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2ECRUITER 3HOWCASE*ANUARY 6OL )SSUE )NFORMATION FOR THE /KLAHOMA .URSING (EALTH #ARE 0ROFESSIONALWWW OKNURSINGTIMES COM0UBLISHED 7EEKLY ,OCALLY /WNED AND /PERATED BY -ETRO 0UBLISHING , , # VA Center nursehonored withnational awardHospiceandhope forruralpatientsLPN Mary Harris, pictured in Russell-Murray Hospice’s El Reno office, is one of a four-membernursing staff at the non-profit’s Kingfisher office. Harris and her fellow nurses are dedicated toproviding hospice care to rural patients and their families.BY 4RACI #HAPMAN 3TAFF 7RITERFor Mary Harris, it was always been family, and personalconnections, that fueled her mission to become a nurse. Whilethe experiences that illuminated her path were sometimespainful, sometimes filled with loss, they were something thatspurred her to bring comfort, care and kindness to the lives ofeach patient she cares for.Harris always knew she wanted to work in the medicalfield – it was a goal that started early, during a family medicalcrisis that would have long-reaching consequences.“I decided I wanted to pursue a career in nursing whenI was in 1st grade and got to meet and watch a group ofamazing nurses care for my dad when he got burnt,” Harrissaid.It was a goal that never faltered. As the now 28-year-oldbegan her career, every job she ever had was related tonursing.But, it was after losing her mother to breast cancer thatHarris knew precisely how she wanted to concentrate hernursing efforts – in hospice, where she could make a differenceduring a patient’s final journey, while comforting the familywho knew they would have to say goodbye.“I wanted to be able to provide the same compassion andcare that the nurses showed my familyto others when they are at that state intheir lives,” Harris said.That drive led the HennesseyHigh School graduate to enroll inChisholm Trail Technology Center’snursing program. At the school, locatedin Omega, Oklahoma, she earned herLPN; she also received CPR instructionat Enid’s Autry Technology Center.Nursing degree in hand, Harris firstworked as a charge LPN as a nursinghome nurse, before finding the placeshe would call home – Russell-MurrayHospice.“I just knew when I met them andI saw what they were doing for theirpatients that it was exactly where I wasmeant to be,” Harris said.Living in Loyal, Harris saidbecoming a part of RMH’s Kingfisheroffice’s nursing staff was ideal. That3EEV (!22)3 0AGE Oklahoma City VA Center nurse Jillene Sroczynskiin February will receive the American LegionNational VA Health Care Provider Award. Lastweek, Sroczynski was honored at Mustang Post353, where she is a member, in anticipation ofthat Washington, D.C. award ceremony.STORY AND PHOTO BY 4RACI #HAPMAN 3TAFF 7RITERJillene Sroczynski’s life and career have alwaysbeen one of service, something perhaps best illustratedby her dedication and skill as a nurse at OklahomaCity Veteran’s Administration Health Care System. Itis dedication recognized far beyond her supervisorsand peers, as the American Legion recently namedSroczynski 2017 National VA Health Care ProviderAward.It was something particularly special to Sroczynski,she said, because she knows what the veterans shetreats face - as a former U.S. Air Force pilot, she’s beenthere.“It’s especially important to me to rememberwhere I’ve been and what my experiences were in theAir Force and how everyone we treat has been inthe same position – many much more with intense,3EE !7!2 0AGE
0AGE *ANUARY /KLAHOMA S .URSING 4IMESINTEGRIS AnnouncesOU College ofAphasia ClinicNursing Achieves TopNational RankingINTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation is proud to offer the only aphasia clinicin the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Aphasia is an acquired communicationdisorder that impairs a person’s ability to speak and understand others, but doesnot affect intelligence.Stroke and brain injury are the most common causes of aphasia. Whileit typically affects those 45 and older, the under 45 age group is the fastestgrowing group of stroke and brain injury patients in the United States. Therehas been a 44 percent increase in the number of young Americans hospitalizeddue to stroke in the last decade.