As valued partners in the vision and the work of TSET, I want to let you know that after 14 fulfilling years as TSET’s first Executive Director, I will step down on January 6, 2017.

It has been a pleasure meeting and working with John Woods, who was hired as the new executive director by the TSET Board of Directors in November. He has been on board for the past few weeks and we are enjoying our time together, working to ensure a smooth transition for TSET.

We are at an important point on our journey to fulfill the vision of TSET, to improve the health and quality of life of every Oklahoman. I’m proud of TSET, our accomplishments, and our shared work together.

As I look to the next chapter of my life, I am excited about TSET’s future, and the health improvements that are sure to come.  

Oklahoma’s TSET is a national model for how states should safeguard Master Settlement Agreement dollars, and the progress is impressive. Our state was the first to create a constitutionally protected trust for health.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of the past, I’m proud to be a part of TSET’s future and its continued commitment to creating a healthier future for Oklahoma.

Our mission is very simple – to reduce the number of preventable deaths from cancer and cardiovascular disease by preventing and reducing tobacco use and obesity. Our mission not only saves lives, but produces healthy outcomes and cost savings for our state through education, intervention and research.

As the new executive director of TSET, I am surrounded by staff, grantees and partners who are committed to helping Oklahomans improve their health, and who believe that together, we can create a healthier state for future generations.

Stillwater Public Schools was honored for its efforts to improve health through the TSET Healthy School District Incentive Grant program.

The district received a $20,000 incentive grant for putting a variety of policies and strategies in place to promote health and wellness for students and staff.The district will use grant funds to purchase hydration stations for multiple school sites.
 

Senator Tom Dugger, the area's newly elected legislator, helped TSET honor the Stillwater Public Schools Board.

The Town of Achille was honored for their commitment to improving health and quality of life in their community. The town has been a Certified Healthy Community through the Certified Healthy Oklahoma program. This certification made them eligible to apply for grants through the TSET Healthy Communities Incentive Grant Program.

Achille will apply their $20,000 incentive grant towards the construction of a farmer’s market, school playground equipment, basketball and tennis courts, as well as crosswalk improvements and a community garden. 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive, incurable lung disease that includes two main conditions — emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD results in shortness of breath, coughing, swollen airways, scar tissue and death.

In Oklahoma, COPD is the third leading cause of death, and is responsible for 98% of all chronic lower respiratory disease deaths.

The best ways to prevent COPD are to protect yourself and your loved ones from secondhand smoke and to never start smoking.

Click here to learn more about COPD prevention and making your environment smokefree.