Oklahoma

Bill moves forward to change Oklahoma Health Commissioner requirements

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2022

Bill moves forward to change Oklahoma Health Commissioner requirements

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Throughout the pandemic we heard loads from Oklahoma State Division of Well being officers. Now, a invoice is on the way in which to alter the State Well being Commissioner’s {qualifications}.

Supporters of SB 709 say altering the {qualifications} widens the pool of candidates. These opposed say it provides the Oklahoma Governor to many loopholes to call somebody that’s not certified.

“In 2019, the legislature made an ill-informed determination to neuter the effectiveness of the company board for the Division of Well being, taking away all oversite capabilities for that company board and changing it with what I discuss with as ‘mates of the governor,” mentioned Rep. Andy Fugate.

Opponents say that’s the origin of SB 709. The measure was debated and handed on the Home ground on Wednesday. Presently a candidate for Well being Commissioner would wish an MD, DO, Doctorate of Public Well being or a Grasp of Science with expertise managing a big state company or undertaking. This invoice would change the requirement to any Grasp’s diploma.

“By broadening this just a bit bit, we’re increasing the potential pool of candidates.” mentioned Rep. Cindy Roe of Lindsay.

“Wouldn’t we be higher off ensuring folks in place of authority on this discipline know what sort of inquiries to ask, as a result of they’ve the correct background? “ requested Rep. John Waldron.

Oklahoma State Capitol. Photograph from KFOR.

However the payments writer says that’s why, consulting with the State Well being Division and the Oklahoma Medical Affiliation, SB 709 would create a chief medical officer place, appointed by the commissioner.

“Should you take a look at a hospital administrator, as an illustration, that’s sometimes not a doctor. It’s simply somebody overseeing the general hospital operations,” mentioned Roe.

“These adjustments took place when there have been sure heads of well being businesses that wished masks versus those that didn’t.” mentioned Rep. Regina Goodwin.

Opponents say this invoice is politically pushed. In 2020, Gov. Kevin Stitt’s appointment of Gary Cox as Well being Commissioner was shot down by the State Senate when Cox didn’t meet listed necessities.. Some say the governor has a monitor report of this, naming an unqualified candidate to go up the Land Workplace and an individual with no faculty diploma to the State Regents for Larger Training.

“The Governor ought to solid a imaginative and prescient that folks can get on board with as a substitute of getting a governor go round and put their very own hand-picked folks in to do his or her bidding,” mentioned Fugate.

The Governor’s Workplace declined to touch upon the invoice. The State Division of Well being issued the next assertion to KFOR:

“SB 709 doesn’t eradicate any current {qualifications} for the state commissioner of well being. Nevertheless, it does present an exemption ought to the candidate have a grasp’s diploma and expertise in administration of state businesses or massive tasks. This permits for extra flexibility and opens the choice to a broader pool of candidates to select from when figuring out who leads the State Division of Well being. Much like frequent hospital management construction, OSDH maintains a Chief Medical Officer to make sure medical experience is at all times built-in into the management group, if handed, this invoice would make sure that continues.”
OSDH SPOKESPERSON

Though not formally an appointee, proper now Interim Well being Commissioner Keith Reed wouldn’t qualify for the everlasting job, however with the rule change he would.

SB 709 now strikes on to the governor’s desk.

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Oklahoma

'Please Help Our Son': Oklahoma Family's 4-Month-Old Diagnosed With Rare Disease

Published

2 hours ago

June 22, 2024

Press Room

'Please Help Our Son': Oklahoma Family's 4-Month-Old Diagnosed With Rare Disease

An Oklahoma family is ready for the fight of their lives after a rare diagnosis.

Madison and Trent Cantrell’s 4-month-old has been in the hospital for a month. He was finally diagnosed with SMARD 1 this week.

The condition is so rare there is only one place they can go for treatment in the country.

“Please help our son. Like, we don’t have a lot of choices.” Trent Cantrell said. “Yeah, it’s literally the only option. So that’s why we’re pushing so hard,” Madison Cantrell said.

