State leaders cut ribbon on new Pandemic Center, Health Lab in Stillwater

Innovative healthcare and research center to leverage partnerships between public and private; urban, rural and tribal; human, agricultural and environmental science for improved public health response

STILLWATER, OKLA. — Gov. Kevin Stitt, the Oklahoma State Department of Health and state Cabinet secretaries unveiled the new Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence (OPCIE) and the newly relocated Public Health Lab with a ribbon cutting ceremony in Stillwater today.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye, Secretary of Science and Innovation Elizabeth Pollard, Secretary of Health and Mental Health Kevin Corbett and Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur were in attendance to oversee the launch of the innovative new research-focused public health center.

“Today marks a new beginning for science and innovation in Oklahoma,” said Gov. Kevin Stitt. “The OPCIE is an incredible investment in public health that puts Oklahoma on track to becoming a Top Ten state, a national and global leader in pandemic preparedness and response and will attract top talent in clinical research, innovative grants and national investment in our great state.”

The OPCIE is the first public health and research center of its kind in the nation. The center’s mission is to develop innovative testing tools, conduct cutting edge research and grow partnerships between public and private entities, bridging the gap between laboratory and clinical practices and improving public health responses by establishing an all-encompassing approach to research for rural, urban and tribal communities.

OPCIE’s comprehensive approach to public health is based on the One Health concept – that the health of humans, animals and the environment are interrelated and interconnected. The goal of OPCIE is to prevent health threats at the human, animal and environmental level including zoonotic diseases, food safety and security, vector-borne diseases and environmental contamination.

“Today is an exciting day for the State of Oklahoma and the State Department of Health. Establishing this center in Stillwater in conjunction with the Public Health Lab allows for an unprecedented level of collaboration and knowledge sharing,” said State Commissioner of Health Dr. Lance Frye. “We can improve our public health practices and develop new knowledge when we work together across multiple sectors and pull in insights from different fields of science. With state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure, this facility positions Oklahoma to lead research and develop innovative capabilities to address new national and global public health crises.”

Through OPCIE, Oklahoma is in a unique position as a rural, agricultural and centrally-located state to become a global leader in leveraging human, animal and environmental science insights to improve public health through collaborative research and innovation.

The OPCIE was established in Stillwater and houses the relocated and modernized Public Health Lab. It will allow for all resources to be located in one place to collaborate on the highest caliber public health response.

“The agricultural industry in Oklahoma has long advocated for a One Health approach to public health. Scientific discoveries taking place in animal health have direct implications on human health and vice versa. The establishment of OPCIE is welcome news for our ranchers and farmers who understand the importance of food safety and security to maintaining human health,” said Sec. of Agriculture Blayne Arthur.

“OPCIE broadens and elevates the purpose of the Public Health Lab. This center will position Oklahoma to be at the forefront of studying and addressing pandemics as a public health issue for our state, nation and world,” said Sec. of Science and Innovation Elizabeth Pollard. “COVID-19 has brought to light the urgency for our state to have our own capability to respond to the public health needs of Oklahomans. The OPCIE is meant to become a national leading authority on all aspects of public health to ensure the needs of Oklahomans are addressed without dependence on other states or federal agencies in the midst of an emergency.”

Today’s ribbon cutting marks a new beginning for science and innovation in the state that will ultimately safeguard the health of Oklahomans, protect the vitality of our agricultural industry and generate innovative research with the potential to be commercialized.

For more information on the OPCIE, visit http://oklahoma.gov/OPCIE.