Research - Faculty Research
Faculty Research Interests & Representative Publications
Evelyn Acheson, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Community health
- Distance education in developing countries (e.g., Guyana, South America)
- Research in developing countries
Global health
Contact Information:
Phone: Tulsa Campus – (918) 660-3970 49163
Email: Evelyn-Acheson@ouhsc.edu
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Jo Azzarello, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Research Interests:
- Diabetes self-management education
- Development of expertise
- Mental models
- Structural knowledge
- Cognitive tutors
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49163
Email: Jo-Azzarello@ouhsc.edu
Representative Publications:
Azzarello, J. (2008). Unfolding Case Studies: Dynamic Mental Models in a Public Health Context. In N. Facione, P. Facione (Eds.), Critical Thinking and Clinical Reasoning.
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Lazelle Benefield, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor & Endowed Parry Chair in Gerontological Nursing
Director, Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
Research Interests:
- Distance caregiving of elders alone at home
- Distance caregiving needs of Alzheimer’s patients in nursing homes
- Case management of community-based elders
- Distance caregiving and technology innovation
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49117
Email: Lazelle-Benefield@ouhsc.edu
Representative Publications:
Benefield, L.E., Beck, Cornelia (2007). Reducing the distance in distance-caregiving by technology innovation. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2(2), 267-272.
Benefield, L.E. (2005). Gerontological Resources On-Line. Home Healthcare Nurse, 23(10), 677-678.
Benefield, L.E. (2005). Ways to Support Long-Distance Family Caregivers. Home Healthcare Nurse, 23(3), 196.
Dicenso, A., Prevost, S., Benefield, L., Bingle, J., Ciliska, D., Driever, M., Lock, S., Titler, M. Sigma Theta Tau International Evidence-Based Practice Task Force (2004). Evidence-Based Nursing: Rationale and Resources. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 1(1), 69-75.
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Deborah Booton-Hiser, PhD, RN, ARNP
Director of Nurse Practitioner Program, Professor
Research Interests:
- Nurse practitioner education
- Use of technology in education
- Clinical and educational utility of personal digital assistants
- Nurse managed center
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49169
Email: Deborah-Booton-Hiser@ouhsc.edu
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Beverly Bowers, PhD, RN, CNS
Assistant Dean for Faculty Development and Professional Continuing Education, Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Centering Pregnancy
- State of the Science on Prematurity and Low Birthweight
- Nursing Education Research
- Evidence-Based Practice
Contact Information:
Phone:
(405) 271-1491 Ext. 49181
Email: Beverly-Bowers@ouhsc.edu
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Sheryl Buckner, MS, RN, CM
Academic and Staff Developer, Case Management, Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Interdisciplinary relationships between nursing and physical therapy
- Smoking cessation
- Evidence-based practice and the process nurses use to accept/use EBP as well as SPHM
Contact Information:
Phone:
(405) 271-1491 Ext. 49191
Email: Sheryl-Buckner@ouhsc.edu
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Nancy Chu, PhD, RN, GCNS-BC, FNGNA
Associate Professor
Research Interests:
- Vulnerabilities of Vietnamese elderly Americans
- Quality of life of Vietnamese elderly American women
- Ethnicity and aging
- Health promotion and aging
- Cultural competence
- Health disparities and community health
- Health utilization and community-based participatory research
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49204
Email: Nancy-Chu@ouhsc.edu
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Sharon Coon, PhD, RN, AOCN
Associate Professor & Nurse Researcher
esearch Interests:
- Oncology
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Symptom Management
- Staff Engagement in Practice Improvement
Contact Information:
Phone:
(405) 312-8806
Email: Sharon-Coon@ouhsc.edu
Representative Publications:
Coleman, E.A., Coon, S.K., Kennedy, R.L., Lockhart, K.D., Stewart, C.B., Anaissie, E.J., et al. (2008). Effects of Exercise in Combination with Epoetin Alfa During High-dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma. Oncology Nursing Forum Online, 35(3), E53-61.
