
00:14:44,258 --> 00:14:46,927
You did? And the Education Center.

282
00:14:46,927 --> 00:14:51,724
One of my fondest memories
was they had a like a

283
00:14:51,807 --> 00:14:55,185
it's kind of like a mini market
for the healers

284
00:14:55,269 --> 00:14:57,187
during the holidays, during the holidays.

285
00:14:57,187 --> 00:15:01,817
And those are the best times to work
there and go and,

286
00:15:01,901 --> 00:15:03,694
you know, shop for some stuff.

287
00:15:03,694 --> 00:15:06,864
But another important aspect of Equipped For

288
00:15:06,864 --> 00:15:11,118
Tomorrow is investment in perinatal
care too? That's correct.

289
00:15:11,201 --> 00:15:13,203
Do you mind going over that
a little bit for us? Sure.

290
00:15:13,203 --> 00:15:17,374
So we thought it was
important to really support

291
00:15:17,458 --> 00:15:19,418
our perinatal services.

292
00:15:19,418 --> 00:15:22,838
And so we are purchasing
really state of the art

293
00:15:22,838 --> 00:15:27,301
infant warmers for our NICU are O.B.

294
00:15:27,301 --> 00:15:31,263
emergency department, nursery,
all of the areas

295
00:15:31,263 --> 00:15:34,850
because when you have

296
00:15:34,934 --> 00:15:38,646
a baby that might be 2-3 lbs,

297
00:15:38,729 --> 00:15:42,733
moving them from place to place
just causes stress.

298
00:15:42,816 --> 00:15:45,819
And with these infant warmers,
they don't have to move them.

299
00:15:45,819 --> 00:15:47,404
They can keep them.

300
00:15:47,404 --> 00:15:50,783
It has resuscitation equipment.

301
00:15:50,866 --> 00:15:53,494
It has the warming feature.

302
00:15:53,494 --> 00:15:56,997
Parents are able to
to touch their child through this.

303
00:15:57,081 --> 00:16:00,668
So we are just grateful

304
00:16:00,668 --> 00:16:04,630
that we're going to be able to purchase
those along with labor and delivery beds.

305
00:16:04,630 --> 00:16:09,301
I think one thing
that people don't realize

306
00:16:09,301 --> 00:16:12,596
is that the nursing staff really

307
00:16:12,596 --> 00:16:16,600
this helps the, the base of the bed drops.

308
00:16:16,684 --> 00:16:22,189
And it can
it can be very strenuous on the caregiver.

309
00:16:22,272 --> 00:16:27,528
So this is not only the labor
and delivery beds beneficial to the mom,

310
00:16:27,528 --> 00:16:30,906
it's also for safety, has safety

311
00:16:31,031 --> 00:16:34,034
features for our our healers as well.

312
00:16:34,034 --> 00:16:35,869
That's amazing.

313
00:16:35,953 --> 00:16:36,245
Yeah.

314
00:16:36,245 --> 00:16:39,248
I mean, we have a NICU too, I'm
assuming, right?

315
00:16:39,248 --> 00:16:40,290
Yes. Yes.

316
00:16:40,290 --> 00:16:43,669
That's where probably
the warmers will be utilized more. Exactly.

317
00:16:43,752 --> 00:16:45,671
But you keep them in the room, I'm
assuming.

318
00:16:45,671 --> 00:16:46,422
Yes. Yes.

319
00:16:46,422 --> 00:16:50,884
So in the NICU, they will be
all throughout that department.

320
00:16:50,884 --> 00:16:54,054
But and then in the nursery,
there will be some as well.

321
00:16:54,054 --> 00:16:56,348
But they'll be able to transport,

322
00:16:56,348 --> 00:16:59,435
you know, when the baby is is in the room
with with mom.

323
00:16:59,643 --> 00:17:01,854
That's amazing. Yes.

324
00:17:01,854 --> 00:17:04,857
One of my favorite programs
is the Guardian Angel program.

325
00:17:04,857 --> 00:17:06,984
And would you mind
just telling us a little bit

326
00:17:06,984 --> 00:17:11,155
about how that program came to be
and what was the purpose of it?

