By Kirk McCracken
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) teamed up today to announce nearly $150 million in TSET Legacy Grants for major health initiatives.
The TSET grants will focused on fighting cancer, cardiovascular disease, and improving rural healthcare access through investments in research, facilities, and integrated care models. These grants support transformational projects addressing caner, chronic disease, maternal and behavior health, and data-driven solutions.
Stitt said, “It’s happening from research to workforce, prevention to access. So, that’s gonna be $150 Million that they’re gonna add to these grants.”
These are one-time grants from the investment earnings of the $2 billion TSET endowment, which is funded by tobacco settlement payments.
“It’s gonna set up rural Oklahoma and our kids for a great future and some real healthcare wins,” Stitt said.
Key Investment Areas & Projects:
- Cancer & Chronic Disease:
- $25 million for the University of Oklahoma to build a new Stephenson Cancer Center facility in Tulsa, improving clinical trial access.
- $9.9 million to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) for the “TSET Institute for a Healthier Oklahoma” to study inflammation, immunity, and aging.
- Maternal & Child Health:
- $4.4 million to Community Health Connection for a new Maternal and Child Health Center in Tulsa County, expanding low-cost services.
- Behavioral Health:
- $5.57 million to the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative for the “Oklahoma Integrated Care Resource Center” to integrate mental health into primary care.
- Rural Health & Data:
- Broad initiatives to fund virtual care, transportation, community-led wellness, rural talent pipelines, and health data infrastructure.
