History of Tulsa Health Department

Welcome to the Tulsa Health Department’s history page. We invite you to explore the rich legacy of our agency, which has been dedicated to improving public health in Tulsa County for more than 75 years. 

2020 to today

THD Working Collaboratively with Local Healthcare Systems to Provide Access To COVID-19 Vaccine to Phase 1 Individuals

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic

THD Tulsa Health Department North Regional Center

2010 to 2019

1980 to 2009

1950 to 1979

Before 1950

From our early beginnings in 1950 to our ongoing commitment to community well-being, this page highlights the milestones, achievements and passionate efforts that have shaped our work. Scroll below to reflect on our journey and the lasting impact we’ve had in creating a healthier, safer community for all.

Today, THD continues to serve as a cornerstone of public health in the area, offering a wide range of services from immunizations and family planning to environmental health inspections and emergency preparedness. THD remains a vital player in ensuring the health and safety of the community, always adapting to the evolving needs of the population. THD has transformed alongside the needs of Tulsa County, meeting new challenges and embracing innovation to protect and improve the health of our residents.

2025
In May, THD introduced our new Public Health Mobile Clinic Van — a state-of-the-art healthcare solution designed to bring free, essential medical services to our community. The mobile clinic is fully equipped to provide a wide range of healthcare services, ensuring that everyone has access to the care they need, no matter where they live.
2025
In 2025, THD launched a new strategic plan. The plan is a culmination of months of development, including listening sessions internally with employees and externally with residents throughout Tulsa County. The new strategic was accompanied by a new mission, vision and values for the organization. Learn more here: https://tulsa-health.org/about-us/strategic-plan/
2025
Our James O. Goodwin Health Center public health clinic at 51st & 129th E Ave reopened in Summer 2025 after a year of being closed as this location. It received an extensive remodel to improve accessibility of the public exterior and interior entrance. In addition, there was a complete re-imagining of the space that houses clinical services, the Vital Records Office and a portion of the Environmental Health Services Program.
2024
The Oklahoma Caring Van Program celebrated its 25th anniversary of providing free immunizations to children across Oklahoma. The Caring Van provides Oklahomans access to preventive health services, primarily immunization since October of 1999 with their first van in Tulsa. The Oklahoma Caring Foundation partners with THD and Tulsa Public Schools to help provide free immunizations to children in the local area. The Oklahoma Caring Vans currently provide all immunizations either recommended or required for children along with flu and COVID-19 vaccines when they are available. From 1999-2024, the Oklahoma Caring Vans served more than 230,000 children across Oklahoma and have given about 384,000 immunizations.
2023
The South Peoria WIC Clinic moved to 6406 S. Peoria.
2021
The Tulsa Health Department has been conducting syndromic surveillance of local emergency department data for more than 20 years. Developed for THD in 2002, the Tulsa Area Syndromic Surveillance System (TASSS) was the first syndromic surveillance system for Oklahoma and one of the first systems set up in the country. The TASSS program was created locally to be used by THD for the early detection of diseases and bioterrorist events. In May of 2021, the THD Epidemiology team transitioned to a new syndromic surveillance system called the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE). The process of transitioning to the new system was a very involved process that required creativity, innovation and problem solving by the team as well as collaboration with internal and external partners to produce a new and improved system for conducting syndromic surveillance. ESSENCE is used by many state and local health departments across 48 other states and the District of Columbia. ESSENCE is utilized in Oklahoma by the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD), as well as, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) and thus this transition allowed THD to align our syndromic surveillance efforts with OCCHD and OSDH. ESSENCE has numerous features and configuration options that the previous system did not have allowing for improvement in our processes and increased THD’s capacity to conduct syndromic surveillance.
2020
The office at the Eastgate Metroplex permanently closed in March moving all Food Protection Services and Pool Operating Trainings to the James O. Goodwin Health Center.

