--- title: "About Lynn Community Impact – Mission, History & Team" description: "Learn about Lynn Community Impact (formerly Lynn Institute), our mission to build healthy, hopeful communities across Oklahoma, and the team behind the work." lang: en json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NGO", "name": "Lynn Community Impact", "alternateName": "Lynn Institute", "url": "https://lynnimpact.org", "logo": "https://lynnimpact.org/favicon.png", "description": "A 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing community health in Oklahoma City by improving food security, advancing health and wellness education, and engaging at-risk youth.", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "815 NW 58th Street", "addressLocality": "Oklahoma City", "addressRegion": "OK", "postalCode": "73116", "addressCountry": "US" }, "telephone": "+1-405-967-6680", "email": "info@lynnimpact.org", "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/lihrinc/" ] } --- [![Lynn Community Impact](/assets/lynn-logo-teal-D4gda0pU.webp)](/) [Home](/)[About](/about)[Programs](/programs)[Events](/events)[Garden](/garden)[Giving](/giving)[Resources & Podcasts](/blog) [(405) 967-6680](tel:+14059676680)[Donate](https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E354386&id=1) ![Neighbors listening together during a Lynn Community Impact wellness workshop](/assets/about-hero-lg-CWGho7E_.webp) About # Healthy, hopeful Oklahomans. Lynn Community Impact is a nonprofit dedicated to creating and sustaining healthy, hopeful communities across Oklahoma. 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](/assets/lisa-buck-C6kgeMVB.webp) ### Lisa Buck Chief Executive Officer ![Tonya Ratcliff](/assets/tonya-ratcliff-BEzlwgAv.webp) ### Tonya Ratcliff VP of Development ![Brandi Beins](/assets/brandi-beins-B81fTVn2.webp) ### Brandi Beins Training Facilitator and Programs Manager ![Jordan Davis](/assets/jordan-davis-new-BdhGrPlk.webp) ### Jordan Davis Director of Community Gardens ![Starla Lang](/assets/starla-lang-DjiUmMPH.webp) ### Starla Lang Executive Assistant ![Pamela Patty, RD/LD](/assets/pamela-patty-C1lh3OqN.jpg) ### Pamela Patty, RD/LD Community Wellness Dietitian ![Caleb Reed](/assets/caleb-reed-BnnJc5SH.jpg) ### Caleb Reed Lead Gardener ![Dollie Sherrill](/assets/dollie-sherrill-new-BtQI8lJw.webp) ### Dollie Sherrill Training Facilitator and Programs Manager ![Yanet Trejo](/assets/yanet-trejo-new-Bg9ob5Fo.webp) ### Yanet Trejo Director of Community Engagement Board of Directors ## Guiding our mission. ![Elizabeth Dalton](/assets/elizabeth-dalton-new-BcM-thp9.webp) ### Elizabeth Dalton Chair ![Michelle Dennison-Farris, Ph.D.](/assets/michelle-dennison-new-db-RdzhZ.webp) ### Michelle Dennison-Farris, Ph.D. Chair-Elect ![Kersey Winfree, M.D.](/assets/kersey-winfree-D_Ame7AS.jpg) ### Kersey Winfree, M.D. Past Chair ![Cheryl Pennington](/assets/cheryl-pennington-new-CiTfW_wm.webp) ### Cheryl Pennington Treasurer ![Linda Horn](/assets/linda-horn-new-CEe8Dc-i.webp) ### Linda Horn Secretary ![Norma Condreay](/assets/norma-condreay-BH1o80zX.jpg) ### Norma Condreay Communications ![Leslie Kendrick](/assets/leslie-kendrick-new-BWJz0EbV.webp) ### Leslie Kendrick Governance ![Charles Dodson](/assets/charles-dodson-new-B7DkJqDD.webp) ### Charles Dodson Board Member ![Robert Foreman, Ph.D.](/assets/robert-foreman-new-CX9EvwPE.webp) ### Robert Foreman, Ph.D. Board Member ![Kenneth W. Smith](/assets/kenneth-smith-new-CH4tfCI7.webp) ### Kenneth W. Smith Board Member ![Leslie Lynn](/assets/leslie-lynn-EScsSUeP.jpg) ### Leslie Lynn Board Member Emeritus ### Emeritus Board Members - · Tom Coniglione, M.D. - · Marc Edwards - · Larry Evans - · Nancy Hall, Ph.D. - · Thomas Lynn - · William Orr - · Ira Schlezinger - · Jerry Tubb ### President Emeritus Karen Vinyard Waddell — former President/Chief Executive Officer of the Lynn Institutes, with more than 30 years of hospital administration and healthcare leadership. ![Lynn Community Impact logo](/assets/lynn-logo-white-Q77e0397.webp) Building a healthier, stronger community through programs that nourish, educate, and connect. [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/lihrinc/) #### Contact - 815 NW 58th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73116 - [(405) 967-6680](tel:+14059676680) - [info@lynnimpact.org](mailto:info@lynnimpact.org) #### Explore - [About](/about) - [Programs](/programs) - [Events](/events) - [Garden](/garden) - [Giving](/giving) - [Resources & Podcasts](/blog) - [Contact](/contact) [Donate](https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E354386&id=1) © 2026 Lynn Community Impact. All rights reserved. - [Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy) - [Terms of Service](/terms-of-service) - [SMS Opt-In](/opt-in)