For eight years, the Champions of Health awards have sought to recognize those who make a difference and improve the health of Oklahomans. Winners are held up as models of programs that can be implemented across the state to change Oklahomans' health.
Scheduled for Tuesday, October 25 in Tulsa, the gala will feature former First Lady Laura W. Bush as the keynote speaker.
The gala is a benefit for the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing children access to preventive health services, including the Oklahoma Caring Van Program, which provides basic childhood immunizations, free of charge, to Oklahoma children from 6 months to age 18.
Carrying the banner of this year's champions are Michael and Libby Johnson, Honorary Co-Chairs of the 2011 Champions of Health Gala, and Bert and Martha Marshall, the Gala Co-Chairs.
Michael Johnson is president and CEO of the J&A Group. He retired in 2008 as the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Williams Companies. Johnson was also Chairman of the Board for the Williams Foundation. Johnson is active in the community and currently serves: as a trustee of Phillips Theological Seminary; on the board of visitors North Carolina Central University School of Business; and as a board member of the Oklahoma Conference for Community and Justice, the Tulsa Community Foundation, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma Affiliate Board. He also serves as the Chair of the Tulsa Urban League Advisory Board and on the Oklahoma Caring Foundation Advisory Council.
Libby Johnson is a community volunteer. She currently serves on the board for the American Heart Association, YWCA, Arts & Humanities Council and Links, Inc. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Advisory Board for the Tulsa Area assistance League. She has previously served on the board of the Jenks Public Schools Foundation, Tulsa Area United Way, Community Service Council and Gilcrease Museum.
Bert Marshall is the President of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. Marshall currently serves on the Oklahoma State Chamber Board, Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber Board, Tulsa Area United Way Board and the Tulsa Urban League Advisory Board. Mr. Marshall is the American Heart Association 2010 Tulsa Heart Walk Chair, the Spokesman for the State of Oklahoma’s Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation project and the Alzheimer's Association Memory Gala 2011 Patron Co-Chair. He will be the Honorary Co-Chair of the LIFE Senior Services premier event in 2012.
Martha L. Marshall is a Tulsa private practice attorney specializing in oil and gas and real estate related matters. She has been an avid community volunteer for programs impacting children such as The C.A.R.E. Center, Positive Tomorrows, and numerous school programs and organizations. She served as the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Gala 2011 Patron Co-Chair and will be the Honorary Co-Chair of LIFE Senior Services premier event next year.
The Champions of Health program is presented by the Oklahoma Hospital Association, the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and the Oklahoma State Medical Association, in conjunction with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma.
Sponsorship and ticket information is available online or by calling (866) 876-4376.