327
00:17:11,196 --> 00:17:15,993
The purpose of the program
is really to give grateful patients

328
00:17:16,076 --> 00:17:23,167
and their family members an avenue
to recognize exceptional service and

329
00:17:23,250 --> 00:17:25,169
so we are

330
00:17:25,169 --> 00:17:29,173
really going to be rebranding
that program,

331
00:17:29,381 --> 00:17:32,885
and you're going to see that kind of

332
00:17:32,968 --> 00:17:36,430
in 2024, a bit more,

333
00:17:36,513 --> 00:17:38,265
a robust program.

334
00:17:38,265 --> 00:17:41,351
And we look forward to when the

335
00:17:41,393 --> 00:17:44,605
when the addition of the health plex opens

336
00:17:44,688 --> 00:17:48,400
and have some video boards recognizing

337
00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:53,113
grateful patients and and the donor,
the recipient that they wanted to share.

338
00:17:53,113 --> 00:17:57,076
But really it's just an avenue where they can

339
00:17:57,159 --> 00:18:01,121
recognize the the caregiver, the healer.

340
00:18:01,205 --> 00:18:04,416
And it's really it's a great opportunity

341
00:18:04,416 --> 00:18:09,880
when that donor we try to
we try to surprise the

342
00:18:10,047 --> 00:18:13,842
the guardian angel the recipient
sometimes that goes well.

343
00:18:13,842 --> 00:18:16,804
Sometimes people are like, oh
you caught me off guard.

344
00:18:17,012 --> 00:18:20,224
But we try to invite the donor
to join us in that presentation

345
00:18:20,224 --> 00:18:23,727
because it's it's,
it's can be very powerful for both.

346
00:18:23,894 --> 00:18:24,812
Yeah.

347
00:18:24,812 --> 00:18:28,482
And then another component of Equipped
For Tomorrow is the rehab center.

348
00:18:28,524 --> 00:18:29,358
Is that correct?

349
00:18:29,358 --> 00:18:30,150
That is correct.

350
00:18:30,150 --> 00:18:33,612
So for our inpatient rehabilitation area,

351
00:18:33,695 --> 00:18:37,658
we are purchasing a gait and balance system

352
00:18:37,741 --> 00:18:41,578
for patients
who have had spinal cord injuries. Oh wow.

353
00:18:41,662 --> 00:18:47,251
It's it it's a track system
that is the patient is harnessed in

354
00:18:47,501 --> 00:18:51,171
and they can learn the walking,

355
00:18:51,213 --> 00:18:54,842
going over stairs, bending down in it.

356
00:18:54,967 --> 00:18:58,345
It is not, they're
you know, supported by by the harness.

357
00:18:58,428 --> 00:19:02,891
So, again, the caregiver is safe.

358
00:19:02,975 --> 00:19:06,311
And so if the patient falls,
it catches them.

359
00:19:06,311 --> 00:19:08,438
The caregiver doesn't have to catch them.

360
00:19:08,438 --> 00:19:12,734
And we are excited to announce
that we just finished

361
00:19:12,734 --> 00:19:17,447
raising $100,000
that we had received a matching grant.

362
00:19:17,531 --> 00:19:21,577
So we have been able to fully fund

363
00:19:21,577 --> 00:19:25,956
that piece of equipment
and order the gait and balance this month.

364
00:19:26,165 --> 00:19:31,879
So we're excited to get that
it will be installed in the spring

365
00:19:31,879 --> 00:19:37,092
and hopefully opening for our patients in.

366
00:19:37,176 --> 00:19:39,761
I'm going to say, May, June timeframe.

367
00:19:39,761 --> 00:19:41,221
And where will that service be offered, is that in the?

368
00:19:41,221 --> 00:19:44,600
So that's in the in-patient
rehabilitation services.

369
00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:49,229
So those so that's going to be the wing.

370
00:19:49,229 --> 00:19:53,692
It's currently the women's and children's
wing, that first floor will now be

371
00:19:53,734 --> 00:19:55,152
inpatient rehabilitation.

