9/22/20
For Immediate Release

Media Contact: 
Melissa Richey, Chief of Communications
405-982-8707 | melissa.richey@okhca.org

Katelynn Burns, Senior Media Relations Professional
405-522-7266 | katelynn.burns@okhca.org

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Health Care Authority is pleased to announce the development of the agency’s first Diversity and Inclusion Council with the goal to create a fear-free culture within the agency.

The Council will focus on four specific areas which include messaging and metrics, attraction and recruitment, inclusion and retention, and community partnerships. A sub-council will play a pivotal role in tackling the goals of the Council, evaluating its progress and contributing ideas on how to enhance its efforts. The work of the Council, Sub-Council and their identified initiatives will offer all employees numerous ways to serve.

“It is no secret our nation is currently facing a culture crisis. While it is crucial for our employees to feel safe at work, it is equally important for our agency to be diverse in order to successfully improve the quality of care we provide our diverse members,“ said OHCA CEO Kevin Corbett. “We are continuously looking for ways to improve our agency’s culture and create a more inclusive environment, and I encourage other agencies to do the same.”

The Council is currently examining the results of a survey where employees communicated their own experiences. In order to become a better workplace, the Council will strive to learn from each employee about what the agency is doing well and where it can improve.

“This is an opportunity to address underlying issues within the agency and look for room for improvement,” said David Ward, OHCA Diversity and Inclusion Council Chair. “If employees don’t feel like they can address what hurts them, that limits their full potential. We hope this Council assists our Governor in making us a top 10 state.”

The Council held its first meeting in August, which included discussions about members’ personal experiences and potential opportunities for training. The agency is enthusiastic about the future and how the Council’s mission will help steer OHCA in the right direction to hearing and equally valuing all voices.

Diversity and Inclusion Council Mission Statement:

To create an environment that supports diverse talent, life experiences and perspectives, while continuing to inspire innovation. The OHCA culture must be one where all employees and members are treated with absolute equality. We are committed to establishing an environment that welcomes all people and is a safe space to express your concerns, criticisms and experiences To learn more about OHCA, please visit /content/sok-wcm/en/okhca.

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About the Oklahoma Health Care Authority

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority administers two health programs for the state. The first is SoonerCare, Oklahoma’s Medicaid program. SoonerCare works to improve the health of qualified Oklahomans by ensuring that medically necessary benefits and services are available. Qualifying Oklahomans include certain low-income children, seniors, the disabled, those being treated for breast or cervical cancer and those seeking family planning services. The second program OHCA operates is Insure Oklahoma, which assists qualifying adults and small business employees in obtaining health care coverage for themselves and their families. Currently, there are 827,657 Oklahomans enrolled in OHCA’s programs. The agency contracts with a network of approximately 60,000 providers. For more information, visit www.okhca.org or www.insureoklahoma.org.