Pediatric Surgeon Joins the Children's Hospital at OU Health

Oklahoma City -- Catherine J. Hunter, M.D., pediatric surgeon, has established her practice with The Children’s Hospital at OU Health, as an associate professor with the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Department of Surgery. She also will serve as vice chief, Division of Pediatric Surgery, and associate program director. She holds the Children’s Hospital Foundation Paula Milburn Miller Chair in Pediatric Surgery.

Hunter treats a broad range of pediatric illnesses and possesses depth of expertise in  traditional and minimally invasive approaches. She is board certified in both general surgery and pediatric surgery, specializing in chest wall deformities in children, and has established a clinic dedicated solely to the treatment of this condition.

“It is a thrilling opportunity to grow a robust practice with the full support of a premier academic health system represented by OU Health,” Hunter said. The commitment to innovation in patient-centered, pediatric-specific care is evident at The Children’s Hospital and I look forward to what we can achieve here.”   

P. Cameron Mantor, M.D., professor, vice chair of Operations and division chief of pediatric surgery with the OU College of Medicine, said, “I can’t overstate how incredibly pleased we are with Dr. Hunter’s presence at The Children’s Hospital, in addition to welcoming her as a faculty colleague. Her contributions to pediatric surgery are far-reaching and significant, and her research holds much promise for improving treatment and care across multiple disciplines.”

Hunter completed a pediatric surgery fellowship and research fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and a general surgery residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, Calif. She served her surgery internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, and earned her medical degree at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City.

Hunter performs surgical procedures for infants, children and adolescents, using advanced minimally invasive techniques as appropriate. Procedures include correction of congenital anomalies, such as gastroschisis, esophageal atresia, diaphragmatic hernia and anorectal malformations, among others. Additional specialties include surgical oncology and pediatric trauma surgery.

Recognized nationally as an authority on the care of necrotizing enterocolitis, Hunter has more than 60 manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals. Research interests comprise nearly half of Hunter’s practice. Currently, she directs a research program funded by the National Institutes of Health to investigate the causes of necrotizing enterocolitis and explore potential treatment options.

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THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

At The Children’s Hospital, pediatric staff blends years of training with education, research and technology to improve the lives of children throughout the region. The obstetric emergency room at The Children’s Hospital is a regional referral center for the state, and the neonatal intensive care unit provides the highest level of newborn care in Oklahoma. Children’s is also home to the only 24/7 pediatric emergency room in Oklahoma City. With a family-centered approach to healing, Children’s offers resources from pet therapy to child life specialists who help families cope with hospitalization and illness. From advanced surgical services to general pediatrics, oncology care and more, The Children’s Hospital provides cutting-edge research and treatments through hospital-based and outpatient services. To learn more, visit oumedicine.com/childrens.

OU MEDICINE

OU Health — along with its academic partner, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center — is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. With 11,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Health is home to Oklahoma’s largest physician network with a complete range of specialty care. OU Health serves Oklahoma and the region with the state’s only freestanding children’s hospital, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated Stephenson Cancer Center and Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center. OU Health is the No. 1 ranked hospital system in Oklahoma, and its oncology program at Stephenson Cancer Center and OU Medical Center ranked in the Top 50 in the nation, in the 2019-2020 rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. OU Health was also ranked by U.S. News & World Report as high performing in four specialties: Ophthalmology in partnership with Dean McGee Eye Institute, Colon Surgery, COPD and Congestive Heart Failure. OU Health’s mission is to lead healthcare in patient care, education and research. To learn more, visit oumedicine.com.