The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) has formally launched statewide implementation of nearly $150 million in long-term health infrastructure investments, marking the start of a broad effort to strengthen health systems across both rural and urban Oklahoma.
The initiative includes 14 TSET Legacy Grants, awarded through a competitive statewide process that drew 167 applications. With grant agreements finalized, projects are now moving into active implementation, including staffing, planning, procurement, and early service expansion.
The funded projects span all regions of the state and focus on four priority areas: health care access and workforce development; research and clinical innovation; nutrition and obesity prevention; and community-based collaboration. Individual awards range from $500,000 to $30 million, with an emphasis on building long-term system capacity rather than short-term programs.
“In addition to significant federal funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program, we’re keeping the momentum going now with TSET’s investment in 14 projects across rural and urban Oklahoma,” Governor Kevin Stitt said. “They’re funding cancer clinical trials in Tulsa, nursing education in Ada, and food security for our students. I am glad to see something’s happening in every corner of the state.”
TSET Executive Director Julie Bisbee said the transition from awards to execution is a critical phase of the initiative.
“This work is about building durable capacity, not short-term programs, and staying focused on prevention that reduces chronic disease over time,” Bisbee said.
According to TSET, the Legacy Grants represent a long-term strategy aimed at improving health outcomes and quality of life statewide, with regular public updates planned as implementation progresses.