“With stroke rates on the rise, especially among young adults, this type ofspecialized care is becoming more necessary,” says Susan Dowell, M.S., CCC-SLP,lead speech-language pathologist for the new clinic. “Aphasia can be frustratingfor patients and family members alike and is often misunderstood. At the clinic,we educate families and caregivers about the condition and how they can bestsupport their loved one.”Aphasia affects everyone differently and communication problems can lasta long time. Improvement is possible, particularly if speech language therapy isprovided. The INTEGRIS Aphasia Clinic brings people living with the disordertogether in a support group fashion, allows them the opportunity to work oncommunication skills with a variety of conversation partners and gives themthe chance to participate in special aphasia group activities devoted to specificinterests. The group meets once a week.Clinics will be held every Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the INTEGRIS JimThorpe Outpatient Rehabilitation at 4100 S. Douglas Ave., Oklahoma City. Thecost is 75 for each 4-week session, including an initial evaluationFor more information or to schedule an aphasia evaluation, contact SusanDowell at 405-644-5445 or visit integrisok.com/rehabilitation.The University of OklahomaFran and Earl Ziegler College ofNursing has been ranked as oneof the best online advanced degreenursing programs for 2018 by U.S.News & World Report.“We are very proud of theprograms we are able to offer atthe OU College of Nursing,” saidInterim Dean Gary Loving, Ph.D.,R.N. “The online programs allowfor flexibility for students to bettermeet their individual needs as theywork toward advanced degrees innursing.”Loving explains thatthe college’s online educationalprograms help address the criticalshortage of nursing leaders in healthcare agencies across Oklahoma.According to U.S. News, theonline advanced degree rankings aredetermined by student engagement,faculty credentials and training,peer reputation, student servicesand technologies, as well asadmissions selectivity.“We are honored to berecognized by U.S. News &World Report,” said Loving. “Ournursing programs, outstandingfaculty guidance and clinicalpartnerships provide our students aresearch based learning environmentin a variety of health care settings.”This is the third U.S. News &World Report accolade for theOU College of Nursing as earlierin 2017 the master’s and doctorof nursing programs were rankedamong the best for 2017 and 2018.For this year’s ranking, the onlinegraduate nursing program is No.23.The full list of U.S. News &World Report’s “Best Online Master’sin Nursing Programs” can be foundat ursing/rankings.The Fran and Earl Ziegler Collegeof Nursing at the University ofOklahomaThe Fran and Earl ZieglerCollege of Nursing is nationallyrecognized, offering bachelor’s,master’s and doctoral level programsto those interested in starting oradvancing a career in the professionof nursing. With locations inOklahoma City, Tulsa and Lawton,the College is the state’s largestnursing program and is dedicatedto continuing the leadership andacademic excellence that havebecome synonymous with theUniversity of Oklahoma. The Collegeof Nursing is a part of the OUHealth Sciences Center, a leader ineducation, research and patient careand one of only four comprehensiveacademic health centers in thenation with seven professionalcolleges. To find out more, visithttp://nursing.ouhsc.edu/.3%26).' -/2% 4(!. 2. S !. ,0. S%6%29 7%% !. ./7 7)4( !,-/34 35"3#2)"%23/. &!#%"// ,ET US lND YOUR NEXT TEAM MEMBER 02).4 */" !,%243 &!#%"// */" "/!2 7%"3)4%
/KLAHOMA S .URSING 4IMES(!22)3#ONTINUED FROM 0AGE location’s four nurses and three homehealth aides care for about 20 to 25patients at any given time; companywide, RMH’s nursing staff – whichalso work out of its El Reno homebase and an office in Oklahoma City collectively cares for about 100 people.Harris said her job is comprisedof a different routine every day,comprised of caring for patients, andtheir families, she gets to know well.“I make routine visits for woundcare, medication planning, skillednursing assessments – I routinely checkon our patients to assess their currentcondition and if they have any changesin needs,” Harris said. “What I likemost is getting to visit with thepatients on a regular basis and gettingto know them.”That care is given in a difficulthealthcare climate. Rural areas arechallenged with difficulties in findingdedicated staffs willing to commit toa long-term position. Kingfisher wasno different; for a time, the city’ssmall hospital was on the edgeof oblivion, before officials in 2009took a bold step, constructing a 20million, 52,000-square-foot hospital. In2013, Mercy Oklahoma – which had*ANUARY managed the facility since 2011 –agreed to lease the now Mercy HospitalKingfisher.It was in that climate RussellMurray Hospice decided to expandinto the Kingfisher area. Now in its30th year, the non-profit has for manyyears served the rural community;with the new office – and hiringlocal nurses and other staff members– RMH ramped up its commitmentnot only to Kingfisher proper, but alsoto small towns like Hennessey, Dover,Loyal, Cashion, Alpha, Omega andmany more, as well as those familieswho lived on farms and other evenmore isolated areas.