Oklahoma Pediatrician Honored with Ray E. Helfer, MD Award for Dedication to Child Abuse Prevention
By the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth
Since 2001, Dr. Marny Dunlap’s career as a pediatrician has been marked by a profound commitment to the health and well-being of Oklahoma’s children. This year, the Children’s Trust Fund Alliance and the American Academy of Pediatrics recognize her exceptional dedication, awarding Dr. Dunlap the 2024 Ray E. Helfer, MD Award—a distinction honoring pediatricians who have made a lasting impact on child abuse prevention through collaboration with state children’s trust funds.
Dr. Dunlap was honored at the annual meeting for the Children’s Trust Fund Alliance in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. The award was formally presented to her during the commission meeting on Friday, November 22, 2024, where her achievements were celebrated in the presence of her peers and colleagues.
Dr. Dunlap’s journey in child advocacy is one of heart and hard work. From her first days as a medical resident in pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences (where she completed her residency from 1997 to 2000), she recognized the influential role of integrating medical care with education and advocacy, making prevention a pillar of her practice. Now a Professor in the Section of General & Community Pediatrics and holder of the CHF James Paul Linn Endowed Chair at the OU College of Medicine, Dr. Dunlap has become a leader in initiatives that prevent abuse and promote resilience and lifelong learning for families across Oklahoma.
One of Dr. Dunlap’s landmark contributions is her work with the Reach Out and Read program. In 2001, she established Oklahoma’s first Reach Out and Read clinic, promoting early literacy by providing books and guidance on reading at pediatric checkups. Under her leadership, the program expanded to every OU Health pediatric primary clinic and three specialty clinics, including the Fostering Hope clinic, which provides care for children in foster care. As a dedicated advocate for child literacy, she holds national roles, including membership on the LitNet 2.0 Steering Committee, the Medical Advisory Committee, and the Curriculum Development Workgroup for Reach Out and Read. Her work has positioned Oklahoma as a Reach Out and Read Affiliate and continues to enhance caregiver-child bonding and literacy statewide.
Dr. Dunlap’s contributions extend beyond the clinic through her commitment to early childhood success. She is actively involved in the Oklahoma Clearinghouse for Early Childhood Success, where, as a member of the Outcomes and Research Committee, she ensures that public-private partnerships for early childhood development meet rigorous standards. Since its founding, this clearinghouse has awarded over $9 million, fostering quality and innovation in early childhood programming across Oklahoma.
Her work and dedication have earned her significant recognition, including the Special Achievement Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2016 and 2021, the Gretchen Hunsberger Medical Champion Award by Reach Out and Read in 2019, and the Childhood Immunization Champion Award from the CDC in 2018. These honors underscore her lifelong commitment to child advocacy and health.
Dr. Dunlap has recently focused on cultivating the next generation of pediatric advocates. She founded the Pediatric Resident Advocacy Collaboration, a unique program that equips medical residents with the skills to advocate for children in medical and legislative settings. This collaborative effort, bringing together faculty from four Oklahoma residency programs, teaches residents to turn their compassion for patients into meaningful action. Through this program, residents participated in advocacy events such as the 2024 Invest in Kids Day at the Capitol, learning how to amplify children’s voices beyond the clinic.
Dr. Dunlap’s recognition with the Ray E. Helfer, MD Award is a tribute to her vision, resilience, and advocacy. In a time when the need for prevention and child support systems has never been more essential, Dr. Dunlap’s career exemplifies what is possible when care, commitment, and community come together.
Dr. Dunlap was nominated by OCCY Executive Director, Annette Wisk Jacobi.
Download the photo by clicking here.