Hospitals In Tulsa: A Comprehensive Overview

how many hospitals are in tulsa ok

Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a rich history of medical facilities dating back to the early 1900s. Over the years, Tulsa has been home to numerous hospitals, each playing a vital role in serving the healthcare needs of the community. From the early days of the Tulsa Hospital to the more recent recognition of Saint Francis as one of the top health systems in the nation, Tulsa's healthcare landscape has evolved to meet the growing and changing needs of its residents. With a range of hospitals specialising in different areas, Tulsa continues to prioritise the health and well-being of its citizens, ensuring access to quality healthcare services.

Characteristics Values
Number of Hospitals in Tulsa, OK At least 8
Names of Hospitals St. Johns Hospital, Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital, Tulsa Clinic Hospital, Byrne Memorial Hospital, Tulsa General Hospital, Tulsa Regional Medical Center, Morningside Hospital, Flower Hospital, City of Faith Hospital, Oklahoma Surgical Hospital, Ascension St. John Sapulpa Hospital, Bailey Medical Center, Brookhaven Hospital, Children's Hospital at Saint Francis, Claremore Indian Hospital, Cleveland Area Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital
Notable Characteristics Saint Francis Hospital is the 11th largest hospital in the US with 1100 beds, including a 162-bed Children's Hospital with the region's only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, a 168-bed heart hospital, and Tulsa's leading trauma and emergency center

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Saint Francis Hospital: Tulsa's leading trauma centre and Oklahoma's best hospital

Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a rich history of medical facilities dating back to the early 1900s. The city has witnessed the rise and fall of various hospitals, each playing a significant role in the healthcare of its residents. One hospital that stands out among the rest is Saint Francis Hospital, a leading trauma centre and Oklahoma's best hospital.

Saint Francis Hospital is a prominent healthcare institution in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and serves as the anchor of the Saint Francis Health System. With 1,100 beds, it is the 11th largest hospital in the United States, offering a wide range of comprehensive healthcare services. The hospital's commitment to excellence has been recognised by Premier's Pink AI, which ranked it among the 15 Top Health Systems in the nation in 2024.

One of Saint Francis Hospital's most notable features is its Trauma Emergency Center (TEC). This centre has a long-standing reputation for delivering exceptional emergency care to individuals facing life-threatening situations. Designated as a Level II Trauma Center by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the TEC operates 24/7 with a dedicated team of highly trained emergency professionals. The centre is equipped to handle a wide range of emergencies, including acute stroke care and endovascular stroke services, supported by a stroke response team.

The Saint Francis Health System extends beyond the main hospital in Tulsa. It includes several other hospitals and clinics across eastern Oklahoma, such as Saint Francis Hospital South, Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, Saint Francis Hospital Vinita, Saint Francis Glenpool, and the Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital. Each of these facilities plays a crucial role in providing quality healthcare to the communities they serve. Saint Francis Hospital South, for example, offers a range of medical and surgical services, including family-friendly labour and delivery, imaging, orthopaedics, and emergency care.

The history of Saint Francis Hospital is intertwined with Tulsa's medical past. The hospital has expanded and evolved to meet the changing healthcare needs of the community. With its state-of-the-art facilities, renowned medical staff, and dedication to patient-centred care, Saint Francis Hospital has solidified its reputation as Tulsa's leading trauma centre and Oklahoma's best hospital. The hospital's commitment to innovation and comprehensive care ensures that it remains at the forefront of healthcare in the region.

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Tulsa's hospitals history: From smallpox epidemics to the flu epidemic of 1918

Tulsa's first hospital was established in 1900 in response to a smallpox epidemic. Dr Fred S. Clinton, a pioneer Oklahoma surgeon, and four other prominent Tulsans set up a temporary hospital in a six-room cottage near Archer Avenue and Greenwood Street. More than 50 people were isolated there at one time. After the epidemic passed, the hospital was converted for general use, and one room was used as a surgery. However, it closed after just one year of operation, leaving Tulsa without a hospital for the next five years.

Dr Clinton was tireless in his campaign for a new hospital, holding town meetings and giving speeches for five years. In 1905, he helped develop the famous Glenn Pool in Red Fork, an oil discovery that put Oklahoma at the centre of the petroleum industry. Finally, in 1906, his efforts paid off, and the Tulsa Hospital Association was incorporated. The Tulsa Hospital opened in a two-and-a-half-story residence at North Cheyenne and Golden streets. In December 1906, it moved to an unfinished ten-room building at the corner of West 5th and Lawton streets. The hospital had 40 beds, a private ambulance, long-distance telephone service, and was located on a street car line. The first nursing school in Tulsa was established at the hospital under the direction of Mrs Henrietta Ziegler, who became a fixture of Tulsa nursing circles. The first class of four nurses graduated in 1910.

In 1915, Dr Clinton helped establish the Oklahoma Hospital at West 9th Street and Jackson Avenue. The Tulsa Hospital declined after the construction of St. Johns Hospital in the 1920s and was eventually converted into a facility for treating nervous and mental disorders. In 1943, it was purchased by osteopathic physicians and became the 200-bed Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital.

In 1918, Tulsa faced another health crisis with the flu epidemic. The Morningside Hospital was created in response and began in a brick building at 512 North Boulder Avenue. After the epidemic, additional funds were raised to remodel and better equip the hospital, which soon became one of the city's leading institutions.

Today, Tulsa boasts several modern hospitals, including the Saint Francis Hospital, which is the 11th largest hospital in the United States, offering a wide range of specialised care to its residents.

