Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma announced that Aetna donated a total of $100,000 to the Oklahoma Primary Care Association (OKPCA) and the Oklahoma State University Foundation to support underserved individuals and families in rural parts of the state.

Oklahoma Primary Care Association is the state trade association for federally-qualified health centers, which strengthen and simplify access to affordable, high-quality health care in underserved communities. The donation from Aetna will expand training for care coordinators and community health workers in rural and underserved areas. The funding will also help sponsor a provider networking and coordination of care event at the upcoming Oklahoma Transformative Care Symposium in Oklahoma City. This event will provide a wide range of safety net health organizations across the state an opportunity to discuss how to best coordinate care between primary care and behavioral health at the local level.

“We’re committed to advocating for high-quality and affordable health care for all Oklahomans,” said Oklahoma-based Sonja Hughes, MD, MHA, FACOG, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma. “Our work with Oklahoma Primary Care Association will help increase access to health services for those who need it most, including those in rural communities.”

“Access to care in rural areas is a barrier for many Oklahoma families and it’s critical that we support community health workers and health care organizations in these areas to address social drivers of health and improve health outcomes,” said Sara Barry, M.Ed., L.B.P., chief executive officer of Oklahoma Primary Care Association. “When companies such as Aetna commit to a shared mission, we are able to bolster our resources and strengthen access to affordable, community- based health care.”

Oklahoma State University Foundation will use funding from Aetna to expand Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, an academic health center with an emphasis on serving the state’s rural and underserved communities.

Through an innovative care delivery model that expands access to specialty care in rural and underserved communities through a digital platform, Project ECHO medical experts provide training and consultation to primary care providers to care for patients with complex conditions. By training local providers to deliver specialty care services, patients are able to get better access to services such as addiction medicine, maternal health, infant mental health, psychiatry and veteran care in their communities.

“Our mission is to meet the health care needs of Oklahomans across the state and extend care to communities who are all too often left behind,” said Dr. Johnny Stephens, president of OSU Center for Health Sciences. “When patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time, we’re able to help improve health outcomes and reduce costs.”

“We value the OSU Center for Health Sciences’ efforts to extend quality care to Oklahomans statewide. Medical professionals are the cornerstone of a patient-centered approach to health care — especially in rural areas of the state — and they provide extensive value to the patients they serve,” said Hughes.

Inclusive of these donations, Aetna has pledged to donate over $600,000 to community organizations in Oklahoma.