From Empty Spaces to Care Hubs: OSU Medicine's Virtual Access Playbook

What if your next "new clinic" isn't a new build at all? This episode features the opening presentation from the recently held ROI Centered Care Summit—a half-day virtual summit produced by Bright Spots Ventures in partnership with TytoCare and the American Telemedicine Association (ATA). Jared Droze, Director of Virtual Care at Oklahoma State University (OSU) Medicine, and Bradley Anderson, DO, Medical Director of Virtual Care at OSU Medicine unpack a practical, scalable access strategy: repurposing vacant facilities and community spaces into hybrid care hubs, bringing "right care, right time" closer to rural and underserved Oklahomans. You'll hear how OSU Medicine: Builds access models designed for critical access and rural communities Partners with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to launch a small-footprint hybrid clinic (with on-site staff + virtual clinicians) Extends reach through OSU Extension offices—leveraging trusted local infrastructure to support agricultural and rural populations Uses low-barrier technology and streamlined workflows to make virtual care operationally sustainable Focuses on reducing unnecessary transfers and keeping patients closer to home and family Key topics covered: From "vacant buildings" to community care hubs The Choctaw Nation clinic model: staffing, footprint, patient scope, and sustainability Why a site-based hybrid model (vs. fully remote telehealth) can expand diagnostic capability Patient adoption and trust: what communities say when "the future" shows up on Main Street Extension offices as access points for agricultural workers and rural residents What makes virtual care actually work day-to-day: protocols, training, and reliability If you're a health system leader, virtual care operator, rural health strategist, or payer/provider partner looking for a real-world blueprint to expand access without massive capital spend—this conversation is for you. Bios: Jared Droze: With over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in healthcare operations, Jared has successfully driven innovation and growth across hospital, outpatient, academic, and virtual care settings. Skilled in strategic operations, physician alignment, and performance management, he has consistently improved financial performance, patient outcomes, and team cohesion in both non-profit and for-profit environments. Currently serving as the Director of Virtual Care at OSU Medicine, Jared is passionate about leveraging technology and collaborative strategies to enhance healthcare accessibility and delivery. Jared holds a Master's in Healthcare Administration from Oklahoma State University – Center for Health Sciences and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and Secretary of the Telehealth Alliance of Oklahoma. Dr. Bradley Anderson: ​​Dr. Anderson is a distinguished board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, with deep ties to the rural landscapes of Missouri. He commenced his academic journey by obtaining a bachelor's degree in Health Science with a concentration in Radiology from Missouri Southern State University. Advancing his medical aspirations, he earned a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine in North Carolina, followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Anderson's commitment to healthcare excellence is further reflected in his pursuit of advanced qualifications. He holds a Master's in Healthcare Administration from Oklahoma State University, a Certificate of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare from Stanford University, and the designation of Certified Telehealth Professional from the American Hospital Association. His career journey led him to join the faculty at Oklahoma State University, where he is the AT&T Endowed Professor of Telemedicine and serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine as well as multiple administrative roles including Vice Chair of OSUMC Internal Medicine Department, Medical Director of Virtual Care, Medical Director of the OSU Health Access Network, and Medical Director of the Hospitalist at Cleveland Area Hospital. He focuses on using technology to address healthcare gaps in underserved communities, schools, and hospitals, specifically through technology and Virtual Care, ensuring specialized medical expertise reaches those in need. He is interested in using artificial intelligence to enhance physicians' workflow. Podcast Recommendation: Check out Access Amplified, brought to you by TytoCare and hosted by Joanna Braunold - a podcast about how digital health is helping increase access to care and equity, one innovation at a time. We'll shine a light on what's actually working to make care more accessible and inclusive. If you're a healthcare leader, an innovator, a policy shaper, or anyone passionate about health equity, this podcast is for you. New episodes drop every two weeks. Follow or subscribe ...