January 11, 2023 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Serving Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Wednesday, January 11, 2023 Weekday Edition Pilots for Paws Rescues Local Animals Elk City Leadership } Hall ofFame Inductees Announced left to right is ACO Amber Stepp, Pilots N Paws Jo Mc- Cullough, ACO Krystal Stone, Pilots N Paws Alex McCulloch. Staff photo by Zadie Eakins. Rick Muncrief Dr. David Bank Elk City - The Elk City Leadership Hall of Fame 2023 Induct- ees are David Bank, MD and Rick Muncrief. They will officially be inducted Tuesday January 17, 2023 between the Elkettes and Elks Basketball Games at the Pioneer Center along with a reception honoring them 5-6 pm also at the Pioneer Center downstairs in the hospitality room. Family and Friends are wel- come to come and congratulate them. Qualifications for hon- orees include...have been a resident or have worked in Elk City According to Elk City’s Animal Shelter’s Animal Control Offi- and ideally have attended Elk City Schools at some point. They cer (ACO) Krystal Stone, there is a great need for rescues in the must have brought positive pride and recognition to Elk City area. She works with the center's supervisor Amber Stepp, ACO for exemplary leadership in their chosen occupation leading to Rob Crews, and Khelsea Risinger who stays in the office. Togeth- city/state and/or national achievement. er, they work to get animals off the streets and returned to their David Bank, MD was Born in Chicago, Illinois on November owners or rescued. 3, 1945 and then raised in Enid, Oklahoma. After Graduating “Our job is very stressful. We have to make hard decisions from Northwestern Oklahoma State college, Alva, Oklahoma in every day. I started as a volunteer, and I love this job, but it is stressful,” Stone said. 1967, he met the love of his life Kristine Johnson of Elk City, ‘There seems to be an endless flow of dogs, cats, and even a and they married November 8th, 1969. By Sheryl Ponce Furthering his education, Dr. Bank graduated from Oklaho- rabbit that requires constant care. Stepp said that the job is 24-7 Last week Alex and Jordana McCulloch’s rescue service, Pilots because they take care of lives. Until this year, they were not able ma University School of Medicine in 1971. They then moved to take a vacation without requiring someone to work additional to Santa Monica, California to complete a 3-year Family Prac- for Paws, flew into Elk City to pick up six dogs to take them to days to cover the days. This year they were budgeted for another tice Residency. After finishing his residency in 1974, he served Aurora, Colorado, where they could find their forever homes. The person to relieve the pressure. 2 years Active Duty in the United States Air Force at USAF in couple works with Elk City Animal Shelter, along with other shel- ‘They are on the constant look out for rescues to take the un- Colorado Springs. ters, to save dogs’ lives. They can transport a maximum of nine In June of 1976 Dr. Bank and Kristine moved to Elk City crates, and when they can save lives, they do. See Paws page 2. to open his Private Solo Family Practice. While working in his See Leadership page 2. ‘For the Love of Teddy’ Children’s Book Inspires Imagination and Memories GPRMC New Year's Baby It’s a girl! GPRMC welcomed its first baby born in 2023 Elk City, OK: Great Plains Regional Medical Center's first baby of 2023 was born Monday afternoon at 12:22 p.m. to proud parents Walton and Lauren Hubbard. Teddi Lavelle Hubbard arrived weighing 7Ibs 13.5 oz and 19.25 inches long. Teddi will be welcomed by her big brother, Rome, when she gets home. “A new baby is always a big deal, but when you can say your baby was the first born in the new year, the moment is even more special,” GPRMC Women's Director Miranda Cummings remarked. “The first baby of the year is extra special, it's just ex- citing and you can feel it. It’s like an electricity, an energy that comes through the unit, and it brings such joy to everyone.” ‘The Hubbard’s noted that they received the most compas- sionate support from not only Dr. Michael Robinson, but the By Sheryl Ponce grandparent’s farm, learning to cook homemade caramel rolls entire GPRMC Women’s team. “Thank you for helping us bring a healthy little girl into the world.” from her mother, or sledding with her father, Ringer wanted to Pauline Ringer's children’s book, “For the Love of Teddy,” was inspire children to find those pleasures, too. Lauren is amember of the GPRMC Radiology team serving inspired by her life growing up in Minnesota with her five sib- “The book isn't entirely about my upbringing, but it also goes as a mammography tech as well as in CT and radiology. “We are lings and parents. Her impressions of the memories, lessons, and back to the early 1900s. I love the Victorian era, and I love a lot of excited for Lauren and her family. Although, she will be greatly blessings from God are transformed into poetry and photos. Her literature and poetry from that time. So, l incorporated that into missed by all while on her leave!” GPRMC Radiology Director love of teddy bears brings the words to life in her original scenic my book because I’m kind of romantic. I love the way the house- Gary Naron quipped. photographs. hold was years ago. We've lost the virtues and the joys of family “GPRMC is happy to welcome Teddi Lavelle, and congratu- “We (Pauline and husband Dave) never had children. Silly, but today. Our family was grounded in a very genuine faith in Jesus the teddy bears represent my siblings growing up in Minnesota, Christ, and really what’s the glue of a family,” she continued. lates the entire Hubbard family, wishing them health and hap- which is a lot of motivation for my book. I spent a year photo- Ringer's book is reminiscent of the Bible verse, James 1:17 piness in 2023,” GPRMC said in a statement. graphing them,” Ringer said. that says, “All good things do come down from the Father above.” ‘The Hubbard’s were showered with gifts, all donated by the She has found pleasure and contentment in the smallest of things that brought her comfort. Whether it was visiti See Teddy page 2. See New Year Baby page 2. Weather Vol. 120, No. 3 Mail delivery View online «AQUA tomorrow 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com