Oklahoma City-based OU Health is eliminating about 100 positions as part of an organizational redesign to complete the integration from its 2021 merger.
OU Health, formed through the merger of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and OU Medicine's parent organization, University Hospitals Authority and Trust, will also reconfigure an estimated 200 positions. The system said in a Jan. 6 news release the move will take the organization from a holding company to an operating company structure.
"An estimated 200 positions will be reconfigured to the new structure which integrates the organization into clinical business units led by chief administrative officers reporting to OU Health Chief Operating Officer Jonathan W. Curtright," the release states. "Approximately 100 positions will be eliminated."
Additionally, OU Health's redesign plan includes performance improvement initiatives, growth of specialty and subspecialty services, and financial stewardship measures such as temporary pauses in worker 401(k) match and a limited reduction in worker paid-time-off accrual.
System President and CEO Richard Lofgren, MD, said in the release that all of these steps are part of OU Health's strategy to complete the integration from its merger and grow and adapt to the current healthcare environment.
"We need to perform in terms of the quality of our services, patient experience, and the efficiency and effectiveness of our processes. Oklahoma needs the unique specialty and subspecialty services we provide," Dr. Lofgren said. "We are positioned with dedicated physicians and staff to fully realize our special mission of clinical care, education and research. We are committed to our role of continuing to improve the care and outcomes for the region and beyond."