Meet the Staff
Meet the Staff
We’ve assembled a highly trained and motivated staff to fulfill a wide range of exercise and lifestyle needs. They have expertise in the areas of cardiac nursing, behavioral health, personal training, massage therapy and fitness instruction. They also specialize in exercise physiology, nutritional counseling and health risk assessments.
Karen Bakke, RN/RCIS, has more than 20 years of experience in cardiac nursing with emphasis in cardiac care practicing in the Cardiac Catheterization and Electrophysiology lab for 16 years. She has practiced nursing in the setting of Cardiac Rehabilitation for the past 2 years. Karen received her Associate of Science degree in Nursing from Austin Community College in Austin, Minnesota in 1986. She also received licensure for Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist from Cardiovascular Credentialing International in 1998.
Ashley Luis, Health and Fitness Specialist, graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelors Degree in Health and Exercise Science. She is a member of the Medical Fitness Association, certified through the American College of Sports Medicine, and trained in advanced cardiac life support. While working at Hillcrest, Ashley became certified in four different levels of Hatha Yoga. She instructs various yoga classes and senior exercise classes such as Silver Sneakers throughout the week.
Cassie Wrich, Clinical Dietitian, graduated from the University of Oklahoma in May of 2007 with her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences. She has been a Registered and Licensed Dietitian now for a little over a year. She has had several opportunities to be involved with diabetes and heart healthy nutrition education for adults and kids, community nutrition, as well as sports nutrition. Her passion has always been in nutrition education and motivating people to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Margaret Zwicker, Behavioral Health Specialist, graduated from St. Gregory’s University with a Bachelors of Science in Human Development in 2007 and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. Margaret is a certified American Lung Association smoking cessation facilitator and Silver Sneakers fitness instructor. She is a member of the National Association for Social Workers and Council for Social Work Educators. Margaret is the current president of OU-Tulsa’s Master’s of Social Work Student Association and is actively involved with events here at Hillcrest and in the community.
Mary Ritchie, RN, received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri. She has over 20 years experience in critical care nursing with an emphasis in cardiac care. She was a Certified Critical Care Nurse for 16 years. She has practiced nursing in the setting of Cardiac Rehabilitation for 11 years. She currently holds a certification in Cardiac Rehabilitation through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Paige Weaver, Fitness Specialist, graduated from the University of Arkansas in May 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Through her internship at Butterfield Trail Village Life Care Facility, Paige specialized in exercise prescriptions for the senior population. She has 2 years work experience in the exercise science field, where she has expanded her knowledge and certifications. Paige has received a certification to teach Silver Sneakers as well as Yoga in the Yoga-Fit style of teaching.
Gini McFarland, Exercise Physiologist, earned her Bachelor of Science in Fitness/ Wellness Management at Louisiana Tech University and continued her education as a grad assistant while receiving her Master’s of Science in Exercise Science. She has been a fitness specialist/ exercise physiologist for 10 years and is a member of the Medical Fitness Association certified through the ACSM, and trained in ACLS, and PilatesFit.
Sarah Durborow, Health Fitness Specialist, graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelors in Health Promotion in 2004. She was an intern for Saint Francis Health Zone and GreenTree Assisted Living Center where she worked with senior citizens, by designing workout regimens to help get them up and be active. She is certified through ACSM as a Health Fitness Specialist. She is also currently certified in ACLS and as a Silver Sneakers instructor.
