Presbyterian Health Foundation accelerates biomedical research and discovery for Oklahomans and beyond. The foundation supports early-stage biomedical discovery through grantmaking, partnerships, and investments.

Presbyterian Health Foundation

Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF) is an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit private foundation that provides grants for medical education and research. Since 1985, PHF has awarded more than $205 million dollars to biotechnology and medical research organizations in Oklahoma with an emphasis on the Oklahoma Health Center campus. For more information on PHF, please visit www.phfokc.com.

Today, PHF was proud to present a $10,000 check to the Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health for their Christmas In July Toy Drive. This gift will help stock the hospital's toy cart bringing joy to children in our community who are recovering from illness and surgery. 

The need is great, and every donation helps make a difference in their healing journey. Join us and help promote healing and comfort in this special way: 

https://lnkd.in/g_sxS79q

#SupportTheKids #ToyDrive #HealingThroughJoy

Tommy Gray
Amanda Vermillion
April Stuart, MPH
Jodi Coats

We are proud to have supported the medical research of Dr. Lee Jennings through the PHF Clinician Scientist Development grant program, and of her work through OU Health's Oklahoma Dementia Care Network. Now, with a $5 million federal grant renewal, their transformative work continues, improving the lives of older adults and caregivers across Oklahoma. Together, we’re making a lasting impact. 

#SupportDementiaCare #CommunityImpact #OklahomaCares

We are thrilled to welcome Amanda Vermillion to Presbyterian Health Foundation as our new Chief Financial Officer! 

Amanda brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her extensive background in overseeing accounting, human resources, and information technology, along with her expertise in strategic planning and financial management, will be invaluable to our team.

“I’m honored for the opportunity to join Presbyterian Health Foundation," said Vermillion. "I’m thrilled to be a part of its mission, work alongside its amazing staff, and assist its distinguished Board of Directors in the coming months and years. We are in an exciting time of biomedical research and advancement, and it’s amazing to see Oklahoma City’s commitment to growth in this important sector.”

Welcome aboard, Amanda!

Read more about Amanda Vermillion's appointment here: https://lnkd.in/gtuSMJ2G

We are proud to announce a $50,000 grant to Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI) to support an endowed position for Dr. Brian K. Firestone, Oklahoma’s only ocular oncologist.

Since 2014, Dr. Firestone has treated over 1,200 patients with compassion and excellence. This year, he received the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, honoring his exceptional compassion and sensitivity in patient care.

This strategic grant from PHF will be instrumental in helping retain top medical talent and ensure Oklahoma continues to offer exceptional eye cancer care.

Learn more about Dr. Firestone's impactful work below. 

#HealthcareHeroes #OcularOncology #DMEI

We are immensely proud to support Dr. Harold Burkhart's groundbreaking work at the Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health Heart Center. 

Since his arrival in 2014, the center has experienced remarkable growth. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Top 50 Best Children’s Hospital for Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery, Dr. Burkhart's innovative procedures are reshaping pediatric heart care in Oklahoma. 

Explore the transformative impact of his work in this compelling story. 

#pediatriccardiology #congenitalheartdisease #clinicalresearch

“This study was important because it showed us that wastewater surveillance works for foodborne pathogens,” said infectious disease epidemiologist Katrin Kuhn, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Hudson College of Public Health at OU Health Sciences and lead author of the study. “I’ve been working with these pathogens for about 20 years, and I feel like we’re a few steps closer to having accurate, real-time surveillance that can be applied directly to public health.”

Learn more ⤵️⤵️⤵️

A groundbreaking collaboration between experts from OU Health and biomedical engineers is revolutionizing the way we approach pediatric heart surgery.

By delving into innovative computational models, Dr. Harold Burkhart and Dr. Arshid Mir, both professors at The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, are paving a way to predict the structural integrity of a child's heart valves, ensuring the best possible surgical outcomes.

Read more: link.ou.edu/3vLR1eW

As dedicated funders of medical research, moments like this reaffirm our purpose. 

Dr. Lijun Xia's lab has discovered a potential new approach to treating sickle cell disease, the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S.. This breakthrough offers hope for improving the lives of patients across the world. 

Read more about this exciting development here: https://lnkd.in/gcDZTqhk.

OMRF scientist Dr. Jasim Ahamed confirmed a long-suspected connection between a major heart valve disease, anemia and a GI bleeding disorder, providing a potential treatment pathway for older people who are often affected by these illnesses.

Read more: https://lnkd.in/gUKk8tj4

Congratulations to The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center for achieving a remarkable milestone! The research institution’s level of funding from the The National Institutes of Health soared to $64.4 million in 2022-23, propelling them to rank 122nd out of 2,886 universities nationally.

This incredible growth of external support shows their unwavering commitment to becoming a leading research institution. As supporters, we commend their impactful work and their effort to make a difference in Oklahoma City and beyond. 

#OUHealthSciences #NIHFunding #Research #Health #Oklahoma

PHFO

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Presbyterian Health Foundation