Groups Issue Critical Response As State Health Dept. Considers Partnership For Nonprofit To Manage Public Health Lab
By: Barry Mangold OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma State Department of Health is considering a public-private partnership with a nonprofit to manage the Public Health Lab and the Oklahoma Pandemic Center for Innovation and Excellence, or OPCIE. Deputy Commissioner Travis Kirkpatrick said Wednesday they are in talks with Prairie One, a subsidiary of the Oklahoma State University Research Foundation to lead the facilities, which are staffed by state employees. “We are not privatizing the public health lab,” Kirkpatrick said, adding all existing jobs are secure. The unique partnership would...