OU Health

I was extremely proud of my Laboratory Leadership Team @ OU Health today! We volunteered our time @ The Kaleo Foundation. We made 240 care packs for those in need. ❤️💙

Grateful to share that our systematic review and meta-analysis on the SpineJack system for vertebral compression fractures has been accepted for publication: 📄 Efficacy and Safety of SpineJack for Treating Vertebral Compression Fractures Vertebral compression fractures remain a common and challenging issue, especially in osteoporotic and medically complex patients. As minimally invasive technologies continue to evolve, careful evaluation of clinical outcomes and safety is essential. In this PRISMA-guided meta-analysis of 18 studies and 1,482 patients, SpineJack was associated with: Meaningful improvements in pain relief and functional recovery significant vertebral height restoration A generally low rate of reported complications, most of which were minor A special recognition goes to our first author, Jes Stanfield, a prospective medical student who put an exceptional amount of effort, discipline, and intellectual curiosity into this work. What an impressive accomplishment at such an early stage of training. Appreciative as well for the collaboration of an outstanding team: Chao Li, DO, FCNS, Burhan Janjua, Zachary Smith, John Burke, Our hope is that this study helps clinicians, health systems, and industry partners better understand where expandable implant technologies like SpineJack may fit within modern VCF management, while also highlighting the need for continued high-quality comparative and long-term data. Looking forward to ongoing progress in thoughtful, outcomes-driven spine innovation. OU Health OU Neurosurgery Stryker Interventional Spine #Spine #MedTech #MinimallyInvasiveSurgery #EvidenceBasedMedicine #HealthcareInnovation #Neurosurgery #Orthopedics #Mentorship

Today we announced Dr. Richard P. Lofgren, OU Health’s inaugural president and CEO, will retire at the end of June 2026, after guiding one of the most significant academic health system transformations in the country. Jonathan W. Curtright, current COO, has been selected to succeed him in July 2026 as part of a thoughtful, planned transition. Dr. Lofgren’s leadership: ✔️ Established Oklahoma’s flagship academic health system — deepening alignment with the University of Oklahoma across clinical, research, and education missions ✔️ Expanded access to advanced, high‑acuity care across all 77 counties ✔️ Earned prominent national recognition for quality, innovation, and workplace culture ✔️ Invested in major strategic initiatives in pediatrics, cancer care, and specialty services ✔️ Recruited nationally recognized clinicians and leaders Lofgren and Curtright have partnered closely to build the leadership team, strategy, and momentum that position OU Health for the next chapter of growth and impact. We remain committed to transforming health outcomes for Oklahomans and advancing our covenant with Oklahoma: to care for the sickest of the sick.

A great night celebrating great people! OU Health was proud to sponsor the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce's Young Professional of the Year award during their annual awards ceremony. At OU Health, we believe in investing in our community and building the leadership and workforce of tomorrow. Vice President of Enterprise Talent & Culture Amanda Holguin had the honor of presenting the award to Britley Little — an aspiring leader making a real impact in the community. Congratulations, Britley!

We’re proud to share that Oklahoma Children’s OU Health is the new sponsor of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum's Kids Marathon! The announcement took place beneath the Survivor Tree, a powerful symbol of resilience, remembrance and the Oklahoma Standard. This partnership reflects our deep commitment to supporting the health, strength and future of children across our state. As Oklahoma’s comprehensive pediatric health system, we’re honored to partner with the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon team to promote healthy habits, encourage movement and inspire confidence in the next generation. This year, several of our incredible patients will even serve as Race Ambassadors, sharing their journeys and reminding us what courage and determination truly look like. At OU Health, our mission extends far beyond our hospital walls. We are here for kids and families in every community across all 77 counties, working together to build a healthier future, one step, one mile, one child at a time.

We are proud to announce that Dr. Rasim Somer Diler will join OU Health and The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine as the next Paul and Ruth Jonas Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Clinical Service Chief of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, beginning July 2026. An internationally recognized psychiatrist, Dr. Diler has dedicated his career to advancing exceptional patient care, innovative research, and the education of future physician-leaders — the very pillars of OU Health’s tripartite mission. His work has transformed how youth with complex mood disorders and suicide risk are treated, combining evidence-based care with team-driven, compassionate approaches that improve outcomes for patients and families. Dr. Diler brings deep experience leading academic health systems, where discovery fuels care and learning shapes the next generation. His research has helped redefine best practices in pediatric behavioral health, while his mentorship has trained clinicians who carry that knowledge into communities worldwide. His arrival comes at a pivotal moment as we prepare to open the new Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health Behavioral Health Center in late 2026 — a transformational expansion that will unite clinical excellence, research innovation and education under one roof to better serve Oklahoma’s most vulnerable patients. Dr. Diler’s commitment to expanding access, elevating quality and translating research into real-world impact reflects the power of academic medicine — and OU Health's commitment to improve lives across all 77 Oklahoma counties and beyond.

I'm honored to have had the opportunity to reflect on my leadership journey as part of Lippincott NursingCenter's Pathways to Leadership series. Writing this article gave me a chance to pause and look back on how my experiences, mentors, and the teams around me helped to shape the professional identity and leadership style I have today. I hope this perspective encourages nurses to recognize the power of their experience, trust their voice, and see the many ways they can lead and influence meaningful change throughout their careers. 

“Three of the most important aspects of leadership are curiosity, the ability to scale experience, and how we tell the story to cast our vision,” states Stefanie Beavers, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nurse Executive for OU Health. Read Dr. Beavers’ story in the sixth installment of our Pathways to Leadership series, Finding Your Leadership Vehicle: A Journey from Bedside to Boardroom. https://ow.ly/TSWg50YbKLt #NurseLeader #NursingCenter

Today, our team proudly joins those across the country wearing red for National Wear Red Day — standing together to raise awareness for women’s heart health. By putting on red, we’re shining a light on a critical message: up to 80% of women's cardiac and stroke events can be prevented through education, awareness, and action. At OU Health, we’re committed to supporting women in our communities through education on prevention, signs and symptoms, and the importance of knowing your personal risk factors. We’re proud to partner with the American Heart Association to amplify this mission throughout February. Together, we’re helping women take charge of their heart health — one red shirt at a time. ❤️

On World Cancer Day, help us show support to patients and their families while honoring those we've lost. Cancer is a difficult journey, impacting every facet of a patient's life. At OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, our team is committed to overcoming the complex and the seemingly impossible through comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. As the state’s only National Cancer Institute–Designated Cancer Center, we are all in — leading discovery, advancing research and working toward breakthroughs that change lives. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, you are not alone.