Project Name: COHIT CHNA - CHIP
Key Goal/Purpose of the project: Assess the community health needs, disparities, and gaps within Oklahoma County to guide community health improvement strategies and inform internal and external interventions for the health system.
Target group engaged/served: Residents of Oklahoma County
Timeline ex: 2024-2025
Location: Oklahoma County
Funding source/ grant name: Funded by individual health systems
Collaborators: OU Health, Mercy, SSM, Integris
Public Health Key words: Community health needs assessment, health disparities, social determinants of health, population health, healthcare access, chronic disease prevention, behavioral health, maternal and child health
Expected outcomes deliverables
A comprehensive CHNA report with prioritized health needs
Data-driven insights on key health challenges and disparities in the target counties
Innovations/novel aspects:
Utilizing social determinants of health to inform community-level solutions
Collaboration between major health systems to ensure a streamlined approach
Integration of lived experiences and community voices in the assessment process
Project Name/Title: Covid Resource Xchange: Improving knowledge and confidence in evidence-based treatment of COVID-19
Key Goal/Purpose of the project: To improve provider knowledge and confidence in the delivery of evidence-based COVID-19 care to high-risk patients in the ambulatory setting
Target group engaged/served: Clinical professionals including PAs, RNs, DOs, MDs, PharmDs, Social Workers, and Public Health Professionals.
Timeline ex: Jan 2023 - July 2024
Location: Virtual and In-person
Funding source/ grant name: Unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Inc.
Collaborators: BSE dept. And the office of the Dean, OU Family Medicine (Aaron Wendelboe was PI so it was housed in BSE)
Mary Gowin, Ann Chou, Aaron Wendelboe, Dale Bratzler, John Malone, Gabbi Westbrook
Public Health Key words: COVID-19, Evidence based, Interdisciplinary
Outcomes /deliverables: Over 1600 clinicians of various specialties attended a didactic presentation on COVID-19 treatment best practices
Implementation Brief: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGD1DuRA0M/o08QC1AKoBuC1tCRba4v3Q/edit
Website: https://www.covidresourcexchange.org/
APHA Presentation Fall 2024 annual conference
Innovations/novel aspects: Piloted interdisciplinary case based interdisciplinary learning sessions
Project Name: OSDH
Key Goal/Purpose of the project: Enhance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) workforce through targeted training programs, focusing on public health principles and system-wide improvements.
Target group engaged/served: OSDH Workforce including employees across state and county health districts
Timeline ex: 2023-2027
Location: Statewide
Funding source/ grant name: CDC Public Health Infrastructure Grant
Collaborators: OSDH and County Health Districts
Public Health Key words: Workforce development, public health training, leadership, system improvement, professional development
Expected outcomes deliverables:
Development of 12 training courses for OSDH employees
Increased workforce competency in public health principles
Strengthened collaboration between in and among OSDH workforce departments
Innovations/novel aspects:
Tailored training for employees with and without a public health background to bridge knowledge gaps
Integration scenario-based learning to convey public health principles
Project Name/Title: Building Capacity for and Promoting Awareness of Evidence-based Prevention and Management of Chronic Venous Thromboembolism.
Key Goal/Purpose of the project: Build capacity by increasing public and professional awareness to expand education, outreach, and public awareness of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) among three key groups: public health professionals, healthcare providers, and the general public, including patients.
Target group engaged/served: Public health professionals, healthcare providers, and individuals affected by the selected chronic disease
Timeline: Multiyear grant 2023-2027
Location: Oklahoma (statewide)
Funding source/ grant name: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Building Capacity for Chronic Disease Education and Awareness (CDC-RFA-DP-23-0067).
Collaborators: Public health organizations, healthcare institutions, professional associations, and community groups.
Public Health Key words: Chronic disease prevention, public awareness, health education, surveillance, patient outcomes, Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), Pulmonary embolism (PE), healthcare accessibility, and health access and inclusion (are these last two okay instead of using the term health equity?).
Expected outcomes deliverables: Increased awareness among the public and health professionals, improved data collection, development of educational resources, and enhanced best practices for screening and disease management.
Innovations/novel aspects: Focuses on a chronic disease, Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), that currently lacks CDC funding, expands data collection and awareness efforts, and integrates evidence-based strategies to improve patient outcomes.
Project Name: Prostate Cancer Education and Awareness in Oklahoma
Key Goal/Project Purpose: Increase prostate cancer awareness and screenings in Oklahoma, especially among African American men, Latino men, Native American men, and men 45+ with a family history.
