You're doing fine, Oklahoma

May 19-20 was an emotional week in Oklahoma after the tornadoes and the devastation brought by multiple tornadoes. The Department of Surgery and the OU Medical Center were fortunate in that we had no loss of life or serious injuries among our faculty, staff and students, but the property damage and upheaval for many has been significant. Nearly 40 medical students lived in or near the Moore tornado’s path, and at least two students lost their homes. We are still hearing reports about OU Medical Center staff who lost homes or received damage including members of our surgery billing office. We know many more members our community struggle with the tornado’s aftermath. The OU Trauma Center treated 93 patients after the tornadoes, including 59 children and 34 adults. For those of you from Oklahoma or who were here for only a few years during your training, you will find it no surprise that Oklahomans take the storms in stride and are pitching in to help those who need it, and are making plans to rebuild. Obviously, Roger’s and Hammerstein were correct when they penned … You’re doing fine, Oklahoma.