OU-Tulsa School of Community Medicine in Crisis: Is This the End of an Era?

The University of Oklahoma-Tulsa School of Community Medicine is grappling with some serious issues as it faces an $18 million budget deficit. Over the past few months, the school has shuttered a clinic and made the tough decision to non-renew contracts for some of its surgical teaching staff. This is alarming not just for the faculty, who are worried about the implications for medical education, but also for the community that relies on these services.

Interim Dean Dr. Boyd Burns attributes the financial woes to factors outside the school’s control, including the privatization of Medicaid in Oklahoma, which has resulted in lower reimbursement rates for health services. Without a dedicated academic hospital—something many medical schools have—it puts OU-Tulsa at a disadvantage. With a former department chair and other faculty raising the alarm about the potential loss of vital training programs, one has to wonder just how the school plans to navigate these troubled waters.

As OU-Tulsa looks to realign its operations and integrate faculty more closely with local hospitals, the hope remains that they can return to stability before fans of education are left holding on for dear life. Here’s to hoping they steer clear of further rocky patches ahead!