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Tulsa Regional Medical Centre: Non-profit, formerly Tulsa General Hospital

Tulsa Regional Medical Centre, formerly known as Tulsa General Hospital, is a non-profit healthcare facility located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The hospital has undergone several name changes and ownership transfers throughout its history, reflecting the dynamic nature of the healthcare landscape in Tulsa.

The roots of Tulsa Regional Medical Centre can be traced back to the early 20th century. In the 1920s, Tulsa Hospital declined following the establishment of St. Johns Hospital. Tulsa Hospital was eventually converted into a facility specialising in treating nervous and mental disorders. During this period, other hospitals, such as Morningside Hospital (established in 1918) and Flower Hospital (occupying the former Morningside building from 1925 to 1941), played a significant role in meeting the healthcare needs of the Tulsa community.

In the following decades, Tulsa General Hospital, which had been known as such for several years before 1942, transitioned into a non-profit entity and was renamed Tulsa Regional Medical Center. This marked a new chapter in the hospital's history, emphasising its role in serving the regional community. In 1996, the hospital was acquired by Columbia/HCA, a for-profit company based in Nashville, Tennessee. However, this change was short-lived as the facility was sold again in 1999 to Hillcrest Medical Center, a locally owned non-profit organisation already operating another hospital in Tulsa.

The story of Tulsa Regional Medical Centre is a testament to the evolution of healthcare in the region. The hospital has adapted to the changing needs of the community, reflecting the dedication of healthcare professionals and administrators to providing quality care. Today, as a part of the Oklahoma State University Medical Center, the facility continues to play a vital role in delivering healthcare services, teaching and training the next generation of physicians, and contributing to medical advancements in Tulsa and beyond.

Oklahoma State University Medical Center, often abbreviated as OSU Medical Center or OSUMC, is a public teaching hospital that provides a comprehensive range of medical services. It is the largest osteopathic teaching centre in the United States, training an impressive number of resident physicians annually. The hospital operates various residency and fellowship programmes, including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and many other specialities.

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Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital: Tulsa's first osteopathic hospital, opened in 1924

Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a rich history of medical institutions, with many hospitals having opened and closed over the years. One notable hospital in Tulsa's history is the Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital, which was Tulsa's first osteopathic hospital.

The roots of Tulsa's first osteopathic hospital can be traced back to the early 20th century. In 1900, a smallpox epidemic struck Tulsa, prompting Surgeon Fred S. Clinton and a group of local businessmen to establish a temporary hospital for contagious patients. This hospital closed after the epidemic subsided, but it highlighted the need for a permanent medical facility in the growing city.

In 1924, Tulsa's first osteopathic hospital opened its doors as the Tulsa Clinic Hospital, founded by C.D. Heasley. The original location was at 14th and Peoria Ave., but it soon moved to a converted 25-bed apartment building at 1321 South Peoria. Over the years, the hospital changed hands and was renamed a few times, operating as the Byrne Memorial Hospital before a group of osteopathic physicians purchased it in 1943, renaming it the Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital.

The Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital faced financial challenges from the start, with physicians paying a $5 fee for every patient admitted to sustain operations. Despite these challenges, the hospital was well-utilized, delivering 215 babies in its first five months and seeing a patient load of 1,030 by 1948. To accommodate the growing demand, the hospital underwent decades of expansion and renovation, adding new surgical operating rooms, recovery rooms, laboratories, and X-ray and emergency room facilities.

The hospital continued to evolve and adapt to meet the healthcare needs of Tulsa's residents, eventually becoming known as the Tulsa Regional Medical Center. Today, Tulsa boasts a range of medical facilities, including the highly regarded Saint Francis Hospital, but the legacy of Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital, Tulsa's first osteopathic hospital, remains an important chapter in the city's healthcare history.

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Defunct hospitals: City of Faith Hospital and Flower Hospital, which closed in 1941 and 1989, respectively

Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a rich history of medical facilities, some of which have played significant roles during times of epidemics and have contributed to advancements in healthcare for the region. Over the years, several hospitals have been established, some of which have eventually closed down. Among these defunct hospitals are the City of Faith Hospital and Flower Hospital, which closed their doors in 1989 and 1941, respectively.

Flower Hospital (1925-1941):

Flower Hospital was located at 512 North Boulder, occupying the same building that once housed the Morningside Hospital. Morningside Hospital was established in 1918 during an influenza epidemic, and it quickly became a leading institution in the city, attracting young physicians. After the epidemic, additional funds were raised to remodel and better equip the hospital, increasing its capacity to 80 beds by 1923-1924. In 1925, the hospital was renamed Flower Hospital and continued to serve the community until its closure in 1941. Following its closure, the building was remodelled and used by the Tulsa County Health Department.

City of Faith Hospital (1981-1989):

The City of Faith Hospital, founded by preacher Oral Roberts, was a three-tower hospital that served as a teaching hospital, research facility, and home to the ORU Medical School. Despite its ambitious beginnings, the hospital encountered financial difficulties, with costs spiralling out of control. By 1986, the hospital was losing over $10 million per year, and in 1987, Roberts made a public plea for $8 million in donations to keep the hospital afloat. While the donation goal was met, it wasn't enough to save the hospital. In 1989, just eight years after it opened, the City of Faith Hospital closed down with $25 million in debt. The buildings, now known as the Cityplex Towers, have been largely converted to commercial office space.

The closure of these hospitals, particularly the City of Faith Hospital, highlights the challenges that medical facilities can face, whether due to financial constraints or changes in the healthcare landscape. Despite these closures, Tulsa continues to be served by several prominent hospitals, such as Saint Francis Hospital, which was ranked the best hospital in Oklahoma in 2024, and other renowned medical centres that provide quality healthcare to the region.

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