Saint Francis and OSU Extend Management Agreement

Saint Francis Health System will continue management of OSU Medical Center through 2036, following a renewed agreement with the OSU Medical Trust. The agreement comes a full year ahead of the initial contract’s expiration, underscoring the strength and success of the partnership for patients in northeast Oklahoma.

Saint Francis assumed management of OSU Medical Center in 2016, bringing financial stability and operational growth to the nation's largest osteopathic teaching hospital. Since then, the collaboration has flourished, supporting patient care and medical education across Oklahoma.

“Financial stability became a foundation for providing exceptional care to our community after having faced tough decisions and uncertainties for years,” said OSU Medical Authority and Trust CEO Eric Polak. “Today, OSU Medical Center stands as proof of what resilience, strategic vision and a dedicated team can accomplish.”

Barry Steichen, Chief Operating Officer of Saint Francis Health System and a member of the OSU Medical Authority and Trust board, added:

“The Saint Francis-OSU Medical Center partnership has been a win for both organizations and, more importantly, the people of Oklahoma. Returning financial stability has paved the way for growth and innovation, ensuring that Tulsa’s healthcare infrastructure will be in place for years to come.”

Why this matters for Oklahomans:

• In fiscal year 2024, OSU Medical Center treated 35,127 patients and had 41,951 emergency room visits. As the primary teaching hospital for OSU Center for Health Sciences, OSU Medical Center plays a critical role in training the next generation of physicians.
• In 2016, OSU Medical Center employed 160 residents and fellows. Today, the number is over 280.
• OSU Medical Center residents and fellows completed rotations in a wide variety of areas in the Saint Francis system, obtaining hands-on experience and strengthening the state’s healthcare workforce.
• The OSU Medical Authority is a key partner in the Saint Francis drive to achieve Level I Trauma verification from the American College of Surgeons, a designation that will elevate emergency services in the region.
• Prior to Saint Francis’ involvement, OSU Medical Center faced years of instability under various management structures. Today, the hospital is on a path of expansion and innovation. In March, the medical center broke ground on an almost $200 million expansion that will add 180,000 square feet to the hospital, including eight new surgical suites and a pharmaceutical research lab.