SWOSU's Dr. Curry Receives Rural Health Leader of the Year Award

October 10, 2024

SWOSU Press Release

The Rural Health Association of Oklahoma recognized Dr. Randy Curry’s work in rural health last week. Dr. Curry received the “Rural Health Lifetime Achievement” award at the Awards Reception for the Oklahoma Rural Health Conference held in Tulsa, Okla.

Dr. Kalie Kerth nominated Curry for the award and noted his dedication to rural health, “expanding and developing programs for community-based healthcare services in collaboration with local pharmacies and hospitals across the state for the advancement of health and well-being for the medically underserved populations in Oklahoma.”

Kerth noted that Dr. Curry has led 140 SWOSU students and faculty on eight medical mission trips to rural Panama with Global Brigades from 2014-2024. Each brigade provides access to healthcare and public health workshops. Global Brigades also supports communities with economic development, sanitation and clean water projects, and, according to Kerth, “uniquely implements these programs in a holistic model to meet a community’s health and economic goals.”

Kerth continued with, “Dr. Curry orchestrated the delivery of two robust Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinics in Weatherford in 2019 and 2022 serving over 1000 patients providing dental, medical and vision exams at no cost. These services were provided by hundreds of volunteer professionals statewide, including United State Public Health Officers, SWOSU alumni and students.”

“Dr. Curry was instrumental in establishing easy-access Covid Vaccination Clinics in the midst of the pandemic in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health and SWOSU students across nursing, pharmacy and allied health departments. Beginning in early 2021, weekly clinics welcomed over 1,000 patients in the early months vaccinating over 20,000 patients in total,” Kerth said. She also listed some of Curry’s other accomplishments, such as receiving the 2021 SWOSU Brandy Alumni award and working with the USDA on a $1 million telemedicine grant, which enabled several rural communities to be able to have student training and opportunities, and assist with providing healthcare access to rural Oklahomans.

According to his bio, Randy G. Curry, DPh, is the Director of Rural Health and Asst. professor for the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) College of Pharmacy at Weatherford (OK). Curry earned his pharmacy degree from SWOSU. Growing up in the Texas Panhandle, he currently lives in Custer City area and is a cattle rancher.

He also serves on the board of the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma. He has 30 years of experience in retail pharmacy in the Stroud area, from ownership to working in other settings. Curry has served the public for many years in the areas of fire service and law enforcement, recently finishing a term of service on the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority. Curry has recently been appointed by the Governor to the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy and is currently vice president of the board.

Dr. Kerth presented the award to Dr. Curry on behalf of the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma.

In his acceptance speech, Curry said he was “thankful to be given the opportunity to serve the people of Oklahoma and see how we can make a difference across the state.”

Other Rural Health Association of Oklahoma award recipients this year are: “Rural Health Educator of the Year,” Jeff Sadler, PhD, Oklahoma State University; “Rural Health Advocate of the Year,” Trent Bourland, Coal County Healthcare Authority; “Rural Health Hero of the Year,” Jason Gibson, PharmD, McAlester Regional Health Center; “Rural Health Lifetime Achievement,” Rick Chaney, Coal County Healthcare Authority; and “Rural Health Hero of the Year,” Jason Gibson, PharmD, McAlester Regional Health Center.

The Rural Health Association of Oklahoma’s mission is “serving as a united voice for rural health in Oklahoma.” For information about joining the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma, or for conference information, contact Allison Seigars, 580/213-3177, agseigars@nwosu.edu or visit www.rhao.org.