OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and Norman Regional Health System proudly celebrated the grand opening of OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center at Norman Regional, a new 50,000-square-foot facility bringing medical and radiation oncology services under one roof. The center began seeing patients on June 16, 2025, and is significantly improving access to advanced, research-driven cancer care for residents of Norman and south-central Oklahoma.
The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 24,000 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in Oklahoma in 2025 — slightly higher than the state’s recent annual average of about 23,000. While the state’s overall cancer incidence is comparable to national averages, mortality rates remain alarmingly high, particularly in rural and underserved communities. In Cleveland County and south-central Oklahoma alone, more than 2,000 people are diagnosed annually, underscoring the urgent need for expanded access to high-quality, multidisciplinary care closer to home.
Located on the Norman Regional Hospital campus, the new facility leverages the expertise of OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Center, to provide increased access to patient-centered, research-driven cancer care.
“This new facility represents our mission of providing our community personalized and compassionate care,” said Norman Regional Health System President and CEO Dr. Aaron L. Boyd, M.D., MBA, FACHE. “We are thrilled to partner with OU Health to bring these advanced services to Norman. They share our passion for treating each patient as a unique and special individual. Part of that treatment is ensuring close-to-home care especially during difficult times such as a cancer diagnosis.”
University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr. highlighted the importance of expanding access to NCI-level cancer care for all Oklahomans.
“The expansion of Stephenson Cancer Center to Norman is a proud milestone in lifting the health of our state,” Harroz said. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to deliver world-class, research-driven cancer care across Oklahoma through a growing statewide network. As part of Oklahoma’s flagship academic health system, Stephenson Cancer Center is bringing advanced treatments and life-saving clinical trials closer to home – helping patients receive exceptional care while staying connected to their families and communities.”
Stephenson Cancer Center’s NCI status means patients have access to innovative, research-based treatments available nowhere else in Oklahoma, and expanding this reach across the state is one of the University of Oklahoma’s highest priorities. This growth directly supports a bold goal of OU’s Strategic Plan to reduce cancer mortality in Oklahoma by 10% over the next five years – bringing life-saving care to more communities and improving outcomes for countless families.
OU Health President and CEO Dr. Richard Lofgren, M.D., MPH, FACP, emphasized the impact of access to local care.
“No Oklahoman should ever have to leave the state to receive world-class cancer care. With the opening of this new facility, residents of Norman and south-central Oklahoma will have access to the most advanced treatments and clinical trials — right in their own community. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about delivering hope, improving outcomes, and ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care, close to home where support systems are strongest, and the impact is most profound.
The new facility doubles the capacity for infusion services, ensuring timely and efficient patient care. It also features dedicated spaces for research coordinators and nurses, enhancing patient engagement in clinical trials and enabling timely assessment for eligibility and enrollment.
For more information, visit StephensonCancerCenter.org.
