Spring 2022 Bunsen Burner

BUNSENburner
SPRING 2022
HOT NEWS FROM INSIDE OMRF

END
WAOTfCH
Judith James still recalls her first wisdom and knowledge are
interaction with Mike Bailey in 1988. She irreplaceable, so we’re dividing his duties
was a young Fleming Scholar at the time, among several people.”
often pulling late nights in the lab. OMRF’s Fresh out of college, Mike left a job in the
employee parking lot was unlit, and the Pond University of Oklahoma bursar’s office for a
Creek, Oklahoma, native was still relatively new opportunity at OMRF. His gig as a grant
new to Oklahoma City. accountant paid $725 a month. “I was glad to
get it,” he says.
“I would get nervous walking to my car late Soon, Mike began taking on additional
at night,” recalls Judith, now OMRF’s vice administrative responsibilities well beyond his
president of clinical affairs and program chair college training. “You wear a lot of hats around
for Arthritis & Clinical Immunology. “The first here,” he says.
thing I remember Mike saying was, ‘Would Those duties grew to creating a security
your dad think it’s a good idea for you to walk detail after Mike became an Oklahoma County
to your car alone at 11 p.m.?’ He told me there reserve deputy sheriff, a volunteer role he
were people available to walk me out. In that held for 18 years. Dubbed “The Great De-
moment and ever since, Mike Bailey always Escalator” by (the HR) Courtney Stevens
had my back.” Greenwood, Mike’s ability to defuse sticky,
and at times volatile, situations was just one
Jan. 31 marked the final shift for the way he helped OMRFers feel safe.
man who oversaw OMRF’s security team, “Just one example is when, on occasion,
as well as biomed, purchasing, facilities, we’ve had staff who feared coming to and
housekeeping and the Research Café. On leaving work after a romantic relationship
the 45th anniversary of his first day at the ended. Mike would develop a safety plan, and
foundation, he turned in his badge and joined as he relayed it to the employee, you could
his wife of 40 years, Sherri, who retired from see their body relax,” Courtney says. “That
OMRF’s accounting team at the end of 2019. was just Mike’s way with people.”
Fredonna Carthen, OMRF’s clinical trial
“We’ve known this day was coming since coordinator, worked with Mike for more than
Sherri’s retirement, so we’ve been planning two decades. She refers to Mike as Tommy
how to fill the void of Mike’s eventual
departure,” says Tim Hassen, vice president
and chief financial officer. “His experience,

BUNSENburner Spring 2022

Lee Jones because he shares the actor’s no- Mike expects that it will take more than
nonsense demeanor. “I knew if I ever needed a little time to adjust to life without the
someone to protect me here, I could count on responsibility of caring for OMRF. “I’m still
Mike,” Fredonna says. mentally plugged in,” he says. “I wake up
thinking about work.”
Although his role as protector-in-chief
was one he loved, the most rewarding part Nevertheless, Mike believes the past
of his time at OMRF was never part of any year prepared both himself and OMRF for
job description. It was meeting Sherri. “We this transition. He spent those 12 months
worked on the same floor, and we just hit it coaching those who would tackle his duties
off,” he says. after the handoff in January. And for questions
that may arise, Mike insists he’s just a phone
At 69, Mike says retirement is a chance to call – or car ride – away.
slow down. Without a 60-minute roundtrip
commute, he and Sherri are more free to care “I’ll stick my head in up there from time to
for their aging mothers and spend time with time,” says Mike with a laugh. “I don’t think
their two sons and two grandchildren. they’ll stop me at the front desk.”

3

President Andy Weyrich begins his

How is OMRF like the Green Bay Packers? institution like that, and I’m humbled to now
To new President Andy Weyrich, the be a part of it.”
analogy is obvious. Unlike other National
Football League teams, the Wisconsin-based This pride in ownership was a major factor
franchise isn’t owned by a single billionaire in Andy’s decision to accept the offer to lead
or a few wealthy partners. Rather, more than OMRF. Months into his new job, he continues
300,000 fans are the Packers’ shareholders. to be amazed at the level of passion he’s found
That ownership structure has created a bond for the foundation. Not surprisingly, he says,
unlike any other in American professional that passion extends to the foundation’s staff.
sports for nearly a century.
Andy has found that Oklahomans feel a Among his priorities is getting to know the
similar connection to OMRF, tracing back employees who make OMRF what it is. He’s
75 years to the foundation’s grassroots been meeting with teams from administrative
beginnings. With hundreds of thousands of departments, and he’s also in the process
state residents having made the choice to of visiting all 52 OMRF labs. These visits
give to OMRF since 1946, “Everybody feels have reminded him of the responsibility that
like they’re a part-owner of OMRF,” he says. principal investigators feel to take care of the
“It’s amazing and unique for people to love an people that make up their lab.

