OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy has announced its 2026 Fall Advocacy Award recipients, recognizing journalists, health care providers, business leaders, educators, public servants and community advocates whose work has supported children and families across Oklahoma.
The awards will be presented during OICA’s Fall Forum luncheon on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in Oklahoma City. This year’s recipients represent a range of sectors, including journalism, health care, corporate leadership, education, emergency services, legal advocacy and community service.
Journalism, Healthcare and Corporate Leadership Recognized
M. Scott Carter, Capitol Bureau Chief for the Lawton Constitution/Southwest Ledger, will receive the Burnes/Lichtenstein Journalism Award. The award recognizes journalism focused on issues affecting children.
OICA selected two recipients for the Dr. Dwight Sublett Healthcare Award, which honors medical providers and organizations working to improve youth health. Calm Waters, a central Oklahoma nonprofit that provides grief support services for children and families, will share the award with Dr. A.D. Hopkins, a pediatrician and Chief Medical Officer for Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa.
Paycom will receive the Gene Rainbolt Corporate Citizen Award, recognizing a business that goes beyond its primary operations to benefit Oklahoma children.
OICA also noted the recent recognition of Paycom founder and CEO Chad Richison as one of Forbes 250: America’s Most Successful Living Builders, highlighting business figures who have helped shape the American economic landscape.
Legal Advocacy, Public Service and Resilience Honored
Oklahoma City attorney Bob Burke was selected for the Jari Askins Justice for Children Award, which recognizes members of the legal community who support young people. Burke is the co-author of Throwaway Kids, a history of Oklahoma’s Human Services.
Ryan Woodard, a lieutenant with the Oklahoma City Fire Department, will receive the Jon Hansen Public Servant Award. The award is named for the former Oklahoma City Fire Chief and Director of the Council on Firefighter Training.
Working with the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma, Woodard developed a first-of-its-kind CLEET-approved autism training program for emergency professionals.
Darryl Savell was named the recipient of the Laura Choate Resilience Award, which honors an individual who overcame childhood adversity and later worked to help others. Savell is the founder of Savell Consulting, where he helps organizations address problems involving intake and follow-up systems.
Young Oklahomans Recognized for Community Service
Two young Oklahomans will receive the Jasmine and Melvin Moran Kidizenship Award, which recognizes people under 18 whose efforts benefit other young people.
“Mighty” Miller Hines, a young Oklahoman who recently died from leukemia, will be honored for creating a mission to provide blankets to hospitalized children.
Clayton Rohla, an Oklahoma 4-H member, was selected for his extensive community service. His efforts include raising money for MD Anderson Cancer Research, donating food to families in need, supporting the Roff Senior Citizen Center and Mercy Cancer Center, and purchasing 150 flags for veterans’ graves at Roff East Hill Cemetery for Wreaths Across America.
Community Leadership, Inclusion and Education Efforts Highlighted
Chickasaw Gov. Emeritus Bill Anoatubby will receive the Ray & Pat Potts Community Leader Award. OICA cited his decades of work advancing Chickasaw Nation initiatives, including efforts to support programs that feed children during summer months when federal assistance programs stalled.
Carnegie School Superintendent Randy Turney was selected for the Senator Judy Eason McIntire Inclusion Award. OICA highlighted Turney’s work to improve relationships and partnerships with tribal entities while addressing traditional practices that have historically had negative effects on Native American students.
Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, an initiative of Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, will receive the Steven A. Novick Award for Child Advocacy. The program supports children who have incarcerated parents by providing services designed to help them navigate the challenges associated with parental incarceration.
Jami Jackson Cole, a southwest Oklahoma educator, will receive the Honorable Sandy Garrett Award for excellence in education. Cole also operates Oklahoma Edvocates, a social media outreach initiative with more than 65,000 followers that encourages teachers to participate in public policy.
The 2026 awards highlight contributions across Oklahoma’s public, private and nonprofit sectors, with recipients recognized for efforts ranging from health care and education to public safety, community leadership and child advocacy.
