In this episode of the GROklahoma Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Karla Finnell, an Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health. Dr. Finnell shared her inspiring journey from growing up in Comanche, Oklahoma, where her father worked in the oil fields and served as a rodeo judge, to her transformative experience in education when a professor’s small act of kindness—a full tuition scholarship—changed her life. Her path led her from practicing agricultural bankruptcy law to advocating for healthcare access in underserved communities and ultimately to championing health equity.

We discussed her passion for research on disparities and the need to redesign systems to promote equity. Dr. Finnell shared her insights on how inclusive systems can be built through community engagement, fostering trust, and rethinking privileges. She highlighted the importance of mentorship, especially for first-generation students, and encourages collaboration across disciplines in research. She left us with a powerful question: "How do we create and foster more multidisciplinary research?" Join us for an insightful conversation on public health, social justice, and the transformative impact of education. It was an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation, and we are grateful to Dr. Finnell for sharing her journey and wisdom with us.

Tune in for a deep dive into public health, social justice, and the transformative power of education. If you would like to be a part of the podcast, please send us an email at [email protected]