TULSA, Okla., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. J. Mark Osborn of Miami, Okla., has been chosen as the Champion of Oklahoma Health, the highest recognition in the 2005 Champions Health Awards. Osborn was selected from more than 100 individuals and organizations nominated for their efforts to improve Oklahoma’s health.
Osborn was chosen for his tireless efforts to assist families affected by the health care crisis at the Tar Creek Superfund site near Picher, Okla. After countless hours of study and communication with elected officials, Osborn helped form the Ottawa County Health Coalition to educate local health care providers about the dangers of lead poisoning. Osborn also helped design a Harvard University study investigating the potential for pregnant mothers to pass lead contamination to their unborn children. Osborn worked with Gov. Brad Henry to enact legislation creating the Lead Impact Trust Authority, resulting in $3 million in appropriations to relocate Picher-area families with young children.
Osborn will accept the “Champion of Oklahoma Health” award at the 2005 Champions of Health Awards, 6:30 p.m., Oct. 5, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The event features former Super Bowl champions Roger Staubach and Drew Pearson presenting the keynote address.
The Champions of Health awards are sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Oklahoma Hospital Association, the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association and the Oklahoma State Medical Association.
As Champion of Oklahoma Health, Osborn receives a grant of $2,500 to award to an Oklahoma health improvement organization or project of his choice. Champions selected from 10 categories also will be honored and each awarded a $1,000 contribution to their organization or program:
Champion of Children’s Health -- “Don’t Bug Me” Flu Prevention Campaign, Hillcrest HealthCare System, Tulsa -- Due to the 2004 flu vaccine shortage and the possibility that large numbers of Tulsa-area citizens would not receive immunizations, Hillcrest developed a comprehensive public awareness campaign designed to educate students, employers and the community about simple steps that could help prevent the spread of the flu virus.
Education and Awareness Champion -- Men’s Health Tune-Up, Craig General Hospital, Vinita -- Men tune up their vehicles. They take care of their boats, fix up their lawns and do preventive maintenance on their homes. But sometimes men overlook one important piece of equipment that definitely needs some attention -- themselves. To address the growing concern over men’s health issues, with creativity and originality, Craig General Hospital in Vinita launched the “Men’s Health Tune-Up.” The event featured health screenings and presentations from four physicians specializing in fields important to men -- cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics and urology.
Professional Health Champion -- John M. Kalbfleisch, MD, Cardiology of Tulsa -- Dr. Kalbfleisch had a vision for a cardiovascular program that offered the most advanced treatment and technology to the people of Oklahoma. In 1970, he helped to open the first catheterization lab at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa. Other breakthroughs followed, including performing Oklahoma’s first coronary angioplasty and leading research efforts for groundbreaking clot busting drugs.
Ageless Hero -- Bill Heaton, The Oklahoma Arthritis Network, Laverne -- Upon his “second” retirement as a director of the Area Agency on Aging, Bill Heaton, 74, found a way to continue his work with the aging population. He became a trained volunteer leader of P.A.C.E. (People with Arthritis Can Exercise). He travels across northwestern Oklahoma to instruct others who have arthritis, and also serves as a role model for healthy aging.
Health and Medical Media Champion -- Sue Hale, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City -- As a reporter for three newspapers over the past 30 years, Sue Hale has worked to address health issues in the media, creating a regular health column and health-focused special publications in The Oklahoman. As co-chair of Central Oklahoma Turning Point, Hale works to form partnerships in the Oklahoma City area to promote healthy lifestyles among their employees.
Champion of the Uninsured -- Cindy Pribil, RN, Green Country Free Clinic, Bartlesville -- Cindy Pribil, RN, founder of the Green Country Free Clinic in Bartlesville, has made a profound difference in the lives of Oklahoma’s uninsured, working poor. With a vision for the clinic and two borrowed boxes of physicians’ medication samples, the clinic opened to its first patients 15 years ago. Today, 2,200 patients are served annually by the free clinic.
Corporate Health Champion -- Cardinal Health Incentive Program, Cardinal Engineering, Inc., Oklahoma City -- Cardinal Engineering developed a unique cash incentive program to encourage employees to set and meet annual personal health goals. The company recognized that its most precious asset was its employees and made an investment in its employees’ health. The result was fewer sick days, better attitudes and more stamina for employees to achieve personal and company goals.
Minority Health Champion -- Claire Richard, Project Falummichechi, Oklahoma City -- After reading that domestic violence is more prevalent in Native American cultures, teenager Claire Richard decided to take action. Yearning to know more about her Choctaw heritage, Richard developed Project Falummichechi, which in the Choctaw language, means “to reclaim.” Richard created a curriculum and mentor program, recruiting other teens to teach second graders about coping skills and positive ways to deal with their emotions. Through Richard’s efforts, the program has grown to 30 classrooms throughout the more than 10 counties comprising the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
Legislative Health Champion -- Sen. Bernest Cain, Oklahoma City -- Throughout his legislative career, Sen. Bernest Cain has championed innumerable issues regarding the health of Oklahomans, particularly the state’s youth. Earlier this year, Cain was instrumental in the passage of three major pieces of legislation designed to help improve the health of Oklahoma’s schoolchildren. The new laws address the health value of food choices in school vending machines and physical education requirements for Oklahoma schools.
Champion of Health Care in Rural Oklahoma -- Jerry Morgan, M.D. Compassion Outreach Center, Ada -- Through his leadership in helping to create the Compassion Outreach Center, a free clinic in Ada, Okla., Dr. Jerry Morgan has helped improve access to health care for residents of Pontotoc County. Opened in March 2004, the debt-free facility serves as a location for 50 area medical professionals to volunteer their services to the community.
In addition to the 10 Champions of Health, four programs were chosen for Awards of Merit and a $500 grant: Bedlam Children’s Health Partnerships, University of Oklahoma - Tulsa (Children’s Health); W.A.L.K. (Wellness And Lawton’s Kids), Comanche County Memorial Hospital Foundation - Lawton (Education and Awareness); Ronald O. Gilcher, MD, Oklahoma Blood Institute - Oklahoma City (Professional); and Integris Health Hispanic Initiative - Oklahoma City (Minority Health).
Tickets may be purchased for $25 each. Sponsorships benefit The Oklahoma Caring Foundation, Inc., and its Caring Vans mobile immunization program. For more information about sponsorships or to RSVP for the banquet, visit http://www.bcbsok.com or call 1-866-876-4376.
Arrangements for the appearance of Roger Staubach and Drew Pearson made through The FISCHER ROSS GROUP Inc., New York, NY.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
CONTACT: Linda Sponsler, +1-918-592-9408, or Chad Friesen,+1-918-592-9445, both of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
Web site: http://www.bcbsok.com/