The Tulsa Health Department was the first line of response when the outbreak began after the first identified case in Oklahoma was in Tulsa County on March 6, 2020. THD worked to control the spread of the virus across the county putting into action our emergency operations and response plans. These activities included, among other things, developing mechanisms to track and report data on the virus – with the outbreak rapidly evolving, we worked to set up data dashboards on our websites to display the latest data on cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Program (EPRP) is a program that is responsible for maintaining plans that ensure an effective and efficient response to public health emergencies in Tulsa County. EPRP had planned for and responded to many public health infectious disease outbreaks. COVID-19 became the largest public health emergency response since the program’s inception in 2002 and the longest activation duration. The team of nine put in over 21,000 hours of work to support the COVID-19 response and were available to meet the needs of internal and external community partners seven days per week, 24 hours per day.

EPRP staff established the phone bank and served as unit leaders to ensure the public had access to accurate, timely information regarding the response. Scheduling staff to fill the operator roles, researching the rapidly changing messaging regarding COVID-19, providing just-in-time training multiple times per day to the volunteers and employees assigned to the phone bank was extremely labor intensive.

EPRP staff identified the locations and set up all the COVID-19 testing sites, which required new contracts and agreements to accommodate the logistical needs to keep the public safe during testing processes. The testing coordination also involved ensuring test kits, laboratory resources and results reporting were provided to community partners. EPRP led the development and implementation of a new platform for scheduling and results reporting in three languages. These activities were occurring seven days per week.

Between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021, the team stood up nine different locations, each with their own unique layout and staffing needs. The preidentified areas at the POD sites were not available for use which led the team to creating new layouts and identifying the number of staff and Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers (OKMRC) needed to operate the site. 

The Epidemiology team is responsible for investigating reportable diseases in Tulsa County in a timely manner in order to prevent and/or minimize the transmission of illness. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemiology team were the lead contact tracers making countless calls to Tulsa County residents to provide accurate and up-to-date recommendations for their situations. The team had also been an asset to area schools as they navigated in-person and virtual education for their students. Although COVID-19 was a focus for the team, the team continued to respond to other reportable diseases throughout the pandemic.

THD began administering COVID-19 vaccines in December 2020 at various locations at the fairgrounds. Since that time, THD has administered more COVID-19 vaccines than any other provider in Oklahoma. THD staff continued to provide immunizations as an essential service to protect Tulsa County residents from vaccine-preventable diseases. Qualtrics was implemented in order to offer a self-scheduling portal for Immunizations (including COVID-19 and flu shot scheduling). This reduced the call volume to the phone bank and schedulers and allowed the public access to 24 hours a day scheduling.

THD has a long-standing partnership with the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, and THD nurses work to administer the vaccines provided on Caring Vans. THD utilized the Caring Vans to bring the vaccine to community groups and reduced access barriers to provide underserved groups increased access to the protection COVID-19 vaccinations provide.

The THD data team supported the weekly COVID-19 data dashboard update. This community resource is widely shared and utilized among members of the public, community partners and community stakeholders. This unique dashboard was developed in ArcGIS Online by a THD staff member to share Tulsa County COVID-19 data to the public. This dashboard hosted a total of 26 data panels and adapted to the data needs of the changing environment. The team also fulfilled numerous data requests related to COVID-19 data for community partners.

COVID-19 continued to be a large part of our agency’s focus but as the years progressed, we modified our operations to reflect how COVID-19 has evolved from pandemic to endemic status. It is no longer an emergency response, but our actions reflect the virus is no longer novel – it is here and will always be a part of our lives going forward. THD continues to track and report data on the virus and use other surveillance tools such as wastewater testing to proactively determine what pathogens are circulating in our community so our response can be proactive as opposed to reactive.