372
00:19:55,152 --> 00:19:56,612
That's amazing.

373
00:19:56,612 --> 00:19:58,322
Yeah, we're very excited.

374
00:19:58,322 --> 00:20:03,702
It will we will be the first in the state
to have that gait and balance system.

375
00:20:03,785 --> 00:20:06,580
Again
pioneering with Norman Regional. Yes.

376
00:20:06,580 --> 00:20:08,165
Yes, yes, yes.

377
00:20:08,165 --> 00:20:11,084
One of my other favorite
aspects of the Foundation

378
00:20:11,084 --> 00:20:14,087
is our community partnership
with Norman Public Schools.

379
00:20:14,338 --> 00:20:18,217
Can you give us a few details about
what kind of programs that are already

380
00:20:18,258 --> 00:20:20,219
have been developed or are in the process

381
00:20:20,219 --> 00:20:24,431
of being developed with our association
with Norman Public Schools?

382
00:20:24,514 --> 00:20:29,019
So about seven years ago,
the Foundation was asked to join

383
00:20:29,144 --> 00:20:32,147
Norman Regional in supporting

384
00:20:32,231 --> 00:20:34,858
the Norman Public School Health program.

385
00:20:34,858 --> 00:20:40,405
And what it was really critical
in our community,

386
00:20:40,489 --> 00:20:43,492
the dream was to have a

387
00:20:43,533 --> 00:20:46,912
a nurse
or a health assistant in every school

388
00:20:46,954 --> 00:20:51,750
and that's at
the time is very rare across the country.

389
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:55,879
So it was really a pilot program,
a national program,

390
00:20:55,963 --> 00:20:59,841
and so we were very proud
to join Norman Public schools

391
00:20:59,841 --> 00:21:02,844
to make sure that that could be a reality.

392
00:21:02,886 --> 00:21:05,889
I think it's very interesting to see the

393
00:21:06,139 --> 00:21:09,893
the Norman Public Schools,
the health program, they track

394
00:21:09,977 --> 00:21:14,564
the students that come in
you know what they're seen for

395
00:21:14,648 --> 00:21:16,441
a lot of of

396
00:21:16,441 --> 00:21:20,028
allergies and

397
00:21:20,112 --> 00:21:22,239
just the needs

398
00:21:22,239 --> 00:21:25,993
that the medical service is increasing

399
00:21:26,076 --> 00:21:29,496
that the treatment that they need
to provide for the students.

400
00:21:29,496 --> 00:21:33,000
So they want every child, regardless of

401
00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:37,004
if they have a medical condition
or not, to be able to attend school.

402
00:21:37,087 --> 00:21:41,591
And having that nurse
or that health assistant in the Norman

403
00:21:41,591 --> 00:21:45,929
Public School system is vital
in ensuring that that can happen.

404
00:21:46,013 --> 00:21:46,805
That's amazing

405
00:21:46,805 --> 00:21:49,266
because it's like, you know,
some of these kids have chronic illnesses

406
00:21:49,266 --> 00:21:54,980
that can be scary sometimes,
You know, seizures, for example,

407
00:21:55,063 --> 00:21:58,358
and then some may not know how
to properly take their meds.

408
00:21:58,358 --> 00:22:00,485
And to have a nurse
there is is invaluable.

409
00:22:00,485 --> 00:22:02,738
It makes a huge difference
when you have someone that's a trained,

410
00:22:02,738 --> 00:22:05,282
professional,
taking care of these kids at school

411
00:22:05,282 --> 00:22:08,660
rather than just putting more pressure
on teachers and administrators.

412
00:22:08,660 --> 00:22:12,456
So that really is a very important
aspect of

413
00:22:12,539 --> 00:22:16,084
public education, is to have a trained
medical professional on site.

414
00:22:16,084 --> 00:22:18,545
So the peace of mind
it offers the parents too.

415
00:22:18,545 --> 00:22:19,212
Definitely.

