Author Archives: Admin

New Research Building’s Construction Is On Schedule

Staff Report

Construction of a new biomedial and forensics sciences research facility on the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences campus is on schedule for a 2010 opening.

OSU-CHS and the City of Tulsa broke ground Feb. 20 on a shared facility that will house forensic sciences and biomedical research interests.
Structural concrete is approximately two-thirds finished on the facility, according to Eric Polak, director of administrative affairs at OSU-CHS.

The last floor deck is scheduled to be poured on in early September.

Installation has begun for the duct work on the first floor and framing for the outer skin is starting to be installed.

The 160,000 square-foot building will have five floors; floors one and two for police department use, and floors three, four and five for OSU-CHS.
Completion for the OSU floors is projected for early November, 2010.

The first phase of construction will complete for OSU the third-floor forensic sciences area, featuring a seminar style teaching lab, faculty and staff offices, and the forensic biology, pathology and toxicology student labs and clinical labs. There will be expansion space that can accommodate two labs and a 24-seat classroom.

The fourth floor has labs and offices for 12 biomedical sciences faculty members, procedure rooms, a dark room and a cold room. Later, phase two will build out the fifth floor for additional biomedical science research labs and faculty offices.

Watch the building construction live feed: http://10.19.6.3/liveview

Last Updated ( Friday, 21 August 2009 )

President addresses healthcare at OFA press conference

Tracy Crain, managing editor

Breaking News

During a live press conference this afternoon, hosted by the Organization for America, (OFA) President Barack Obama took to the podium with one intent–to clarify his plans regarding health care reform.

After a quick introduction by Beth Kimbriel, an OFA volunteer from Virginia, he addressed the crowd amid applause. Rolling up his shirt sleeves, he stated firmly that Americans should not lose heart.

"Look at what we have accomplished so far," he said, detouring into a quick list of successes.

Some of those things include new tax breaks for 95% of working families and putting more people back to work building bridges, hospitals, and roads.

"We’re not out of the woods, but more people have been able to keep their homes," he said. "We should be proud. Confident, but not complacent."

Although the atomosphere was energetic, nothing derailed from the seriousness of the topic at hand–healthcare.

So many Americans have been misinformed. Healthcare reform is not to be feared, Obama said, indicating that the new plan will allow Americans to keep their existing doctor or their existing plan if they want.

"No one is going to take that away from you," he said. "We simply want to provide affordable options to those in working America who are self-employed, underemployed or without insurance."

This is not about providing health care for the underserved community, as most of them already have medicaid, he said.

Healthcare reform is about providing a public option to those working, who can not afford health insurance premiums.

It is also about reforming Medicaid for the long term, he continued. Ultimately, that means better benefits for Seniors and a more sustainable program in the long run.

Medicaid is going to run out of money in eight years, Obama said.

For that reason, this reform is not about taking insurance away from seniors, but insuring that they have quality care available to them in the future and insuring that they have the ability to pay for the medications that they need.

During the press conference, an audience member raised their hand to ask a question–They wanted to know if the President had any suggestions on how to motivate Americans to make healthier choices.

In the preceding discussion, Obama talked about farmers. "At this moment, we’re trying to get local farmers to the school districts to provide school children with healthier eating options," he said. "Everyone is excited about the potential, but we don’t have a distribution method yet."

Overall, Obama encouraged Americans to stay informed and challenged reporters far and wide to refute misinformation when they see it published.

Healthcare reform is part of the "Change" he wants to see as President– as far too many Americans live without it, he said.

Last Updated ( Friday, 21 August 2009 )

A birthday celebration with McCartney

Tracy Crain, managing editor

A Tulsa Today Special Review

It’s safe to say that music legend Paul McCartney not only entertained a sold out crowd in Tulsa on Monday night in commemoration of the BOK Center’s first year of existence–he brought the house down.

For a magical two and a half hours, McCartney awed fans with songs such as “My Love,” “Let It Roll,” and “I’ve Got A Feeling.”

There were also numbers such as “Here Today” and “Blackbird,” which he did totally alone on stage.

By the close of the evening, he had performed a total of 34 songs–certainly more than most performers at any given concert.

Without question, the man works hard for the money.

Other great songs throughout the night included: “Drive My Car,” “Got to Get You Into My Life,” “My Love,” “Band on the Run,” “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” “I’m Down,” “Paperback Writer,” “I Saw Her Standing There,” “Yesterday,” and “Get Back.”

McCartney’s show was not only a tribute and a symbol of the escalating music scene in Tulsa–it was a breath of fresh air and a gentle reminder of success in a year that has been plagued with economic concerns.

Since the opening of the BOK Center, the Tulsa music scene has blossomed in so many ways–no other performer in the world could have symbolized that success better than McCartney.

Although his concert started nearly an hour late due to long-lines going through security, fans didn’t seem to mind.

Everyone was excited and eager to be a part of the celebration–McCartney’s show is reportedly the 140th event hosted at the BOK Center.