THD has responded to various health crises over the decades, including outbreaks of diseases such as H1N1 outbreak in 2009, the historic Dental Healthcare-Acquired Infection investigation in 2013, the Ebola response in 2014, the measles response in 2018 and 2025, natural disasters like the Arkansas River flooding in 2019 and tornado in 2023 and public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. THD has collaborated with many organizations, including hospitals, schools, non-profits and government agencies, to address public health issues more effectively. By working together with local organizations and national health agencies, the department has strengthened its impact.

December 2019
Food Handler Permit training and testing was made available 24/7 online in multiple languages to Tulsa County residents shifting most training online versus in-person classes.
2019
Between May and June 2019, an extended sequence of heavy rainfall events over the South Central United States caused historic flooding along the Arkansas River. THD assisted local disaster response efforts by inspecting shelters and providing vaccinations. A THD representative participated at the Tulsa County Emergency Operations Center to coordinate public health mitigation strategies. The Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps (OKMRC) was activated to assist with sand bagging, animal response and sheltering for multiple counties, vaccination strike teams and supported the Oklahoma Emergency Operations Center stress response. 235 OKMRC volunteers provided 1,867 volunteer hours during the response.
2018
Two new WIC clinics were opened in Broken Arrow and Owasso to provide valuable nutrition education and resources to women and children in these communities. The Owasso clinic opened in January and the Broken Arrow clinic opened in May.
April 2018
THD responded to a measles outbreak after 1 confirmed case in Tulsa County resident that was associated with international travel. THD notified Tulsa County residents of potential places for exposure could have occurred and held a clinic for community members to receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. THD staff interviewed more than 200 contacts who may have come into contact with the case during their infectious period.
2016
THD provided Tuberculosis testing for more than 200 potential contacts at a local school district after an individual associated with the school was diagnosed with Tuberculosis. THD staff completed two rounds of testing at the school to identify potential cases. Staff also provided information and education to parents and school administrators.
2015
THD collaborated with Littlefield Agency to create and implement a public health campaign to address physical activity and to create a culture of wellness in Tulsa County. After a 10-week planning process that involved qualitative research (focus groups), strategy development, and creative execution of the strategy, the "Be the Big Kid" campaign was launched in November 2015. A media buy consisting of TV spots, Tulsa Transit, social media, digital pre-roll advertisements and print media was used to promote the campaign to Tulsa area parents and grandparents to encourage them to model healthy behavior for their children.
2014
THD monitors travelers returning to Tulsa County from Liberia, Sierra Leone, or Guinea during the Ebola outbreak. THD staff monitored them for 21 days upon leaving West Africa. One individual developed symptoms, and THD coordinated emergency medical transport assistance to a local hospital for testing. The individual tested negative for Ebola and quarantined for the duration of the monitoring period.
January 2014
The South Peoria WIC Clinic moved during December 2013 and opened at 6831 S Peoria.
2013
In November, Tulsa Health Department's Water Lab gained Oklahoma DEQ certification for testing trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids in drinking water as part of the new US EPA Stage II Disinfection Byproducts rules. In addition to, the laboratory’s well-established testing (bacteriological, lead & copper, etc.), these new analyses helped neighboring communities in eastern Oklahoma meet local, state, and federal requirements for safe drinking water.
2013
THD was among the first health departments in the U.S. to receive national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) in 2013. PHAB accreditation demonstrates that a public health department meets high standards of quality and performance and enhances accountability to stakeholders and the communities they serve. The requirements and process for reaccreditation were designed to encourage accredited health departments to continue to evolve, improve, and advance, thereby becoming increasingly effective at improving the health of the population they serve. PHAB accreditation is valid for five years. THD received re-accreditation in November 2019 and is on track to receive that status again in 2025.
Members of the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) accreditation review committee. THD Executive Director Dr. Bruce Dart serves as the Member-at-Large on Public Health Accreditation Board

As the population in Tulsa County grew, so did the demand for health services. The department expanded our services to provide a broad range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, clean water, and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies in Tulsa County, ensuring a broad range of services to meet diverse community needs.

