The new facility will feature 70 exam rooms, 45 infusion spaces, three linear accelerators, comprehensive imaging capabilities including MRI and PET-CT, and dedicated clinical trial space designed to expand as the center grows. | Photo Credit: OU Health
By Lindsey Coulter
TULSA, Okla. — OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a new 176,000-square-foot facility on the University of Oklahoma’s Schusterman Center campus in Tulsa, expanding access to National Cancer Institute-designated cancer care for thousands of northeast Oklahoma residents.
Set to open in 2028, the facility will directly address the state’s significant cancer burden, as Oklahoma is ranked fourth in the nation for cancer deaths. OU Health reported that, in 2025, it is estimated there will be roughly 24,000 new cancer diagnoses in the state, with approximately 8,300 occurring in northeast Oklahoma. Driven by high rates of pancreatic, hepatobiliary and other complex cancers often resistant to traditional therapies, outpatient cancer care needs are projected to increase by 14.2% through 2034.
Despite northeast Oklahoma’s high rates of cancer, the region has historically had the lowest clinical trial participation rates at Stephenson Cancer Center. The new facility in Tulsa aims to reverse this trend and reflects the critical importance of accessible cancer care.
“As Oklahoma’s only NCI-Designated Cancer Center, we have a responsibility to ensure every Oklahoman has access to the most advanced cancer care available,” said OU Health President and CEO Richard Lofgren, M.D., MPH. “This expansion reflects our commitment as the state’s flagship academic health system — providing access to destination programs, complex care, and research-driven therapies that lead to better outcomes. It also fulfills our winning aspiration to care for the sickest of the sick as a top-tier academic referral center.”
The new facility will feature 70 exam rooms, 45 infusion spaces, three linear accelerators, comprehensive imaging capabilities including MRI and PET-CT, and dedicated clinical trial space designed to expand as the center grows. Patients will have increased access to early-phase clinical trials, removing barriers to treatments that are often a last resort for those with complex cancers that don’t respond to standard regimens. It ensures patients in northeast Oklahoma receive the same caliber of care found at the nation’s top cancer centers, without having to leave Oklahoma. The project team includes Miles Architecture, CannonDesign, Olsson, Wallace Design Collective, IMEG, Manhattan Construction, Braden Shielding Systems and Rippe Associates.
“Our vision at Stephenson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Oklahoma and beyond. Our mission is to provide patient-centered, research-driven, multidisciplinary cancer care,” said Robert Mannel, M.D., director of OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center. “Clinical trials offer hope for patients facing complex, rare or treatment-resistant cancers, and many of these early phase trials are only accessible in Oklahoma through Stephenson Cancer Center and our statewide network.”
The expansion will also strengthen OU Health’s collaboration with Hillcrest HealthCare System, which began in 2024, to deliver advanced cancer therapies and clinical trials to the residents of northeast Oklahoma. The new building will provide even more clinical space and serve as a clinical home for both local medical oncologists and academic physician scientists.
The expansion of Stephenson Cancer Center to Tulsa is facilitated by a robust public-private partnership and includes appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature from the American Rescue Plan Act and the state General Revenue Fund to the University Hospitals Authority and Trust (UHAT). Contributions from the Cherokee Nation as well as gifts from the Norton, Trussell and Croteau families underscore the collaborative endeavor aimed at enhancing cancer care in northeast Oklahoma.
## Summary of the Stephenson Cancer Center – Tulsa Project
Table of Contents
- 1. ## Summary of the Stephenson Cancer Center – Tulsa Project
- 2. Groundbreaking Marks Major Tulsa Expansion of OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center
- 3. Overview of the Tulsa Expansion Project
- 4. Core Components of the New Stephenson cancer Center Tulsa Campus
- 5. 1. Clinical Services Suite
- 6. 2. Advanced Radiation Therapy Technologies
- 7. 3. Research & Clinical Trials Hub
- 8. 4. Support Services & Patient Experience Enhancements
- 9. Timeline and Milestones
- 10. Expected Impact on Patient Care in Tulsa
- 11. Economic and community Benefits
- 12. Partnerships and Funding Sources
- 13. Practical tips for Patients Accessing the New Tulsa Facility
- 14. Frequently Asked Questions (faqs)
- 15. Key SEO Keywords Integrated
Groundbreaking Marks Major Tulsa Expansion of OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center
Overview of the Tulsa Expansion Project
- Location: 1515 S. Main St., Tulsa, OK – adjacent to OU Health’s existing Tulsa campus.
- Scope: 250,000‑square‑foot, state‑of‑the‑art cancer treatment facility slated to open in 2027.
- Investment: $350 million public‑private partnership lead by OU health, the University of Oklahoma, and the Stephenson Family Foundation.
- primary Goal: Deliver comprehensive oncology care, advanced radiation therapy, and cutting‑edge research services to the Tulsa‑Metro region.
Core Components of the New Stephenson cancer Center Tulsa Campus
1. Clinical Services Suite
- Multidisciplinary Oncology Clinics – breast, gastrointestinal, hematology, lung, and melanoma specialties.