416
00:22:19,212 --> 00:22:24,843
We talked to a parent a few years ago
who his child was type two,

417
00:22:24,926 --> 00:22:28,805
type two diabetic, and not only the

418
00:22:28,805 --> 00:22:34,144
the nurse was tracking blood sugar levels
and that just gave the family

419
00:22:34,144 --> 00:22:39,316
peace of mind that okay somebody, somebody
is watching and monitoring my child.

420
00:22:39,399 --> 00:22:41,860
Yeah, that's amazing.

421
00:22:41,860 --> 00:22:46,031
Well, as a sufferer of migraines,
I was thrilled

422
00:22:46,031 --> 00:22:49,701
to hear about the Migraine Management
Together project.

423
00:22:49,785 --> 00:22:53,663
Would you mind telling our listeners
a little bit about that?

424
00:22:53,747 --> 00:22:55,082
So with our

425
00:22:55,082 --> 00:23:00,003
neurology
clinic, we had a grateful patient

426
00:23:00,212 --> 00:23:06,009
and the family approached us about,
you know, what?

427
00:23:06,093 --> 00:23:10,764
What is the dream of Doctor
Brett Dees? Does,

428
00:23:10,847 --> 00:23:14,476
you know, we know he's very passionate
about migraine research and

429
00:23:14,518 --> 00:23:16,061
how can we help this?

430
00:23:16,061 --> 00:23:18,814
So we have jumped on board

431
00:23:18,814 --> 00:23:21,983
and created a $1 million

432
00:23:21,983 --> 00:23:24,986
campaign to to raise funds

433
00:23:25,028 --> 00:23:30,117
that to make this dream
a reality for migraine sufferers.

434
00:23:30,200 --> 00:23:33,495
This is not something
that I was really familiar with,

435
00:23:33,578 --> 00:23:35,747
not being a migraine suffer.

436
00:23:35,747 --> 00:23:38,375
But, you know, I've learned a lot.

437
00:23:38,375 --> 00:23:39,876
And Dr.

438
00:23:39,876 --> 00:23:41,586
Christi Pendergraft and Dr.

439
00:23:41,586 --> 00:23:45,048
Dees, they are just

440
00:23:45,132 --> 00:23:48,969
obviously so passionate about this area

441
00:23:48,969 --> 00:23:54,015
and caring for their patients
and getting the word out right that

442
00:23:54,099 --> 00:23:58,562
I think the stigma
oh it's just a headache,

443
00:23:58,645 --> 00:24:00,605
you know, if you suffer from

444
00:24:00,605 --> 00:24:05,402
from migraines, I can imagine
you might be tired of hearing that.

445
00:24:05,402 --> 00:24:06,611
Yeah. Yes.

446
00:24:06,611 --> 00:24:10,323
Especially since it's it's
so much more complex than that

447
00:24:10,323 --> 00:24:14,536
because, you know,
some people have a weakness in their body.

448
00:24:14,703 --> 00:24:18,457
I get blurry vision
and so it's hard for me to work because

449
00:24:18,457 --> 00:24:22,461
then I can't see like part of my vision
when I'm trying to type, you know, And

450
00:24:22,544 --> 00:24:25,839
yeah,
I don't think there's enough emphasis

451
00:24:25,839 --> 00:24:29,801
on what exactly those migraines entail,
because now, you know, like Dr.

452
00:24:29,843 --> 00:24:31,928
Gordon,

453
00:24:31,928 --> 00:24:34,806
David Gordon, that you always talk to us
when we were in medical school

454
00:24:34,806 --> 00:24:37,809
about abdominal migraines
where you could have just

455
00:24:37,893 --> 00:24:38,768
abdominal pain.

456
00:24:38,768 --> 00:24:41,438
Yeah,
and that was something that I learned.

457
00:24:41,438 --> 00:24:42,814
I had no idea.

458
00:24:42,814 --> 00:24:46,902
I mean, so it's fascinating
and I hope we can really just

459
00:24:46,985 --> 00:24:50,322
educate the community
as well as raising some funds.

460
00:24:50,363 --> 00:24:50,906
Yeah.

461
00:24:50,906 --> 00:24:53,658
And, you know, my wife also suffers
from abdominal migraines.