Coon, S.K., McBride-Wilson, J., Coleman, E.A., Coon, S.K., McBride-Wilson, J. & Coleman, E.A. (2007). Back to Basics: Assessment, Communication, Caring, and Follow-up - A Lesson from a Couple's Journey with Multiple Myeloma. [Review}. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 11(6), 825-829.
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Elena Cuaderes, PhD, RN, CNE
Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Diabetes education
- Prevention of foot ulcers and diabetes
- Plantar foot characteristics and ulcer formation in Native Americans with diabetes
Contact Information:
Phone:
(405) 271-1491 Ext. 49184
Email: Elena-Cuaderes@ouhsc.edu
Representative Publications:
Cuaderes, E., Parker, D., & Burgin, C. (2004). Leisure time physical activity in adult Native Americans. Southern Online Journal of Nursing Research, 1(5): Retrieved on April 2, 2004, from: http://www.snrs.org/members/journal.html#iss01vol05.
Hays, M.A., All, A.C., Mannahan, C., Cuaderes, E., & Wallace, D. (2006). Reported stressors and ways of coping utilized by intensive care unit nurses. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 25(4), 185-193.
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Kathleen Dwyer, PhD, RN
Chair Henry J. Freede Endowed Chair in Nursing Science, Professor
Director, Cancer Supportive Care Research at OU Cancer Institute
Research Interests:
- Cancer prevention/screening
- Cancer survivorship during the re-entry phase
- Cancer supportive care in the clinical setting
- Community-based participatory research methods
Contact Information:
Phone:
(405) 271-1491 Ext. 49223
Email: Kathleen-Dwyer@ouhsc.edu
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Karethy (Kay) Edwards, DrPH, ARNP, BC
Professor
Research Interests:
- American Indian and African-American women’s health
- Diabetes management of American Indian and African-American populations
- HeartMath
Contact Information:
Phone:
(405) 271-1491 Ext. 49154
Email: Kay-Edwards@ouhsc.edu
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Susan Ellerbee, PhD, RNC, IBCLC
Associate Professor
Research Interests:
- Breastfeeding
- Native American breastfeeding practices
- Mothering experiences of adolescents
- Cue-based feeding practices with preterm infants
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49178
Email: Susan-Ellerbee@ouhsc.edu
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Valerie Eschiti, PhD, RN, CHTP, AHN-BC
Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Breast cancer screening and traditional indigenous healing for breast cancer in American Indian women of the Southern Plains
- Healing Touch for breast cancer
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491, Ext. 43261
Email: Valerie-Eschiti@ouhsc.edu
Representative Publications:
Struthers, R., Eschiti, V., & Patchell, B. (2008, in press). The experience of being an Anishinabe man healer: Ancient healing in a modern world. Journal of Cultural Diversity: An Interdisciplinary Journal.
Hamilton, P., Eschiti, V., Hernandez, K. Neill, D. (2007, in press). Differences between weekend and weekday nurse work environments and patient outcomes: A focus group approach to model testing, The Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing.
Eschiti, V.S. (2007). Commentary on "Spirituality and Health in Punabi Sikh," Journal of Holistic Nursing 2007, 25, 149-150.
Eschiti, V.S. (2007). Research Abstracts. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 26(5), 227-228
Grassley, J., & Eschiti, V.S. (2007). Two generations learning together: Facilitating grandmothers' support of breastfeeding. International Journal of Childbirth Educators, 22(2).
Eschiti, V.S. (2006). Cultural and spiritual awareness. Nursing Today: Transitions and Trends (5th Ed.). Zerwekh J. & Claborn, J.C. (Eds.). St. Louis MO: Elsevier, pp. 505-519.
McIntosh, D., & Eschiti, V.S. (2006). Cultural aspects of American Indian HIV/AIDS Prevention [abstract]. The Oklahoma Nurse, 51(3), 27.
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Mark Fisher, MS, RN
Instructor
Research Interests:
- Interactions, communication, and relationships between parents, nurses, and doctors in the context of pediatric chronic illness.
