Project TCMS to be honored at the 2025 Champions of Health - Champion of the Uninsured

Tulsa County Medical Society Foundation’s initiative, Project TCMS (Tulsa Charitable Medical Services), was recently named Champion for the Uninsured and will be honored at the upcoming Champions of Health Awards Gala, held on October 2, 2025, at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, this prestigious recognition highlights Project TCMS’s critical role in bridging gaps for uninsured, low-income residents of Tulsa County.

What Makes Project TCMS Stand Out

Launched by the Tulsa County Medical Society Foundation, Project TCMS coordinates donated specialty care for uninsured individuals who rely on safety-net primary clinics. It centralizes referrals, matches patients to volunteer specialists, and ensures equitable distribution through a rotating system—all while easing burdens on physicians and hospitals. This streamlined, compassionate model has yielded remarkable impact:

• $11.7 million in donated care

• 7,160 program services

• 1,806 referrals

• Support from 185 volunteer physicians and 12 hospital partners 

By eliminating inefficiencies like individual clinics having to search for specialists one by one, Project TCMS not only improves access but also preserves specialist goodwill and sustainability of donor efforts.

Champion for the Uninsured

This year’s award placement in the “Champion for the Uninsured” category underscores Project TCMS's commitment to serving individuals aged 18–64, residing in Tulsa County, uninsured and ineligible for public programs like Medicaid or Medicare, with household incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines. With mental, physical, and financial barriers still impeding healthcare access, our program exemplifies how community collaboration can yield meaningful, measurable change.

Why it Matters Now

Oklahoma continues to rank poorly on national health metrics, particularly in insurance coverage and overall health outcomes. The Champions of Health program is dedicated to spotlighting game-changing initiatives that improve access and equity for Oklahomans, especially for underserved populations.

Becoming Champion for the Uninsured not only awards Project TCMS immediate recognition, it amplifies the program’s mission, inspiring further partnerships and advocacy for sustainable care for the uninsured. Congratulations to the entire Project TCMS team, volunteer physicians, safety-net clinics, and hospital partners for their dedication to healing Tulsa County’s most vulnerable, and for earning this well-deserved honor.