USDA Awards SWOSU $1 Million to Implement Telemedicine/Telehealth in Rural Oklahoma

1-542

January 13, 2023

SWOSU Press Release

Through a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) College of Pharmacy Rural Health Center has been awarded a $1 million grant to buy equipment to implement telemedicine in LeFlore County and Western Oklahoma counties over the next three years.

In the first year of the grant, SWOSU is collaborating with Eastern Oklahoma Memorial Center (EOMC) in Poteau (LeFlore County) by putting telemedicine equipment in six rural public-school locations in LeFlore County. The use of telemedicine equipment to provide medical services to schoolchildren and faculty in rural communities will be instrumental in improving healthcare concerns in the rural setting. The total populations of the towns that are being served in the first year of the grant is over 15,000 people with 2,500 students.

SWOSU will also have telemedicine equipment on the Weatherford campus in the School of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, and the Health and Wellness Department to provide student training and opportunities. Through the purchase of telemedicine equipment, SWOSU will expand its resources to serve more students and communities, helping to reduce the shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas and providing the university’s Diabetes Prevention Program to the state of Oklahoma. This equipment will allow the Health and Wellness Department to provide telehealth visits with medical providers and opportunities for training with SWOSU students.

In the second and third years of the grant, SWOSU’s goal is to serve 18 rural schools in western Oklahoma counties. The total populations of the towns that are being served in the second and third years is over 50,000 people with over 12,000 students.

SWOSU looks forward to bringing telemedicine/telehealth resources to Oklahoma’s rural communities.

Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

3-403

Rep. Archer Elected House Republican Caucus Vice Chair

November 21, 2024 Oklahoma House Republicans this week selected their leadership team for the 60th Legislature, with Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, stepping into a prominent role as Caucus Vice Chair. The 81-member Republican majority maintains its

1-986

Elk City Commissioners to Address Key Issues

November 19, 2024 The Elk City Commission is set to convene on Wednesday afternoon in the Commission Chambers at City Hall. The agenda includes several significant topics, including going into an executive session to discuss the performance

1-984

Fatality Motorcycle Accident Near Snyder

November 16, 2024 A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 64-year-old Altus man on Saturday. The fatal collision occurred at approximately 4:35 PM on US-62 near the 55-mile marker, about five miles west of Snyder

1-983

Candidate Filing Begins For Board of Education

November 15, 2024 Roger Mills County Election Board Press Release Candidate filing for the Board of Education begins Monday, December 2nd for 9 Roger Mills County school districts.

1-982

Miss SWOSU 2025 Scholarship Pageant Winners Announced

November 15, 2024 SWOSU Press Release The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced the winners of the Miss SWOSU 2025 Scholarship Pageant, held on Nov. 9 at the Weatherford Performing Arts Center. Mia Macias from Leedey

4-79

Custer County to Host Launch of $11.2M Broadband Grant Initiative

November 15, 2024 The Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) has been awarded an $11,233,311 grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to help new internet users effectively access and utilize online services. This funding aims to

1-980

Elk City Named Among U.S. Favorite Towns by WorldAtlas

November 13, 2024 Elk City has earned a spot on an impressive list of U.S. towns, recently highlighted by WorldAtlas. This recognition places Elk City alongside other beloved Oklahoma towns, including Bartlesville, Durant, Tahlequah, Guthrie, Ponca City,

3-398

Elk City School Board Approves EMT Program

November 12, 2024 The Elk City School Board met Monday night for their regular monthly meeting and, among other things, approved a new program that Superintendent Mike Sparks says will give high school students an opportunity to