Greetings Colleagues and Friends,
I hope spring will be in full effect by the time this newsletter is printed. Wait – I think I forgot we live in Oklahoma…we’ll just get what we get and keep on moving. J
Last month, I had the opportunity to attend and participate in the inauguration of our very own, Dr. Diane Heaton, as she stepped into the role of State leader for our medical association. Dr. Heaton will serve as the Oklahoma State Medical Association president through April 2024. The event was held at Southern Hills and was a very special night. We also celebrated the upcoming retirement of three outstanding women in our OSMA office: Donna Bartlett, Sandy Deeba, and Nancy Marshall. They will be missed and are definitely appreciated for their many years of service.
Also in April, I was pleased to serve as the Doc of the Day at the State Capitol.
I met with several of the legislatures and discussed the similarities in our daily struggles as lawmakers and physicians. Overall, there was a feeling of mutual respect and a desire to understand the issues of both disciplines. Please look ahead to your April 2024 calendars so that you are prepared to select a date to serve and represent TCMS and OSMA.
We have our Drillers Night event coming up on the 27th! Don’t forget to RSVP as it looks like the weather may actually cooperate again this year (fingers crossed) and provide us with pleasant temperatures to sit out and enjoy watching the game and hanging out with each other and our TOMS colleagues. The link to register is in this newsletter so please register early as there is limited space in the reserved area.
CINCO de MAYO – the widely
celebrated day of Margaritas- is the date commemorating the Mexican Army’s victory over France at the Battle of the Puebla in 1862. For us at TCMS, it also means that we get to honor our retired physicians with a luncheon and speaker presentations by David Kendrick, MD, and Bruce Dart, Ph.D.
Here are a few other important events and celebrations occurring this month:
· Nurses Week: 6-12
· National Hospital Week: 7-13
· Teacher Appreciation Week: 8-12
The OU College of Medicine Graduation is Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 11 a.m.
Lloyd Noble Center - 2900 Jenkins Avenue, Norman, OK.
The OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Commencement is Saturday, May 13th, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. Mabee Center - 7777 S Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK.
Regardless of how many activities you attend or how you choose to spend your time this month, please remember to take a few minutes out of every day to reflect upon the many blessings bestowed to you as we continue on this journey of helping Oklahomans live their healthiest lives.
Sharon Smallwood, MD
President
“Knowing what to say measures your intelligence, but knowing how to say it measures your heart.”