Terri White

Terri White is a passionate advocate for individuals experiencing mental illness and addiction. White served as Mental Health Association Oklahoma's (MHAOK) Chief Executive Officer from 2020 to 2024 before stepping down to pursue her longtime dream of attending law school, where she is expected to graduate in May 2027.

As the CEO of MHAOK, White oversaw the provision of life-saving services to approximately 30,000 Oklahomans each year when they needed it the most. Additionally, White led the Association’s statewide and grassroots advocacy efforts for individuals facing mental illness, chronic homelessness, substance use disorders, and justice system involvement. Her efforts to influence local and state policy, combat stigma and discrimination, and develop solutions to critical challenges improved the lives of thousands of Oklahomans and their families.

White is the former commissioner for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), serving from 2007 to 2020. She was also the first woman to serve as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Health, holding that post under Governor Brad Henry from 2009 to 2011.

Because of her leadership, ODMHSAS became nationally known for children’s behavioral health services, community-based treatment programs for adults, technological innovations such as “telepsychiatry,” and the integration of behavioral health care into primary healthcare settings.

White is a three-time honoree of The Journal Record's “50 Women Making a Difference.” In 2017, she was named “Compassionate Citizen of the Year” by the Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled. That same year, the University of Oklahoma College of Arts and Sciences awarded her its Distinguished Alumnus honor.

In 2020, White was awarded the Oklahoma Medal of Freedom, the highest honor a civilian can receive from the Oklahoma National Guard, for her work on behalf of service members, veterans, and their families related to mental health and addiction treatment and suicide prevention services.

Join us on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum to celebrate Terri White and her accomplishments.