462
00:24:53,658 --> 00:24:56,495
And so it's a very debilitating issue.

463
00:24:56,495 --> 00:24:59,664
And often times when she does
have one of these abdominal migraine,

464
00:24:59,664 --> 00:25:00,874
she really can't do anything.

465
00:25:00,874 --> 00:25:06,630
So so it really is a huge, puts a huge limitation
on your quality of life.

466
00:25:06,630 --> 00:25:11,676
And so we can appreciate you guys,
you know, for developing that program.

467
00:25:11,676 --> 00:25:13,053
And also, of course, shout out to Dr.

468
00:25:13,053 --> 00:25:13,887
Pendergraft and Dr.

469
00:25:13,887 --> 00:25:16,181
Dees at the Oklahoma Headache Center
here at Norman Regional.

470
00:25:16,181 --> 00:25:17,432
So thank you, guys.

471
00:25:17,432 --> 00:25:19,434
Amazing
for everything that you guys do, too.

472
00:25:19,434 --> 00:25:23,438
So yeah, one of my first encounters once
I when I first started working here,

473
00:25:23,438 --> 00:25:27,692
was actually again to go back to talking
about how Norman Regional's resources

474
00:25:27,692 --> 00:25:31,196
are really helpful for providers
is using Tiger Connect and messaging. Dr.

475
00:25:31,196 --> 00:25:34,199
Pendergraft about a about
I mean, it wasn't even

476
00:25:34,324 --> 00:25:38,245
she typically doesn't see adult patients,
but she helped me with a 17 year old

477
00:25:38,245 --> 00:25:42,791
and with a headache and with like a some
red flag symptoms we were worried about.

478
00:25:42,791 --> 00:25:45,460
And and she was so helpful in that aspect.

479
00:25:45,460 --> 00:25:48,838
And yeah I can't,
I can't think those docs enough.

480
00:25:48,922 --> 00:25:52,467
Yeah that's they are
they are amazing in what they do and

481
00:25:52,551 --> 00:25:57,722
it's great to work with them just because
their passion really shows through and.

482
00:25:57,806 --> 00:25:58,848
Yeah.

483
00:25:58,848 --> 00:26:01,810
So it's a it's it's

484
00:26:01,810 --> 00:26:05,021
we are excited to continue to,

485
00:26:05,021 --> 00:26:09,818
to raise those funds
and hopefully meet that match soon

486
00:26:09,818 --> 00:26:13,947
and they can grow their their research
efforts.

487
00:26:14,030 --> 00:26:16,533
On behalf of all migraine
sufferers, myself included.

488
00:26:16,533 --> 00:26:18,743
We thank you.

489
00:26:18,827 --> 00:26:22,330
And on behalf of my wife, we thank you too.

490
00:26:22,414 --> 00:26:25,083
How do members of our audience
get involved

491
00:26:25,083 --> 00:26:28,044
if they want to, with the Norman
Regional Health Foundation?

492
00:26:28,044 --> 00:26:31,298
So we have we are a separate 501c3

493
00:26:31,298 --> 00:26:35,677
from Norman Regional Health System
and we have our own board of directors.

494
00:26:35,927 --> 00:26:38,930
They are leaders throughout the,

495
00:26:38,972 --> 00:26:42,851
not only the Norman community
but the surrounding cities as well.

496
00:26:43,059 --> 00:26:47,439
So that's one
avenue to get involved is board service.

497
00:26:47,522 --> 00:26:53,111
We also have for our different events
that we, we just finished

498
00:26:53,194 --> 00:26:57,282
a golf tournament
that raised more than $100,000

499
00:26:57,365 --> 00:27:00,327
and we have

500
00:27:00,327 --> 00:27:02,287
a black tie event in.

501
00:27:02,287 --> 00:27:05,582
It will be June 1st in 2024.

502
00:27:05,665 --> 00:27:08,668
What, what I love to do is get the community

503
00:27:08,877 --> 00:27:09,628
engaged and serving on committees
to help manage those events.

