Applications for TSET Legacy Grants are open now through June 16. This is a one-time, historic funding opportunity designed to address Oklahoma’s leading causes of death—cancer and cardiovascular disease. Learn more HERE.

New Book Details Oklahoma’s Fight Against Big Tobacco and the Creation of TSET

Marshall Snipes, Julie Bisbee and Bob Burke

A new book explaining the origins of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) and Oklahoma’s historic battle against the tobacco industry was released this month.

“The Battle Against Big Tobacco and the Birth of TSET," written by acclaimed historian Bob Burke, TSET Executive Director Julie Bisbee and TSET Board of Director's member Marshall Snipes was published by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. The book chronicles the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement, in which Oklahoma joined 45 other states in a landmark settlement with the nation’s largest tobacco companies, as well as the development of the idea to create a constitutionally-protected trust for health. 

Read more HERE.

Thousands of Oklahoma Youth Participate in TSET’s Nutritional Day of Action

Students at Prague High School participate in Swap Up Day of Action.

Through the TSET Healthy Youth Initiative, the Swap Up campaign partnered with groups across the state to engage an estimated 20,000 students in a single day of nutrition-focused events. During the Swap Up Day of Action, youth participants learned simple ways to make healthier food and drink choices by swapping in more fruits, vegetables and water.

“Encouraging teens to make healthy swaps now will help them avoid more serious issues in the future, like obesity and heart disease,” said Julie Bisbee, executive director of TSET. 

Read more HERE.

Perspective: Julie Bisbee in the Journal Record Creating a healthier future for youth starts at school Health is shaped by two powerful forces: environment and habits. Healthy environments provide clean air, safe places to be active and access to nutritious foods and water. Habits are built through example and experience, shaped by what kids see at home, in their community and at school. Read how TSET is helping shape healthy environments in Oklahoma schools.

The TSET Better Health Podcast is your go-to source for everything related to tobacco cessation, health, fitness and community. Join us as we cover topics like health care in rural communities, mental health and tobacco use, childhood obesity and prevention, farmers markets, life-saving research, community-based grants and more. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform.

Meet the Team: Brian Jepsen

TSET is staffed by a dedicated and passionate group of people. This month, we would like to introduce Brian Jepsen. Brian Jepsen is the Human Resources Business Partner for TSET. Prior to joining TSET, Jepsen held previous roles as the Director of Human Resources for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, Office of Management and Enterprise Services and the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.  Additionally, he has served as a president of the local and Southern Region chapters Public Sector Human Resources Association.  Jepsen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma as well as certifications as a Senior Certified Professional (SCP) in the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and the Public Sector Human Resources Association (PSHRA). Read about the rest of the team HERE.