Oklahoma's Nursing Times is published throughout the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. With more than 42,000 weekly readers in print and more than 70,000 online each month, Oklahoma's Nursing Times is the largest weekly health care publication in Oklahoma. If you have a news idea, press release, announcements or personnel changes that affect the industry - call Priya Jenkins, editor at 405-631-5100 or email news@okcnursingtimes.com. If you are recruiting nurses call Annette Deckard in Oklahoma City or Melanie Mitchell in Tulsa, classified advertising at 405-631-5100. If you wish to advertise your retail location or product call Char Posey, retail advertising at 405-631-5100. You can also reach either by email advertising@okcnursingtimes.com

Cheryl Simco, RN, shows a happy smile as she shares thoughts on her career as an ER nurse in Jackson County. Photo by Jenny Hawkins

Laughing with Elizabeth By Elizabeth Bussey Sowdal, RN

Each week we visit with health care professionals throughout Oklahoma. If you would like us to visit your facility, please email Priya Jenkins at: news@okcnursingtimes.com

The American Nurses Association has announced the theme of National Nurses Week 2005, "Nurses: Many Roles One Profession." National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6, also known as National Nurses Day, through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

The State of Oklahoma Department of Corrections employs six nurse managers in its central office in Oklahoma City. (left to right) Joni Claflin, RN; Bob Mann, RN, MSW; Judy Trahern, RN, BSN; Deardi Wabaunsee, RN, CPHQ; Jane Kirby, RN, BSN; Mike Murray, RN. Photo by Elissa Crocker

Reducing "bad" cholesterol levels to new lows resulted in fewer problems, including heart attacks and strokes, in people with established coronary disease, a new study finds.

Louis M. Stackler, RN, MS, CNS, has been a registered nurse in the profession for 16 years. After having worked with several types of medical populations, Lou’s specialty is serving the geriatric population. He is currently an instructor in the nursing department at Tulsa Technology Center. Even with his busy schedule, Louis spends time serving in several community organizations, teaching religious education at the local Catholic Church, speed walking and model building. His influence to become a nurse came from being involved with other nurses on health department projects and their commitment to service. Louis says that service is such a part of his character that whenever he provides direct nursing services to someone needing his care and the person gives him an appreciative remark, he is reminded why he entered the profession. Louis continues to serve patients at Hillcrest Medical Center where he has worked for 16 years. Photo submitted

If Terri Schiavo had only documented what she would have wanted: her husband and parents would not be adversaries; politicians would not have used her life to assert their various political agendas; and the many, many dollars spent to finally decide what should be done could have been spent in a manner that would have benefited many.

The war on cancer is fought on many fronts, including the hearts of volunteers who donate there time and energy to fight for a cure.