504
00:27:09,628 --> 00:27:12,631
And so that's those are some some avenues

505
00:27:12,631 --> 00:27:17,260
to to join us
and in sharing the mission and

506
00:27:17,260 --> 00:27:25,185
also I think
serving on our scholarship committee.

507
00:27:25,268 --> 00:27:29,189
So we will interview you.

508
00:27:29,272 --> 00:27:35,278
We review all of the scholarship
applications

509
00:27:35,362 --> 00:27:39,157
and we'll interview the top 20.

510
00:27:39,240 --> 00:27:41,409
And so that's really run by our board.

511
00:27:41,409 --> 00:27:44,287
But we have members who have

512
00:27:44,287 --> 00:27:46,623
their term has expired from our board
and they come back


513
00:27:46,623 --> 00:27:49,626
and serve on that committee.

514
00:27:49,626 --> 00:27:52,837
So it's really great
to meet the scholarship

515
00:27:52,921 --> 00:27:55,215
at during their the applicants
during their interview process.

516
00:27:55,215 --> 00:27:56,299
So so there's different different ways
to get involved with us as well.

517
00:27:56,299 --> 00:28:00,387
That's amazing.

518
00:28:00,470 --> 00:28:04,891
Thank you for that info.

519
00:28:04,891 --> 00:28:10,480
We hope that part of our target
audience are learners and students,

520
00:28:10,563 --> 00:28:11,189
and for those students

521
00:28:11,189 --> 00:28:13,566
who are looking into careers

522
00:28:13,566 --> 00:28:16,569
either being involved in or helping
with nonprofit organizations,

523
00:28:16,695 --> 00:28:19,906
do you have any advice
you would give them?

524
00:28:19,989 --> 00:28:23,451
How they can get involved
or what their background should be?

525
00:28:23,493 --> 00:28:26,955
I would say definitely.

526
00:28:27,038 --> 00:28:28,456
I mean, it's so different today.

527
00:28:28,456 --> 00:28:31,459
I mean, today colleges have programs


528
00:28:31,543 --> 00:28:33,211
that's not I mean, I truly just


529
00:28:33,211 --> 00:28:34,838
I had kind of event planning

530
00:28:34,838 --> 00:28:39,008
through a corporate partnership program
in my sports marketing role.

531
00:28:39,092 --> 00:28:41,845
So that really transitioned
well into event

532
00:28:41,845 --> 00:28:45,724
planning for nonprofit organizations.

533
00:28:45,724 --> 00:28:49,686
But I think volunteering for events,

534
00:28:49,769 --> 00:28:53,648
we actually have two interns

535
00:28:53,732 --> 00:28:55,817
Oh that's amazing!
I mean, I love that program.

536
00:28:55,817 --> 00:28:58,820
It's an avenue
to it's really a win win for both parties.

537
00:28:58,903 --> 00:29:01,740
It's a paid internship,
which is which is nice.

538
00:29:01,740 --> 00:29:05,660
So right now we have a student
in the college of Fine Arts.

539
00:29:05,744 --> 00:29:11,541
She does all of our graphic design. Wow.

540
00:29:11,583 --> 00:29:14,502
And then we have one,

541
00:29:14,502 --> 00:29:19,716
She's with the College of Business.

542
00:29:19,799 --> 00:29:22,510
So she does all of our social media
and helps with our marketing plans.


543
00:29:22,510 --> 00:29:24,846
So it's they're walking away
with real world experience.

544
00:29:24,846 --> 00:29:28,516
That's amazing.
And hands on experience. So

545
00:29:28,600 --> 00:29:33,229
it's been really great.

546
00:29:33,396 --> 00:29:38,485
That's one thing that I'm really proud
about growing and developing.

547
00:29:38,651 --> 00:29:42,947
We've had students from the Gaylord College
of Journalism, from the University

548
00:29:43,031 --> 00:29:43,907
of Oklahoma, and helping with everything
from social media to event planning.

549
00:29:43,907 --> 00:29:47,994
So I think, you know, those
definitely looking for internships,

550
00:29:48,161 --> 00:29:53,082
volunteering, you're going to find out

551
00:29:53,082 --> 00:29:59,422
pretty quickly what you're
passionate about and what you're not.

