It is official. The approximately $55 million expansion of labs, classrooms and administrative offices at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences has opened in Tulsa, along with a new office of the labs and offices of the medical examiner.
The new North Hall offers 120,000 square feet filled with brand new labs, classrooms for OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine students and graduate students in various programs. Currently, approximately 1,800 students are studying on the West Tulsa campus, and leaders are gearing up for more as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“For a long time we were the worst kept secret, the best kept secret. However you want to look at it, we are no longer a secret,” says Dr. Johnny Stephens, president of the Center for Health Sciences and interim president of OSU Tulsa.
From the president to medical students, those 2 News spoke to are excited about the new addition.
“It’s all brand new. So I’m excited,” exclaimed Juan Del Rosario, student, OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.
“I actually had to watch this building tear down,” said Rilleigh Ricken, a sophomore at the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. “So to be in it now is just incredible.”
The new facility showcases new anatomy and neuroanatomy labs and office spaces, conference and meeting rooms, and classrooms. Anatomy Lab Coordinator Thom Garrison walked 2 news anchor Karen Larsen through the new anatomy lab where students will learn from their very first patient.
“They’ll dissect cadavers and we’ll instruct them on that. We’re looking forward to a brand new semester in a brand new place,” Thom Garrison, lab coordinator, director of the OSU body donor program.
In the new facility designed for Oklahoma’s medical researchers, forensic anthropologist Angela Berg is focusing on moving into her new lab and office space. Under the public partnership with OSU, it tripled in size.
“We spent years working in a very small building, sharing spaces, sharing chairs, sharing computers,” said Angela Berg, forensic anthropologist, Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office. “This is so much better for the families of Oklahoma. They’ll get the remains of their loved ones back sooner. We can put more science into what we’re doing — just a smoother process than a small building where we’re challenged for space.”
New X-ray machines and CT scanners allow medical researchers to study victims better than ever, said Dr. Josh Lanter, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner. He said there are already plans to hire more doctors to meet the 20 percent increase in the number of state examinations recently observed.
According to Dr. Johnny Stephens, president of OSU Center for Health Sciences, enrollment in programs at the OSU Health Sciences Center has quadrupled in the past 10 years, including the recently added program for physician assistants, health care administration, forensic sciences, and athletic training. He has plans to grow the Tulsa programs even more.
“We have a new opportunity as the Veterans Administration partnership comes on board next to our hospital, and also a new mental health hospital on that side,” said Dr. Johnny Stephens, president of the Center for Health Sciences. “That growth alone will allow us to add 100 new residency slots, especially in Northeast Oklahoma and Tulsa. That growth will be massive.”
With more physicians and high-income graduate students entering the community, Dr. Stephens also said Oklahoma will see new growth in the biotech industry, pharmaceutical manufacturing and pharmaceutical discoveries over the next decade.
As the OSU-CHS community celebrates 50 years of service, Dr. Stephens that the mission of the College of Osteopathic Medicine remains the same as when it was founded in 1972: to educate primary care providers for rural and underserved Oklahoma.
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