Support Community Health
The Norman Regional Health Foundation’s mission is to support community health and wellness. Various community partners receive financial or resource support.
Norman Public Schools Partnership
Thanks to a partnership between
Norman Public Schools (NPS),
Norman Regional Health System (NRHS) and the
Norman Regional Health Foundation, each of the 24 public schools in the Norman district is staffed with
a Health Assistant or Nurse. This partnership funds health professionals
so every student can have their medical needs met in a timely manner throughout
the school day. NPS Nurses and Health Assistants care for more than 94,600
students annually.
School health professionals not only assist students with stomach ailments and sore throats, but they monitor medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, severe food allergies and seizure disorders. Because of the care that is able to be provided during the school day by the Nurses and Health Assistants, the stress of taking off work for parents is effectively eliminated. This partnership is a model health program striving for quality student health care and has been recognized throughout Oklahoma and the nation.
Food Pharmacy Partnership
In 2020, Norman Regional embarked on a bold initiative to identify and address food insecurity among their patient population. Screening began on all hospitalized patients to identify food insecurity in those that were acutely ill and most vulnerable. Thanks in partnership with the Regional Food Bank and the Norman Regional Health Foundation, the Food Pharmacy provides a two-week supply of food to patients who screen positive for food insecurity.
Research has shown that up to 80% of social and behavioral factors determine a person’s health outcomes. These conditions have a huge impact on health, health equity, and overall well-being. Oklahoma ranks fifth in the nation for food insecurity. According to Feeding America Research Analytics, reducing food insecurity within Cleveland County by 3% would result in a 22% health care savings in the county.
Today, this program has expanded to include patients who visit primary care clinics (Norman, Moore, Newcastle, Blanchard, Purcell south Oklahoma City) and those who visit Norman Regional emergency departments. More than 1,300 patients have received this food assistance to aid in healing along with case management support.