AARP Oklahoma Launches Online Opinion Leader Forum

By: State: Oklahoma | Source: AARP.org

AARP Oklahoma today announced the launch of its "Online Opinion Leader Forum"—a series of interviews on health care reform featuring prominent Oklahomans from varying perspectives and backgrounds.

"Our goal is to leverage these interviews in a way that will cause Oklahomans from all political backgrounds to recognize the need for health care reform in 2009," said AARP State President Marjorie Lyons. "Each person who participated in this forum brings a unique perspective to the current debate on health care reform and offers valuable insight as we look forward to what we hope will be bipartisan action by Congress this year."

AARP Oklahoma's "Online Opinion Leader Forum" can be found on the association's YouTube Channel.

Those participating in the discussion on health care reform are:

• Stanley Hupfeld, President and Chief Executive Officer, INTEGRIS Health, the largest Oklahoma-owned health system with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physician clinics, mental health facilities, independent living centers and home health agencies throughout much of the state
• Dr. Lazelle, Benefield, Phd., RN, FANN, Professor and Parry Chair in Gerontological Nursing, Adjunct Professor, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Director of the Donald W. Reynolds Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center
• Pam Cross, Executive Director, Health Alliance for the Uninsured
• Lisa Reed, Coordinator, Baptist Community Clinic, Oklahoma City
• State Rep. Kris Steele, R-Shawnee, Speaker Pro Tempore, Oklahoma House of Representatives;
• Dr. Mike Ritze, D.O., State Representative, R-Broken Arrow
• Dr. Sharon Zang, Phd., Chief Executive Officer, Northeast Oklahoma Community Health Centers, Inc.
• Dale Flanagan, RPh, a retired pharmacist from Morris who volunteers at a free medical clinic in eastern Oklahoma
• Catherine Remer, ARNP, a nurse practioner from Okmulgee who volunteers at a free medical clinic
• Margaret Fitzgerald, Director of Trinity Clinic, a free health clinic in eastern Oklahoma which serves Oklahomans without insurance
• State Senator Tom Adelson, D-Tulsa, former Secretary of Health under Gov. Brad Henry, founding member of the Tulsa Coalition of Children's Health, former president and past board member of the Tulsa Mental Health Association, member of the Community Hospital Authority in Tulsa and the O.U. Health Care Task Force. Senator Adelson also chaired the Health Subcommittee for Governor Henry's transition team and is a member of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services
• State Senator Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, former co-chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services