Articles

Dr. Philip Slocum, at the Freeman Lung Institute, believes great physicians are great listeners who combine patient stories with science to diagnose and treat lung diseases. With a distinguished career in critical care and medical education, he now helps develop pulmonary care and fellowship programs at Freeman. He praises Freeman’s supportive environment and dedicated staff as the best he’s experienced in over four decades.

Dr. Uwe Schmidt is an infectious disease specialist known for diagnosing and treating rare and serious infections, including those linked to the 2011 Joplin tornado. Originally from Germany, he has a rich career spanning outbreaks like Legionnaire’s Disease, West Nile Virus, and HIV/AIDS. At Freeman since 2009, Dr. Schmidt combines deep expertise with compassionate care to help patients through challenging illnesses.

Dr. Frank S. Kim is a cardiologist and interventionalist at Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute, dedicated to preventing and treating heart disease. He values practicing locally and takes great joy in helping patients recover from serious cardiac events. Outside of work, he enjoys music and spending time with his family.

Dr. Matthew Grounds, director of emergency medicine and trauma services at Freeman, embraces the variety and fast pace of emergency care. He values building personal connections with patients, treating them like family. Despite the urgency of his work, he finds reward in saving lives and delivering patient-centered care.

Samuel Wimsett and Christina Williams built an eco-friendly home in Joplin featuring solar panels, a rain garden, and energy-efficient systems. They’ve planted over 100 native trees to restore the neighborhood’s natural habitat after a tornado. Their goal is to inspire neighbors and others to live sustainably and reduce their environmental impact.

The Coleman Theatre in Miami, Oklahoma, celebrates its 90th anniversary on April 18 with a special showing of The Wizard of Oz and birthday festivities. This historic theater, known for its stunning Louis XV interior, attracts visitors from around the world. A fundraiser is underway to upgrade its sound and lighting systems to keep the venue modern and vibrant.

The Miami Arts and Humanities Council presents the vibrant Mural Fest 66 in Miami’s Route 66 Cultural District, featuring eight murals by local and regional artists, live performances, kids’ activities, food trucks, and an art market. This family-friendly event celebrates community creativity and draws visitors to experience Miami’s growing arts scene.

Tom Kimball, now serving his second term as GRDA board chairman, is focused on making Grand Lake a thriving, year-round destination through tourism, infrastructure, and environmental initiatives—ensuring both current residents and future generations can enjoy life on the lake.

Inspired by firsthand experience, 19-year-old Patrick Haase created the Building Safe app to give schools a fast, secure way to alert staff and first responders in emergencies—helping students feel safer with just the push of a button.