OU Health in the Community
Whether you make regular visits to an OU Health doctor’s office,
participate in wellness screenings or health educational programs, or
you need specialized care at one of our hospitals or centers, you can
take advantage of a wide range of healthcare activities and services from
OU Health throughout communities in Oklahoma and, often, at a location near you.
Leading Healthcare & Improving Life for All Oklahomans
Wherever you live in Oklahoma, you’ll find OU Health dedicated to
improving your life and the lives of your loved ones by reaching underserved
communities through direct patient care and services, education, and research.
Our commitment to good stewardship within our community means you can
rely on our efforts to identify, mitigate and address our community’s
health needs inside and outside our facilities, as well as among our partners
and in situations beyond the traditional medical model.
Community Impact & Mission
With 804 hospital beds, OU Health acts as a safety net hospital for Oklahoma
County and the state of Oklahoma. In 2019 alone, OU Health provided $115
million in charity care for uninsured patients and unreimbursed services.
OU Health also serves a disproportionate number of underserved communities,
including older adults and children from low-income families. Often relying
on government payors, more than 60% of our patients have highly complex
health needs. The variety of our patients and our services aligns with
the principles of our mission: patient care, education and research to
improve the lives of all people.
Beyond the Doctor’s Office
Healthy living happens every day – through actions you can take to
prevent certain health conditions, regular checkups that keep you on track
and easy access to specialty care when you need it. OU Health stands by
your side at every step along your health journey with the many ways we
make sound investments in our community through services and programs
that reach far beyond the doors of our facilities.
Innovative Research for Improving Community Health
In partnership with University of Oklahoma Centers of Excellence, OU Health
supports innovative research intended to improve quality of life in the
state. Whether working with the OU Tulsa campus on the Food Is Medicine
program and study, supporting the development of smoking cessation technologies
or actively participating in the Oklahoma Physicians Research/Resource
Network (OKPRN), OU Health invests in innovation happening throughout Oklahoma.
Education for Health Professionals
As Oklahoma’s only comprehensive academic medical center and campus,
OU Health serves a critical role in developing the next generation of
medical professionals for the state and region. The leading healthcare
experts in many medical fields work at OU Health, serving our community
and training the strongest possible healthcare workforce for Oklahoma’s future.
Activities to Improve Community Health
While medical professionals across OU Health primarily focus on providing
the highest quality healthcare, OU Health staff members at all levels
give their time to help make Oklahoma a better, healthier place to live.
You’ll find OU Health staff as volunteers in the community through
efforts like our
Live to Give program, as well as investing in community-based organizations and strategically
connecting with partners throughout the community. All activities seek
to improve both quality of life and health outcomes for communities we serve.
Strategic Efforts in Community Health
For information about the strategic vision and goals of OU Health community
health efforts, watch here for updates via our annual report.
Community Health Needs Assessment
By understanding what’s happening in our communities and completing
a thorough examination of health needs, we can more strategically target
efforts and programs to create stronger impacts.
Review the
Community Health Needs Assessment Report [pdf] to find out more.
Commitment to Good Stewardship
Through the
340B Good Stewardship Program [pdf] , OU Health better serves the community by extending its resources to the
benefit of communities across the region.