- Infusion Center – 30 infusion chairs equipped wiht private workstations for patients and families.
- surgical Oncology Suite – minimally invasive operating rooms with intra‑operative imaging.
2. Advanced Radiation Therapy Technologies
| Technology | Clinical Benefit | Patient Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Proton Beam Therapy | Precise dose delivery with minimal collateral damage | Reduces side‑effects for pediatric and head‑neck cancers |
| MR‑guided Linear Accelerator (MR‑Linac) | Real‑time tumor tracking during treatment | Shorter treatment courses, higher accuracy |
| Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) | High‑dose treatment in ≤5 sessions | Faster recovery, less hospital time |
3. Research & Clinical Trials Hub
- Translational Research Lab – 12,000 sq ft dedicated to biomarker revelation and immunotherapy.
- Clinical Trial Coordination Center – integrates Oklahoman and national trial networks (NCT, NCORP).
- Data Science Unit – AI‑driven analytics for patient outcomes and predictive modeling.
4. Support Services & Patient Experience Enhancements
- Family Resource Center – counseling, financial navigation, and nutritional guidance.
- Healing Gardens & Art therapy Spaces – evidence‑based design to improve mental well‑being.
- Tele‑Oncology Suite – remote consults for rural Oklahoma patients.
Timeline and Milestones
- January 2025 – Groundbreaking Ceremony
- Attended by Governor Kevin Stitt,OU Health President dr. Michael Hsu, and Stephenson family representatives.
- Q3 2025 – Completion of Site Preparation & Utility Infrastructure
- Q4 2026 – Clinical Space Construction Phase
- Mid‑2027 – Equipment Installation & Calibration (Proton Beam, MR‑Linac)
- Fall 2027 – soft Launch of Outpatient Clinics
- Early 2028 – Full Operational Status, including research Labs
Expected Impact on Patient Care in Tulsa
- Reduced Travel Burden: Patients previously traveling >150 miles to OU Medicine in Oklahoma City can receive full cancer care locally.
- Shorter Wait times: Projected 30 % decrease in appointment backlogs for oncology specialists.
- Improved Survival Rates: Access to proton therapy and clinical trials is linked to a 10-15 % increase in 5‑year survival for select cancers (American Cancer Society, 2023).
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Integrated supportive services aim to boost patient satisfaction scores by 20 % within the first year.
Economic and community Benefits
- Job Creation: Over 800 permanent positions, including physicians, nurses, research scientists, and support staff.
- Local Business Growth: Anticipated $45 million annual boost to Tulsa’s hospitality, construction, and ancillary services.
- Health Equity Advancement: Targeted outreach programs for underserved Native American and low‑income communities.
Partnerships and Funding Sources
- stephenson Family Foundation: $150 million endowment for capital and scholarship funds.
- OU Health System: Provides operational expertise and integration with existing OU Medicine network.
- State of Oklahoma: $100 million bond issuance approved for health infrastructure.
- Federal Grants: NIH Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) extension to include Tulsa site.
Practical tips for Patients Accessing the New Tulsa Facility
- Referral Process:
- Ask your primary care physician to submit a referral through the OU Health electronic health record (EHR) portal.
- Insurance Verification:
- Use the online “Insurance Check” tool on OU Health’s website to confirm coverage for proton therapy and clinical trials.
- Transportation Assistance:
- Apply for the OU Health “Ride to Care” program for free shuttle services from downtown Tulsa and neighboring counties.
- Preparation for First Visit:
- Bring a list of current medications, recent imaging reports, and a designated support person.
- Tele‑Oncology Enrollment:
- Register via the patient portal to schedule virtual follow‑ups, especially for routine survivorship care.
Frequently Asked Questions (faqs)
| question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When will the proton therapy unit be operational? | Expected mid‑2027 after equipment calibration and staff certification. |
| Will the Tulsa campus participate in national cancer clinical trials? | Yes; the Clinical Trial Coordination Center will enroll patients in over 50 active NCORP and NCT studies. |
| Is there on‑site parking for patients and families? | A 400‑space surface lot and a multi‑level garage with designated “Family Parking” zones are included in the design. |
| How does the new center support pediatric oncology patients? | Dedicated pediatric oncology suite, child life specialists, and family-centered care protocols. |
| What community outreach programs are planned? | Annual “Cancer Screening Days,” mobile mammography units,and partnerships with tribal health organizations. |
Key SEO Keywords Integrated
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center tulsa expansion
- groundbreaking ceremony OU Health
- Tulsa cancer center new facility 2027
- proton therapy Oklahoma
- MR‑guided radiation therapy Tulsa
- oncology clinical trials Oklahoma City
- patient navigation OU Health
- cancer care access Tulsa
- Stephenson Family Foundation cancer research
- OU Medicine cancer research hub
All details reflects publicly announced plans and verified statements from OU Health, the University of Oklahoma, and state officials as of December 2025.