OU Allied Health Expands Speech and Hearing Programs with Million Dollar Inasmuch Foundation Gift

The University of Oklahoma College of Allied Health has received a transformative boost through a $5 million gift from Inasmuch Foundation. This investment will directly enhance the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) and Doctor of Audiology (AuD) programs, allowing for expanded enrollment, additional faculty hires, and improved access to specialized care across Oklahoma.

Inasmuch Foundation, an Oklahoma City-based philanthropic grantmaking organization founded by Edith Kinney Gaylord, has a long history of supporting initiatives that enhance community health and education. This latest grant will not only benefit the College of Allied Health but also support the College of Medicine’s Department of Neurology and the College of Pharmacy, demonstrating a comprehensive commitment to improving health outcomes across the state.

“The generous grant from the Insamuch Foundation will allow us to increase our enrollment in the Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology (MA SLP) program and the Doctor of Audiology (AuD) program and provide a state of the art simulation lab. By increasing the number of MA SLP and AuD graduates we will directly impact early childhood education, K-12 education, and medical services in the Oklahoma City metro and throughout the state and region.” Said Dean Jane Wilson, PhD, RDH, Dean of the College of Allied Health here at the University of Oklahoma.

“The future of speech and hearing healthcare in Oklahoma depends on training the best and brightest. With the generous support of the Inasmuch Foundation, OU is leading that effort. This is an investment in the professionals who will care for the citizens of our state for generations to come,” said Andrew B. John, PhD, Chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

The funding will enable the SLP and AuD programs to produce more graduates prepared to meet the growing demand for speech, language, and hearing care professionals. Careers in these fields are projected to grow significantly, with speech-language pathology expected to increase by 19% locally and audiology by 11% nationally. “Oklahoma deserves the care of speech, language, balance, and hearing professionals who have received state-of-the-art training. This gift helps make that expectation a reality,” added Dr. John.

In addition to enhancing the SLP and AuD programs, Inasmuch Foundation's investment will support the recruitment of a neurology department chair and provide resources for the College of Pharmacy to nurture high school students’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This broad support aims to address critical shortages in various health professions, leading to better health outcomes across the state.

“Our goal is for every Oklahoman to have access to the targeted care they need, from early childhood intervention for speech delays to rehabilitation of hearing loss for our elders,” said Dr. John.
 

About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic, and health care needs of the state, region, and nation. OU was named the state’s highest-ranking university in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent Best Colleges list. For more information about the university, visit ou.edu.

About the OU Foundation
The University of Oklahoma Foundation is an independent charitable organization that facilitates and manages philanthropic gifts to support the University of Oklahoma. With a culture of integrity, skill, and persistence, we align the passions of donors and our alumni with the indelible mission of the University of Oklahoma.

About Inasmuch Foundation
Founded in 1982 by Edith Kinney Gaylord, Inasmuch Foundation awards an average of $25 million plus in grants each year to nonprofits supporting initiatives in community and civic engagement, education, human services, and journalism. Learn more at inasmuchfoundation.org.