In August 2023, OMRF launched a 77-county campaign to celebrate the foundation’s 77th anniversary. Through August 2024, OMRF leadership, staff and scientists are crisscrossing the state, touching each of Oklahoma’s counties and hosting events to reconnect with the communities that built OMRF.
The campaign returns the foundation to its roots. In 1946, a group of Oklahomans recognized that it wasn’t enough for physicians to work each day to treat illnesses like heart disease and cancer. To make real headway against disease, medicine had to do more. Our founders set their dream to paper, and a 77-county fundraising effort followed. Oklahomans responded mightily, with more than 7,500 households giving over $2 million in gifts and pledges.
OMRF was born from the generosity of the entire state. That means we’re not simply the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. We are Oklahoma’s medical research foundation.
First Lady Kim Henry and Governor Brad Henry
First Lady Cathy Keating and Governor Frank Keating
| Host City | Date | District Chairs | |
| OKC Kickoff | 8/28/23 | Michael Cawley, Len Cason | |
| Woodward | 9/14/23 | Sarah Yauk, Bruce Benbrook | |
| Duncan | 9/26/23 | Barbara Braught | |
| Ardmore | 9/26/23 | Noble Research Institute, Steve Rhines | |
| Chickasha | 10/12/23 | Dr. Bruce Storms | |
| Stillwater | 11/2/23 | Burns Hargis, Dr. Brett Jameson | |
| Weatherford | 11/7/23 | Carol & Harold Wright, Dr. Diana Lovell | |
| Guymon | 11/9/23 | Dr. Martin D. Bautista | |
| Miami | 1/18/24 | Rep. Steve Bashore & Kristi Bashore, Dr. Doug Cox & Susan Cox |
|
| Alva | 1/30/24 | Jodie Bradford-Stevison, Todd Holder | |
| Kingfisher | 2/1/24 | Paul Schulte | |
| Muskogee | 2/8/24 | John Griffin, Dr. John Saxon | |
| Bartlesville | 2/15/24 | Rep. John Kane & Barbara Kane, Rep. Clay Staires & Lisa Staires, Rep. Judd Strom |
|
| Lawton | 2/22/24 | Mark Brace | |
| Tulsa | 3/7/2024 | Hardesty Family Foundation | |
| Ponca City | 3/28/24 | Jack McCarty | |
| Enid | 4/2/24 | Virginia Groendyke, Dr. Barry Pollard | |
| Altus | 4/4/24 | Ken Fergeson | |
| Shawnee | 4/11/24 | Dr. Kathy Laster, Casey Bell | |
| Idabel | 4/25/24 | Cindy & Ed Fulmer | |
| Norman | 4/30/24 | Kim Henry, Becky Switzer | |
| Hobart | 5/2/24 | Tommy Talley | |
| McAlester | 5/7/24 | The Hon. Steven Taylor | |
| Ada | 6/27/24 | Chickasaw Nation, Gov. Bill Anoatubby | |
| Durant | 7/18/24 | Choctaw Nation, Todd Hallmark | |
| OKC Wrap Up | 8/27/24 | Michael Cawley, Len Cason |
Mission
Thank
Acknowledge the donors,
advocates and communities
that built OMRF
Promote
Increase awareness and
name recognition of the
foundation statewide
Support
Energize and expand OMRF’s
donor base to increase
support for research
Increase statewide
awareness
Thank, promote and grow
support
Continue the momentum
statewide
