On Aug. 28, 1946, Oklahoma’s Secretary of State granted the corporate charter of a new nonprofit medical research institute. The name of that institute, the first paragraph of its articles of incorporation read, “will be the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.”
In honor of OMRF’s 80th birthday, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame has published a new book: “Eureka! The Story of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.”
Written by Adam Buckley Cohen, the book chronicles how OMRF grew from a post-World War II dream into an internationally recognized research center.
“Today, we know OMRF as one of the nation’s leading independent research institutes,” said Cohen, OMRF’s senior vice president and general counsel. “But it took the generosity of an entire state to make that happen.”
OMRF opened its door following a statewide fund drive that saw donations from 7,500 Oklahomans. The gifts ranged from 30 cents to $100,000.
Hollywood even pitched in. World War II hero and movie star Audie Murphy premiered his film “Bad Boy” in Oklahoma City, and portion of the box office proceeds went to OMRF.
“It’s a remarkable origin story,” Cohen said. “We had a lot of fun uncovering the many layers of the foundation’s past, and it’s exciting to be able to share that rich history with readers.”
Cohen worked with editor Lindsay Thomas and creative director Jenny Lee on the book, which mined materials from a variety of sources, including the archives of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
“OMRF’s story is an important chapter in Oklahoma’s history, and we’re excited to partner with OMRF to tell it,” said Oklahoma Hall of Fame Vice President Gini Moore Campbell.
The book will be available in public libraries across Oklahoma and can be purchased from the Oklahoma Hall of Fame at scissortailgifts.com.
