United Way a Vital Partner to OU’s John W. Keys Clinic

In a milestone celebration, the United Way of Central Oklahoma is marking a century of dedicated service to the community. Since its establishment in 1923, the organization has been a beacon of hope, embodying the spirit of “A Century of Compassion.” This momentous occasion highlights the profound impact United Way has had on the community over the past 100 years.

One of the key partnerships that exemplifies these efforts of United Way is with the John W. Keys Clinic, a program of the University of Oklahoma College of Allied Health. As a partner agency, the John W. Keys Clinic proudly collaborates with UWCO to support two vital community-based programs at OU Health Sciences.

The first program – Interprofessional Language, Enrichment and Pre-kindergarten Program – known as iLEAP, operates within the John W. Keys Speech and Hearing Center, College of Allied Health. iLEAP is a unique university training program designed to offer a language-rich, pre-kindergarten experience for children aged 2 ½ to 4 years old, particularly those exhibiting signs of autism spectrum disorder. The program involves speech-language pathology graduate students working collaboratively with colleagues in dentistry, audiology, occupational therapy, and nutritional sciences. The overarching goal of iLEAP is to prepare children to seamlessly transition into local school district classrooms and thrive in the educational environment.

The second program – the United Way Hearing Aid Bank Clinic – addresses the needs of individuals with limited income who require new, advanced, digital hearing aids. In collaboration with Starkey Hearing Instruments and the College of Allied Health’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, UWHAB offers these hearing aids at the reduced price of $400 per device. The program begins with a free diagnostic hearing test to assess the extent of hearing impairment. Qualified individuals receive counseling on amplification use, and recommendations are made based on their specific needs. Once a patient decides to purchase hearing aids, a fitting appointment is scheduled to customize the devices. Follow-up appointments are also available at no charge. To apply for the UWHAB clinic, interested individuals can call (405) 271-2866 or access the application link provided here.

As the United Way of Central Oklahoma celebrates a century of service, it continues to be a driving force in fostering compassion and positively impacting the lives of individuals and families in the community. The collaboration with the John W. Keys Clinic and OU College of Allied Health exemplifies the organization’s commitment to creating lasting change and providing essential support to those in need.

OU Partners with United Way to Make a Difference Across the State

OU faculty, staff and students are making a difference in communities across Oklahoma by donating to United Way. Learn how you can help by reading the campus-specific information here.