Target Groups: Oklahoma men and healthcare providers
Timeline: July 2024-June 2026
Location: Oklahoma (statewide)
Funding Source: Private Donor (prostate cancer survivor)
Collaborators: OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, OU College of Medicine Department of Urology, OU Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts School of Visual Arts, Oklahoma Comprehensive Cancer Network
Public Health Key Words: prostate cancer screening, prostate cancer awareness, PSA test, early detection of prostate cancer, men’s health checkup, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer, prostate cancer prevention, benefits of prostate cancer screening, prostate cancer early detection saves lives, prostate cancer risk factors, breaking the stigma of prostate screening
Expected Outcomes/Deliverables:
Statewide Prostate Cancer Survey: Increased awareness of prostate cancer screening options and importance of early detection via a statewide survey; a better understanding of the barriers keeping Oklahoma men from getting screened for prostate cancer; use survey findings to develop Oklahoma-specific interventions to increase prostate cancer screenings
Statewide Prostate Cancer Awareness Campaign: Create, test (via statewide focus groups), and revise a prostate cancer awareness campaign that encourages Oklahoma men to talk to their healthcare providers about getting screened for prostate cancer
Statewide Physician Survey and Interviews: Better understand the barriers healthcare providers face in recommending prostate cancer screening to their patients via a statewide physician survey and interviews; use survey and interview findings to develop Oklahoma-specific recommendations for healthcare providers to facilitate prostate cancer screening discussions with patients
Innovations/Novel Aspects: Based on 2024 statistics, Oklahoma ranked 40th in the nation for prostate cancer incidence and 19th in the nation for prostate cancer deaths. Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in Oklahoma men, yet less than a third of eligible men are trying to get screened. This is despite the shift from digital rectal exams to prostate specific antigen blood testing (typically viewed by patients as a less invasive form of screening). Our goal is to help Oklahoma men recognize the importance of prostate cancer screening and encourage them to talk with their healthcare provider about getting screened. We also aim to better understand the physical, social, emotional, and medical barriers that keep or discourage Oklahoma men from being screened for prostate cancer.
Project Name/Title: Region 6 Center for Health Security and Response Readiness (R6CHSRR)
Key Goal/Purpose of the project: To build regional capacity in Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) by improving mass care capabilities for temporary non-medical needs sheltering due to high-risk natural hazards. The project will identify, adapt, develop, and pilot evidence-based strategies and interventions (EBSIs) in state, territorial, local, or tribal health departments (STLT HDs) to enhance preparedness for sheltering at-risk populations.
Target group engaged/served: Public health professionals, healthcare providers (including surge staff), and the general public, particularly elderly individuals and those with chronic health conditions in emergency shelters.
Timeline: Multi-year project (2023–2029)
Location: HHS Region 6, covering Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas
Funding source/ grant name: Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, Section 319C-1 (Award Number: NH78TU000005).
Collaborators:
Tulane University (Lead Institution)
State, Territorial, Local, and Tribal Health Departments (STLT HDs)
Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) partners
Healthcare and emergency response agencies
Community-based organizations and faith-based organizations
Federal and state emergency management agencies
Public Health Key words: Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP), Mass Care and Shelter Operations, Disaster Readiness, Evidence-Based Strategies and Interventions (EBSIs), Workforce Development and Training, healthcare accessibility, and health access and inclusion (are these last two okay instead of using the term health equity?).
Expected outcomes deliverables:
Development and piloting of an evidence-based playbook for mass care in emergency shelters
Training programs for PHEPR and non-PHEPR staff on first aid and basic care in shelters
Reduction of unnecessary burden on emergency medical services (EMS) and healthcare systems
Increased capacity for non-medical needs sheltering in emergency situations
Strengthened multi-sector collaboration for disaster response
Innovations/novel aspects:
Focus on Non-Medical Needs Sheltering: Addresses gaps in care for at-risk populations (elderly, chronically ill individuals) in emergency shelters.
Integration of Evidence-Based Strategies (EBSIs): Systematic approach to identifying, adapting, and implementing best practices for disaster preparedness.
Pre- and Post-Scenario-Based Assessments: Ensures effectiveness and adaptability of training interventions.
Strengthening Surge Capacity: Equips non-PHEPR professionals with essential skills to support emergency shelters.
Multi-Sector Partnerships: Enhances coordination across public health, emergency response, and community organizations.
Project Name/Title: Southern Plains Tribal Health Board Annual Training Summit Event
Key Goal/ Purpose of the project: We supported the event by providing academic expert session lecturers and CHES, MCHES, and CPH accreditation services. The event overall offers invaluable education and training to health providers and public health professionals serving Oklahomans and Native communities alike. Neil facilitated a discussion between Dr. Bratzler and Commissioner Reed at the 2024 event.
Target group engaged/served: Southern Plains Tribal Health Board and Native American Public Health Practitioners. ~70-80 participants annually.
Time: Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Expected Fall 2025
Location: Virtual with attendees joining from all across the US
Funding source/ grant name: Contract work with SPTHB
Collaborators: Hudson College of Public Health Faculty from HPS, BSE, and OEH
Public Health Key words: Workforce education, training, Public health practitioner, fieldwork, Native American, Southern Plains, Continuing education
Expected outcomes deliverables: CHES/ Certificates providing continuing education credits were awarded to participants
Innovations/novel aspects: Fully virtual event; public health practice oriented i.e., very practical.