Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF) Receives Prestigious Lifetime Leadership Award for Contributions to Biomedical Research and Health Innovation
In recognition of its decades-long commitment to advancing biomedical research, medical education, and health innovation, the Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF) has been honored with the prestigious Lifetime Leadership Award from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.
Since its establishment in 1985, PHF has been a steady supporter of scientific research, providing over $215 million in grants and investments to researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), and various health initiatives.
The Lifetime Leadership Award acknowledges PHF's extraordinary impact on the biomedical landscape. Over the years, PHF's unwavering dedication has resulted in over $550 million in extramural funding secured by OUHSC and OMRF researchers, positioning Oklahoma as a hub for innovation and scientific excellence.
Established with proceeds from the sale of Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City, PHF swiftly became a driving force in fostering groundbreaking research. The creation of the University Research Park, comprising 770,000 square feet of laboratory, research, and office space along Lincoln Avenue, has played a pivotal role in the development of the bioscience industry in the region.
Since 2014, when PHF redirected its focus to biomedical research, the organization has awarded nearly $29 million to researchers across OU Health Sciences Center, resulting in an impressive $293 million in extramural grant funding. The outstanding return on investment stands at $9.16 for every dollar of PHF grants to OU Health Sciences Center researchers.
PHF's comprehensive grant programs cover a spectrum of needs, including seed grants for preliminary data, bridge funding to support researchers between external grant periods, and funding for team science projects, early-career physician-scientists, equipment needs, symposiums, and more. Throughout the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, PHF continued its commitment by funding researchers studying the virus, its health implications, and vaccine development.
Tom R. Gray, III, chair of the board of directors, and Rick McCune, president of PHF, alongside a dedicated board and staff, have played integral roles in guiding strategic initiatives. The board's diverse expertise and shared commitment to healthcare advancements have contributed to PHF's success in accelerating scientific discoveries.
With a focus on locally relevant issues, PHF has consistently catalyzed economic growth, enhanced educational opportunities, and improved healthcare outcomes in Oklahoma. The organization's investment of over $10 million in the M.D./Ph.D. program, creating PHF Scholars, underscores its commitment to developing the next generation of physician-scientists.
The Lifetime Leadership Award celebrates PHF's pivotal role in transforming healthcare outcomes, and its continued dedication ensures a legacy of scientific excellence for the people of Oklahoma.