“We wanted to make sure weprovided access to care to families inabout a 75-mile radius from each ofour offices – so, of course, Kingfisheralso has some overlap with our homebase (El Reno), but there are manypeople surrounding Kingfisher thathave had issues with getting hospicecare, just because it’s not near theOklahoma City metro or any ofthe larger cities,” RMH founder andexecutive director Vicki Myers said.“It was a smart decision we’ve g Harris said she neverregretted either – it was a chance forher to find yet another home, withpeople she said provided inspirationand support her every day – supportthat led her to begin working towardher registered nursing degree atOklahoma State University OKC.“It can be hard sometimes to workin hospice because you lose people, it’sjust part of the job - but, it’s sospecial to be able to make that finaltime special and safe and to help thefamily get through it too,” Harris said.“Then there’s my family here and it’sthanks to the love and support frommy amazing boyfriend, Tracy.”“What I get from all of them ismore than I can say,” she said.3%26).' -/2% 4(!. 2. S !. ,0. S%6%29 7%% !. ./7 7)4( !,-/34 35"3#2)"%23 /.&!#%"// ,ET US lND YOUR NEXTTEAM MEMBER 02).4 */" !,%243&!#%"// */" "/!2 7%"3)4%0AGE
0AGE *ANUARY /KLAHOMA S .URSING 4IMESNursing student discovers careerpath through hospital externshipMatthew Tygart always knew heliked working with children. Whenhis compassion for people influencedhim to major in nursing, he learnedthrough a series of clinical rotationsand his externship at St. FrancisHospital that he wanted to work inpediatric oncology after graduation.“I grew up working withchildren,” said Tygart. “Now I cantake that one step further by caringfor them in their most vulnerablestates. I can be there for the familiesand the patients.”Tygart is earning a bachelor ofscience in nursing at The Universityof Tulsa School of Nursing in theOxley College of Health Sciences.One of the reason’s he chose TUwas due to the high success rateof TU students passing the NCLEX(National Council Licensure Exam)exam, a standardized test thateach state board of nursing usesto determine whether a candidateis prepared for entry-level nursingpractice. The pass rate for TUSchool of Nursing students is higherthan the average in Oklahoma andnationally.Tygart and his classmatesparticipated in clinical rotations atthe three major hospitals and variousclinics in Tulsa. “Our clinical rotationgroup was small and included onlysix or seven students,” said Tygart.“This allowed us to develop closerrelationships with faculty.”Want to learn more aboutTU School of Nursing externships?Watch our video at https://healthsciences.utulsa.edu/news/c l i n ica l-experiences-leadnursing-externships-jobs/.During his rotation at St. FrancisHospital, Tygart realized that hewanted to work in oncology andwith the help of his professors, hesecured an externship there. “Thefaculty helped me complete myexternship application and providedreferences,” said Tygart. “I was ableto work in both adult and pediatriconcology.”After his externship, Tygartreceived a job offer from St. Francisto work as a nurse technicianproviding basic medical care inthe pediatric oncology unit whilehe completes his schooling. Nursetechnician positions are generallypart-time employment opportunitiesreserved for students currently Matthew Tygart RN BSN Externship, Oxley College of Health Sciences atenrolled in a licensed practical The University of Tulsa.nursing or registered nursingprogram.During his time at TU, Tygartserved as a member of theGolden Hurricane Spirit Squad andparticipated in a fraternity. He alsostarted the TU chapter of Love YourMelon raising money for childrenbattling cancer. This organizationfunctions on a buy one give onemodel where every piece of apparelsold provides a beanie to a childfighting cancer.Read more about the TU Schoolof Nursing and apply at https://healthsciences.utulsa.edu.
