Judith James Honored by OMRF

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation recently presented Judith James, MD, PhD with their Edward L and Thelma Gaylord Prize for Scientific Achievement. This is OMRF's highest scientific honor. James is a native of Pond Creek, Oklahoma. Her work on hlupus has led to several discoveries on both the causes and how lupus progresses.

Gov Henry has appointed Terri White as his Secretary of Health

The Oklahoma Governor has a Cabinet. Recently Gov Brad Henry's appointee as Secretary of Health, Mike Crutcher, announced he was retiring - leaving that post empty. Today Gov Henry announced who will fill that post -- Terri White, Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, will now also carry the title 9and job responsibilities) or Secretary of Health. Congratulations Commissioner White. She is the first woman to hold this position since the cabinet structure was established in the 1980's. Click here to read the full press release and Terri's bio. Besides being a great accomplishment for an Oklahoma woman, this may bode well for Oklahoma's future. Mental health has played third string in Oklahoma for way too long. Solve the mental health problems in our state and you can make a big improvement in corrections and education and other areas where we also lag behind. Maybe, by lifting up the Commissioner of Mental Health to Cabinet status, it means Henry will also direct more attention and funding towards mental health in Oklahoma. So, a double "Hurray!"

Clinkscales Art: Beading for Charity and Fun

I didn't get around to reading the Clinkscales Art blog post on "Beading for Breast cancer" until after Sept 30 (when it was too latge). But this is still worth posting about anyway.

Wish I was clever enough to do this. I'm not even clever enough to find the pattern to purchase. :-(

Pretty, isn't aren't they?!) Here is the post link: http://clinkscalesarts.com/blog/2008/08/13/beading-for-breast-cancer/

Congratulations, Dr. Marie Bernard

Oklahoma has been blessed with the talent of Dr. Marie Bernard, Chair of the Department of geriatrics medicine at the University of Oklahoma and Director of the Oklahoma geriatrics Education Center at the OU Health Sciences Center. She is leaving us to become deputy director of the national Institute on Aging which is part of the national Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. We will miss you. Marie; remember your many friends back in Oklahoma as you serve out nation in DC.

OKC's St. Anthony Promotes Tammy Powell and Marti Jourden

St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City has promoted two women of note: Tammy Powell is now Executive VP/Chief Operating Officer and Marti Jourden is VP, Performance Improvement/Chief Quality Officer. Congratulations, ladies! Read The Oklahoman article here.

Susannah Rankin State's First Pew Scholar

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation's Susannah Rankin is Oklahoma's first Pew Scholar. Only 20 were named in 2008 and we have one of them right here in Oklahoma City. Very cool. Rankin is a cell biologist whose research could lead to a reduction in birth defects and possibly cancer, too. The honor includes a $240,000 award to help with her research. Go, girl!

Sheli Reynolds Starts Organic Gourmet Inc.

Okay, so sometimes the Journal Record DOES let you access a story --and here is a good one about Sheli Reynolds who has started Organic Gourmet Inc. in Oklahoma City. Read the Journal Record article here and then check out her website.

Women's Health Movement Pioneer Barbara Seaman Dead at 72

Barbara Seaman was a co-founder of the National Women's Health Network. Early on she challenged the assumption that hormone replacement therapy and early (1960s) oral contraceptives were safe. (The birth control pills I took as a newly wed in 1966 contained 10 times the amount of estrogen today's pills contain!) She also helped create the concept of patients' rights, informed consent and warning labels on drugs. Not a bad legacy, huh? Read an obit by clicking here and also here. And here is her New York Times obituary.