Oklahoma Children's OU Health was named one of Newsweek's America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2026 — the only hospital in Oklahoma to earn a ranking. We're also proud to have received special distinctions for pediatric cardiology/cardiac surgery and pulmonology. This recognition reflects the exceptional care, expertise and compassion our teams bring to Oklahoma children and their families. Newsweek’s rankings are based on a comprehensive set of data sources, including: ✅ Hospital quality metrics ✅ A nationwide professional survey ✅ Patient experience results ✅ Statista’s PROMs Implementation Survey As the state’s most comprehensive pediatric hospital — and the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center — Oklahoma Children’s continues to advance pediatric care through specialized treatment, innovation and collaboration.
Today marks the close of a transformational chapter at OU Health, as our community gathered to celebrate the leadership and legacy of inaugural President and CEO Dr. Richard P. Lofgren during a special community celebration and final Lofgren Live! Since joining OU Health in 2022, Dr. Lofgren has drawn on more than four decades of academic healthcare experience to build something genuinely new for Oklahoma — a stronger, more integrated, and forward-looking health system. Together, we honored a legacy defined by: • Establishing Oklahoma’s first truly integrated academic health system • Deepening the connection between research, education and clinical care • Cultivating a culture rooted in Patients First and Relentless Excellence • Positioning OU Health for sustained growth and statewide impact Colleagues, leaders and partners — including University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz, Jr. and OU Health COO Jonathan Curtright — came together to reflect on the milestones achieved and the strong foundation Dr. Lofgren leaves behind. His impact will be felt across OU Health and throughout the communities we serve for years to come. Please join us in thanking Dr. Lofgren for his service and wishing him well in retirement.
Austin Loomis, Associate Vice President of Ambulatory Access and Analytics at OU Health, has been named a 2026 Emerging Access Leader of the Year by the Patient Access Collaborative. This national recognition highlights Austin’s transformational leadership and his impact on how patients access care, not just at OU Health, but across the industry. From leading innovative conversations like Ambulatory Access with Austin (AAA) to championing smarter, more patient-centered solutions, Austin exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose. At OU Health, we often say that patient access is more than a function, it is a commitment. As Austin puts it best: “Patient access is not something we do, it is who we are.” That mindset is the OU Health way. It is about putting patients first, removing barriers to care, and continuously innovating to better serve our communities across Oklahoma and beyond. Congratulations, Austin, and thank you for representing OU Health with excellence on a national stage.
We are proud to celebrate an incredible group of OU Health leaders who are being recognized by The Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) for their outstanding contributions to family medicine. These individuals exemplify excellence in patient care, education, advocacy, and partnership: 🏆 Physician of the Year: Dr. Rama Ramakrishnan 🏆 Preceptor of the Year: Dr. Hunter Burrow 🏆 Patient Advocate of the Year: Dr. Mackenzie Gonzales 🏆 Friend of Family Medicine: Dr. Mary Gowin Each of these honorees reflects the very best of Family Medicine and the lasting impact of OU Health through leadership, mentorship, and service to patients and communities across Oklahoma.
What began as a fight for survival has come full circle into a career of service for Dustin Brown. Now a nurse at Oklahoma Children’s OU Health, Dustin once received lifesaving care there more than 30 years ago after being diagnosed with leukemia at age six and undergoing a groundbreaking pediatric stem cell transplant. Today, he supports young patients facing similar journeys while helping train the next generation of nurses across pediatric and acute care. His story reflects the lasting impact of compassionate care and how it continues to shape both futures and careers. See Dustin's full story on KOCO 5 News's website: https://brnw.ch/21x2U41
The S.O.U.L. (Serving Our Uncommon Legacy) Mission, launched by University of Oklahoma Football Head Coach Brent Venables, gives student-athletes the opportunity to grow beyond the field through immersive, real-world experiences. Through our partnership, OU Health recently welcomed participants for a week of hands-on learning — connecting them with our teams, leaders, and patients while exploring career paths in healthcare. Together, we’re proud to help inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals and build a stronger, more diverse future for our workforce.
OU Health Chief Marketing and Growth Officer Jennifer Schultz Kouandjio, MBA, has been recognized by Becker's Healthcare Hospital Review as a 2026 “Chief Marketing Officer to Know.” She leads growth strategy, business development and marketing for Oklahoma’s flagship academic health system, driving transformative results across the organization. This recognition highlights her impact as a strategic leader and brand architect, advancing how patients and communities connect with OU Health.
Last weekend, OU Health celebrated our incredible employees with a roaring good time at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden! Moments like these give us the chance to connect outside of work, strengthen the relationships that carry into our teams every day, and recognize the dedication that defines our caregivers. We also celebrate the families who stand beside our employees through long hours and meaningful moments of caring for others.
OU Health’s transformation is gaining national recognition. NEJM Catalyst — a publication of NEJM Group — has highlighted OU Health’s evolution as Oklahoma’s flagship academic health system, affirming a vision launched five years ago to fully align education, research and patient care. “OU Health has made transformational progress that is changing outcomes for Oklahomans,” said The University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr., noting that this recognition shows what’s possible when culture, leadership and mission are aligned. Dr. Richard Lofgren, president and CEO of OU Health, added, “When education, research and clinical care work together, the result is better outcomes for patients and healthier communities. This confirms we’re on the right path.” Today, OU Health serves nearly 1 million patients each year, provides the state’s most advanced specialty care, supports hospitals statewide and trains most of Oklahoma’s physicians — all while improving safety, outcomes and access to groundbreaking treatments for Oklahomans.
OU Health Chief Human Resources Officer Jimmy Duncan SHRM-SCP, SPHR has been recognized by Becker's Healthcare Hospital Review as a “Hospital and Health System CHROs to Know” for 2026. He leads human resources strategy for more than 12,000 employees and has driven a cultural transformation that achieved milestones 24 months ahead of plan, with retention improving 17% over the past year. Duncan’s initiatives include a systemwide leadership development framework, a school-to-career workforce pipeline, the unified “OneHR” model, and enhanced total rewards with benefits such as 6% 401(k) matching, paid family leave, and infertility support. This recognition highlights his impact on workforce strategy, employee engagement, and high-performing, people-centered teams.
