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EIS given highest honor at the Champions of Health gala keynoted by Jalen Williams

TULSA, Okla. — The Champions of Health gala awards, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, recognizes people and organizations working to improve the health outcomes for Oklahomans. 

For their ongoing work and recent launch of their mobile unit, Emergency Infant Services in Tulsa received the highest honor of the night, the Rodney L. Huey Memorial Champion of Oklahoma Health Award, and a $20,000 grant. EIS accepted the award Sept. 19 at the 21st annual Champions of Health gala, which featured Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams as the keynote speaker. 

“We are proud to honor Emergency Infant Services for the work they do to remove barriers for families to access important food and formula for babies in the Tulsa community,” said Brooke Townsend, executive director of the Oklahoma Caring Foundation. “Meeting the needs of our youngest community members at such a critical time in their development leads to positive health outcomes later in life.”

EIS provides immediate help with minimal barriers to families in crisis with children up to five years old, regardless of age, gender, proof of income or citizenship. Proof of guardianship must be provided to receive services.

It was imperative for EIS to get closer to disadvantaged communities and underserved families to better support them. In April 2023, EIS launched a mobile unit, Baby Blue. Baby Blue travels throughout the Tulsa metro area, delivering items of greatest need, including diapers, pull-ups, infant formula and baby wipes.

"At Emergency Infant Services, we believe that a child in needed cannot wait,” said Mary Evans, director of development. “Baby Blue, the new mobile unit, takes our services closer to the point of need, breaking down barriers to access our services."

Other 2024 Champions of Health recipients include: 

Champion of Children’s Health: Global Gardens

Champion of Senior Health: RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) of Central Oklahoma

Champion of the Uninsured: Community Treatment Integrations OK

Champion of Community Health: Be Well Community Development Corporation

The Champions of Health gala is presented by BCBSOK and benefits the Oklahoma Caring Foundation Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing Oklahomans access to preventive health services. Since 1999, the foundation's Caring Vans^® have provided over 380,000 vaccinations to more than 230,000 underserved children. 

For information, visit championsofhealth.org. 

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About Champions of Health
The annual Champions of Health Gala benefits The Oklahoma Caring Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing Oklahomans access to preventive health services. Founded in 1994, the foundation is funded by community contributions and administered as an in-kind gift by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

The Champions of Health awards program is presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, in partnership with Care Providers Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians, the Oklahoma Dental Association, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the Oklahoma Hospital Association, the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, the Oklahoma Primary Care Association, the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Oklahoma State Medical Association.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
For 84 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma has been committed to meeting the health care financing needs of Oklahomans. As the state's oldest and largest private health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma provides health care benefit plans for more than 800,000 Oklahomans. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Media Contact

Jenny Lee
Jenny_Lee@bcbsok.com
918-724-6082