552
00:29:59,506 --> 00:30:05,220
And I think that's that's so important
for students today.

553
00:30:05,303 --> 00:30:07,764
And once again,
I really like how we have really

554
00:30:07,764 --> 00:30:11,017
utilized our members of our community,
specifically from O.U.

555
00:30:11,017 --> 00:30:14,896
And I really, really,
I really enjoy that aspect of Norman.

556
00:30:14,979 --> 00:30:18,399
And I don't think you really see that.

557
00:30:18,399 --> 00:30:22,362
And a whole lot of places,
you know, across the country. So

558
00:30:22,362 --> 00:30:25,323
yeah, that's,
that's it's really nice that intern idea

559
00:30:25,323 --> 00:30:27,075
that was that's really fascinating
and cool It's such a unique opportunity

560
00:30:27,075 --> 00:30:31,204
for these students but
thank you so much for joining us today.

561
00:30:31,287 --> 00:30:34,582
We really had a ball talking to you

562
00:30:34,582 --> 00:30:37,877
about our own Norman Regional Foundation
and we really appreciate it.

563
00:30:37,877 --> 00:30:42,090
And once again, of course, thank you
so much for everything you guys do.

564
00:30:42,173 --> 00:30:45,510
And I can't then once again emphasize
the importance of having the foundation

565
00:30:45,510 --> 00:30:49,514
and just all the things that you do
and all the things that you do

566
00:30:49,597 --> 00:30:52,559
to make our lives
and our jobs easier too. Right.

567
00:30:52,559 --> 00:30:57,146
Thank you so much.
Yeah, well, it's my pleasure.


568
00:30:57,146 --> 00:30:59,691
And it's it's
great to work in an environment.

569
00:30:59,691 --> 00:31:02,402
One thing we didn't mention was each March
we have an employee giving campaign

570
00:31:02,402 --> 00:31:05,238
and about 45% of our employees
give back to the foundation.

571
00:31:05,238 --> 00:31:07,949
So from those funds that we raise,
that's where we're able

572
00:31:07,949 --> 00:31:12,912
to fund the grants
and help support our scholarships as well.

573
00:31:12,996 --> 00:31:19,335
So it's great when you work in a place

574
00:31:19,419 --> 00:31:24,132
with such generous healers and

575
00:31:24,132 --> 00:31:28,136
but just making sure that they know the
impact of their gift and where that goes.

576
00:31:28,136 --> 00:31:31,139
So I appreciate your time today


577
00:31:31,139 --> 00:31:34,851
and in sharing our message
and our mission, of course.

578
00:31:34,893 --> 00:31:38,980
Is there any other final messages
you want to give to our listeners?

579
00:31:38,980 --> 00:31:41,024
I just think, you know, visit us.

580
00:31:41,024 --> 00:31:44,777
We have a social media,
we have Facebook, Instagram, our

581
00:31:44,986 --> 00:31:47,739
our website, NRHFoundation.org.

582
00:31:47,739 --> 00:31:49,824
And, or stop by at the south entrance
of Porter Avenue and visit us.

583
00:31:49,824 --> 00:31:53,494
Okay. All right. Well, thank you again.

584
00:31:53,578 --> 00:31:56,122
We just want to appreciate everybody
at the Foundation

585
00:31:56,122 --> 00:32:00,543
for continuing to support us
and our patients and our community

586
00:32:00,585 --> 00:32:04,130
and helping continue
to make Norman Regional our home.

587
00:32:04,213 --> 00:32:07,175
But thank you folks,
for joining us for yet another wonderful

588
00:32:07,175 --> 00:32:10,678
episode of Vital Visions,
where we discuss all things vital.

589
00:32:10,678 --> 00:32:15,016
This has been an excellent talk discussion

590
00:32:15,099 --> 00:32:17,393
about our own and Norman
Regional Health Foundation.

591
00:32:17,393 --> 00:32:18,269
And as always, stay classy, my friends.

592
00:32:18,269 --> 00:32:19,896
And stay out of trouble.