By Fit City Mag
This spring, Oklahoma City becomes the meeting ground for some of the most influential voices shaping the future of health and longevity. The Oklahoma Health and Wellness Summit, taking place March 9-10 at The Skirvin Hotel, gathers physicians, researchers, innovators, and civic leaders for a two-day experience focused on preventive care, human performance, and wellness solutions. Oklahoma City consistently ranks near the bottom in national health and fitness surveys—a reality that makes the Summit’s mission not aspirational, but urgent.
At the heart of the Summit is Gary Brooks, founder of the Healthy City Initiative. The developer behind The National Hotel, Tellers, and Stock & Bond restaurants, Gary redirected 35 years of commercial real estate expertise toward a new mission following heart surgery in 2019: helping Oklahoma City become one of the healthiest metropolitan areas in the country by 2040. The Summit serves as the launch of that 14-year commitment.
“For 35 years, I was a commercial real estate developer who took health for granted”, says Brooks. “Heart surgery changed that. Now I believe helping Oklahoma City become one of the healthiest cities in America is the most important project I’ll ever work on.”
Mayor David Holt brings a civic leadership perspective shaped by urban planning and long-term policy decisions that influence population health.
“Oklahoma City has proven we can transform our skyline and our economy. Now we’re setting our sights on something more personal—the health and longevity of every resident. This Summit marks the beginning of that commitment.” —Mayor David Holt
The science of living longer healthier takes center stage with Dr. Matt Kaeberlein, PhD, a globally recognized researcher whose work focuses on extending healthspan through metabolic and cellular optimization. Dr. Brian Kennedy, Director of the Centre for Healthy Longevity at the National University of Singapore, travels from Asia to share decades of leadership in translating longevity research into practical interventions.
Cardiovascular prevention is addressed by Dr. John Osborne, MD, a cardiologist known for early intervention and lifestyle-driven risk reduction. Women’s health and personalized medicine are represented by Dr. Tara Scott, MD, whose integrative approach emphasizes hormone balance and whole-person care. Additional speakers include Dr. Kevin White, Dr. Laura Miles, Dr. Kari Rayl, and Debbie Ozment, DDS, MS.
The Summit’s approach goes beyond diet and exercise to address the full picture of sustainable health change—including stress, mental well-being, and the barriers that prevent people from taking that first step.
“We want to help people become conductors of their own healthcare orchestra—not passive patients waiting for instructions, but informed individuals who know how to ask the right questions and find what works for them,” says Brooks.
“The decisions we make in the next few years will determine whether our children and
grandchildren inherit a healthier city,” says Mayor Holt. “This isn’t just about us—it’s about what kind of Oklahoma City we leave behind.”
Will you be there to help lead the charge? Seats are limited. Secure your place among the innovators, physicians, and changemakers shaping what comes next. Tickets and details at healthycityinitiative.com.
