Project Name: COHIT CHNA - CHIP
Key Goal: 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: Residents of Oklahoma County
Timeline: 2024-2025
Location: Oklahoma County
Funding Source: Individual health systems
Collaborators: OU Health, Mercy, SSM, Integris
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
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
Project Name: Covid-19 Resource Xchange: Improving knowledge and confidence in evidence-based treatment of COVID-19
Key Goal: 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: Clinical professionals including PAs, RNs, DOs, MDs, PharmDs, Social Workers, and Public Health Professionals.
Timeline: Jan 2023-July 2024
Location: Virtual and In-person
Funding Source: Unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Inc.
Collaborators: OU Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health Office of the Dean, and OU Family Medicine
Expected Outcomes & Deliverables
Innovations & Novel Aspects: Piloted interdisciplinary case-based learning sessions
Key Words: COVID-19, Evidence based, Interdisciplinary
Project Name: OSDH Workforce Training
Key Goal: 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: OSDH Workforce, including employees across state and county health districts
Timeline: 2023-2027
Location: Statewide
Funding Source: CDC Public Health Infrastructure Grant
Collaborators: OSDH and County Health Districts
Expected Outcomes & Deliverables
- Development of 12 training courses for OSDH employees
- Increased workforce competency in public health principles
- Strengthened collaboration between and among OSDH workforce departments
Innovations & Novel Aspects
- Tailored training for employees with and without a public health background to bridge knowledge gaps
- Integration of scenario-based learning to convey public health principles
Key Words: Workforce development, public health training, leadership, system improvement, professional development
Project Name: Building Capacity for and Promoting Awareness of Evidence-based Prevention and Management of Chronic Venous Thromboembolism
Key Goal: 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: Public health professionals, healthcare providers, and individuals affected by the selected chronic disease
Timeline: Multiyear grant, 2023-2027
Location: Oklahoma (statewide)
Funding Source: 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
Expected Outcomes & Deliverables
- Increased awareness among the public and health professionals
- Improved data collection
- Development of educational resources
- 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
- Integrates evidence-based strategies to improve patient outcomes
Key Words: Chronic disease prevention, public awareness, health education, surveillance, patient outcomes, Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), Pulmonary embolism (PE), healthcare accessibility
Project Name: Prostate Cancer Education and Awareness in Oklahoma
Key Goal: 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
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.
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
Project Name: Region 6 Center for Health Security and Response Readiness (R6CHSRR)
Key Goal: 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: 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 (covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas)
Funding Source: 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
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
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
Project Name: Southern Plains Tribal Health Board Annual Training Summit Event
Key Goal: 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. Hudson College of Public Health Department of Health Promotion Sciences Chair Neil Hann facilitated a discussion between Dr. Bratzler and Commissioner Reed at the 2024 event
Target Group: 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 United States
Funding Source: Contract work with the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board
Collaborators: Hudson College of Public Health Faculty from the Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Biostatistics and Epidemiology, and Occupational and Environmental Health
Expected Outcomes & Deliverables: CHES/ Certificates providing continuing education credits were awarded to participants
Innovations & Novel Aspects: Fully virtual event; public health practice oriented
Key Words: Workforce education, training, Public health practitioner, fieldwork, Native American, Southern Plains, Continuing education