12-8-18: Kristin Hersom with Pete White Center & Kaitlynn Wilkinson with NorthCare
This week on The Rise & Thrive OSJ Radio š» Hour Saturdays 9:05 a.m. on The Eagle, KZLS 1640AM or listen in on the OSJ app and website āHome Pageā anytime! In-studio guests: Kristin Hersom with Pete White Health & Wellness Center for the 50-Plus and Kaitlynn Wilkinson with NorthCare.
Kristin Hersom, Facility Director for the Pete White Health & Wellness Center has spent her career in the not for profit world promoting healthy living and developing programs to increase the overall quality of life for all ages. She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelorās of Science degree in Kinesiology and Health Studies. She is devoted to serving the community and making the Pete White Health and Wellness Center the premiere center for the actively aging.
Kaitlynn Wilkinson, MSW is the Communications Specialist for NorthCare. She has a background in psychology, social work research and policy analysis, and has presented at state and national conferences. Kaitlynn is passionate about understanding and addressing systemic issues that create and sustain poverty, reducing stigma against individuals with a mental health and/or substance use disorder, criminal justice reform, and creating effective systems to promote social justice and progress.
Pete White Center – 246-3950 – 4021 S Walker, OKC, OK 73109
NorthCare – 858-2700 – 2617 General Pershing Blvd, OKC, OK 73107
Kara is passionate about encouraging people to live fully and joyfully in their season of life. She and her family live in Texas where she stays busy being a leader in childrenās and womenās ministries at her church and volunteering with her kidsā schools and activities. She helps with marketing and patient recruitment at a study center and works alongside her husband in real estate. She has developed devotional materials, bible studies and messages and loves to communicate with audiences at retreats and luncheons. She has also been blessed to speak internationally during some of her mission trips to Cuba and Asia. She is a wife to her sweet husband Phillip Gunn, (who also happens to be Robin’s little brother) and an imperfect mom to three fun loving kids ā Sara, Seth and Noah. She doesnāt currently have much free time but when she does, she enjoys watching movies with her family and going for coffee with friends. Kara strives to overcome obstacles in her life and encourages others to do the same.
Liz Banks has been the Volunteer Coordinator for The Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma for the last five years. Liz volunteered for many years and fell in love with serving the hungry and poor that God placed in her path. She recruits volunteers for the food pantry, diner, Boys and Girls Club, senior centers, and disaster.
Demetre (Dee) Watts, Director of Social Services Ministries, The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command. Her desire to help fellow Oklahomans and an opportunity to minister to their basic needs through Godās grace brought her to the doors of The Salvation Army in 1991. She is now the director of social services ministries for Oklahoma County. She oversees the Food Pantry, Christmas assistance, disaster assistance, and utility assistance programs.
After thirty years as a successful movie and television producer in Hollywood, āNeal Nordlingerāā came to Oklahoma City to run his own Internet company, however, his sonās drug addiction changed all that. During that five-year nightmare, Neal received a plethora of pleas for help from families also hit by drug and alcohol disorders. Tāoday, Neal formed inCrisis Consultants to devote his life as an Interventionist, treatment placement specialist and case manager working with families hit by drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness. (BTW… Neal’s son is living well, sober & thriving today.)
Joan Clarke, along with Molly Nye and Megan Nye (Joanās Daughter, not pictured), founded The Santa Market. These three ladies, spend all year promoting this fantastic fundraiser event giving them a positive way to cope with the loss of Joan’s Husband in 2007 to Alzheimerās. Joan’s famous line is, āWe Can Do This” she doesn’t take “NO” for an answer very often. Joan Says, “We are grateful to be bringing Alzheimer’s awareness to thousands of people. It’s a chain reaction that has become bigger than all of us.” “Everyone wants to help and get involved which in turn brings us such gratitudeā.
Untangle/ Founder & CEO – Lea Gallagher is originally from Takoma Park, MD and moved to OKC in 2015 and loves living in Oklahoma! Lea has been a member of NAPO (National Association Productivity & Organizing) since 2014. Lea loves to adapt different organizing styles to people’s unique needs and habits. She brings creative and empathetic solutions to each project, teaching people from a non-judgemental approach on how to let go of clutter so you can enjoy using your space. Lea was inspired by her Motherās organization skills growing up and decided to follow the path of her passion. Let Lea Help You āUntangleā one knot at a time! 
Optimal Life Space/ Founder & CEO – Jeanne Morgan was born in a small town on the east coast of Virginia and moved to OKC in 1991 and stayed because she become so attached to Oklahoma. Jeanne’s career and background has been in sales with multiple Fortune 500 companies. Two years ago Jeanne stepped out on her own to pursue her passion of decorating, organizing & repurposing what people already have in their home or office. This career path has been so rewarding for her to use her gifts to help others. Jeanne also enjoys being married to the love of her life Micheal, caring for her kitty, cooking and reading. Website: 
In-studio guest: Marilyn Olson of VillagesOKC, “It is a PLAN, not a PLACE”. Marilyn Olson is currently Executive Director for VillagesOKC, Inc – a cooperative organization of seniors 55+ who help each other age in their own homes. Ms. Olson is an Oklahoma farm-girl holding a BS in Education from Southern Nazarene University.
Plus a Call-In from Katy Long the Communications Staff Writer from Crossings Community Church announcing 
Ginny Curtis founder/CEO and backbone of MCM Insurance has worked in the insurance industry for 33 years. She is passionate about educating seniors so they feel confident in making decisions about their health coverage. Ginny enjoys playing an active role in the lives of her children and grandchildren.
Jennifer Melton, co-director of MCM Insurance (Ginny’s daughter) has been licensed for 7 years and holds a masters degree in education. She loves spending time with her clients and guiding them through the process of selecting the plan they deserve. She is a loving wife and mother of two children who enjoys homemaking and quilting.
art of educating our seniors on their health coverage options and walking them through choosing the right plan. Married and proud daddy of one child, he enjoys family time and watching soccer.
Craig Corbitt was born and raised in Oklahoma City. He is married to Trudy with four amazing kiddos that are 6, 8, 10, 12, names and in that order are Crew, Grace, Israel, and Isabelle. Craig is the Vice President of Centennial Insurance Group over the Medicare Division. Craig started his first business when he was 23 and never looked back starting several others businesses along the way. Then 12 years ago he literally found his heart and passion at Centennial Focusing on Medicare. Centennial also handles all other insurances including auto, home, commercial, life, along with Medicare. Craig is passionate about helping seniors get what they need and helping them to understand it.
Alex Corbitt (Craigās Father) is the agent manager for The Medicare Division for Centennial Insurance Group. Mr. Corbitt brings 35 years of professional experience in helping customers understand the insurance industry at Centennial, an Independent Brokerage Group. His passion for helping people make the proper Medicare decisions that are āTailoredā to their lifestyle is his top priority. He always strives to live up to his name, “Alex” which means Helper or Defender of humankind.
also plans and implements a brand new fundraising event, that happens during the Kentucky Derby right here in OKC Called: Horses, Hats and Hope in May 2019 as well as managing the OKC Alzhemierās Walk on October the 13th in Downtown OKC at the Bicentennial Park in front of the Civic Center opening at 7:30am Walk Begins at 9am. Both events have brought new volunteers, donors and awareness for the Alzheimerās Association. Leshia genuinely believes in the care and support programs the Alzheimerās Association offers to those living with Alzheimerās disease and other dementia’s and their families.
