The Oklahoma State University Center for Rural Health is committed to enhancing healthcare for individuals residing in and working in Oklahoma’s rural and tribal communities. The Center leverages federal, state, and university resources to expand access to care, support local hospitals and clinics, and train the next generation of health professionals who are committed to serving where they are needed most. 

Key Programs Include:

• Oklahoma Office of Rural Health: Helps sustain health services by overseeing federal funding that supports rural hospitals and rural health clinics, and offers technical assistance to those facilities to ensure they deliver affordable, quality care.
  
• Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program Office: Provides health professions students with hands-on clinical training through a multidisciplinary approach in rural and underserved communities. With regional centers in Enid, Lawton, Tahlequah, and McAlester, the program has a statewide reach.
  
• Medical Student Education Program:With support from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the program provides scholarships and enhances training opportunities that prepare medical students to serve in rural and tribal settings.
  
• Research and Evaluation:Our team collaborates with partners across the state and nation to investigate rural health challenges and develop data-driven solutions, utilizing tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to translate research into tangible, real-world impact.
• Recovery and Resilience Science: We seek to understand how substance use and adversity, recovery and resilience, shape health and development across all stages of life. We partner with communities across Oklahoma and the nation to translate those insights into action through prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. 

Oklahoma State University Extension serves all 77 Oklahoma counties by delivering research-based information that empowers individuals, families and communities to solve local challenges, foster leadership and manage resources effectively. Through a wide range of programs and services offered at minimal to no cost, OSU Extension helps Oklahomans make informed decisions that improve their quality of life and strengthen their communities.

Key areas of work include:

• Family and consumer sciences: Resources on health, nutrition, money management, and parenting.
• Community health:  Works in partnership with community organizations to identify critical health issues and develop sustainable solutions.
• Youth development: 4-H programs that build leadership, life skills, and career readiness.
• Community development: Supporting local leaders and rural communities with planning and economic growth.
• Gardening and natural resources: Education on gardening, water conservation, and environmental stewardship.
• Agriculture support: Helping farmers and ranchers with crops, livestock, and farm management.

Oklahoma State University’s Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute (HPNRI) empowers Oklahomans to move, eat, and rest better—whatever their goals: sport, career, or life. We bridge cutting-edge discoveries in exercise, nutrition, and recovery with the key community collaborators to strengthen schools, athletic programs, tactical populations, healthcare professionals, and more. Through programs like Project ECHO, strength and conditioning clinics, and nutrition initiatives, we translate performance science into practical solutions that inspire a healthier, higher-performing generation across our state and beyond.

Areas of Emphasis:

• Community Partners: Partnering with local organizations who share our passion for improving health and performance across Oklahoma.
• Youth Impact: Equipping K-12 educators, coaches, and trainers with tools to support them in student development of lifelong healthy habits.
• Physical Performance: Supplying safe, evidence-based strategies to enhance participation, adherence, and effectiveness of exercise.
• Nutrition & Recovery: Establishing awareness of how choices in nutrition, sleep, and recovery impact our body's performance and capability.

Oklahoma State University Wellness supports the whole Cowboy community—students, faculty, staff, and members—by promoting lifelong wellbeing of the mind, body and spirit. Through innovative programs, inclusive facilities, and supportive services, OSU Wellness encourages every individual to thrive both on campus and beyond. From recreation and fitness to mental health and nutrition, we are dedicated to creating a culture where wellness is accessible, celebrated, and part of everyday life at OSU.

Key Areas of Focus:

• Campus Recreation: Providing state-of-the-art facilities, fitness programs, and outdoor adventures that inspire movement, connection, and a healthy lifestyle for the OSU community.
• Student Wellness: Empowering students to make informed, balanced choices through health education, prevention initiatives, and hands-on wellness experiences that strengthen physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Employee Wellness: Enhancing the health and productivity of faculty and staff through programs that support active living, healthy habits, and a culture of care across the university.
• Mental Health and Support: Prioritizing mental health as a cornerstone of wellness by offering counseling services, peer support, crisis resources, and training opportunities to foster resilience and belonging.
• Student Accessibility Services: Ensuring that all students can access the full OSU experience by providing academic accommodations, advocacy, and support for individuals with disabilities—both permanent and temporary.
• Community Wellness: Administers several federal, state, and private grants providing healthy living and substance abuse prevention services to seven counties in Northeast Oklahoma and supporting initiatives across Oklahoma.
• Accessibility Programs:
  • Able Tech: Administers several state and federal contracts designed to improve the lives of all Oklahomans by providing assistive technology (AT) devices and services, financing opportunities, digital accessibility services, advocacy, and education.
  • Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council (ORC): Facilitates consumer education and empowerment, to assure services are of high quality and lead to the employment of individuals with disabilities within Oklahoma.
  • Special Education Resolution Center (SERC): Supports all Oklahoma families and school districts by facilitating the resolution of IEP disputes and guiding challenging conversations with a focus on students' best interests.