Healthy, hopeful Oklahomans.

Our Mission & Vision

Empowering Oklahomans with healthy habits.

To create and sustain healthy, hopeful communities across Oklahoma.

We are dedicated to helping create a future where every Oklahoman thrives, both physically and emotionally. Through the comprehensive array of programs, we address the diverse health needs of our communities — from access to fresh produce from our community gardens, to learning healthy living habits through our educational programing, to connecting with At Risk populations. By cultivating partnerships and leveraging local resources, we build resilient, hopeful communities where all Oklahomans can achieve their full health potential.

How We Work

A backbone for community health.

Today, we focus on sustainable community change through collaboration, coordination, and a shared vision. As a backbone organization, Lynn Community Impact plays a central role in aligning efforts among nonprofits, public agencies, and community partners to address some of the most pressing health and wellness challenges facing underserved populations in Oklahoma.

Our role includes:

• · Facilitating partnerships that break down silos and encourage joint problem-solving.
• · Providing infrastructure to support collaboration, communication, and accountability.
• · Using community-based research to inform strategies and amplify resident voices.
• · Developing and managing impactful programs that address root causes of health disparities.

Our History

From healthcare research to community impact.

Our organization developed through a partnership with the INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center Research Department in Oklahoma City. In 1997, the Lynn Institute separated from INTEGRIS and was established as the Lynn Institute for Healthcare Research, Inc. (LIHR), an independent, nonprofit entity. For many years, the nonprofit focused on basic medical research and sleep studies. In 2012, LIHR transitioned to a new mission and began focusing on community health research.

As a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation, the organization began developing Lynn Healthy Community plans for neighborhoods, special groups, and disease-specific situations. The four-step process included identifying the at-risk population, defining the unique health risk, publishing findings, and assembling a collaborative to adopt a sustainable plan to improve the health of the community. Lynn Healthy Community — NE OKC launched in 2016 with a 10-year plan to achieve measurable health goals.

Staff

The people behind the work.

Lisa Buck

Chief Executive Officer

Tonya Ratcliff

VP of Development

Brandi Beins

Training Facilitator and Programs Manager

Jordan Davis

Director of Community Gardens

Starla Lang

Executive Assistant

Pamela Patty, RD/LD

Community Wellness Dietitian

Caleb Reed

Lead Gardener

Dollie Sherrill

Training Facilitator and Programs Manager

Yanet Trejo

Director of Community Engagement

Board of Directors

Guiding our mission.

Elizabeth Dalton

Chair

Michelle Dennison-Farris, Ph.D.

Chair-Elect

Kersey Winfree, M.D.

Past Chair

Cheryl Pennington

Treasurer

Linda Horn

Secretary

Norma Condreay

Communications

Leslie Kendrick

Governance

Charles Dodson

Board Member

Robert Foreman, Ph.D.

Board Member

Kenneth W. Smith

Board Member

Leslie Lynn

Board Member Emeritus