Dear Colleagues,
The work of an academic health system is a sacred mission. It’s one that touches the lives of people in their most vulnerable moments, daring to offer options and hope when few others can. For the last five years under the leadership of OU Health President and CEO Dr. Richard Lofgren, we have seen the transformational role our academic health system has played in lifting the health of our state. Today, I write to share the important news that this morning, OU Health Board Chair and OU Regent Rainey Williams, Jr. announced Dr. Lofgren’s retirement at the conclusion of this fiscal year on June 30, 2026. Through an intentional and deliberate succession planning process, the OU Health Board of Directors has selected Jonathan Curtright – who currently serves as OU Health’s Chief Operating Officer – as the next President and CEO, effective July 1, 2026. I encourage you to read the attached full message from Regent Williams for more detail on this important transition.
When Dr. Lofgren was selected to lead OU Health in 2022, our newly formed health system stood at a pivotal juncture. What has followed has been remarkable – not simply in growth, but in the role OU Health plays in the lives of Oklahomans. In a short period of time, OU Health’s annual revenue has skyrocketed from $1.9 billion and is trending toward $3.6 billion. This incredible performance has translated into measurable impact: increased support to the university, 24% growth in health student enrollment over the past five years, national research distinction that places the OU Health Campus among the top 2% of medical schools and centers recognized by the Carnegie Foundation, and expanded access to complex specialty care across our state. Through dollars recirculated through the health system in mission support, we are fueling education and discovery like we never have before – relentlessly seeking answers to complex medical challenges and strengthening Oklahoma’s health workforce. OU Health is fundamentally reshaping the delivery of care in our state in ways no other health system can – establishing a stronger, more coordinated statewide system designed not simply for growth, but for durability and long-term impact. The transformation underway is measurable not only in scale, but in its tangible and lasting benefit to communities across Oklahoma.
As Oklahoma’s flagship academic health system, OU Health carries a distinct responsibility. We do more than provide care. We educate. We innovate. We discover. The intentional alignment between our academic, research, and clinical missions enables us to change health outcomes across all 77 counties. This evolution has strengthened our university as a whole and reinforced our shared commitment to elevating the health and well-being of Oklahomans.
I am profoundly grateful to Dr. Lofgren for his leadership during this foundational chapter and for the team he has built across OU Health. He has left an indelible mark on not only the University of Oklahoma and OU Health, but on our state as a whole. The appointment of Jonathan Curtright ensures continued momentum and deep collaboration between the university and OU Health. I look forward to working alongside him as we build on this progress and continue serving the people of Oklahoma.
Please join me in expressing our collective appreciation to Dr. Lofgren for his exceptional service and in congratulating Jonathan as he steps into this critical role in July.
Live On, University,
Joseph Harroz, Jr.
President
