WHAT ARE WE ALL ABOUT?
About Us
Jean Braxton- Founder
“Ol’Loreece” (pronounced Ola-Reese) may sound like a nonsense word, but the foundation’s name is anything but meaningless. Founder Jean Braxton chose the name from a word created by her oldest son, who passed away in October 2012 from heart disease. He created the word to combine the names of his grandmother, niece and nephew, and the name stuck in the Braxton family.
The Ol’Loreece Foundation is proud to advocate men’s health awareness with Permission to Talk: Men, Medicine & Music. This fundraising event of the foundation is dedicated to getting and keeping men healthy through awareness, support and entertainment.
OUR MISSION
PERMISSION TO TALK, MEDICINE and MUSIC is an educational event created by the Ol’Loreece Foundation to save and extend lives by providing much-needed health information in a non-therapeutic environment, that environment being music. We want to put a face on difficult topics, introduce new treatments, therapies and procedures. Our goal is to create awareness with these events by pairing understandable information in a non-therapeutic comfortable environment. We want to put a face on difficult topics that aren’t commonly talked about, opening the door for questions to be asked.
Throughout the year Permission to Talk events want to:
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Humanize health issues: Many people, statistically men more than women see concern for health. As a sign of weakness.
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Educating: When it comes to staying healthy, KNOWLEDGE is Power
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Increasing Awareness: Being informed about possible outcomes can lead to taking precautions with their own health
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Finding Support: Psychologist say Men, on the average, have fewer friends and smaller social networks than women and studies show a link between social support and better health
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Creating a Plan: Just like having a maintenance plan for your vehicle, their need to be a plan for your body. Regularly scheduled tune-ups will help recognize problems and ensure things are running just right.
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Harnessing strengths: Being achievement-oriented, competitive problem-solvers can work in healthcare provider’s advantages; the key is to explain to them how they can beat diseases by taking control.
MEET THE TEAM
Willie L. Payne
BOARD CHAIRMAN
"FOUNDER"
VICE CHAIRMAN
Willie L. Payne is the founder and president of Payne Pest Management Inc., which currently serves San Diego, Orange and Riverside counties. Before starting his own company in 2006, Willie worked for the world’s largest pest control company for 29 years, serving as the number one sales person for seven consecutive years among more than 3,900 salespeople. Willie’s success in business brought a desire to give back, and Permission to Talk channels his lifelong interest in music into a cause that can save lives.
Ola "Jean" Robinson Braxton
Founder Ola “Jean ” Braxton, a retired healthcare professional and active entertainment industry professional. Jean spent 34 years in the medical industry working in radiology and cardiology. During that time, she worked with medical outreach programs, partnering with Oakmont High School’s Health Academy in California and bringing in guest speakers like Dr. Patch Adams and Olympic Gold Medalist Skater Dr. Eric Heiden. After retiring from the medical field, Jean moved into the entertainment industry, and was the executive producer for national recording artist Tom Braxton.
With a passion for music and philanthropy, Jean has a special interest in supporting men’s health. Many years in the medical field, a prostate cancer experience that her business partner shared and the loss of her son to heart disease all factored in for her to begin the charge to draw more attention to men talking about their health.
Jonathan A. Hemphill, MD
Jonathan A. Hemphill, M.D., built his career in invasive and noninvasive clinical Cardiology. Dr. Hemphill is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology and interventional cardiology and is university-trained in all aspects of bedside clinical cardiology, hemodynamic monitoring and cardiac catherization. He is proficient in noninvasive cardiology including M-mode, 2-D and Doppler echocardiography, trans-esophageal echocardiography, treadmill testing and interpretation of stress echocardiograms.
Dr. Hemphill is also an accomplished guitarist and has a band that performs for fundraisers.
CHIEF FINANCIAL
OFFICER
Kathleen Payne
Kathleen Payne is the chief financial officer/treasurer for Payne Pest Management Inc. and is a 45% owner of the corporation. Kathleen has more than 30 years experience in the accounting field and holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix. Kathleen ran a successful bookkeeping service for five years and still maintains several clients. Prior to owning her own businesses, Kathleen worked in various industries as the head accounting professional including construction, retail and service. Kathleen’s passion for Permission to Talk is inspired by the many men in her family and a drive to keep them—and all men—in good health.
SECRETARY
Joyce Myers
Joyce Myers is a Site Supervisor for the Sutter Medical Foundation Urology Department. She has more than 35 years of experience in the medical field, including radiation oncology and urology. She has also served as a manager, administrator, and executive director during all phases of designing and building a multi-specialty facility. Early in her career, Joyce spearheaded a volunteer driver campaign with the American Cancer Society that provided patients with transportation to radiation treatments. Stemming from her work in the medical industry, Joyce has a passion and desire to bring awareness to men’s health issues, particularly in the area of prostate cancer.
BOARD MEMBER
John Chin, M.D
John Chin, M.D., F.A.CC, a practicing cardiologist, is actively involved in clinical research in the areas of congestive heart failure, cardiac transplantation, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and coronary intervention and device therapy. He is the local primary investigator for multiple studies, including Val-Heft, Valiant, Value, Scd-Heft, Companion, Accomplish, Emphasis trial, RED-HF, and COMPARE Trial. Current trials include: Music Study, PROTECT STUDY, and the Relypsa Study. Dr. Chin initiated a VAD (Ventricular Assist Device) program?, and is involved in 77 advanced heart failure therapeutics. He is invited to give lectures locally 4-5 times per month locally, and has also given lectures in China and across the nation for the Heart Failure Society of America.