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49207
Email: Mark-Fisher@ouhsc.edu
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Patricia Forni, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor
Research Interests:
- Bridge and fast track programs in nursing for Native American students
Contact Information:
Phone:
(405) 271-1491 Ext. 49199
Email: Patricia-Forni@ouhsc.edu
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Barbara Holtzclaw, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor & Research Liaison
Associate Director, Geriatric Nursing Translational Science Training
Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence
Research Interests:
- Thermoregulatory response of vulnerable patients
- Translational research: physiologically based interventions
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491, Ext. 49171
Email: Barbara-Holtzclaw@ouhsc.edu
Representative Publications:
Holtzclaw, B.J. (2007). Dengue Fever. In F.R. Lashley & J. Durham (Eds.), Emerging Infectious Diseases: Trends and Issues. 2nd Ed. NY: Springer Publishing Company, pp. 123-132.
Holtzclaw, B.J., Kenner, C.A., & Walden, M. (2008). Grant Writing Handbook for Nurses. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
Holtzclaw, B.J. (2008). Managing inadvertent and accidental hypothermia. Online Journal of Clinical Innovations, 10(2), 1-58.
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Vanessa Johnson, PhD, MS, RN, BC
Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Comorbidity of fetal alcohol syndrome and FMRI gene mutation
- The epidemiology of fragile X
- The accuracy of the BIPSI-fragile X screening tool
Contact Information:
Phone:
Tulsa Campus (918) 660-3983
Email: Vanessa-Johnson@ouhsc.edu
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Carole Kenner, DNS, RNC-NIC, FAAN
Dean and Professor
Research Interests:
- Transitioning from hospital to home
- Palliative and end-of-life care
- Family context of clinical genetics
- Perinatal substance abuse
- Economic indicators – safe motherhood and newborn health
- State of the science on prematurity
- Pediatric palliative care
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-2428
Email: Carole-Kenner@ouhsc.edu
Representative Publications:
Holtzclaw, B.J., Kenner, C., & Walden, M. (2008). Grant Writing Handbook for Nurses (2nd ed.), Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Kenner, C. (ed.). Mubichi, F. (2008). International Connections: Kenya Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality: Genetics or Not? Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews, 8(1), e25-e26.
Finkelman, A. & Kenner, C. (2007). Educational and Service Partnerships: An Example of Global Flattening. Journal of Professional Nursing 2007, Sept-Oct issue.
Kenner, C., Pressler, J. & Loving, G. (2007). ”New Age” Literacy: Expectations for Deans, Nurse Educator, 32(3), 97-99.
Finkelman, A.W. and Kenner, C. (2007). Teaching IOM: Implications of the IOM Reports for Nursing Education. Silver Spring, MD: Nursesbooks.org.
Kenner, C. & Ellerbee, S. (2007). “Nursing Care of the High Risk Newborn” (pp. 1053-1089). In D.L. Lowedermilk & S.E. Perry (eds.). Maternity & Women’s Health Care, 9th Ed., St. Louis: Mosby.
Kenner, C., Surgru, N., & Finkelman, A. (November 2007). Poverty and Neonatal Outcomes: Mitigating a Consequence in Developing Countries. Accepted for publication in Nursing for Women’s Health.
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Katherine Kirk, RN, MSN
Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Parental Attitudes toward Chronic Endocrine Disorders of Childhood, study funded by the Presbyterian health Foundation
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49159
Email: Katherine-Kirk@ouhsc.edu
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Betty Kupperschmidt, EdD, RN, CNAA, BC
Associate Professor
Research Interests:
- To facilitate and expect students to read, critique, and use research to support their administrative/leadership strategies.