While the arena continues to experience a few growing pains, that has not impacted profit, which is repoted at over a million for this past year.

That’s success, anyway that one would care to measure it.

Although ticket sales are still being processed, Monday night’s show is believed to have been the highest revenue producing performance of any event this past year–certainly a compliment to the esteemed Sir McCartney, who is quite selective about the venues he will play.

At the age of 67, this legendary musical genius is living proof of the adage, “things do get better with time.” McCartney is better than ever.

Fans interested in viewing his live performance of "Hey Jude," at the BOK Center, can check out this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vzi3GinP8w

Tulsa Today was pleased to be a part of the McCartney celebration. Our photographer Kevin Pyle was also on hand amid the thousands who turned out for this historic night — and what a show it was.

Last Updated ( Monday, 24 August 2009 )

Apply Now For Absentee Ballots

Staff Report

Eligible voters wanting absentee ballots mailed to them for Tulsa’s primary election Sept. 8 should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Patty Bryant said today.
 
 The election board will accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. Wednesday, September 2. However, Bryant urged voters who want to vote by absentee ballot to apply early.  Absentee ballot application forms are available at the County Election Board office, 555 N. Denver.

 A letter may be mailed or faxed requesting a ballot, or a form letter may be downloaded from the Tulsa County Election Board Webpage (www.tulsacounty.org, choose the Government tab, choose BOCC Divisions, and click Election Board).

A letter may be mailed or faxed requesting a ballot, or a form letter may be downloaded from the Tulsa County Election Board Webpage (www.tulsacounty.org, choose the Government tab, choose BOCC Divisions, and click Election Board).

"At least two mail transactions must be made," Bryant said.  "The County Election Board must mail the ballots to the voter, and the voter must return the voted ballots by mail."   Ballots must be in the hands of the County Election Board by 7 p.m. on election day in order to be counted.

Bryant said any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he or she is eligible to vote.  However, a voter must be registered and reside at an address within the geographical boundaries of the district to be eligible to vote.  It is not necessary to give a reason for absentee voting.

  "While anyone can vote absentee without giving a reason, the law still provides several excuses and it is to the advantage of some voters to use one of them," Bryant said.  By stating one of the following reasons on their application, these voters can activate some special conditions that make it easier for them to use absentee ballots.  The reasons are:

–Voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left unattended may vote absentee.  They may apply only by mail, by fax, or by telegraph.

–Voters who are confined to nursing homes in the county may vote absentee.  An Absentee Voting Board actually goes to the nursing home a few days before the election, sets up a small polling place and allows these persons to vote under circumstances similar to those at a regular precinct polling place.  They may apply only by mail or by fax.

–Military personnel and residents of the county living overseas     and the spouses and dependents of each group are     eligible to vote     absentee without being registered.  These    voters may apply only by mail or by fax.  Military personnel should contact the Voting    Service Officers in their units for application forms and additionalinformation.  Residents of Oklahoma living overseas can obtain the     same materials from any United States military installation and from     United States Embassies and Consulates.  Military personnel and overseas citizens also can download and print an application form from the Internet at www.fvap.gov.

Bryant said that persons wishing to fax their absentee ballot request should fax to (918) 596-4536.  For questions or concerns regarding absentee voting in Tulsa County, contact the Tulsa County Election Board Absentee Department at (918)596-5767 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or after hours contact the absentee voice mailbox at (918)596-8833.  

Bryant said in-person absentee voting will also be available at the Tulsa County Election Board located at 555 N. Denver on Friday, September 4 and Monday, September 7, (Labor Day) from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  For additional information regarding early in-person absentee voting, please contact the Tulsa County Election Board Absentee Department at (918)596-5767.

Last Updated ( Friday, 21 August 2009 )

Nursing School Receives $1.1 Million Grant to Reach Underserved Areas

Staff Report

The Oral Roberts University Anna Vaughn School of Nursing (AVSON) is working to reverse a disturbing trend of poor health in Oklahoma.

AVSON recently received a workforce diversity grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for $1.1 million over three years. The grant will help the school serve northeastern Oklahoma by recruiting minority and disadvantaged students who will work in these rural areas after graduation.

In 2007, Oklahoma was ranked number 47 in the nation in overall health by the United Health Foundation. "This grant will help us recruit young men and women from rural areas, train them as nurses, and send them back into their communities," said Dr. Kenda Jezek, dean of the school of nursing.

There will be eight $5,000 scholarships and 20 stipends of $300 per month up to $3,000 available for these students.

The students who receive these awards will be required to take part in programs designed to help them achieve success in their academic pursuits.

These activities include regular lunchtime seminars where students can learn to master life skills such as time management and study skills, Saturday academies where students will hear from minority professionals who are examples of the success they can achieve, and a summer academy that will acclimate these students to the university atmosphere and help them brush up on basic-level academics.

"We want to deliver quality education and stay on the cutting edge," said Jezek.

The school will also partner with the Northeastern Oklahoma Area Health Education Center to receive help and guidance in how to supply rural areas with nurses.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 August 2009 )