/KLAHOMA S .URSING 4IMES!7!2 #ONTINUED FROM 0AGE painful and emotionally challengingmemories and issues,” Sroczynski said.“It means the world that I can be therefor them and help them through whatthey’re facing.”A member of Mustang AmericanLegion Post 353, Sroczynski alwaysknew about military life – her father,John Knutson, served in the VietnamWar; he was the one who encouragedher to join the local American Legionpost. Her father, in fact, is on hermind most frequently because many ofthe veterans she treats each day alsoserved in Vietnam, she said.“Those veterans were differentbecause of the climate in the countrywhen they came home and really fora long time after,” Sroczynski said. “Iwant to make sure I always give themthe respect they deserve, try to bethere to support them and show themthe gratitude for their service.”It was, in fact, a Vietnam veteranwho put the wheels in motion forSroczynski’s national honor. Post 353Commander Paul Ray approached theVA nurse and told her he wantedto throw her name in the hat –something she thought would just endthere.“There are so many accomplishedandamazingpeopleworkingthroughout the country for the Veteran’sAdministration – I just never expectedit to go any further,” Sroczynski said.“When Paul told me about it, I justdidn’t think it was for real for thelongest time.”It was indeed real, as last weekDepartment of Oklahoma CommanderJohn Bloxom traveled to Post 353’smonthly meeting to jointly with Raypresent Sroczynski with a legislativeproclamation signed by Rep. LeslieOsborn (R-Mustang) and Sen. LonniePaxton (R-Tuttle). Sroczynski andBloxom will in February travel toWashington, D.C., where she willreceive the national award.The honors were a big deal for alittle girl who grew up in Montana,graduating in 1992 from Montana StateUniversity with a computer sciencedegree. During college, Sroczynski tookpart in ROTC; after graduation, shewent into the U.S. Air Force, where sheflew KC-135 Stratotankers.“It was the best thing, I absolutelyloved every single minute of it,” shesaid.But, things changed in the wake ofthe Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Sroczynski’shusband, Andrew, served in the AirNational Guard, and the couple knew*ANUARY 0AGE things would change – thecountry was headed to war.“We knew it was time forme to get out, that it wasjust smart with a small child,”Sroczynski said. “So, my lifereally changed as I decided tostay home as our family grew.”The couple would have threechildren – Megan, Gunnar andJulia – and Sroczynski spentthe next decade as a stay-athome mom. When her youngestdaughter, Julia, began preschool,Sroczynski decided it was timeto go back to work.Her new career would benursing, she decided.It was not necessarily acompletely new thought. In theyears since Sroczynski retiredfrom the Air Force, the familyexperienced a tragedy, and itwas a nurse who helped her at Mustang American Legion Post 353 Commander Paul Ray reads a proclamationone of the lowest times of her issued by Oklahoma State Rep. Leslie Osborn (R-Mustang) and Sen. Lonnie Paxtonlife, she said.(R-Tuttle), as Jillene Sroczynski and Department of Oklahoma Commander John“This nurse was the kindest,the most understanding person, Bloxom look on.and the person that I needed at that ICU was amazingly busy, the pace wouldn’t change any of it,” Sroczynskitime,” Sroczynski said. “I knew that I fast and at times beyond stressful, said.“I loved what I did before changingwanted to work again, and I missed Sroczynski said she loved her job –the camaraderie of the military – and and the people, both patients and the over to this department, but this is so,I saw that was something very strong co-workers who worked side-by-side so far beyond that.”Sroczynski is one of three nursesin the nursing field, so I knew where to help veterans when they neededthat help the most. “They are amazing who, along with two doctors and threeI was meant to be.”Sroczynski knew the first step people, the staff that works there,” she radiology technicians, comprise thewas education. She enrolled in said. “It’s kind of a calling to work at intervention radiology department. It’sOklahoma City Community College’s the VA Center, it’s certainly not easy, a job with long hours and more thanit’s share of challenges, but somethingnursing school, before completing her but it’s so, so fulfilling.”Sroczynski worked in the ICU, one she said she would never change.training at Oklahoma City University’s“Being a nurse is harder than flyingKramer School of Nursing. Both were of three intensive care units in theexperiences she said she would always sprawling Oklahoma Center Veteran’s airplanes – emotionally, physically, it’sCenter facility, for about three years. a coordinated chaos when you’re tryingcherish.