LOCAL
Kimberly Marsh, The Oklahoma Eagle
Jabraan Pasha has been tapped to oversee the new office. Photo: Kimberly Marsh/The Oklahoma Eagle
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols announced Tuesday the creation of the city’s first Office of Health and Wellbeing. As Chief Health Officer, Dr. Jabraan Pasha will coordinate with healthcare providers and community organizations to align resources for better health outcomes across the city.
The office is receiving $210,000 in funding from Community Care and $50,000 from the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Money will be used to personnel, handle operational needs and for pilot programs.
The office also will oversee the city’s Children’s Mental Health Initiative.
Pasha said the office has to address health indicators that are below the rest of the country, which show Tulsans are more likely to die from heart disease, stroke and diabetes. It will use data from Tulsa’s Neighborhood Conditions Index to target areas with the greatest health disparities.
“When you map Tulsa’s highest unemployment rates, lowest educational attainment, and highest crime rates, you’ll find the same neighborhoods with the poorest health outcomes,” Pasha said. “Health is not just the absence of disease — it’s about connection to care, opportunity, and community. Our office will make those connections.”
