Oklahoma Health Center History

The Oklahoma Health Center traces its origins to 1917 when the Sixth Oklahoma Legislature appropriated land on N.E. 13th Street for a building to house the University of Oklahoma medical department and teaching hospital. By 1928, the campus had grown to include a building for the nurses training program, a hospital for children and a classroom building for the College of Medicine.

Over the next half-century, the campus expanded into a vast medical center, finding purpose and excellence through the interaction of research, health care, education, technology and community health support. The close cooperation and interaction between organizations is one of the greatest strengths of the Oklahoma Health Center.


The Oklahoma Health Center Fast Facts
  • The Oklahoma Health Center (OHC) is a mecca of research, health care, education, technology and community services organizations which exists nowhere else in the state of Oklahoma.
  • This 300-acre complex is located just south of the state Capitol and east of downtown Oklahoma City.
  • The OHC consists of 26 member organizations ranging from cutting-edge biotechnology companies to government, education, health care and community support institutions.
  • These 300 acres represent a $2.5 billion capital investment.
  • As a whole, the OHC represents the second largest concentration of employees in Oklahoma—more than 12,000 and is larger than a number of Oklahoma communities.
  • The Oklahoma Health Center was founded in 1964 by a small group of Oklahoma City fathers including Stanton L. Young, Dean A. McGee, Harvey Everest, E.K. Gaylord and Don O’Donoghue. It is patterned after the Texas Medical Center in Houston.
  • The 27 acres between N.E. 4 and N.E. 8 and Centennial Expressway to Lincoln Boulevard are designated as grounds of the Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park. This Research Park is the biotechnology transfer center for the state and includes three buildings. A fourth building is under construction.
  • Biotechnology transfer brings the discoveries of Oklahoma scientists to the commercial arena for use by the worldwide health community. Housed in the Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park, these emerging and growing companies are creating high tech jobs for Oklahoma City and Oklahoma.
  • Whether its doctors teaching, scientists conducting bench research studies or other health professionals working hand in hand, the energy produced from interaction within Oklahoma Health Center organizations culminates in cutting-edge health care for Oklahoma and the nation.

Take A Look Around the Oklahoma Health Center Campus