“I loved both OCCC and Kramer, She then moved to the intervention to save somebody,” Sroczynski said.and particularly as I moved through radiology department – and found she “It’s more than I expected it to be, butthe program at Kramer, they really could love her job even more, beyond it’s so rewarding.“To be given an award for doingtaught not just the technical aspects anything she’d ever dreamed possible.“The other staff members, the what I love, where I love to doof nursing, but also the caring partof nursing,” Sroczynski said. “I loved patients, just working at the VA Center it, is beyond anything I could have– it’s a fun job, a fulfilling job, and I believed,” she said.that.”With her degree in hand, Sroczynskiwas as certain about where she wantedto be a nurse as she had been thatnursing was what she was meant todo. She applied to Oklahoma City’s VAMedical Center – and waited.“I tried for three or four months toget a job at the VA Center, and Iwas starting to worry that I mighthave to go somewhere else first andthen come back and apply again at theVA, when I was so lucky – there wasan opening,” Sroczynski said. “Theyneeded someone in the intensive careunit, and I was basically offered thejob right then.”From the start, Sroczynski knewher instincts were correct. While theAll Digital Packages Available - 405-631-5100
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0AGE *ANUARY 5NITED 7AY OF #ENTRAL /KLAHOMA.AMES 6OLUNTEER !WARD 2ECIPIENTS#OMMUNITY LEADERS RECEIVE RECOGNITION FOR THEIR VOLUNTEERINGLEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO CENTRAL /KLAHOMAUnited Way of Central Oklahomawill honor three outstanding communityleaders who model exceptional integrity,dedication, generosity and passionwith the organization’s three mostprestigious volunteer awards at itsannual Snowflake Gala on Fridayevening, Jan. 26, at the NationalCowboy & Western Heritage Museum.Tim O’Connor, public relationsrepresentative at American Income LifeInsurance Company and president ofthe Central Oklahoma Labor Federation,AFL-CIO, is the recipient of theRay Ackerman Leadership Award. Thisaward recognizes those who sharehis tireless efforts and devotion tothe United Way mission and set thestandard for volunteering, leadershipand caring. Tim has been involvedwith the United Way for decades andserved in leadership roles since 1992.He currently serves on the board andthe campaign cabinet.Another honoree at the gala isPolly Nichols, community volunteer.She is the recipient of the John andBerta Faye Rex Community BuilderAward, which recognizes individualswho share the Rex’s vision in findinglong-term solutions to communityneeds. Polly’s involvement in thecommunity is vast, working with morethan 25 nonprofit organizations overthe years. Polly and her husband,Larry, were the first couple to chairthe United Way’s annual campaign andshe serves as a trustee on the UnitedWay board.Judy Love, business leader andphilanthropist, is the recipient ofthe Richard H. Clements LifetimeAchievement Award, which honorsindividuals who have a lifelongdedication to volunteering, leadershipand philanthropy not only to UnitedWay but to the community as a whole.For more than 30 years, Judy has beenan integral part of the communityserving on the boards of 18 OklahomaCity-based nonprofits. Judy remainsa staunch advocate of the UnitedWay of Central Oklahoma, serving ascampaign co-chairman in 2015 and afounding member and current co-chairof the Women’s Leadership Society.