OSU Center for Rural Health receives honors
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Two organizations have honored Oklahoma State University Center for Rural Health for its achievements in rural medical education and rural health care.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma Champions of Health program named the center as a recipient of its Champion of Public Health award and the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma has named it the Rural Organization of the Year for 2007.
“The OSU Center for Rural Health team is grateful for this recognition of our center, its stakeholders and partners who work to promote care in Oklahoma,” said Dr. William J. Pettit, OSU Center for Health Sciences associate dean for rural health. “There is a great deal to accomplish and we are honored as Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences employees to receive these awards.”
The Champions of Health award recognizes the center for improving rural Oklahomans' health and well-being, who comprise more than half of the state’s population. It lauds the center’s positive results through osteopathic student education and residency training, research, program applications, advocacy and alliances with other organizations that share the same goals.
In addition, the award recognizes the center’s impact on osteopathic physicians and their rural practices as it provides support services and strengthens the broader health care delivery systems in the rural communities where they practice. The physicians are prepared for the unique challenges of rural medicine, ensuring that quality physicians are available to serve rural Oklahomans. The award will be presented on Oct. 8 at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
The Rural Health Association of Oklahoma’s award, presented Sept. 14 at the organization’s annual conference, honored OSU for its dedication and commitment to rural health and for serving as an example for other organizations.
The association also named Dr. Mike Ogle of Enid, an alumnus of OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine alumnus Dr. Mike Ogle of Enid, as Rural Practitioner of the Year.