Tom Adelson
Senator, District 33, Oklahoma Senate
Every major piece of health care legislation in recent years has traveled through Senator Adelson's Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Social Services. First as the Secretary of Health and currently as a State Senator, Tom Adelson has been an advocate for reducing the number of uninsured Oklahomans. Senator Adelson has been critical to the efforts of expanding Oklahoma's small business insurance plan, rationalizing the Oklahoma's Medicaid system and ensuring a robust environment for graduate medical education. As the Senate author of the OSU Medical Authority Act, Senate Bill 1771, Senator Adelson fought for the passage of this critical legislation.
Chris Benge
Representative, District 68, Oklahoma House of Representatives
As the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and principal House author of Senate Bill 1771, Representative Benge guided the OSU Medical Authority Act through the Oklahoma House of Representatives. In addition to funding the OSU Medical Authority, as appropriations chair, Representative Benge was responsible for record funding and reform of Oklahoma's Medicaid system.
Edward F. Keller
Retired Chairman and CEO,
JP Morgan Chase Oklahoma
Edward F. Keller served on the OSU/A&M Board of Regents from 1990 to 1998 and again from 2000 to 2006. He was honored with Oklahoma State University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award and inducted into the University’s Hall of Fame. In addition to his longtime professional banking career from which he retired in 2006, Mr. Keller has been an active leader in the Tulsa community, including serving as Chairman of the Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Keller served as a member of the Legislative Commission that provided stability for the residency program at the OSU Medical Center. He has also volunteered his time to support higher education and social services in Oklahoma.
Lucky Lamons
Representative, District 66, Oklahoma House of Representatives
Representative Lamons was the first legislator to call for state intervention into the instability of OSU Center for Health Science's teaching hospital. Because of his efforts three years ago, the legislature established a commission to study the needs of OSU medical education programs. The results of that study ultimately resulted in the passage of Senate Bill 1771 which created the OSU Medical Authority.
Mike Mazzei
Senator, District 25, Oklahoma Senate
Senator Mazzei served as the lead negotiator for the OSU Medical Authority Act between Ardent Health Services, OSU Center for Health Sciences and the State of Oklahoma. He utilized his expertise as a financial planner to understand and support the funding needs and issues associated with stabilizing residency programs at OSU's teaching hospital. He knew the loss of OSU's medical residency programs would have a major, negative impact on Oklahoma health care. His unwavering persistence and ability to unite political parties to address a serious health care issue ensured the success of the OSU Medical Authority Act.