SMARD 1 stands for Spinal Muscular Atrophy with respiratory distress.

“It’s ALS for children. It’s what they call it,” Madison said.

The genetic condition slowly degenerates the spinal cord and muscles.

“Every second matters, literally with this type of disease,” Madison said.

According to the National Organization for Rare Diseases, only 60 cases have been written about in scientific literature since 2015.

There’s a clinical trial at Nationwide Children’s in Columbus that the Cantrell’s want to get into.

“There’s several doctors that are on with the clinical trial that we’re reaching out to and trying. He’s healthy like he’s not far off from being a normal child like he’s just got some breathing issues and like he can still be saved,” Trent said.

The couple says the trial doesn’t want a child that’s already 4 months old but they aren’t giving up.

“This gene therapy could just halt the progression and he can live a normal happy life,” Madison said.

So the Cantrell’s are posting to social media and speaking up about their son’s condition.

“What we really need is support and push,” Madison said.

They hope making some noise and rallying support could help them.

“I’m going to fight for my little baby. Because I’m his voice or his voice.” Madison said.

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Oklahoma

Former Oklahoma State Star Morgan Hoffmann Makes Return to Professional Golf

Published

9 hours ago

June 21, 2024

Press Room

Former Oklahoma State Star Morgan Hoffmann Makes Return to Professional Golf

Earlier this week, former Oklahoma State standout Morgan Hoffmann made his return to the Sooner State.

After dealing with muscular dystrophy for the past several years, Hoffmann is on the course once again, competing in the Compliance Solutions Championship at the Jimmy Austin Golf Club in Norman, OK.

The event is part of the Korn Ferry Tour, a professional tour sanctioned by the Professional Golf Association comprised of golfers who have not reached the PGA Tour or who have not performed well enough to remain on the PGA Tour.

After being diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2017, Hoffmann said he felt frustrated, especially when doctors told him there was nothing they could do to fix his ailment. Instead of accepting the bad news, however, the Ringwood, NJ, product sought alternative opinions.

According to an interview with Holden Krusemark of KFOR, Hoffmann traveled to Costa Rica to try plant medicine.

Full Story: Morgan Hoffmann is back playing professional golf after years away battling muscular dystrophy. The former @OSUCowboyGolf star is back in OK this weekend @cschampgolf and looking to win his first tourn. as a pro
“The reason why I’m here is that I believe I can do it” pic.twitter.com/ofS8x6a9gP
— Holden Krusemark (@HoldenKrusemark) June 20, 2024

“I think anyone in this position would’ve done the same, especially as an athlete,” Hoffmann told Krusemark. “I mean, I’m not back where I want to be yet. I want to be on the PGA Tour and to be on the caliber of a player that I once was, and I’m still in the middle of it. It’s the beginning of a long journey.”

With Saturday and Sunday still left to play in the Compliance Solutions Championship, Hoffmann sits tied for 38th place at six under par.

Hoffman played golf at Oklahoma State from 2008-2011, earning GCAA Second Team All-American honors as a sophomore and GCAA First Team All-American honors as a true freshman.

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma City tabbed to host multiple Olympic events in 2028

Published

17 hours ago

June 21, 2024

Press Room

Oklahoma City tabbed to host multiple Olympic events in 2028

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KSWO) – LA28, the plan behind the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles announced an update to the master plan for venues including two events moving to OKC.

According to the Olympics website, Oklahoma City will play host to softball and canoe slalom attributed to what the committee describes as “world-class venues.”

The Olympics website states:

Both the existing canoe slalom and softball stadiums in Oklahoma City are built to international competition standards, and the local community has consistently supported top tournaments for both sports, ensuring a high-quality experience for both athletes and fans, while allowing LA28 to achieve cost savings and revenue gains to support its balanced budget.

Currently, Oklahoma is the only state outside of California to host events in the 2028 games.

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