Welcome to the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of children through exceptional clinical care, innovative research, outstanding education, and meaningful advocacy. Every day, our faculty, advanced practice providers, trainees, researchers, and professional staff work together to improve the lives of children and families across Oklahoma and beyond.
Since joining the University of Oklahoma in December 2025 as Chair of Pediatrics and Physician-in-Chief of Oklahoma Children's, I have been inspired by the exceptional people, collaborative culture, and shared vision that define this department. From my first visit, I recognized the tremendous opportunity to build on an outstanding foundation and further strengthen everything we do!
Today, the Department of Pediatrics is the largest department in the OU College of Medicine and a cornerstone of care at Oklahoma Children's. Across our 17 divisions, more than 2250 faculty, 150 advanced practice providers, and over 300 other department members are working together to improve health. This size brings a diverse group of people who lead across all four pillars of academic pediatrics.
Clinically, Oklahoma Children's has more than 300 beds and is expanding to more than 400 beds within the next two years, with plans for nearly 500 beds within five years. Our research enterprise continues to grow and ranks among the nation's top 50 pediatric departments in National Institutes of Health funding. Our educational programs attract outstanding trainees from across the country and around the world who come to learn from exceptional educators and mentors. Our advocacy efforts strengthen our partnerships with communities and advance child health through collaboration with state and tribal leaders.
Whether you are a prospective applicant to one of our training programs, a faculty member we are recruiting, someone interested in child health, or a researcher looking for collaborators, we invite you to reach out and get to know us. OU is a great organization, Oklahoma Children's is home to nationally recognized programs, is growing rapidly, and our department will be a great professional home for you.
I feel fortunate to be here at this time, to be part of the important work our teams are doing, and eager for the incredible future in front of us. Come join us in shaping the future of children's health in Oklahoma and beyond.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Steiner, MD, MPH
Patricia Price Browne Professor and Chair of Pediatrics
Physician-in-Chief, Oklahoma Children's