William S. Smith Charitable Trust Gives Generous Gift to Support OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center Expansion

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center has received a generous gift from the William S. Smith Charitable Trust. This gift will support the expansion of Stephenson Cancer Center to Tulsa. The expansion will broaden access to comprehensive cancer care for patients in northeastern Oklahoma, allowing them to receive high-quality treatment closer to home.

For many patients in Tulsa and the surrounding region, accessing cancer treatment has often meant traveling significant distances, sometimes at the most critical points in their care. These barriers can lead to delays in treatment, added financial pressure and increased strain on patients and their families.

This expansion marks an important step toward closing those gaps. By bringing advanced cancer services locally, Stephenson Cancer Center in Tulsa will help more Oklahomans start and continue treatment within their own communities.

“The expansion is not only bringing cancer care closer to home but advancements in cancer research as well,” said Erik Chillingworth, Trustee of the William S. Smith Charitable Trust. “That benefits everybody. Having another care option in town that specializes in new, groundbreaking research is positive for Tulsans and people nationwide.”

As Oklahoma’s only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center, the expansion of Stephenson Cancer Center plays a critical role in advancing cancer research and patient care across northeastern Oklahoma. The new state-of-the-art facility will feature 70 exam rooms, 45 infusion spaces, three linear accelerators, comprehensive imaging capabilities including MRI and PET-CT, and dedicated clinical trials space designed to expand as the center grows.

“We are deeply grateful to the William S. Smith Charitable Trust for this meaningful investment in the expansion of Stephenson Cancer Center in Tulsa. Their generosity will help bring advanced, research-driven cancer care to patients and families across northeastern Oklahoma. This support represents a powerful commitment to improving outcomes and strengthening the future of cancer care in the region,” said Dr. Robert Mannel, director of OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center.

This gift reflects a shared commitment to improving the lives of Tulsans who may not otherwise be able to easily access cancer care from an NCI-designated center.

For more information about how to support the expansion of Stephenson Cancer Center, visit https://home.oufoundation.org/.