Most Oklahomans know Dr. Gerry Pinkston, Ed.D., for her remarkable accomplishments on the softball field and in the classroom. On Thursday, July 9, she will share lessons learned from another important role in her life — family caregiver.
Dr. Pinkston will be featured during the next free Positive Aging seminar, titled “From Family Member to Caregiver: Finding Balance and Support Before Caregiver Burnout Takes Its Toll.” The program will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Metro Technology Centers Conference Center, 1900 Springlake Drive in Oklahoma City.
Drawing from her personal caregiving experiences, Dr. Pinkston will join fellow caregivers and professionals for a candid discussion about one of life’s most challenging and meaningful responsibilities. She has been caregiver in some capacity for a decade, caring for her parents and several colleagues and friends. Among those joining her will be Herb Magley, whose experience caring for his wife inspired him to become a passionate advocate for unpaid family caregivers. Today, Herb works to raise awareness, expand support, and encourage meaningful change for caregivers.
The panel will explore the emotional, physical and logistical realities of caring for a loved one while offering practical strategies and resources to help caregivers maintain their own well-being. The discussion will focus on recognizing the warning signs of caregiver burnout, maintaining balance during difficult seasons, and building a support network before a crisis occurs. Through a combination of personal stories and professional expertise, attendees will gain actionable tools and encouragement to help them navigate the caregiving journey with greater confidence and resilience.
The program is designed not only for current caregivers, but also for those who expect to take on caregiving responsibilities in the future or who want to better understand how to support family members and friends serving in that role.
Dr. Pinkston brings a distinguished record of leadership and service to the conversation. She served as head softball coach at the University of Central Oklahoma from 1976 to 1997, building the Bronchos softball program into a national contender while compiling more than 450 career victories. She also spent 31 years teaching in UCO’s kinesiology and health studies department before retiring as professor emeritus. Her contributions to women’s athletics were recognized in 2021 when UCO renamed its softball facility Gerry Pinkston Stadium in her honor.
Magley, past Chair for OKC Walk to End Alzheimer’s, facilitates Alzheimer’s support groups as volunteer and travels the U.S. giving speeches on various Alzheimer’s topics.
Registration for the free July Positive Aging seminar is available online at www.villagesokc.org/positiveaging or by calling (405) 990-6637