On a special edition of OHA’s Inside the 1581, recorded during OHA Connect 2026, Denise Webber discusses her leadership at Stillwater Medical, the challenges facing Oklahoma hospitals and the importance of collaboration across the state’s healthcare system. Webber also shares her perspective on building trust with communities and strengthening partnerships among hospitals as she prepares for her next chapter with LifeCare. Episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. insidethe1581.com

OHA and @okcareertech will host the second annual Virtual Healthcare Career Expo on Friday, Oct. 23, giving students across Oklahoma an opportunity to explore career paths in healthcare. Presented in partnership with HOSA-Future Health Professionals, the free virtual event will feature approximately 40 healthcare professionals sharing their experiences and educational journeys across a wide range of clinical and nonclinical careers. Students can also participate in live question-and-answer sessions and learn about educational programs, mentorship opportunities and scholarships. The expo runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Click the link below to learn more and register. journalrecord.com/2026/10/09…

This latest episode of OHA’s Inside the 1581 podcast, recorded during OHA Connect 2026, features conversations with hospital leaders about the current state of healthcare. They share perspectives on the challenges facing hospitals, the role they play in their communities and opportunities to improve health across the state. In this episode, Jay Johnson, president and CEO of DRH Health in Duncan and chair of the OHA Foundation for a Healthy Oklahoma board, discusses his perspective on the healthcare landscape in Oklahoma. He also shares how his hospital is supporting the Duncan community and the importance of collaboration among hospitals across the state. Episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. insidethe1581.com

Thank you to the healthcare leaders and professionals who joined us last week for OHA Connect. From educational sessions and keynote speakers to networking opportunities and conversations about the issues shaping healthcare, your participation helped make this year’s event a success. We also extend our thanks to our sponsors, exhibitors and partners for their support in making OHA Connect possible. Your contributions help OHA bring healthcare leaders from across Oklahoma together to learn, connect and share ideas. We look forward to seeing everyone again at OHA Connect next year!

CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman joined OHA Connect as the keynote speaker, sharing stories and a message of appreciation with healthcare workers and hospital leaders from across Oklahoma and beyond. During his keynote, Hartman reflected on the healthcare workers he has met through his work and emphasized the impact they have on the patients and communities they serve. Click the link below to watch the @NEWS9 story and hear more from Hartman about his experience at OHA Connect. news9.com/oklahoma-city-news…

OHA congratulates Richard P. Lofgren, MD, MPH, former president and CEO of @OUHealth, on receiving the 2026 Award of Merit. Lofgren served as the inaugural president and CEO of OU Health beginning in 2022 and retired earlier this year following a more-than 40-year career in healthcare. He has served on the OHA board as an at-large member since 2023 and has spent his career focused on health care delivery, quality improvement, health system transformation and academic medicine. Left to right: Bennett Geister, OHA board chair; Richard Lofgren, former CEO of OU Health; Rich Rasmussen, OHA president and CEO

OHA congratulates Timothy Pehrson, chief executive officer of INTEGRIS Health, on receiving the 2026 Advocacy in Action Award. Pehrson has been a strong advocate for Oklahoma hospitals and patients at the state Capitol and in Washington, D.C., including efforts to preserve and protect Medicaid expansion. Under his leadership, INTEGRIS Health has expanded its statewide network of hospitals, healthcare services and community programs. Pehrson also serves as chair of the Oklahoma Workforce Commission and is active in Oklahoma’s broader business community. Left to right: Bennett Geister, OHA board chair; Timothy Pehrson, CEO of INTEGRIS Health; Rich Rasmussen, OHA president and CEO

OHA congratulates Denise Webber, FACHE, president and CEO of Stillwater Medical, on receiving the 2026 W. Cleveland Rodgers Distinguished Service Award. Webber has served as president and CEO of Stillwater Medical since 2016 and has been an active leader within OHA, serving on the OHA board since 2018 and as board chair from 2024-2025. She has also served on the OHA Education Council and the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board. Throughout her career, Webber has been a strong advocate for healthcare improvement, leadership development and the communities served by Oklahoma hospitals. Left to right: Bennett Geister, OHA board chair; Denise Webber, president and CEO of Stillwater Medical; Rich Rasmussen, OHA president and CEO

A reminder that Oklahoma’s Aug. 25 runoff election is today. Polls are open statewide from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Make your plan to vote and find your polling place at the link below. buff.ly/dDuFljI

The Republican gubernatorial runoff is Aug. 25. Hear directly from runoff candidates Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei as they discuss issues important to Oklahoma healthcare, including the challenges facing hospitals, healthcare professionals and patients across the state. OHA’s We Care, We Vote initiative invited both candidates to participate in video interviews. Following the runoff, we will also invite Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson to participate. Watch the candidate interviews and learn more about We Care, We Vote at the link below. wecarewevoteok.org/#candidat…

In an op-ed in The Journal Record, Rich Rasmussen, OHA president and CEO, discusses OHA’s partnership with the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust through its Healthy Oklahoma Communities Initiative and how hospitals can help address factors that influence health beyond the hospital. Rasmussen highlights the work of OHA’s Foundation for a Healthy Oklahoma and hospitals across the state to address challenges such as food insecurity, transportation barriers, housing instability and chronic disease management. Click the link below to read more. journalrecord.com/2026/08/14…