On Saturday, June 14, 2025, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) District 8 team partnered with Pilgrim Baptist Church and Bethel Missionary Baptist Church to support a vibrant community event at Springer Park in Tatums, Oklahoma.
While this annual event has long been a staple of the local faith community, this year marked the first time OSDH was invited to participate—an exciting milestone in building deeper connections between public health and faith-based organizations.
Open to individuals of all ages and backgrounds, the event drew 122 attendees from across this rural region of Carter County, an area that faces a disproportionately high burden of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure.
OSDH’s presence made a meaningful impact by offering a variety of essential health services on-site:
Key contributions included:
Mobile Wellness Unit: Provided well and sick visits, lab panels, and minor illness treatment to 15 individuals.
Diabetes Education: One-on-one consultations with a diabetes nurse educator offered personalized support and guidance.
Biometric Screenings: 18 individuals received scale-based health screenings.
Resource Distribution: Educational materials and immediate care items were shared to address both long-term wellness and urgent needs. Items distributed included:
36 medication lockboxes
11 gun locks
17 toothbrushes
5 fentanyl test strips
21 pill organizers
18 grab bars
12 denture cups
This event reflects the power of collaboration between community churches, public health, and local residents. By combining trusted relationships with accessible services, we’re better able to meet people where they are and create healthier, more connected communities.
OFBCI is proud to highlight and support partnerships like this—where faith, health, and service come together for real, lasting impact. To connect with your local health department, please select Oklahoma State Department of Health on our OFBCI Connect webpage.
