USDA Awards SWOSU $1 Million to Implement Telemedicine/Telehealth in Rural Oklahoma

1-542

January 13, 2023

SWOSU Press Release

Through a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, the Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) College of Pharmacy Rural Health Center has been awarded a $1 million grant to buy equipment to implement telemedicine in LeFlore County and Western Oklahoma counties over the next three years.

In the first year of the grant, SWOSU is collaborating with Eastern Oklahoma Memorial Center (EOMC) in Poteau (LeFlore County) by putting telemedicine equipment in six rural public-school locations in LeFlore County. The use of telemedicine equipment to provide medical services to schoolchildren and faculty in rural communities will be instrumental in improving healthcare concerns in the rural setting. The total populations of the towns that are being served in the first year of the grant is over 15,000 people with 2,500 students.

SWOSU will also have telemedicine equipment on the Weatherford campus in the School of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, and the Health and Wellness Department to provide student training and opportunities. Through the purchase of telemedicine equipment, SWOSU will expand its resources to serve more students and communities, helping to reduce the shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas and providing the university’s Diabetes Prevention Program to the state of Oklahoma. This equipment will allow the Health and Wellness Department to provide telehealth visits with medical providers and opportunities for training with SWOSU students.

In the second and third years of the grant, SWOSU’s goal is to serve 18 rural schools in western Oklahoma counties. The total populations of the towns that are being served in the second and third years is over 50,000 people with over 12,000 students.

SWOSU looks forward to bringing telemedicine/telehealth resources to Oklahoma’s rural communities.

Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.

2505011400_5846059

Voters Reminded of Election Day Laws

Cheyenne, OK – With the May 13 Election approaching, County Election Board officials are reminding voters of Election Day laws. PERSONS ALLOWED INSIDE ELECTION ENCLOSURE It is a crime for any person other than voters and election

2505011358_1740628

Election Day Reminders and Tips

Cheyenne, OK – Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, for the Roger Mills County Special Election. Roger Mills County Election Board Secretary Kelly Tice offers these important tips to voters—especially

2504301340_3511946

SWOSU Hosting Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremonies

SWOSU Press Release Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will host four commencement ceremonies on the Weatherford campus in May for the Spring 2025 graduating seniors. Eligible participants for the ceremonies include students who will

2504301156_1418190

Heavy Rainfall Totals Across Western Oklahoma

From April 25 to April 30, 2025, western Oklahoma experienced significant rainfall, with totals ranging from 2.5 to 3.6 inches across Beckham, Washita, Custer, and Roger Mills counties. These figures are based on data from the Oklahoma