Oklahoma
Oklahoma health care workforce shortage in dire need of solution
There is no such thing as a “return to regular” on the subject of professionals within the well being care trade.
Previous to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, well being care suppliers in Oklahoma have been already dealing with a workforce shortfall within the double digits. The pandemic stretched our methods and professionals past capability.
As we surpass the two-year anniversary of this unprecedented disaster, our society is now confronted with its ripple results — the best of those being within the behavioral well being area.
The Washington Submit just lately reported that the U.S. psychological well being and substance abuse referral line obtained 833,598 calls in 2020, a 27% improve from 2019. In 2021, this quantity rose to over 1 million.
A 2021 American Psychological Affiliation Survey additional depicts the declining state of psychological well being in our nation. Psychologists have seen a surge in anxiousness, melancholy and stress-related problems over the previous two years, they usually can’t sustain with the historic demand for companies. Of responding psychologists, 62% reported a rise in referrals, however 65% acknowledged they don’t have the capability to tackle new sufferers, and their waitlist is constantly rising.
Not solely is behavioral well being dealing with its share of staffing shortages, however the thought of what it means to work on this sector can be increasing.
Quickly, Oklahoma will probably be creating extra jobs for behavioral well being specialists in partnership with native police departments and our public colleges, in addition to in help of the brand new federal 988 psychological well being disaster hotline. These modern approaches to care are wanted, and we should help this progress with extra specialised coaching and a pipeline of recent professionals.
Congress has delivered on federal funding that may kick-start these efforts via the American Rescue Plan Act, and the Oklahoma Joint Committee on Pandemic Aid Funding properly shaped a legislative working group to immediately handle our future well being care workforce wants.
With correct funding to reimagine our training and coaching strategies, I’m assured there’s a workforce to be developed in the present day to help the rising wants in behavioral well being companies. As we navigate the Nice Resignation nationally and regionally, behavioral well being needs to be seen as a area for a lot of people to transition into and influence their communities for the higher.
NorthCare and the Oklahoma Behavioral Well being Affiliation are partnering with native Oklahoma universities and commerce colleges to unify our academic choices at a one-stop campus within the coronary heart of Oklahoma Metropolis. From varied certifications to master-level curriculum, grownup college students from all spectrums will discover the pliability and alternative to advance their abilities and pivot into fulfilling careers.
As our elected leaders on the state Capitol think about proposals to deal with the fast and future wants, I urge us all to see the window of alternative we’ve to allocate funding that lays a basis to foster a strong well being care workforce and fashionable well being care supply system for generations to return.
Randy Tate is the CEO of NorthCare, an authorized neighborhood behavioral well being clinic in Oklahoma Metropolis that gives companies in 45 Oklahoma counties.
Oklahoma
Live Updates: No. 7 Alabama Football at Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla.–– Alabama has one final road test to pass in the regular season if it wants to compete for an SEC title and make it back to the College Football Playoff.
The No. 7 Crimson Tide plays at Oklahoma on Saturday night in the first matchup as conference foes in the SEC. BamaCentral will have coverage all night from Norman. Follow along for updates.
BE SURE TO REFRESH YOUR BROWSER FOR THE LATEST UPDATES
(latest updates at the top)
Who: Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) vs. Oklahoma (5-5, 1-4)
When: Saturday, Nov. 23, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC/ESPN+
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Tyler Watts).
Series: Oklahoma leads 3-2-1
Last meeting: Alabama defeated the Sooners in the Capital One Orange Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff 45-34. Tua Tagovailoa passed for 318 yards and four touchdowns while the Crimson Tide rushed for 200 yards across 42 carries between Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris and Najee Harris.
Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide dominated Mercer 52-7 at home behind three touchdowns from Jalen Milroe and two touchdowns from Ryan Williams. The Alabama defense forced three more turnovers as they’ve now forced 16 in the last five games, making life challenging on opposing offenses.
Last time out, Oklahoma: The Sooners were off this past week, but went to Missouri two weeks ago and lost 30-23 after losing a fumble for a touchdown in the game’s final minutes. Oklahoma’s played five conference games and only won at Auburn this season.
Oklahoma
Staff predictions: Our picks for No. 7 Alabama at Oklahoma
After falling twice away from home already this season, No. 7 Alabama will look to avoid a potential trap game in its final road trip of the regular season. The Crimson Tide (8-2, 5-2 in the SEC) will visit Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5) for a 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff Saturday inside Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
This will be the seventh matchup between Alabama and Oklahoma. The Sooners hold a 3-2-1 advantage in the series, but the Tide won the most recent meeting, recording a 45-34 victory in the 2018 Orange Bowl. Alabama is currently a 14-point favorite for Saturday’s game, according to the Caesars Sportsbook.
Here’s how Tide Illustrated’s staff thinks the game will play out.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State Offers 2026 Bixby DB Braeden Presley
The stark reality of the Cowboys future on the gridiron is up in the air. Can Oklahoma State bounce back in 2025 following one of the worst football seasons in years? Will the Pokes return next season and play with a chip on their shoulder? Only time will tell and the best way to improve the football team is for the coaching staff to hit the recruiting trail hard.
Oklahoma State will say goodbye to one of the greatest statistical wide receivers to ever wear the Cowboy orange. Senior Brennan Presley has been the cornerstone of the receiving core for the past four seasons. He is the all-time receptions leader in Oklahoma State history and has caught more than two passes in nearly every game since his sophomore season.
The offense won’t be the same in 2025 with Presley snagging catches across the middle, but the fans of Cowboy football won’t have to wait long as a familiar name will be entering the mix straight out of the class of 2026.
On Thursday, Oklahoma State looked to make it the Presley trifecta when they offered the youngest of the bunch, 2026 Bixby star Braeden Presley. Older brothers Brennan and Braylin both committed to Oklahoma State out of high school. Brennan hung around to become the all-time receptions leader in school history while Braylin transferred to Tulsa.
Braeden is the biggest brother of the bunch and measures in at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, according to 247Sports. He is unranked at the moment but still has a full season of football yet to play. The interest continues to grow for Braeden who has drawn offers from Tulsa, Boston College and Kansas.
Oklahoma State joined the mix on Thursday and is hoping to use its family ties to lock up their third straight Presley. Little is known about Presley on the field, and he has proven this season that he is a jack of all trades. He has logged a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown and passing touchdown this season for the Spartans of Bixby.
A majority of his highlights have come on the defensive side of the football. He has 27 tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble in 2024 for a Bixby team who is searching for yet another Class 5A State Championship.
The fans of Oklahoma State football may not have to wait very long to have a Presley once again under the lights of Boone Pickens Stadium.
Want to join the discussion? Like Oklahoma State Cowboys on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.
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