New Tulsa VA Medical Center to be named after late U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe

New VA Hospital in Tulsa, under construction (image source)

Lankford, Mullin Honor Legacy of Senator Jim Inhofe by Securing His Namesake for New Tulsa VA Medical Center

WASHINGTON, DC (Nov. 19th) – The Senate unanimously passed a bill introduced by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to name the new Veterans Administration (VA) 75,000-square-foot, 58-bed medical-surgical hospital in Tulsa the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center in honor of the life and legacy of the late-Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe, who tirelessly served our military, veterans, and their families for his entire public service career. Lankford helped ensure the hospital received funding to commence construction in 2020 and helped ensure the skyrocketing inflation of the last three years did not interrupt the construction schedule with additional unforeseen costs. Representative Kevin Hern (R-OK) is introducing companion legislation in the House of Representatives. 

Small: OSU president in denial over DEI

OSU president in denial

By Jonathan Small

Gov. Kevin Stitt took an important step when he recently issued an executive order targeting so-called “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) positions at Oklahoma colleges by banning the use of state taxpayer funds for DEI to the extent those bureaucrats and programs treat people differently based on race.

One prominent college leader responded with denial – or, in the most charitable interpretation, self-delusion.

OCPA president calls on Kayse Shrum to honor OSU’s ‘historic values’

OCPA president calls on Kayse Shrum to honor OSU’s ‘historic values’

OKLAHOMA CITY (December 18, 2023)—Recent events have demonstrated to Americans the extent of the rot in higher education, especially in elite institutions. But the problems are here at home, too—including at Oklahoma State University—and it’s time for policymakers to act, OCPA president Jonathan Small said today.

“I applaud Gov. Kevin Stitt for his executive order seeking to reduce the influence of poisonous ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI) ideologies in Oklahoma colleges,” Small said. “Unfortunately, OSU president Kayse Shrum’s dismissive response to the executive order—‘an initial review indicates that no significant changes to our processes or practices are needed’—shows that she’s hopelessly out of step with the Oklahomans paying the freight.” 

OSU leaders duck question on 'Drag Queen Story Hour' aimed at TWO-YEAR OLDS

COLLEGE LEADERS DUCK QUESTION ON OSU ‘DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR’

by Ray Carter, Director, Center for Independent Journalism

The Oklahoma State University Office of Multicultural Affairs recently announced it was hosting a “Drag Queen Story Hour” that was “geared towards ages 2-8.”

Critics said the event amounted to “ideological grooming” of children.

Do officials with oversight of state colleges believe the event was a proper use of taxpayer facilities and aligned with OSU’s mission? And if not, what action do they plan to take?

For the most part, those officials have adopted a “duck and cover” policy in response.

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.”

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:

OSDH Partners with OU and OSU to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Tulsa

OSDH Partners with OU and OSU to Expand COVID-19 Testing in Tulsa

In response to Oklahomans asking for additional testing and at the request of Governor Kevin Stitt, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), the University of Oklahoma (OU), and Oklahoma State University (OSU) are teaming up to offer drive-thru testing sites at university locations in the Tulsa metro area.

This partnership will greatly increase testing capacity in Tulsa while providing additional data to assist the state in responding to COVID-19 and minimizing its impact in Oklahoma.