Dr. Ryan Blanton to Serve on the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Board of Directors

Oklahoma Panhandle State University’s Vice President of Operations, Dr. Ryan Blanton, has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma.

The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma is a non-profit organization to support the Oklahoma Autism Center and other initiatives that improve the quality of life for Oklahomans with autism and their families. The Foundation’s programs provide education, advocacy, professional development, technical assistance, and family support for Oklahoma’s autism community and their families.

University President, Dr. Tim Faltyn stated, “Dr. Blanton has worked hard not only in higher education for the last 18 years but also in health care for the State of Oklahoma. I am inspired by his drive and motivation to improve these industries while serving on the Board of the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma.”

Previous to Panhandle State, Blanton was the Associate Vice President for External Affairs at Connors State College. He also served as the Southeastern Oklahoma Regional Outreach Coordinator for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and as a Research Assistant at the American Indian Diabetes Prevention Center and the Center for Health Ethics, Research, and Policy at the University of Oklahoma.

A third-generation veteran who served in the Field Artillery of the U.S. Army, Blanton went on to earn a BA, MA, and Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Oklahoma specializing in medical and sociolinguistic anthropology and rural health disparities. He also served for seven years on the boards of two Federally Qualified Health Centers serving residents of rural southeast and northwest Oklahoma.

Blanton commented, “I am honored to serve on the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Board. I have a passion for working to improve access to healthcare and education for all Oklahomans and ensuring that everyone has access to resources to live their lives to the fullest.”