Contact Information:
Phone: (918) 660-3953 (Tulsa Campus)
Email: Betty-Kupperschmidt@ouhsc.edu
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Renee Leasure, PhD, RN, CCRN
Associate Professor
Research Interests:
- Symptom management
- Evidence-based practice
- Ventilator-associated pneumonia of adults cared for at the VA
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49174
Email: Renee-Leasure@ouhsc.edu
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Ricki Loar, MS, ARNP, FNP, GNP
Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Use of computer-based and online technology in nurse practitioner education
- Improvement in the care of geriatric residents of long-term care facilities
- BSN, MSN, PhD, and DNP education in geriatric care
- Technology use in successful aging in place
- Nurse managed clinics/healthcare centers and quality of care
Contact Information:
Phone:
(405) 271-1491 Ext. 49214
Email: Ricki-Loar@ouhsc.edu
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Gary Loving, PhD, RN, CNE
Assistant Dean – Center for Educational Excellence, Associate Professor
Research Interests:
- Technology-mediated education
- Healthcare informatics
- Phenomenal and grounded theory approaches
- Evaluation research
Contact Information:
Phone:
(405) 271-1491, Ext. 49191
Email: Gary-Loving@ouhsc.edu
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Margo MacRobert, RNC, MC, CNAA, BC (Case Management)
Assistant Dean for Operations
Research Interests:
- Use of a Wellness Center and Healthy Sooners Program for employee screenings campus-wide
- Smoking cessation with a marginalized population
- Reducing employee cost for treating obesity and/or diabetes using a disease management model
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 43253
Email: Margo-MacRobert@ouhsc.edu
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Stephanie Marfurt, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Substance abuse treatment in women
- Alternative and complementary therapies
- Breast and cervical cancer detection and prevention
- Cultural issues related to reproduction cancer detection
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 43243
Email: Stephanie-Marfurt@ouhsc.edu
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Marianne Matzo, PhD, APRN, BC-GNP, FAAN
Frances E. and A. Earl Ziegler Chair in Palliative Care Nursing, Professor
Research Interests:
- Palliative care
- Sexual health issues in palliative care
- Russian ELNEC (end-of-life)
- Rural Hospice utilization
- Attitude and knowledge of Oklahomans regarding palliative care
- Palliative care and disaster planning
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49160
Email: Marianne-Matzo@ouhsc.edu
Representative Publications:
Matzo, M. (2008). Evidence for Excellence. American Journal of Nursing, 108(8), 73-75.
Matzo, M., Hijjazi, K., & Outwater, M. (2008). Elder Oklahoman's Practices and Attitudes Related to Advance Directives, Journal of Gerontologial Nursing, 34(2), 21-26.
Matzo, M., Kenner, C., Boykova, M., & Jurkevich, I. (2007). End-of-life nursing education in Russian Federation. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 9(5): 246-255.
Matzo, M. (2007). Evidence for Excellence. American Journal of Nursing, 107(8): 51-52.
Wilkerson, A., Matzo, M., Gatto, M., & Lynn, J. Palliative Care. Chapter VII (101-116) in Bioterrorism and Other Public Health Emergencies Tools and Models for Planning and Preparedness. Mass Medical Care with Scarce Resources, A Community Planning Guide.
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Voncella McCleary-Jones, PhD, MS, RN, BC
Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Health literacy
- Health disparities
- Learning disabilities
- Administration
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49167
Email: Voncella-McCleary-Jones@ouhsc.edu
Representative Publications:
McCleary-Jones, V. (2008). Strategies to Facilitate Learnign among Nursing Students with Learning Disabilities. Nurse Educator, 33(3), 105-106.
McCleary-Jones, V. (2007). Learning Disabilities in the Community College and the Role of Disability Services Departments. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 14(1), 43-48.
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Rebecca Phillips, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Fever in the elderly
- Temperature regulation
- Inflammatory mediators of core temperature
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49185
Email: Rebecca-A-Phillips@ouhsc.edu
Representative Publications:
Phillips, R.A. (2007). Treating carotid artery disease to prevent stroke. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, January/February, 40-49.
Phillips, R.A. (2006). Acute pancreatitis: Inflammation gone wild. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, September/October, 18-29.
Phillips, R.A. (2006). Stopping the train wreck of SIRS. Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, July/august, 44-54.
