Dr. Karla Finnell Featured on The GROklahoma Podcast: A Conversation on Public Health, Law, and Equity
Published: Friday, January 10, 2025
Dr. Karla Finnell, associate professor in the Department of Health Promotion Sciences, was recently featured on The GROklahoma Podcast Show, where she shared her inspiring journey from her roots in Comanche, Oklahoma, to becoming a leading advocate for health equity.
In Episode 15, titled Bridging Law and Public Health – The One with Dr. Karla Finnell, Dr. Finnell opened up about how a small act of kindness—a full tuition scholarship from a professor—transformed her life and education. Growing up in a family where her father worked in the oil fields and served as a rodeo judge, Dr. Finnell never imagined her path would lead her from practicing agricultural bankruptcy law to advocating for healthcare access in underserved communities.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Finnell discussed her passion for research that addresses disparities and the need to redesign systems that promote equity. She spoke about the importance of building inclusive systems through community engagement, fostering trust, and critically rethinking societal privileges. Dr. Finnell also emphasized the importance of mentorship, particularly for first-generation students, and the need for collaboration across disciplines to achieve meaningful research outcomes.
One of the key takeaways from Dr. Finnell’s conversation was her thought-provoking question: “How do we create and foster more multidisciplinary research?” This question serves as a call to action for those in the field of public health, social justice, and education to work together to find innovative solutions to complex societal issues.
We are proud to have Dr. Finnell as part of our faculty, and her appearance on The GROklahoma Podcast offers an inspiring glimpse into her work and dedication to creating equitable, sustainable healthcare systems.
Listen to the full episode below:
Be sure to tune in for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation with one of the leaders in public health and social justice.