Andy plans to visit at least one lab each “That’s one of the big things that gets
week in his first year. overlooked with PIs,” Andy says. “They care
deeply about their people, so there’s this
constant pressure on them to perform and
provide a sense of security to their team.”

Andy’s visit in late January left a distinct
impression on Bill Freeman. “He emphasized

BUNSENburner Spring 2022

s tenure at OMRF A bit more
about Andy
that the success of OMRF isn’t measured
just by published papers and grants, but also Road to research
by the development and advancement of our
younger scientists,” Bill says. “That really Andy didn’t decide to become a scientist until
resonated with me.” well into his doctoral studies. Before that, he
dreamed of a professional baseball career.
Sarah Ocanas, a graduate student in
Bill’s lab, was impressed by the level of Favorite song
engagement Andy showed with each lab
member when they introduced themselves The 1965 Wilson Pickett R&B classic
and spoke about their work. In addition to “Mustang Sally.” He especially enjoyed
asking thoughtful follow-up questions, Sarah playing it at live shows around Salt Lake City
says, “he told us his door is always open, with his old band, Stella.
and you could tell it wasn’t some obligatory
statement. He meant it.” Fantasy dinner guest

For Andy, his first few months at OMRF Lin-Manuel Miranda
have simply reinforced his decision to join the
foundation. “This is a fantastic organization, Pet peeve
whether it’s the spectacular science going on
or the bones of the place, the administrative Being told something can’t be done
side,” he says. “We’re going to continue
making discoveries that create a groundswell Menu item he’ll never skip
of pride not only here within these walls but
throughout Oklahoma.” Beef stroganoff

Favorite vacation spots

Hawaii and Israel

Next big trip

Taking his son, Sam, to Europe

Most treasured advice

Even in the most difficult person, you can find
10% that’s good. Focus on that 10%.

5

This tag is on a Volkswagen
Beetle driven nearly every day
since 1976. The bug has needed
some hefty restoration over the
years, but its Arthritis & Clinical
Immunology owner plans to
keep it punching for many more.

Match these custom plates The classic 1961 Willys Jeep
with their OMRF owners! with this tag has survived
snowy New York winters and a
spin in an Oklahoma tornado!
The adventure vehicle now
keeps this Arthritis & Clinical
Immunology couple busy putting
their restoration skills to work.

BUNSENburner Spring 2022

A dog inspired this plate! It was love at first
This OMRFer’s boxer tagged along as acceleration for this OMRF security
a therapy dog for her work in the MS officer and NASCAR fan. The Dale
Center. “Bamse” means teddy bear in Earnhardt Chevy Monte Carlo was a
Norwegian, a good descriptor for the perfect match, and the supercharged
lovable, active pet. engine inspired a “Whee!” during the
test drive.

After This tag is an amateur radio call sign
moving from that gives a clue to the owner’s identity!
Poland to the U.S., buying a car allowed Airwaves have carried her messages to
this staffer to go custom. Her pick? A more than 200 countries and even the
nickname, which she also uses in the International Space Station!
title for her YouTube travel vlog.

This OMRFer BUGPOWR – Craig Wasson
fell for the GWILLYS – Tim & Jody Gross
Lord of the BAMSE – Cecilie Fjeldstad Pardo
Rings at 11 years STOLAR – Ania Stolarczyk
old, and today his nerd cred lines LOTRNRD – Brent Keck
the walls of his office. If you know this WHHEEE – Dana Reeves
Information Technology wizard, we’re Shire W1DY – Wendy Quinn
his tag is no surprise!

7

Photo Finish

The Employee Service Awards in person again (sort of)
and warming up with beanies and coffee!

Kendra Plafker, Courtney Sansam and Florea Lupu, Brad Pazoureck, Todd Walker
Mandi Wiley and Andrew Westmuckett

Nancy Flesher and Anne Zike
Padmaja Mehta D’Souza

Lisa Nelms and Debi Gibson

Tommy Lewis Jun Xie and Mei Zhou Lin Wang and
Luyao Wang