Bringing Research Opportunities to More Communities Across Oklahoma
The Primary Care Research in More Environments in Oklahoma (PRIME-OK) Hub connects Oklahoma communities with research that can improve health and healthcare. PRIME-OK works with primary care clinics, community health centers, Tribal health organizations, and rural healthcare providers to make it easier for people to participate in research studies that address real health needs in their communities.
PRIME-OK is part of the NIH CARE for Health™ Initiative, which helps bring clinical research into everyday healthcare settings where people already receive care.
Our goal is simple: to make research more accessible, inclusive, and relevant for all Oklahomans.
Our Mission
Many people, especially those living in rural, Tribal, and underserved communities, have historically had limited opportunities to participate in research studies. PRIME-OK helps bridge that gap by partnering with trusted healthcare organizations throughout Oklahoma.
Through these partnerships, we:
- Increase access to clinical research opportunities.
- Support studies that address community health priorities.
- Improve participation from populations that are often underserved in research.
- Help bring scientific discoveries into everyday healthcare practice more quickly.
Our Guiding Principles
Community-Driven Research
We work closely with patients, healthcare providers, Tribal partners, and community organizations to ensure research reflects the needs and priorities of Oklahoma communities.
Expanding Access to Research Opportunities
We strive to ensure that research opportunities are available to people from all backgrounds, including those living in rural areas and historically underserved communities.
Trusted Partnerships
Our network includes clinicians, healthcare organizations, public health partners, and community leaders who help guide research activities and strengthen community engagement.
Improving Health Through Research
By conducting studies in real-world healthcare settings, we can generate evidence that is more meaningful and applicable to patients and providers alike.
PRIME-OK Network Partners
PRIME-OK collaborates with healthcare and community organizations across Oklahoma, including:
- Oklahoma Primary Healthcare Improvement Cooperative (OPHIC)
- Oklahoma Physicians Resource/Research Network (OKPRN)
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Community Health Centers
- Tribal Health Organizations
- Community and public health partners throughout the state
These partnerships help us reach communities throughout urban, rural, and Tribal areas of Oklahoma.
Current PRIME-OK Activities
PRIME-OK continues to expand opportunities for Oklahoma communities to participate in health research. Several studies are currently active across the network.
Active Studies
GEM-S is actively recruiting participants through participating sites, including partnerships with Tribal and community health organizations. Researchers are exploring additional recruitment approaches and remote enrollment options to improve access.
BREATH-P recently received regulatory approval and is expected to begin implementation activities, including patient recruitment and evaluation of an AI-supported lung cancer screening tool.
Community Engagement
Community engagement is central to everything PRIME-OK does. The Hub regularly works with patients, clinicians, Tribal partners, healthcare organizations, and community leaders to identify important health priorities and ensure studies reflect local needs and values.
To support this mission, PRIME-OK hosts listening sessions and engagement events that allow community members and healthcare partners to provide feedback and help shape upcoming research activities. A statewide listening session is currently planned to discuss new studies and gather stakeholder input on future research priorities.
Research That's Relevant to Oklahoma
PRIME-OK is building a statewide research infrastructure that brings high-quality clinical studies into the places where Oklahomans already receive care. By partnering with rural clinics, Tribal health systems, community health centers, and healthcare organizations across the state, PRIME-OK is helping ensure that medical research reflects the experiences, needs, and priorities of the communities it serves.
How PRIME-OK Supports Research
PRIME-OK helps research teams and community partners work together by:
- Supporting participant recruitment and enrollment.
- Helping clinics implement studies effectively.
- Ensuring research procedures meet regulatory requirements.
- Identifying barriers and opportunities to improve future studies.
- Developing new community-focused research projects with national partners.
Looking Ahead
PRIME-OK’s statewide network will strengthen community-engaged research and expand opportunities for Oklahomans to contribute to medical discoveries. As additional studies are launched, researchers, healthcare organizations, and community members will continue working together to address health priorities and improve outcomes across the state.
Questions About PRIME-OK?
Whether you are a patient interested in participating in research, a healthcare organization interested in partnering with us, or a researcher seeking collaboration opportunities, PRIME-OK is committed to making research more accessible and impactful for Oklahoma communities. For more information, please contact:
Zsolt Nagykaldi, PhD, BTh
Professor, Director of Research, OUDFPM
Associate Director of Community-Engaged Research, OSCTR
Research Director, OKPRN
University of Oklahoma Health Campus
Department of Family & Preventive Medicine
900 N.E. 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Phone(1): (405) 271-2370
Phone(2): (405) 271-9021 ext. 32207
Fax: (405) 271-2784
Current Research Initiatives
Better Results with AI for Thoracic Health (BREATH-P)
Geriatric Evaluation and Management for Survivorship (GEM-S)