2013
The Tulsa Health Department launched a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) in 2013 and 2017 with measurable goals and objectives to improve health in Tulsa County. The CHIP was developed with input from the community and stakeholders to address the social determinants of health.
2012
The Tulsa Health Department, in conjunction with local non-profit hospitals, initiated an 18-month strategic evaluation of the health needs of Tulsa County. The evaluation, which consisted of four individual assessments, which set the foundation for the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The Tulsa County Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) was done in partnership with other community organizations in order to provide insight into the health and well-being of all Tulsa County. The CHNA process began in early 2012 and the results were published in March 2013.This systematic, data-driven approach allowed THD to collect important health data and also served as a baseline to measure change over time. The health disparities identified in the CHNA informed decision making, specifically in the CHIP.
2012
The summer proved to be the worst season for West Nile virus (WNV) that Tulsa County had seen since the disease was discovered in 1999. As a result, Environmental Health Services and the Epidemiology Department collaborated to identify the area of greatest concern. Through Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping of the patient addresses with the location of mosquito traps that had tested positive, we were able to identify parts of the county with the greatest concentration of positive humans and mosquito traps and create intervention strategies that would help to prevent future cases. Each WNW vector season which runs May through October.
2012
The Tulsa Health Department North Regional Health & Wellness Center opened at 56th & MLK Jr Blvd to provide services to residents of North Tulsa and surrounding communities. More than “just a health department,” the center was designed with community input and includes a demonstration kitchen, community garden, walking trails, meeting and event space and more. On September 16, 2010, state and city leaders gathered for the groundbreaking of the 30,800-square-foot facility. The Tulsa Health Department and Board of Health spearheaded the initiative four years prior in response to the Lewis Group report that showed people in a handful of north Tulsa ZIP codes die 14 years earlier than other Tulsans.

As public health expanded, education and outreach programs were launched to inform the public about health risks, hygiene and preventive care. The department became involved in school health services offering age-appropriate health and reproductive health education for students in Tulsa County area public schools. Thanks to local efforts by the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) and other valuable community partners, the teen birth rate in Oklahoma decreased by 56% in 2010-2020. No other health issues has had this level of success during the same time period.

Beyond infectious disease control, THD has played an active role in promoting environmental health. Efforts have included addressing water quality, safe and healthy housing and food safety, all critical aspects of maintaining a healthy community.

Over the years, THD has been involved in numerous innovative programs. For example, the department has implemented cutting-edge disease surveillance systems, public health campaigns (such as Don’t Bug Me) and in-home nursing services.

2003
The Tulsa Health Department and Hillcrest Health System joined together to educate the community about healthy lifestyle habits to prevent the spread of seasonal flu viruses and other communicable diseases. Don’t Bug Me is a fun campaign designed to equip elementary students with the tools to keep the spread of the germs at a minimum. Louie Achooee, the flu bug mascot, was introduced in December 2006. The campaign promotes handwashing and hygiene in a fun way, using stickers and posters featuring the cartoon character Louie Achooee. The campaign is conducted in classrooms and businesses throughout the area, supplemented by public appearances, broadcast, print and outdoor advertising.
2001/2002
On September 11, 2001, a terrorist act which destroyed the World Trade Center in New York City had an impact on many facets of our life including public health planning and involvement. Disaster planning takes on a new meaning. THD became involved in planning for such potential community disasters as mass epidemics, mass poisonings and explosives. THD has assumed a prominent role in coordinating with all appropriate entities to develop an integrated plan for responding to such threats or activities.
2000
The Tulsa Health Department celebrated its 50th anniversary.
1998
The East Regional Health Center moved from Expo Square -- its location for more than 40 years -- to a new building in southeast Tulsa with extensive grounds located at the Northeast corner of 129th East Ave and 51st Street. (The building had been vacated by Texas-based Schlumberger Technology Corp.). This became the administrative office of THD. The department had been planning such a move for the last 10 years as the population has shifted south and east. In addition, THD needed more room. The building's approximately 67,000 square feet outdo the 45,000 square feet found at the building on the fairgrounds. The building was later designated the James O., Goodwin Health Center in honor of a longtime Board of Health member.
1997
The Healthy Start program for children began in Tulsa to address infant mortality.
1992
The Tulsa Health Department Central Regional Health Center opened in a 30,000-square-foot office at 315 S. Utica Ave. that provides a wide range of services to clients in central and west Tulsa. The clinics from East Admiral moved to this location. This facility was later remodeled over the course of several years between 2019-2022.

