The OU Health Sciences Center is composed of seven health-related colleges located near the state capitol in Oklahoma City. Each of the colleges – Medicine Public Health, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Allied Health, and Graduate – contributes its specialized knowledge and expertise to the growing health sciences hub in central Oklahoma.

A Battelle study by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce pointed out the need for a comprehensive biosciences plan for the state if Oklahoma’s economy is to grow and thrive in this century. The OUHSC is in the midst of a five-year strategic plan that aligns with this important goal and serves as a road map for future research on its campus.

The plan targets and builds upon existing research and clinical strengths to achieve a vigorous economy and healthier future for all Oklahomans. Previous research strategies boosted total sponsored awards at the OUHSC from $10 million in 1982 to $139 million in 2009.

The strategic plan provides the impetus for equally impressive research growth in the years ahead. The key areas of research targeted are cancer, diabetes, neuroscience/vision and infectious diseases/immunology. The OUHSC already had a solid core of basic and clinical researchers in these four areas, plus the largest biomedical infrastructure in the state. Through recruitment, the OUHSC continues to grow its ranks of top researchers. The strategic plan calls for a doubling of the OUHSC total biomedical research funding and the addition of 100 faculty members. There also are $377 million of capital projects under way.