Oklahoma Public Health Association

Welcome!

Initially founded in 1919 as the Oklahoma Tuberculosis Association, today, the Oklahoma Public Health Association (OPHA) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit providing a forum for dedicated public health and health-allied students, practitioners and researchers across the state. As a member association, OPHA offers a variety of learning, professional development, peer engagement opportunities and events for both the public and our more than 1,000 active members. With the mission to protect and promote public health in Oklahoma through education, practice and advocacy, our offerings aim to strengthen Oklahoma's public health workforce by growing cross-discipline and interorganizational skills, knowledge, and connections.

OPHA is an independent organization affiliated with the American Public Health Association (APHA), and has collaborated with APHA to grow stronger as organizations, to share expertise, influence, and resources, and to advocate for common priorities at the local, state and federal levels since 1939. APHA champions optimal, equitable health and well-being for all. With APHA's broad-based member community and 150-year perspective, it influences federal policy to improve the public's health. Learn more at www.apha.org.

Sections & Committees

All members are encouraged to select an interest-based Section or Committee to learn, engage and grow professionally with fellow OPHA members! OPHA's active Sections and Committes are below. Don't see your interest represented? You can form and lead one yourself!

Community Health Workers
Emergency Preparedness & Response
Epidemiology & Laboratory Science
Health Equity
Public Health Education & Health Promotion
Oral Health
Policy & Advocacy

Continuing Education

Learn and earn with OPHA! OPHA is regularly offering CPH and CHES continuing education (CE) credits! Check our calendar for CE-credited events and submit a response to our credits and attendance form after each CE-worthy event to request credits or a certificate of attendance.

Anti-Racism Statement
OPHA is committed to amplifying the voices of our Black community and investing in their role as trusted advisors to ensure our alignment and dedication of resources is authentic, collaborative and community-centered.

Policy & Advocacy

Oklahoma's legislative session is over! Stay updated with OPHA's policy activities by...

Reviewing our Policy Agenda.
Keeping up with OPHA's bill tracking each February to May.
Keeping up with interim studies season, happening each August to November.

Membership Types & Benefits

OPHA is a member organization that offers individual memberships for professionals and students to purchase on their own and group memberships for organizations to purchase in bulk for its students, employees, leadership, etc. Individual and group members receive the same benefits, which we've been working diligently to develop and improve to benefit our members! Below are just a few of our offerings, and stay tuned for more to come!

Virtual and in-person events, such as our annual conference, policy day, and National Public Health Week activities
Expert-led webinars and events on a variety of public health topics
Waived fees for OPHA's curated continuing education (typically $15/credit)
Partner and APHA updates and opportunities
Oklahoma policy and advocacy updates and learning opportunities
Interest and practice area involvement though our Sections & Committees
Discounts on registration rates and our public health swag
Ability to present at OPHA's annual conference
Priority consideration for OPHA scholarships and awards

Who Is the Oklahoma Public Health Association?

OPHA operations are lovingly run by a full-time executive director, a part-time administrator, and numerous student and professional volunteers. OPHA's volunteer Board of Directors provides oversight, strategy, and additional support on all programming and development.

OPHA values and celebrates the lived experiences and choices of all people, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, residence, country of origin, nationality, or socioeconomic circumstance. OPHA actively works to foster a collective, respectful, and equity-centered field of public health in Oklahoma, both within and outside of the organization itself.