In the 1980s, as the department grew, there was a greater emphasis on maternal and child health. Programs were developed to provide healthcare to pregnant women and children, as well as educational programs about nutrition, vaccination and child development.

1986
The AIDS epidemic imposed a new burden on Communicable Disease division.
1985
The Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Tulsa Health Department conducted an asbestos survey of all private and parochial schools and all state owned/leased and county buildings.
1983
Maternal and Child Health Center opened at 7354 East Admiral.
1982
Early discharge program started for mothers and babies released from hospital 24–36 hours after birth. A public health nurse would make a home visit within 24 hours.

The Tulsa County Public Health Association had been a key partner of the TCCHD, especially in providing nursing services. Over time, their nurses worked closely with TCCHD nurses and were housed in the same building. The Public Health Association focused on home visits, while the TCCHD handled traditional public health services. The Public Health Association had its own Board of Directors and was mainly funded by the United Way. Eventually, the Public Health Association’s nursing staff separated from the TCCHD and became the Visiting Nurse Association of Tulsa.

1977
The program for food supplement to Women, Infants and Children (WIC) became available through the Maternal-Infant Care Program.
1974
John Tomblin Health Center at 2828 West 51st opened named in memorial for John LeRoy “Johnny” Tomblin.
1971
Jenks and Owasso Health Centers opened.
1970
Voters approved a 2.5 mill levy tax, which provided a stable funding source for the department. First air pollution regulation began in Tulsa, which banned the burning of refuse in open containers (i.e. old oil drums) and salvage yard burning.
Activities during 1968-1978
A mobile radio link was developed between the Tulsa Health Department, the ambulance service and all local hospitals. The Food Advisory Council was established to work with Consumer Protection Division regarding Food Code and its enforcement. Tulsa Health Department dentists and dental hygienists implemented a dental education program including three sessions with Tulsa County fourth grade students and follow up sessions in the fifth grade. A Tulsa Health Department employees organization was established.
1966-1967
The Tulsa Health Department with support and involvement of the Tulsa County Medical Society was approved for a federally funded program to establish a Comprehensive Health Center serving the predominately Black North Tulsa area. Employee recruitment began. An Advisory Board for the Center consisted of TCMS appointees: E.N. Lubin, M.D., Daniel J. Alexander, M.D., Robert K. Endres, M.D. Appointees from the Board of Health included: Terrell Covington, Jr., M.D., Frank Nelson, M.D., and Homer Ruprecht, M.D. Also on the Advisory Board were Bruce Stewart, DDS and Thad Taylor, Jr. DDS. Seven other members were representative of the population to be served.
1963
Mass oral polio immunization program was implemented in Tulsa County. This was a community-wide effort. Over 250,000 doses of the Sabin vaccine were given of each of the three vaccine types. A 25-cent donation was suggested and over $90,000 was collected and distributed to 21 participating organizations. The Tulsa County Medical Society (TCMS) received $31,500 and used these funds to start the TCMS Scholarship Fund. Robert Endres, M.D., coordinated the TCMS participation in this effort. By 1964, only 121 cases of polio existed in the U.S.
1961
The city and county updated the agreement to include a formula for dividing the health department’s budget between the two. In 1965, voters in Tulsa County approved a tax of up to 1.9 mills to fund the Tulsa-City-County Health Department.
1957
In January 1957, the Tulsa-City-County Health Department moved to a new main health center at 4616 East 15th Street, located on Fairgrounds property owned by the County. Between 1969 and 1976 a third story was added to this building and later a three-story annex at the west end.
1955
The Oklahoma state legislature passed a law (HB 907) that allowed for the creation of a combined city-county Board of Health in Tulsa and Oklahoma counties. This board would have nine members, with five appointed by the City Commission and four by the County Commission. The members would serve seven-year terms, with the possibility of being reappointed. Initially, the city’s appointments were limited to physicians, but this restriction was later removed. On October 24, the Tulsa City and County Commission officially created the Tulsa City-County Health Department (TCCHD) according to the new law. Dr. T. Paul Haney, who had been the Superintendent of the Cooperative Health Department, became the Medical Director of the TCCHD. However, the department’s funding was uncertain. The Board of Health was responsible for creating an annual budget and recommending funding shares for the city, county, school districts and other participating organizations.
1954
New health centers were constructed in Bixby, Broken Arrow, Skiatook, Collinsville and Sand Springs.
Collinsville
Bixby
Broken Arrow
Sand Springs
1950
On February 6, 1950, the Tulsa City Commission and the County Board of Commissioners signed an agreement to create the “Cooperative Health Department of the City and County of Tulsa.” This agreement allowed the city and county health departments to work together by hiring a Superintendent of Health to oversee both departments. However, county employees continued to serve the county and city employees served the city, as the law at the time did not allow for a fully integrated city-county health department.