Phillips, R.A. (2003). The relationship between pro-inflammatory mediators and heat stress induced rhabdomyolysis in exercising Marines. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America, 15, 163-170.
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Su An Arnn Phipps, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Women's health and the relationship to prematurity and infant mortality
- Perinatal risk assessment instrument development
- Health disparities in women and infant health
- Diabetes prevention in low income populations
Contact Information:
Phone: Tulsa Campus – (918) 660-395
Email: Sue-Phipps@ouhsc.edu
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Jana Pressler, PhD, RN
Assistant Dean for Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Professor
Director, PhD Program
Research Interests:
- Developmental outcomes of preterm infants
- Birth trauma
- Transitional care of preterm infants
- Prevention of infant obesity
- Recovery of adolescents undergoing scoliosis surgery
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491, Ext. 49175
Email: Jana-Pressler@ouhsc.edu
Representative Publications:
Kenner, C., Lewis, J.A., Pressler, J.L., & Little, C.M. (2008). Neonatal Genetic Testing is More Than Screening. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America, 20(2), 233-237.
Pressler, J.L. (2008). Classification of Major Newborn Birth Injuries. Journal of Perinatal and Neontal Nursing, 22(1), 60-67.
Kenner, C. & Pressler, J. (2007). Chapter 30. Trends in neonatal care delivery. In C. Kenner & J.W. Lott (eds.), Comprehensive Neonatal Nursing: An Interdisciplinary Approach (4th ed., pp. 563-566). Philadelphia: Saunders.
Pressler, J.L. & Kenner, C.A. (2007). Effecting change in striving to achieve capacity. Nurse Educator, 32(5), 187-189.
Pressler, J.L., & Kenner, C.A. (2007). Hiring the very best deans: A new “Best Practice” in the making? Nurse Educator, 32(3), 97-99.
Kenner, C.A., Pressler, J.L., & Loving, G. (2007). ”New Age” literacy: Expectations for deans. Nurse Educator, 32(3), 97-99.
Pressler, J.L., & Kenner, C.A. (2007). “Closet” skeletons that accompany all deanships. Nurse Educator, 32(2), 55-57.
Kenner, C., & Pressler, J.L. (2007). Chapter 30. Trends in neonatal care delivery. In C. Kenner & J.W. Lott (Eds.), Comprehensive neonatal nursing: An interdisciplinary approach (4th ed., 563-566). Philadelphia: Saunders.
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Francene Weatherby, PhD, RNC
Professor
Research Interests:
- Evaluation research – predicting success of first year BSN nursing students
- Follow-up study of the careers of former accelerated BSN graduates
- Effectiveness of surrogate simulators
- Predicting success on NCLEX
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491 Ext. 49133
Email: Francene-Weatherby@ouhsc.edu
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Shelly Wells, MBA, RN, CNS, BC
Assistant Dean - Tulsa Campus, Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Healthcare labor issues and workforce needs
- Health policy development
Contact Information:
Phone: (918) 660-3967 (Tulsa Campus)
Email: Shelly-Wells@ouhsc.edu
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Janet Wilson, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Research Interests:
- Intimate Partner Violence Fatality Revoiew Case Analysis (Oklahoma Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board)
- Evaluation of Use of Lethality Assessments for First Responders to Decrease Intimate Partner Violence Fatality (National Institute of Justice)
- KidSafe Telenet: Use of Telecommunications to Enhance Child Abuse Investigations and Interventions
- Disengagement from violent relationships (cross cultural)
- Intervention to promote safe disengagement from violent relationships: Tribe-specific safety plans
- Traumatic grief
Contact Information:
Phone:
(405) 271-1491 Ext. 49190
Email: Janet-Wilson@ouhsc.edu
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Deborah Wisnieski, MS, ARNP
Instructor
Research Interests:
- Female adolescent sexuality
- Women’s health issues
- Cultural influences
- Planned pregnancies
- Preventing STDs in adolescent girls
- Menopausal issues
Contact Information:
Phone: (405) 271-1491, Ext. 49153
Email: Deborah-Wisnieski@ouhsc.edu
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