PARTNER WITH US

Partner Spotlight

OSU-Center for Health Sciences has developed rural programs and projects that greatly benefit regions in Oklahoma, like Texoma. THF has had the opportunity to partner with OSU-CHS and learn from several initiatives including the Center’s Project Blue Streets, the creation of the National Center for Wellness and Recovery, participation in ECHO and an important collaboration to better understand the needs of residents in Bryan County.  

As all four counties in THF’s service area, Bryan County, Oklahoma experiences more frequent mental health distress and higher rates of suicide compared to the state and nation. The county’s suicide rate is 19.4 compared to the national rate of 13.5 and a 2019 survey conducted by Blue Zones found two out of every three residents reported a lack of purpose or hope.

 In 2018, the Choctaw Nation, First United Bank, the Oklahoma Department of Public Health and the Texoma Community Foundation funded the Bryan County social determinants study conducted by the Oklahoma State University-Center for Health Sciences – the first in the State of Oklahoma. The report is significant in that it not only confirms the population’s mental health needs, but it can serve as a needed tool to help influence change beyond the doors of healthcare services -by helping to improve opportunities to live a quality life. 

A special thank you to Dr. Shrum, Dr Beaman and Dr. Julie Croff for the extra time and work you have given to our service area.