June 2026 Newsletter   

Communities to Lead New Health Projects Funded By Nearly $7 Million in TSET Grants

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The City of Seminole received a Built Environment Grant in 2023 for upgrades at Boomtown Park, including new inclusive playground equipment.
The TSET Board of Directors approved nearly $7 million in grant funding to support projects that make healthy choices easier for Oklahomans across the state.

The grants will help prevent youth access to tobacco, vapor and nicotine products, expand opportunities for physical activity and support healthier community spaces across Oklahoma. Developed and proposed by local communities, schools and organizations, these projects reflect the needs and priorities of the people they serve. Together, the investments support healthier choices, stronger communities and better quality of life for generations to come.

“TSET’s investments help communities build the conditions that support better health for all Oklahomans,” said Lance Thomas, TSET interim executive director. “By partnering with local organizations and leaders, we can create lasting changes that improve health outcomes for generations.”

TSET-funded projects help address some of Oklahoma’s most pressing health challenges by making healthy living more accessible where people live, work, learn and play. From community improvements to school-based initiatives, these grants support locally driven solutions that can lead to lasting change.

The board’s action reflects TSET’s ongoing commitment to investing in programs and partnerships that improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of chronic disease for all of Oklahoma.

By supporting communities in every corner of the state, TSET continues its mission of creating healthier environments and expanding opportunities for Oklahomans to live longer, healthier lives. 
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OMRF Breaks Ground on Center for Patient Care and Clinical Studies

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation broke ground on a new Center for Patient Care and Clinical Studies in Oklahoma City, expanding efforts to connect patient care with biomedical research focused on chronic disease.

The three-story facility will house the TSET Institute for a Healthier Oklahoma and the David R. Brown, M.D., Advanced Human Imaging Center. Together, the spaces will bring clinical care, advanced imaging and research under one roof to support studies of conditions such as multiple sclerosis, lupus and other autoimmune diseases.

Funded in part by a $9.9 million TSET Legacy Grant and private philanthropy, the center is designed to improve access to specialized care while advancing research into chronic illness, inflammation and immune system function. OMRF leaders say the facility will also expand opportunities for clinical trials and telehealth services for patients across Oklahoma.

“TSET’s investment in this project reflects our commitment to advancing research and improving health outcomes for Oklahomans through innovation and collaboration,” said Lance Thomas, TSET interim executive director.

The center is expected to open in late 2027 and will serve as a hub for integrating patient care with research aimed at improving long-term health outcomes.
 
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TSET Better Health Podcast: Celebrating Independence with Better Health

As our nation celebrates 250 years of independence this summer, more Oklahomans are also enjoying the freedom that comes with healthier living.

Episode 58 of the TSET Better Health Podcast explores how and why individual choices and public policy can improve wellness over the long run. Guests inlcude DeLanie Brewer, an Oklahoma City resident who has shared her inspiring health journey with Shape Your Future, Katie Qualls Fay of the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline, and McKenzie Cowbeck, Oklahoma Public Health Association executive director.
 
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Perspective: Lance Thomas in the Journal Record

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This month in the Journal Record, TSET Interim Executive Director Lance Thomas highlighted TSET’s $9.9 million investment supporting the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation’s new Center for Patient Care and Clinical Studies in Oklahoma City.

Thomas emphasized that TSET’s support for the expansion reflects the agency’s broader commitment to advancing health outcomes through research and innovation that can translate into long-term benefits for Oklahomans statewide.
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