About | Community Health F 1

Serving Our Community is our main focus since the begining.

For 20 years, the Community Health Foundation has worked to build a healthier Kay County. We have been part of the conversations at the table, discussing challenges, working alongside local organizations, and finding solutions that make a difference.

Through grants, scholarships, healthcare initiatives, and community partnerships, we invest in the people and programs that strengthen our community. We believe the best solutions come from listening, working together, and understanding the needs of the people we serve.

We are local. We understand our community because we are part of it. And for 20 years, we have worked alongside our partners to make a lasting difference in the place we call home.

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2023 — INTEGRIS Health takes ownership

In August 2023, INTEGRIS Health announced an agreement to acquire AllianceHealth Ponca City from CHS. The transaction officially closed on November 1, 2023, and the hospital was renamed INTEGRIS Health Ponca City Hospital. The change brought the hospital into a larger Oklahoma-based healthcare system, with the stated goal of sustaining services and expanding access to system resources.

The History of Health Care in Ponca City.

The Evolution of Community Health Foundation

1919 — The First Hospital Opens

1920–1921 — Expansion and New Leadership

1940's-1960's - Continued Growth

1995–2001 — Via Christi Health In 1995

Ponca City’s first hospital opened on West Grand Avenue on December 3, 1919, during a period of rapid growth driven by the oil industry. E.W. Marland, the oilman who played a major role in the city's development, helped establish hospital care as a benefit for workers. The original facility soon became too small for the community’s needs.

In 1920, Marland provided $22,000 for an addition that increased the hospital’s capacity to 40 beds. On January 18, 1921, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita took over its management. The Sisters brought a faith-based tradition of caring for patients and became an important part of the hospital’s long-term story

After World War II, Ponca City residents funded a $244,000 hospital expansion through two bond issues, bringing capacity to 100 beds and adding a maternity floor and delivery room in 1948. In 1962, a $1.8 million wing added 48 beds, surgical suites, emergency facilities, and support departments. A major $10 million expansion began in 1973, creating the four-story hospital building still in use today. It was dedicated on May 18, 1975, when the hospital’s name changed to St. Joseph Medical Center.

The Sisters of St. Joseph and the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother combined their healthcare ministries to form Via Christi Health System, which became the hospital’s owner. In 2001, the facility was renamed Via Christi Oklahoma Regional Medical Center, reflecting its affiliation with the larger healthcare system

2006 — The hospital is sold, and CHF is established

Ponca City’s first hospital opened on West Grand Avenue on December 3, 1919, during a period of rapid growth driven by the oil industry. E.W. Marland, the oilman who played a major role in the city's development, helped establish hospital care as a benefit for workers. The original facility soon became too small for the community’s needs.

2006–2023 — Community Health Systems and AllianceHealth

Under CHS ownership, the hospital continued serving Ponca City and surrounding communities as a regional healthcare provider. It became known as AllianceHealth Ponca City and offered a range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency, surgical, and specialty services. In 2012, the hospital was recognized by Thomson Reuters as one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals.

Our Strategic Priorities 2025-2027

Data guides our decisions. The 2025 Kay County Community Health Needs Assessment brought together local partners, including the Kay County Health Department, INTEGRIS Health, the City of Ponca City, United Way, and many other community organizations to better understand the health needs of our residents. The findings helped shape our 2025–2027 strategic priorities: physical activity, mental health, and nutrition. By listening, working together, and using local data, we can direct our investments toward what matters most to the people who call Kay County home. Because a healthier community starts with understanding our community.

Link to the 2025 Kay County Community Health Needs Assessment Report

Physcial Activity

Physical activity is a key priority because movement improves both physical and mental health. Regular activity helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases, supports emotional well-being, and builds healthier habits for all ages. We believe that creating more opportunities for Kay County residents to move, play, and stay active can lead to better health outcomes and a healthier community for generations to come.

Nutrition

Access to healthy food is essential to a healthier community. Data shows food insecurity is a significant concern in Kay County, with many residents facing barriers to getting the nutrition they need. Food is medicine, it fuels our bodies, supports mental and physical health, and helps prevent chronic disease. We believe everyone deserves access to nutritious food and are committed to supporting solutions that help our community thrive.

Mental Health

The 2025 Kay County Community Health Needs Assessment showed that Kay County faces significant challenges, including higher rates of suicide, depressive disorders, and poor mental health days, along with limited access to mental health providers. By investing in local resources, education, and access to care, we can help break down barriers, support those who are struggling, and build a healthier Kay County.

Access to Care

Access to care is essential to a healthier Kay County. In the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, 72% of participants identified access to healthcare specialists as a top priority. Provider shortages, cost, and limited availability create barriers for many residents. By investing in local healthcare and solutions that improve access to quality, affordable care close to home, we can help our community live healthier lives.