The $25 Million OU Health Tulsa Expansion: 5 Key Facts About Oklahoma's New Cancer Center And Future Of Care
The landscape of specialized healthcare in Eastern Oklahoma is undergoing a monumental transformation, with OU Health leading a massive expansion project centered on the University of Oklahoma’s Schusterman Center campus in Tulsa. As of late 2025, the organization has celebrated the groundbreaking of a major new facility dedicated to advanced cancer treatment, a critical move designed to tackle Oklahoma’s alarming rate of cancer mortality and expand access to world-class academic medicine. This development solidifies OU Health’s commitment to providing comprehensive, cutting-edge care outside of Oklahoma City, bringing a new era of specialty services directly to the Tulsa metro area and beyond.
This article provides an in-depth look at the current structure of OU Health in Tulsa, the details of the exciting, multi-million dollar expansion, and the full spectrum of medical services—from primary care to complex specialty treatments—that define the institution’s role as a regional healthcare powerhouse.
The OU Health Tulsa Ecosystem: Locations, Leadership, and Core Services
The entity often referenced as "OU Medical Center Tulsa" is officially part of the broader OU Health system and is primarily anchored by the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Center. This campus serves as the hub for both the OU Health Sciences Center and various University of Oklahoma Norman campus programs, integrating medical education, research, and patient care into a single, comprehensive location.
The Schusterman Center, located strategically at 41st and Yale in mid-town Tulsa, is the core site for OU Physicians Tulsa, the clinical practice arm of the institution.
Key OU Health Tulsa Entities and Locations:
- OU-Tulsa Schusterman Center: The main campus housing academic programs, research, and numerous specialty clinics.
- OU Physicians Tulsa: The physician group providing care across all specialties, from primary to tertiary care.
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center (Future): The new 176,000-square-foot facility dedicated to advanced oncology care.
- OU Health Family Medicine Center – Tulsa: A key location for family and primary care services for all ages.
- OU Health Physicians Wayman Tisdale Clinic: Provides a range of specialty health services to the community.
Comprehensive Service Entities and Specialties:
OU Health in Tulsa offers a wide array of services that cover nearly every medical need, ensuring patients can receive coordinated care within a single system.
- Adult Services
- Pediatrics Services
- Family Medicine
- Women's Health (including OB/GYN)
- Internal Medicine
- Bariatric Surgery
- Diabetes Care (for both adults and children)
- Geriatrics Services
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Imaging & Radiology Services
- Laboratory Services
- Pharmacy Services
The Future of Care: 5 Essential Facts About the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center Expansion
The most significant and current development for OU Health in Tulsa is the major expansion of its oncology services. This project is a direct response to the critical need for advanced cancer treatment in the region, as Oklahoma is currently ranked fourth in the nation for cancer-related deaths.
The new facility is not just an addition; it represents a major investment in the state's health infrastructure, promising to deliver the same level of comprehensive, academic-based cancer care found at the main Oklahoma City campus.
1. A Massive 176,000-Square-Foot Facility
The cornerstone of the expansion is a new, state-of-the-art facility spanning 176,000 square feet. This significant footprint will house advanced clinical spaces, cutting-edge technology, and dedicated research areas, creating a true hub for multidisciplinary cancer treatment. The goal is to provide a fully integrated experience, allowing patients to receive diagnostics, treatment, and support services all under one roof.
2. Set to Open by 2028
Following the recent groundbreaking ceremony, the new OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center facility in Tulsa is currently slated for a grand opening in 2028. This timeline underscores the complexity and scale of the project, which aims to be a regional magnet for patients seeking the most advanced oncological care. The anticipation for its opening highlights the urgent need for this level of specialized care in Eastern Oklahoma.
3. Fueling the Fight Against Oklahoma's Cancer Crisis
The primary mission of the expansion is to directly address the state's significant cancer burden. By expanding the reach of the Stephenson Cancer Center, which is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Center, OU Health is bringing a higher standard of care—including access to clinical trials and innovative therapies—closer to home for Tulsa-area residents. This is a crucial step in improving survival rates and quality of life for Oklahomans facing a cancer diagnosis.
4. Securing a $25 Million TSET Grant
The project received a substantial financial boost with the announcement of a $25 million grant from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). This significant funding demonstrates the state’s commitment to the initiative and helps ensure the facility will be equipped with the necessary resources to combat cancer effectively. The grant is a testament to the expected impact of the new facility on public health outcomes.
5. Integrating Research and Education with Patient Care
The new center will be more than just a clinic; it will be an academic hub. The integration of the new facility onto the University of Oklahoma’s Schusterman Center campus means that research and medical education will be woven into the fabric of patient care. This model ensures that patients benefit from the latest medical knowledge and clinical trials, while future generations of healthcare professionals are trained in a cutting-edge environment. This synergistic approach is the hallmark of academic medicine and elevates the entire standard of care in Tulsa.
The Broader Impact of OU Health's Academic Medicine Model
OU Health’s presence in Tulsa, anchored by the Schusterman Center, is a prime example of the power of academic medicine. Unlike traditional community hospitals, academic medical centers like OU Health integrate three core missions: patient care, research, and education. This integration is what allows them to provide the most complex and specialized care, often for patients who have exhausted options elsewhere.
The existing Schusterman Clinic and Research Building, which previously received funding from Vision 2025, laid the groundwork for this new phase of expansion. It established a foundation for clinical and research space for the University of Oklahoma’s College of Medicine in Tulsa, ensuring that medical students, residents, and fellows are trained alongside practicing physicians. This continuous cycle of learning and innovation is vital for maintaining a high standard of care.
The comprehensive network of OU Health Physicians in Tulsa ensures that specialized care is readily accessible. Whether a patient needs complex bariatric surgery or routine diabetes care, they can be seamlessly coordinated with the entire OU Health network of specialists across Oklahoma. This focus on integrated care, from primary care services at the Family Medicine Center to the future highly specialized cancer care services, defines the institution's commitment to the wellness of the entire family and community.
The expansion of the Stephenson Cancer Center is the clearest signal yet that OU Health is investing deeply in Tulsa's future as a medical destination. By focusing on critical areas like oncology and leveraging its academic roots, the institution is not just building a facility; it is building a new standard for healthcare in Oklahoma.
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