Rural Health Innovation Challenge
Fostering Innovation for Health Equity
On June 20th, 2024, the OSU-Center for Health Systems Innovation and the Public Health Institute of Oklahoma hosted the Rural Health Innovation Challenge in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Innovation is the cornerstone of progress, especially in the realm of healthcare. Yet, for rural communities, providing innovative solutions for their unique health challenges can be daunting. The Rural Health Innovation Challenge (RHIC) stands as a beacon of hope, a platform where innovation converges with a steadfast commitment to fostering health equity across Oklahoma’s rural landscapes. As we embark on this journey, we invite you to join us in empowering rural communities by catalyzing transformative change through strategic sponsorship of the RHIC. We look forward to partnering with you and your organization as we unlock the innovative potential of health and social care partners from across rural Oklahoma.
TULSA, Okla., July 1, 2024 – Oklahoma State University’s Center for Health Systems Innovation
(OSU-CHSI) and Public Health Institute of Oklahoma (PHIO) announced the winners of the Rural
Health Innovation Challenge (RHIC), held Thursday, June 20, at the Tandy Medical Center at
Oklahoma State University in Tulsa.
Teams participating in the challenge each brought an issue affecting their community’s pursuit of
health to the competition and presented an innovative solution to a panel of judges. The teams
were awarded a total of $43,000 in prize money to help implement solutions the winners devised.
Innovation Challengers competed for the best ideas to address issues in four critical categories:
Cardiovascular and Community Health, Diabetes & Obesity, Mental Health and Substance Use,
and Social Drivers of Health.
“One third of our state population lives rurally; the health of that population greatly affects the
availability and cost of care in Oklahoma, which affects all of us,” said Marjorie Erdmann, PhD,
Director of OSU’s Center for Health Systems Innovation. “Programs like RHIC give people the
opportunity to increase awareness of the work they’re doing, telling their story to people who may
be able to help both with funds and support outside of this competition. The connections
participants make during this competition are invaluable.”
“The high level of community participation and success of this event has caught the attention of
other states’ health leaders,” continued Erdmann. “Several states have reached out, asking for
information and advice on how to recreate this type of event in their area. It’s great affirmation of
how inspiring passionate people to create innovative solutions accelerates the transformation of
rural communities.”
“We are meeting people where the need is greatest, and helping rural communities find increased
permanent access to quality healthcare,” said Jill Hazeldine, Executive Director of Public Health
Institute of Oklahoma. “These communities are doing important work, and we endorse that work
through financial support and an open exchange of ideas.”
2024 RHIC Winners by Category
The grand prize was $10,000. The top 4 winners in each category won $4,000, $2500, $1,000 and
$250 respectively and $500 was awarded for Best Data, Young Innovator, Health Equity Star, and
People’s Choice.
Winners in each category:
Diabetes and Obesity Group
1. A Table in the Wilderness received $4,000. They created an engaging program that changes
the way people eat, which in turn transforms their health.
2. The Virtue Center (Health Equity Star)
3. Logan County Partnership
4. Lawton Farmer’s Market
5. Collective Roots
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Group
1. Rural Health Projects $14,000 total – Grand Champion. They created a program to pilot for
effectiveness to improve the health and wellbeing of caregivers who are critical to the
access and quality of care of the people for whom they care.
2. National Center on Sexual Behaviors
3. Okie Outfitters (People’s Choice)
4. Resilient Payne County
5. Oklahoma School Security Institute
6. Rural Health Network of Oklahoma (Young Innovator)
Social Drivers of Health Group
1. Panhandle Cares Association $4,000. They created a program to increase access for
fundamentals of health often overlooked – access to hygiene products.
2. OK Turning Point Council
3. Tulsa Period Pantry
4. Center for Children & Families
5. Community Action Agency
Cardiology and Community Group
1. Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Perkins Family Clinic (Young Innovator) $4,000. Their after-school
program will focus on increasing health literacy and promoting health equity.
2. NW Oklahoma Osteopathic Foundation
3. School of Chemical Engineering – OSU (Best Use of Data)
4. Rural Health Association of Oklahoma – Rural Research Poster Contest
5. Metriarch
6. Oklahoma Public Health Association – Policy Chasm
The prize money given to winners came from sponsors including Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma,
Humana Healthy Horizons in Oklahoma, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Choctaw Nation,
OSU Medical Center, Oklahoma Complete Health, and Grail.