OU Health First Health System in Oklahoma to Join National Nurses on Boards Coalition

OU Health, the University of Oklahoma’s academic health system, has become the first health system in Oklahoma to join the Nurses on Boards Coalition as a Strategic Partner. This milestone ensures the state’s nursing expertise helps shape the future of healthcare, benefiting Oklahomans through better care, stronger health policies and more innovative approaches to wellness.

The Nurses on Boards Coalition supports the presence of nurses on hospital, nonprofit and corporate boards to make an impact beyond the bedside. This means nurses, who understand firsthand the needs of patients, healthcare disparities and how to support diverse communities, will have greater influence in shaping policies and programs that affect healthcare and public health initiatives across Oklahoma’s 77 counties.

“Nurses are at the heart of patient care, and their voices need to be heard in decisions that affect the health of our communities,” said Stefanie Beavers, DNP, R.N., NEA-BC, OU Health chief nurse executive. “By becoming the first health system in Oklahoma to partner with the Nurses on Boards Coalition, we are investing in our nurses and ensuring they have the leadership skills and opportunities to shape healthcare far beyond our hospital walls. This benefits every family and community that we serve across Oklahoma.”

Expanding Nursing Leadership and Strengthening Community Health

Nurses represent the largest segment of the healthcare workforce and spend more time with patients than any other healthcare professional. Their frontline perspective on patient care, safety and quality makes them invaluable voices in healthcare decision-making. OU Health’s partnership with the Nurses on Boards Coalition provides educational resources, networking opportunities and tools to pursue board service. It supports professional development programs that prepare nurses for leadership positions where they can advocate for patients, advance health equity and improve care delivery across communities.

“OU Health’s commitment to supporting and elevating nurses and nurse leaders is a powerful example for healthcare systems across the country,” said Cole Edmonson, DPN, R.N., FAAN, CEO of the Nurses on Boards Coalition. “As a Strategic Partner, OU Health is recognizing what we have long known, that nurses bring invaluable expertise to boardrooms and decision-making tables. This partnership will strengthen healthcare in Oklahoma by ensuring nurses have the platform and preparation to advocate for patients and drive meaningful change in their communities.”

Commitment to Excellence

OU Health nurses care for Oklahoma’s most complex cases, bringing advanced expertise to high-acuity specialties across the system. With thousands of nurses among its 11,000 team members, OU Health is investing directly in the leadership potential of its clinical workforce — strengthening its ability to drive innovation and improve health statewide.

OU Health combines patient care with research and education to advance healthcare. The nursing leadership developed through this partnership will contribute to OU Health's mission of training the next generation of healthcare professionals and expanding the boundaries of medical knowledge.

For more information about nursing careers and leadership opportunities at OU Health, visit OUHealth.com/Nursing.