Class 38 Tulsa

Class 38 Reflections

Rhett McAbee
General Manager
Barber-Dyson Ford of Woodward

"It is always '70s and sunshine in Tulsa!" a fellow classmate proudly proclaimed as we made our way to the Tulsa session. In typical LOK fashion, we were all looking forward to a packed weekend of fun and information. Although it was cloudy, and at one point the tornado sirens were going off, Tulsa did not disappoint. From TV show production, learning that Oklahoma is not a landlocked state, to the adrenaline rush of a Blackhawk making a swift takeoff, we had a blast, and I am grateful for the hospitality of the Tulsa community.

When the dust settled and the adrenaline wore off, it was time to focus and get ready to absorb as much as possible about health care and mental health in Oklahoma. I was born and raised in rural Oklahoma and currently reside in Woodward. I am very familiar with the struggles that Oklahoma faces when it comes to these issues, although it had never been laid out as plainly for me as it was during the Tulsa session.

The numbers don’t lie. We are not good at health care outcomes, and we are not good at taking care of mental illness. That is where I will leave that. My biggest takeaway from the weekend in Tulsa is how impactful the community is on these issues. You can make a profound change for the good by applying yourself and getting involved on a local level, reaching out, understanding local challenges, and maximizing the resources available.

Tulsa is a great example of a community that has pulled together and collectively decided to lessen the burden for their citizens.

We owe it to ourselves and our neighbors to pull together as a state and get these issues turned around. Through legislation and community action, it can be fixed. I leave you with this: If you know someone who is struggling with substance abuse or a mental illness, wrap your arm around them and get them the help they need. Be bold enough to stand with someone and make sure they know you have their back. After all, that is what the Oklahoma Standard is all about. Thank you to Tulsa and everyone who was involved in our Tulsa session and thank you to Leadership Oklahoma for providing this incredible opportunity.

Kristi Spomer
Business Development Officer
Nabholz

Our Health & Mental Health session in Tulsa was one of those experiences I’ve continued to think about well after it ended. It wasn’t just the conversations, but the combination of what we saw, who we heard from, and the experiences we were given along the way.

Thursday alone set the tone. I always hear about the Port of Catoosa, but seeing it in person brought a new level of understanding of its scale, activity, and impact on economic development across our state. Going from that to a Black Hawk helicopter ride was one of those moments where you stop and realize how unique these LOK experiences really are. I continue to be amazed by the opportunities we’re given through this program.

As we moved into the health-focused sessions, what stood out to me most was hearing directly from those working in these areas every day, especially around rural access and the barriers many communities face. It highlighted how different the experience can be depending on where you live and how many factors outside of traditional health care play a role in outcomes.

The Oklahoma Health Care Experience panel was especially impactful because it included people who have actually lived through the system, not just worked in it. I also appreciated the opportunity to break into smaller groups, ask questions, and have real conversations during the round robin sessions, especially the discussion around insurance and how much it continues to evolve. Watching students in the simulation lab work through real-life scenarios was a highlight, and it was great to see how our education systems are using that level of technology for training.

I also found myself thinking a lot about how fortunate Tulsa is to have such strong philanthropic support and leadership. You can see it in projects like the new VA Medical Center and feel it in the momentum of the community. It’s clear there are people and organizations willing to step in, invest, and help move important initiatives forward.

From conversations around the economic impact of health care to the collaboration between public safety and mental health services, and the focus on children’s health and prevention, it became clear how connected all of these systems really are.

And somewhere in between it all, whether at the Philbrook Museum, the Gathering Place, or around the table with classmates, it was a reminder of how much the setting and the people really add to the experience.

I left this session with a better understanding of the responsibility we all share in shaping healthier communities in Oklahoma, and the role larger metropolitan health systems can play in advancing services in rural parts of our state. It’s an awareness I likely wouldn’t have gained without the LOK program.

LOK Class 39 Applications Close April 1!

Applications for Leadership Oklahoma Class 39 are closing on April 1st, so spread the word!

Leadership Oklahoma is built on the strength of its people, and many of our strongest classes have come from personal recommendations and shared opportunities. If you know a leader who is passionate about Oklahoma, committed to growth, and ready to make a statewide impact, we encourage you to share this opportunity with them.

Application Deadline: April 1, 2026

Upcoming Events:

Leadership Oklahoma invites you to an evening of celebration at the Excellence in Leadership Gala on April 25, 2026 at Southern Hills Country Club to honor this year's outstanding civic leaders and organizations:

• Lifetime Achievement: Hannibal B. Johnson, Class V, Tulsa
• Distinguished Graduate: Rhonda Hooper, Class XXI, Oklahoma City
• Statewide Community: Small Business Development Center, Durant
• Business Leadership: Oklahoma City Indian Clinic



A courtesy block of rooms is available at Marriott Tulsa Southern Hills for $169/night.