Transforming Cancer Care for Northeast Oklahoma

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center is expanding to the University of Oklahoma Schusterman Center in Tulsa, making National Cancer Institute-designated, research-driven cancer care more accessible for northeastern Oklahoma. The new center will offer advanced therapies and clinical trials, helping patients through diagnosis to survivorship. As Oklahoma’s only NCI-Designated Cancer Center, Stephenson Cancer Center delivers nationally recognized standards and unique trials not found elsewhere in the region.

Why Tulsa Needs This Cancer Center

Oklahoma faces a significant cancer burden, ranking fourth in the nation for cancer deaths and reporting 22,000 new cases annually. Northeast Oklahoma endures especially high mortality rates but has the lowest clinical trial participation in the state, with less than 5%. By expanding into Tulsa, Stephenson Cancer Center aims to address these disparities and offer lifesaving clinical trial opportunities for patients facing complex, rare, or resistant cancers.

• Northeast Oklahoma sees 8,338 new cancer cases each year as most recently reported in 2022
• Outpatient cancer care demand is projected to grow 14.2% by 2034, with notable increases in pancreatic (+21%) and liver (+22%) cancers
• This expansion directly responds to Oklahoma’s high cancer mortality rates and fulfills a 2001 legislative mandate to create a statewide cancer network

Advanced Facilities and Services

Opening in summer 2028, the new cancer center facility will span 176,100 square feet, built for comprehensive outpatient cancer care and research. Patients will benefit from:

• 70 exam rooms (plus four specialty rooms and future expansion space)
• 45 infusion spaces and a centralized pharmacy
• 3 linear accelerators for radiation therapy
• Advanced imaging technologies: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) computed tomography (CT), X-ray, ultrasound, and theranostics
• Dedicated clinical trial and research lab spaces
• Supportive staff lounges, conference rooms, and administrative offices
• Infrastructure designed for future growth and innovation

Lifting Health Across Oklahoma

The Tulsa expansion strengthens a growing statewide cancer care network, connecting Norman, McAlester, and beyond, and moves Stephenson Cancer Center closer to its ambitious goal of achieving Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the NCI — a distinction reserved for elite cancer centers nationwide.

Mobile mammography and lung screening units will also reach rural and tribal communities, expanding prevention and early detection services throughout the region.

Partnerships that Make a Difference

This expansion enhances OU Health’s partnership with Hillcrest HealthCare System, providing more clinic space and integrated services in Tulsa. Patients benefit from a seamless, patient-centered experience combining the strengths of trusted local providers and the expertise of academic physician-scientists.

Powered by Public-Private Partnerships and Philanthropy

The Tulsa cancer center is made possible by generous support from public and private partners:

• $25 million from Charles and Peggy Stephenson and the Stephenson Family Foundation
• $50 million from the Oklahoma Legislature
• $8 million from the Cherokee Nation