 In 1950, the health department listed the following locations:

  • 521 North Boulder, Tulsa
  • 536 East Oklahoma, Tulsa
    • This was the Variety Health Center which had been given by the Variety Clubs of America–a Hollywood based theater group who gave this as a site for a North Tulsa health center.
  • City Hall, Sand Springs
  • City Hall, Broken Arrow
  • Library, Collinsville
  • 808 South Peoria – Public health Association Center

Public health services in Tulsa County were provided by several different organizations. The county health department took care of public health in areas outside the city of Tulsa, while the city health department focused on the city itself. Some services were also provided by the now Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH).

One notable report from 1920 was written by Mrs. T.H. Sturgeon, who was sent by OSDH to inspect and improve environmental conditions. Her report showed her determination and effectiveness, while also revealing the public health challenges of the time.

Another important group was the Tulsa Public Health Association, which offered public health nursing services and tuberculosis control. This group also helped start the Tuberculosis Association, which later became the Lung Association and the Heart Association.

Other notable Oklahoma public health dates include:

1918
The 1918 influenza pandemic, also known as the "Spanish Flu," was a devastating global event caused by an H1N1 virus, infecting an estimated 500 million people and causing 50 million deaths worldwide. It killed an estimated 7,500 Oklahomans, saw its first cases in Tulsa and Clinton on September 26, 1918, leading to widespread illness and death, and prompting public health measures like school closures and quarantines.
1917
Oklahoma Vital Statistics law passed. The State of Oklahoma began filing records in 1908, however it was not required by law until 1917. The earliest birth record on file in the State of Oklahoma is in 1865. Most birth records were not filed timely until 1950, after the Social Security Act was implemented and WWII was underway. It was at that time that people began to need proof of their legal name, age, citizenship, and parentage to access government benefits. The earliest death record on file in the State of Oklahoma is 1908.
1908
The Oklahoma State Board of Health wascreated. Prior to statehood, Oklahoma had a Territorial Board of Health that oversaw health regulations, including the licensing of physicians. With Oklahoma becoming a state on November 16,1907, the Territorial Board of Health was replaced by the Oklahoma State Board of Health in 1908. The new board played a crucial role in establishing public health infrastructure and regulations, including the regulation of nursing practice.
LOCATIONS

We have 9 locations across Tulsa County that offer a variety of services to help you and your family stay healthy.

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