“We are truly honoring three ofour community’s best this year, Icannot think of three more deservinghonorees,” said Debby Hampton,/KLAHOMA S .URSING 4IMES-AKING A #ONNECTION THE "EST 0ART OF THE *OBTim O’Connor.Jana Chavous, APRN-CNP, RN, MHA is a member of the pain managementteam at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Tulsa.Polly Nichols.Judy Love.president and CEO of United Wayof Central Oklahoma. “We commendthem for their outstanding commitmentto strengthening our community andappreciate all the ways they haveimpacted and contributed to UnitedWay, our Partner Agencies andour community. Their work is soinspiring.”For Jana Chavous, APRN-CNP, RN,MHA, really getting to know herpatients and their families is truly thebest part of her job.In a typical health care setting,the role of a nurse practitioner isto work directly with patients, aidedby advanced education and clinicaltraining, to provide physical exams,help diagnose and treat many commonacute and chronic problems, prescribeand manage medications and othertherapies, as well as many otherresponsibilities.As a member of the painmanagement team at Cancer TreatmentCenters of America (CTCA) in Tulsa,Chavous is entrusted with theseresponsibilities and in doing so, hasmany opportunities to communicatewith family members while serving herpatients. In her role, she conducts fullmedical histories on adult individualswith all types of cancers, reviewingpast pain medicine usage and success.She then works with the patientand his or her caregivers to makepain management recommendations,provide drug education and providethe best possible care for their uniquecircumstances and needs.“My goal for each patient is thebest possible quality of life,” saysChavous, who recently received herAPRN-CNP. “To do that, I exploreand share medication options, with afocus on the optimal pain managementusing non-addictive drugs as often aspossible.”To her, this is a special andmeaningful kind of connection.Prior to her latest role, Chavousgained more than eight years of nursingexperience at the Tulsa specialty cancercenter. She joined CTCA in the springof 2010 as a registered nurse workingas a care manager and as a clinicalresource nurse. And, prior to arrivingat the Tulsa hospital, she gained overa decade of experience with anothernortheastern Oklahoma hospital.Working toward her APRN-CNPwhile employed full-time at CTCA wasnot an easy task, but one her familyand friends supported her through andher colleagues encouraged her in. “Iwould work a full day, have classestwo to three days per week and studyevery day,” says Chavous, who hasbeen married for 10 years and has twochildren. “My husband was definitelymy rock through it all and I could nothave accomplished what I did without3EE #(!6/53 PAGE
/KLAHOMA S .URSING 4IMES*ANUARY Oklahoma’s Nursing TimesHospice Directory- another free service provided by Oklahoma’s Nursing Times Alpha Hospice: 7512 N Broadway Ext., suite 312Okc, 405-463-5695 Keith Ruminer/volunteercoordina tor/chaplainINTEGRIS Hospice, Inc. & the INTEGRISHospice House: Ruth Ann Frick, Vol.Coordinator, 405-848-8884Autumn Bridge Hospice: 405-440-2440Hospice of Owasso, Inc.: Todd A. Robertson,Dir. of Marketing, 877-274-0333Autumn Light Hospice: 580-252-1266Humanity Hospice: Sala Caldwell, Vol.Coordinator 405-418-2530Carter Healthcare & Hospice: OKC - OKCPat McGowen, Vol Coordinator, 405-947-7705, ext.134; Tulsa - Samantha Estes, Vol. Coordinator,918-425-4000InFinity Care of Tulsa: Spencer Brazeal, Vol.Director, 918-392-0800Centennial Hospice: Becky Johnson,Bereavement Coordinator 405-562-1211Indian Territory Home Health & Hospice:1-866-279-3975Choice Home Health & Hospice:405-879-3470Interim Healthcare Hospice: 405-848-3555Comforting Hands Hospice: Bartlesville:918-331-0003Companion Hospice:Steve Hickey, Vol. Coordinator, Guthrie:405-282-3980; Edmond: 405-341-9751Compassionate Care Hospice: Amy Legare,Bereavement/Vol. Coordinator, 405-948-4357Cornerstone Hospice: Vicky Herrington, Vol.Coordinator, 918-641-5192Image HealthCare : 6116 S. Memorial Tulsa,Ok. 74133 (918) 622-4799LifeChoice Hospice: Christy Coppenbarger,RN, Executive Director. 405-842-0171LifeSpring In-Home Care Network: TerryBoston, Volunteer and Bereavement Coordinator405-801-3768LifeLine Hospice: April Moon, RN ClinicalCoordinator 405-222-2051Mercy Hospice: Sandy Sch
Clinics will be held every Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the INTEGRIS Jim Thorpe Outpatient Rehabilitation at 4100 S. Douglas Ave., Oklahoma City. The cost is 75 for each 4-week session, including an initial evaluation For more information or to schedule an aphasia evaluation, contact Susan
