OU Health Announces Next Generation of Leaders as Part of Organizational Redesign

OU Health has announced its next generation of leaders as part of the organizational redesign aimed at completing its historic merger on July 1, 2021. The structure is intended to advance the capabilities of OU Health as the state’s academic referral center while enabling improvements in quality, patient experience and patient outcomes.

The organizational redesign moves the flagship academic health system from a holding company model to an operating company model and structures the Office of the Chief Operating Officer into clinical business units led by chief administrative officers.

“The group of leaders that will lead operations at OU Health brings a depth and breadth of experience that will allow us to live into our purpose and vision as Oklahoma’s flagship academic health system,” said OU Health Chief Operating Officer Jonathan W. Curtright, MBA, MHA. “This group of leaders brings incredible educational backgrounds, national healthcare experience, deep Oklahoma healthcare experience and dedication to the patients we serve.”

The restructure also integrates clinical performance into the operations structure through the role of Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nurse Executive.

The following leaders are being announced as part of the organizational redesign in the Office of the Chief Operating Officer:

Adult Services, Chief Administrative Officer Casey Woods, MHA: Woods has been leading OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center since July of 2021 and has been a leader in adult operations since 2014. Casey will lead adult inpatient services across OU Health Edmond Medical Center and OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center.

Children’s Services, Chief Administrative Officer Kendal Pinkston, MHA: Pinkston will lead children’s inpatient services after spending five years leading operations for Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health.

Cancer Services, Director Robert Mannel, M.D.: Mannel has led NCI-Designated OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center since its inception. Mannel is a board-certified OBGYN and a fellowship-trained gynecologic oncologist with over 100 published scientific articles dealing with management of gynecologic malignancies.

Clinical Support Services, Chief Administrative Officer Jigar Thakkar, Pharm.D.: Thakkar will lead clinical support services including pharmacy, laboratory and imaging. He has led pharmacy services at OU Health since March 2020.

Supply Chain Services, Vice President of Supply Chain Josh Bakelaar, MBA: Bakelaar has served in this role since 2020.

Curtright added, “There is tremendous talent at OU Health and I’m so pleased that this next generation of leaders will continue on their career path as critical leaders during a time of tremendous transformation and growth in our organization. The investments we make in our leaders and their commitment to our unique academic mission are the key drivers behind such a talented new class of leaders in our organization.”