Blue Cross exec: Saluting Oklahoma's health champions

As the ninth leader of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, I've had the pleasure of leading our company through many changes. From the uncharted territory of the Affordable Care Act, to celebrating our 75th anniversary in 2015, through my retirement announcement earlier this year, I'm grateful for everything I've experienced during my six years as president. As I near the end of my time leading the company, I've spent time reflecting on the things that have made an impact on me since moving to Oklahoma.

Oklahomans may remember that in 2004, we faced a shocking grade in the state Board of Health's annual study that evaluates Oklahoma on key health indicators. Between 1990 and 2002, Oklahoma was the only state that saw a drop in overall health. That year, Champions of Health was launched to recognize innovative health and wellness programs that can be replicated throughout the state.

Our 15th annual Champions of Health Gala is Thursday in Oklahoma City with keynote speaker Jamie Lee Curtis. Gala proceeds benefit the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing basic health care needs to children with an emphasis on free immunizations administered through its Oklahoma Caring Vans.

Much has changed over 15 years. In 2004, the Oklahoma Caring Foundation served 6,781 children. In 2017, that number more than doubled to 13,789 kids served. The cost to fill up a van 15 years ago was approximately $55 — today, it costs about $75. Plus, more vans need gas — the fleet has grown from four vans in 2004 to more than twice that now. A ninth van, a collaboration with Oklahoma Dental Foundation that provides dental services, was recently unveiled in Oklahoma City.

Although those numbers show how much has changed, there's a lot that hasn't. Oklahoma's giving spirit is demonstrated every day by citizens and companies that continue to donate their time and money to important causes. Nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to provide resources and hope to those hurting and in need. These qualities are at the core of what the Champions of Health program stands for.

Positive Tomorrows was selected as the recipient of our top honor, the Dr. Rodney L. Huey Memorial Champion of Oklahoma Health award. Based in Oklahoma City, Positive Tomorrows is Oklahoma's only elementary school and social service agency specifically serving homeless children and their families.

Additional honorees include Infant Crisis Services' BabyMobile, YMCA of Greater Tulsa, Mental Health Association Oklahoma, Our Daily Bread Food & Resource Center and Tulsa Health Department. They're just six of more than 175 individuals and organizations recognized since the inception of the Champions of Health program 15 years ago.

Residents in Oklahoma are learning more about what it means to take control of their health, in part as a result of the efforts of these six organizations. I look forward to honoring them Thursday, and I hope you'll join me. For more information, visit championsofhealth.org.

Haynes is president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, and chairman of the Oklahoma Caring Foundation Board of Directors.