POLICY COMMITTEE (POL COM)

Meeting Info

OPHA's Policy Committee (Pol Com) holds 1-hour, virtual meetings on the 2nd Wednesday each month from 4:00-5:00 PM and is hosted by OPHA Executive & Policy Director McKenzie Cowlbeck, MPH, CPH and Policy Chair Stephanie Mansour, MHA. The Policy Committee also hosts 30-minute policy discussions, called Policy Fridays, at 10:00-10:30 AM on select Fridays. Please email McKenzie Cowlbeck to be added to the Policy Committee calendar invite and register to join Policy Friday discussion calls through OPHA's events calendar.

Committee Members

All OPHA members who are interested in supporting OPHA's policy and advocacy activities as a tool to positively impact the health and safety of all Oklahomans are welcome. No existing experience or knowledge about policy is required to participate.

Committee Leadership

Policy Chair Stephanie Mansour, MHA (left) 

stephmansour97@gmail.com 

Executive & Policy Director McKenzie Cowlbeck, MPH, CPH (right)

mckenzie@okpublichealth.org

Policy Committee Activities

• Establish and update OPHA’s public health Policy Agenda by identifying and prioritize relevant public health issues.
• Plan annual Policy Day, typically held during National Public Health Week in April.
• Make recommendations on legislative priorities to the OPHA Board.
• Work with OPHA to build strategic relationships with public officials, nonprofit colleagues and other sectors.
• Gather information relevant to the development and promotion of public health policies.
• Assist in building grassroots support for positions.
• Scan the environment for advocacy in order to identify factors conducive to and inhibiting desired policy outcomes.
• Identify different targets for advocacy initiatives.
• Develop strategies and operational plans for implementing advocacy.