Impact Highlights: Transforming Lives Across INTEGRIS Health in 2023–2024

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, INTEGRIS Health Foundation made an extraordinary impact on patient care from July 2023 through June 2024. From expanding community access to improving high-acuity treatment areas, here’s how donor gifts helped shape lives across Oklahoma.

Expanding Access: Community Clinics

INTEGRIS Health Community Benefit hosts free monthly medical clinics in underserved communities. With donor support, two clinic locations now offer services like diabetes education, physical therapy, vision care, and vaccines. These vital services reach hundreds of Oklahomans each month, closing the gap in health equity and ensuring compassionate care for all.

Rapid Response: Neurology Support

For patients battling neuromuscular diseases like ALS, respiratory challenges can be life-threatening. At INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center, donors make it possible to lend noninvasive ventilators directly to patients—offering life-sustaining support at home without waiting on insurance approvals.

Advancing Excellence: Burn Center Innovation

INTEGRIS Health Paul Silverstein Burn Center continues to lead with excellence, sending clinical staff to the American Burn Association Conference to stay ahead in burn treatment techniques. Thanks to donor gifts, patients now benefit from virtual reality (VR) headsets—providing immersive pain distraction during challenging wound care and procedures.

“I knew the burn center could greatly utilize VR headsets to reduce patients’ pain and anxiety.” — Vanessa Hunholz, INTEGRIS Health Volunteer & Donor

Life-Saving Relief: Medication Assistance

In 2024, more than $24,000 in medication assistance was distributed across multiple specialties—supporting cancer, cardiac, transplant and other high-need patients. Your gifts ensured that no patient had to choose between health and affordability.

Investing in the Future: Heart Scholarships

To honor life-saving cardiac care, Brent and Marilyn LaGere established the Reiter-Chaffin Heart Care Scholarship for INTEGRIS Health caregivers. The inaugural awards were granted in 2023, empowering team members like Sara Cross to pursue continuing education and improve outcomes for heart patients.

“This is why I continue to work in the medical field — to help people come out on the other side healthy and happy.” — Sara Cross, 2023 Scholarship Recipient

Smart Cancer Care: ClinicalPath Implementation

Last September, the INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute launched ClinicalPath, a decision-support software that standardizes and personalizes cancer care. Since implementation, it has guided over 500 treatment plans with enhanced precision.

“It’s a tool our physicians can use to bounce off their own knowledge to make treatment plans.” — Dr. Thomas Showalter, IHCI Oncologist

Together, these projects reflect the power of philanthropy to elevate care, close access gaps, and improve patient outcomes across the entire INTEGRIS Health system. Your generosity fuels this transformation—thank you for partnering with us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Oklahomans.

Story by Zoee Zuerker