Oklahoma City will soon be home to a $220 million pediatric heart center that leaders say will transform the delivery of children’s cardiac care across the state.
Officials announced that the new 200,500-square-foot facility will rise at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, funded by $200 million in state appropriations and a $20 million gift from the Presbyterian Health Foundation (PHF). The contribution marks the largest in PHF’s 40-year history.
The facility will carry the name The Oklahoma Children’s OU Health Presbyterian Health Foundation Heart Center, reflecting the partnership between state leaders, OU Health, and philanthropic supporters.
Presbyterian Health Foundation Chairman Tom Gray said the project represents a milestone for Oklahoma families.
“This entire project embodies the very heart of our mission,” Gray said. “It will drive cutting-edge research, deliver lifesaving pediatric heart care to children and families, elevate the entire Oklahoma Children’s system, and strengthen a proven center of excellence that is transforming patient outcomes in remarkable ways.”
Currently, many Oklahoma families are forced to travel out of state for advanced pediatric heart care. Officials hope the new Heart Center will change that, creating a destination for care that serves all 77 Oklahoma counties.
The new hospital wing will consolidate cardiac services currently scattered across multiple departments into a single location designed for patients, families, and care teams.
Plans call for:
OU Health President and CEO Dr. Richard Lofgren emphasized the impact on families.
“No child should have to leave Oklahoma to receive the highest level of cardiac care,” Lofgren said. “The investment from PHF and our Legislature helps us propel Oklahoma Children’s as a true destination for pediatric heart care where expertise, compassion and innovation converge to give every child the best chance at life, right here at home.”
Oklahoma Children’s OU Health is already recognized among the top 50 best hospitals for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report. It is one of only nine programs in the U.S. with a “very high survival” rating, performing more than 500 heart surgeries annually and serving over 15,000 pediatric cardiology patients each year.
University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz called the new project a model of partnership.
“The power of partnership to achieve something truly extraordinary,” Harroz said, describing the joint efforts of state lawmakers, private philanthropy, and the university’s medical leadership.
OU Health officials said schematic design will begin in 2026, followed by construction starting in 2027. The Heart Center is projected to open its doors in early 2030.
The new facility also comes as Oklahoma looks to expand its position as a hub for advanced medical research. Leaders say the investment will attract top medical talent, support groundbreaking studies, and help keep families together when facing the most difficult diagnoses.
As Tom Gray of PHF noted, the project is about more than bricks and mortar. “It will drive cutting-edge research, deliver lifesaving pediatric heart care to children and families … and strengthen a proven center of excellence that is transforming patient outcomes in remarkable ways.”
Originally reported by Jessie Christopher Smith in The Oklahoman.
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