Governor Stitt announces cabinet transitions

GOVERNOR STITT ANNOUNCES CABINET TRANSITIONS

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 29, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced he has appointed Kevin Corbett as Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Elizabeth Pollard as Secretary of Science and Innovation as former Secretaries Jerome Loughridge and Dr. Kayse Shrum are returning to their full-time careers.

“We are fortunate to have the ability to promote talented people like Secretary Kevin Corbett and Secretary Elizabeth Pollard to ensure a seamless transition,” said Gov. Stitt. “They both have made significant impacts on our state in just a few months, and I am excited to work with them as we continue our momentum toward becoming a Top Ten state.”

Oklahoma to begin Phase 3 of reopen plan on June 1st

OKLAHOMA TO BEGIN PHASE 3 OF OPEN UP AND RECOVER SAFELY PLAN ON JUNE 1

Additional guidance issued for individuals and businesses

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 29, 2020) – Oklahoma will proceed to Phase 3 of the Open Up and Recover Safely plan Monday, June 1, Governor Kevin Stitt announced Friday.

Oklahoma currently has just 708 active COVID-19 cases out of nearly 4 million residents and 5,236 people have already recovered.

Active cases in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, the state’s two largest, make up less than 0.03% of the population in their respective counties.

As of May 28, 188,665 tests have been performed with just 3.77% coming back positive. Since Phase 2 of the OURS plan was initiated May 15, 69,914 tests have been performed and just 2.1% have been positive.

“We are making responsible decisions based on the data in our state,” said Gov. Stitt. “While cases continue to decline 36 days into our reopening, it is important Oklahomans remember COVID-19 is still in the United States and we must continue to be diligent about washing our hands frequently, maintaining physical distance and protecting our most vulnerable populations.”

Under Phase 3, businesses may resume unrestricted staffing at their worksites by observing proper CDC-recommended social distancing protocols and are recommended to continue increased cleaning and disinfecting practices.

Stitt names Col. Lance Frye, MD, as interim Oklahoma Commissioner of Health

GOV. STITT ANNOUNCES INTERIM OKLAHOMA COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 22, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the selection of Colonel Lance Frye, M.D., as the interim Oklahoma Commissioner of Health. Col. Frye will begin leading the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) as interim commissioner effective immediately. 

“Col. Frye is a proven leader and highly qualified medical expert who has faithfully served our country and state with a focus on the health of those around him for over 25 years,” said Gov. Stitt. “As a respected health care professional who has vast experience operating under pressure, I have full faith in his ability to continue upon the momentum we have seen OSDH undergo over the past eight months and lead this critical agency as we respond to the worst pandemic in a century.”

“Thank you Governor Stitt and Secretary Loughridge for trusting me to serve in this role at such a critical time in our State’s history,” said Col. Frye. “Governor Stitt has said his number one goal is to protect the health and lives of Oklahomans, and that is a mission I am honored to carry out. We are all in this together, and I am confident we will continue the great progress we have made in our fight against COVID-19.”

Frye currently serves as the interim department chair, residency program director and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, and State Air Surgeon for the Oklahoma Air National Guard (OKANG).

Gov. Stitt, task force provide COVID-19 update; Nat'l Guard assists long-term care facilities

GOVERNOR STITT AND GOVERNOR’S SOLUTION TASK FORCE PROVIDES COVID-19 UPDATE

Announces new saliva based testing and highlights focus on long-term care facilities

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 28, 2020)— Governor Kevin Stitt today joined Deputy Secretary of Science and Innovation Elizabeth Pollard, Deputy Secretary of Health and Mental Health Carter Kimble and Secretary of Health and Mental Health Jerome Loughridge to provide an update on the State’s response to COVID-19, announce new saliva based testing, and discuss efforts to protect Oklahomans in long term care facilities.

Stitt, administration officials thank frontline COVID-19 workers in new video

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT JOINS ADMINISTRATION IN THANKING HEALTH CARE WORKERS, PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, BUSINESSES AND OKLAHOMANS IN NEW VIDEO

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 27, 2020)— Governor Kevin Stitt, First Lady Sarah Stitt, Secretary of Health and Mental Health Jerome Loughridge, Secretary of Science and Innovation Kayse Shrum and Major General Michael Thompson joined together to thank health care professionals, public employees, businesses and Oklahomans in a new video released on Monday.

In the video, the Stitt Administration highlights the hard work and dedication of Oklahoma’s health care workers, medical professionals and public employees who are serving on the frontlines of the global pandemic. They also thank the businesses and manufacturers who have innovated in order to help meet the needs of the State and recognize the Oklahomans who have been doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“You are why the Oklahoma standard shines so bright, thank you,” concludes Gov. Stitt.

Watch the video below:

Senate confirms Steven Buck as OJA director

Senate confirms Steven Buck as OJA director

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Wednesday unanimously confirmed Steven Buck of Oklahoma City as the executive director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

Buck is the first agency director confirmed by the Senate under the terms of new laws that give the governor the ability to hire and fire the heads of OJA and four other top state agencies.

“Oklahoma has come a long way in improving the care and treatment of children in state custody thanks to the work of leaders like Steven Buck. He’s proven himself an honest and dedicated public servant as director of OJA the past few years and I know he’ll continue to do an excellent job in that capacity moving forward. Steven Buck is a great partner for policymakers and I look forward to working with him to continuing to ensure the children in custody get the care and treatment they need to acclimate and become productive members of society,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

Buck was nominated for reappointment as director of OJA by Governor Kevin Stitt earlier this month. He also was named cabinet secretary of human services and early childhood initiatives by the governor.

“Steven Buck has had a long and distinguished career advocating for the treatment and care of some of our state’s most vulnerable citizens. He’s done a great job already at OJA and I know he’ll keep moving that agency in the right direction,” said Senator Jason Smalley, R-Stroud and chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

On Wednesday, the Senate also confirmed Jerome Loughridge of Oklahoma City as the governor’s cabinet secretary of health and mental health.