Variety Health Center and Oklahoma Community Health Services, Inc. announced Nov. 10 a merger of operations and the new public identity Variety Care. The combination of services provided by each group will increase the capacity of the new organization to serve patients in Oklahoma County with comprehensive, affordable, high-quality health care.
“We are thrilled to have joined operations to build a true safety net for tens of thousands of Oklahomans in need,” Lou Carmichael, executive director of Variety Care, said. “Our goal is that no person in our community will be without access to medical, dental, counseling, vision and maternal and child health care.”
Variety Care is a United Way agency and is expected to serve an estimated total of more than 40,000 patients per year at health centers in Oklahoma City, Del City, Fort Cobb and Tipton. Variety Care will provide underinsured or uninsured patients with prenatal care, family planning, eye care, dental care, counseling and primary and preventative health care.
“The joining of these two organizations will improve the overall health of our state by providing increased access to comprehensive care for those who need it most,” Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Jari Askins said. “This merger of operations is an example of Oklahomans coming together to help others, and it is a step in the right direction toward making our state a leader in providing affordable, quality health care to our citizens.”
The affiliation agreement reached to launch Variety Care will unite the mission under two separate organizations. The operations of all sites will continue providing health care and services under one 501(c) 3 and the newly formed foundation will provide advocacy, fund raising and community awareness in support of the operations and programs. Both will use the new name and logo Variety Care.
“Only in an integrated, comprehensive health care system like the one offered by Variety Care can people truly live healthy lives,” Mike Dover, Variety Care Foundation president, said. “This merger of operations will allow our new organization to serve additional patients with preventative and acute health care all under one roof.”