State Senate confirms Keith Reed as new Commissioner of Health

Keith Reed Confirmed as Commissioner of Health

Senate confirms new commissioner of health

OKLAHOMA CITY – After being nominated by Governor Kevin Stitt, Keith Reed was confirmed as the Commissioner of Health for the state of Oklahoma by the Senate today. Reed has been with the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) for nearly 20 years, serving in various positions throughout the agency.  

Stitt appoints three agency heads to permanent positions

GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTS THREE STATE AGENCY LEADERS TO PERMANENT POSITIONS

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 15, 2020) — Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Carrie Slatton-Hodges as Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Dr. Lance Frye as State Commissioner of Health and Rachel Holt as Executive Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

Slatton-Hodges, Frye and Holt will continue serving in interim capacities pending Senate confirmation in the 2021 legislative session.

“These leaders have provided strong visions and steady leadership for our state agencies and the people they serve while operating in their current roles,” said Gov. Stitt. “I am proud of the work they have collectively accomplished throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and I look forward to seeing how they will continue to move the needle in the health and care of our people as we work to become Top 10 in these critical categories.”

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 and Health Care Authority CEO seek reform to Medicaid program

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT, OHCA CEO KEVIN CORBETT SEEK REFORM TO OKLAHOMA’S MEDICAID PROGRAM

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 18, 2020)— In order to improve Oklahoma’s health outcomes, increase access to health care and foster a more accountable system, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) will seek proposals from qualified managed care organizations to facilitate health care services to eligible and enrolled members of Oklahoma’s Medicaid program, commonly known as SoonerCare. The managed care organizations' contracts will require them to share the financial risk associated with providing care to members. The request for proposals is expected to be released this fall.

“I am committed to making Oklahoma a Top Ten state in health outcomes, and engaging providers through a managed care organization will help us achieve our goal of ensuring Oklahomans receive improved access and quality care,” Governor Kevin Stitt said. “While we do expect cost savings to follow the improved health outcomes, the state will continue to be laser-focused on helping Oklahomans.”

Stitt appoints new director to OK Health Care Authority

GOV STITT APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR TO OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. (August 5, 2019)— Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of Kevin Corbett as the next agency director for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA).

“Kevin Corbett’s financial expertise and strong organizational leadership will serve the Health Care Authority and the State of Oklahoma well,” said Gov. Stitt. “Corbett will bring his wealth of experience in accounting and consulting to ensure OHCA’s $6 billion budget is being delivered on target and to effectively partner with other state agencies to improve care for the most vulnerable in our state. I look forward to working with Corbett in order to achieve Top Ten outcomes in Oklahoma.” 

Corbett will begin leading OHCA on August 15, and his appointment will require Senate confirmation in the 2020 legislative session.

Corbett previously served as the Interim Chief Financial Officer at Lagoon Water Solutions. Prior to this, Corbett served as a senior partner and Risk Advisory practice leader with Ernst & Young, retiring in 2017 with over 38 years of service. During his career, Corbett advised some of the largest companies in the U.S. and abroad, gaining extensive experience in a wide array of corporate matters, including public offerings, merger and acquisitions, debt restructurings, bankruptcy proceedings, risk management and transformational change. Corbett is a graduate of Oklahoma State University (BS in Accounting) and the executive management program at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. Corbett has served on the board of several civic organizations in Oklahoma and Texas, including Sunbeam Family Services, Junior Achievement, United Way, and Oklahoma State University Foundation Board of Governors. Corbett is a CPA licensed in Oklahoma and Texas and a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors.

“Kevin Corbett brings to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority a distinguished record of leading people to drive effective outcomes. His proven ability to focus and lead high-performing teams will be a powerful tool in helping us achieve Top Ten outcomes for the health of all Oklahomans - particularly the most vulnerable among us. I deeply appreciate Kevin's willingness to bring his seasoned experience to bear in service to his home State.” – Jerome Loughridge, Secretary of Health and Mental Health

“It’s exciting to have Kevin Corbett join the leadership at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Kevin brings a wealth of business experience and acumen to this position. His results-driven leadership and ability to build teams will transform the OHCA into a high performing agency that is committed to advancing the health status of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable populations and to making Oklahoma a Top Ten State in health.” – Dr. Kayse Shrum, Secretary of Science and Innovation

“I have had the privilege to know and work with Kevin Corbett for many years. His leadership skills, business acumen and knowledge of best practices will be of great benefit to the OHCA. I have full confidence he will serve the people of Oklahoma well.”– Mike Sanner, Former Oklahoma City Managing Partner at Ernst & Young

“Governor Stitt has made an excellent choice in Kevin Corbett. As a consultant to my company, Kevin was an effective manager and skilled accountant who helped us drive stronger outcomes with our resources. He will bring accountability and precision to the Health Care Authority’s multi-billion-dollar budget and ensure taxpayer dollars are achieving the goals of the state. I cannot think of anyone better to manage this important state agency.” – David Williams, Former Chairman and CEO of Noble Corporation

The OHCA administers two health programs for the state: Soonercare, Oklahoma's Medicaid program that works to improve the health of qualified Oklahomans by ensuring that medically necessary benefits and services are available, and Insure Oklahoma, which assists qualifying adults and small business employees in obtaining health care coverage for themselves and their families.