U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development and Oklahoma State Director Kenneth Corn announced today a grant for $861,190, which was awarded on behalf of the Biden Administration to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences for telemedicine care for stroke care.
Medical professionals at OU Health in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma will deliver stroke care to 23 locations throughout Adair, Atoka, Beaver, Beckham, Cimmaron, Coal, Ellis, Grady, Harmon, Hughes, Jefferson, Kiowa, Major, Murry, Oklahoma, Pushmataha, Roger Mills, Stephens, Texas and Woods Counties in Oklahoma with audiovisual telemedicine equipment. Funding is through USDA Rural Development’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program. The program helps rural education and health care entities remotely reach students, patients and outside expertise. The ability to use virtual education and telehealth resources is critical to reach remote and rural towns and tribal communities in Oklahoma for these areas to grow and prosper.
“The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences is one of the leading research and teaching schools for delivering world-class healthcare to Oklahomans,” Corn said. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration funding this grant, we will be able to take those incredible services provided by OU Health directly to rural communities across the Sooner State.”
This competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other - and the world - overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. Applicants are encouraged to consider projects that promote equity and economic opportunity in rural America, specifically those that advance these key priorities:
- Supporting health care needs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, and helping prepare for future pandemic events
- Ensuring racial equity
- Rebuilding our rural economy
- Addressing the climate crisis
“President Biden understands that delivering specialized health services like stroke care to rural communities isn’t possible without funding cutting edge technology and partnering with a trusted health care leader like OU Health,” Corn said. “By the President leveraging USDA to fund these programs we are strengthening our rural and tribal communities by bringing these important and lifesaving resources directly to them.”
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. To learn more, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/ok.