OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Certified Healthy Oklahoma Program and is now accepting applications for 2023.
“It has been exciting to watch this program continue to grow over the past 20 years,” said Commissioner of Health, Keith Reed. “I want to say thank you to those across the state that work diligently to help make Oklahoma healthier.”
Applications must be received by close of business on Nov. 1, 2023 to be considered. There is no cost to apply.
Certified Healthy Oklahoma – a collaborative effort of OSDH, The Oklahoma Academy, Oklahoma Turning Point Council and the State Chamber of Oklahoma – is a public health initiative launched in 2003 to recognize businesses and organizations that implement best practices and policies that support improved health and wellness.
“Businesses, organizations and communities that earn the Certified Healthy Oklahoma status lead the way when it comes to making health and wellness a top priority,” said Karin Leimbach, OSDH certified healthy consultant. “This is an opportunity for programs across the state to gain recognition of the work that has and is being done to help increase the health of their community.”
To learn more about Certified Healthy Oklahoma, a virtual event will be hosted from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2023. Click here to register.
The Certified Healthy Oklahoma program offers certifications in seven categories: Business, School, Campus, Community, Congregation, Early Childhood Program and Restaurant.
Applicants will receive a comprehensive assessment to gauge how effectively they are supporting health, and could qualify for additional resources to help create healthier environments. Program participants will be notified in early January 2024 of which certification level they were awarded, and in the spring will receive formal recognition at an annual awards ceremony.
Just under 1,200 Oklahoma businesses and organizations were certified through the program in 2022.
To learn more about Certified Healthy Oklahoma, or to apply, please visit https://oklahoma.gov/certifiedhealthy.html.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) protects and improves public health through its system of local health services and strategies focused on preventing disease. OSDH provides technical support and guidance to 68 county health departments in Oklahoma, as well as guidance and consultation to the two independent city-county health departments in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Learn more at Oklahoma.gov/health.
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