Here's the article...St. Francis to take on OSU medical residents
By World Staff
9/5/2008 9:09 PM
St. Francis Health System agreed Friday to take on Oklahoma State University’s medical residency program beginning July 1, 2009, to ensure the longevity of OSU’s osteopathic medical school.
But the fate of its primary teaching hospital, OSU Medical Center, is unclear.
“We are extremely pleased with this agreement,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “OSU will transition its graduate medical education programs from OSU to St. Francis, thereby making hospitals within the St. Francis Health System our new teaching sites for the majority of interns, residents and fellows.”
He said certain programs within the teaching system would not transition to St. Francis, but those details would be announced at a later date.
Rumors about the possible residency program move have been circulating for weeks. Opponents fear the move will mean the end for OSU Medical Center, an aging facility with a history of serving Tulsa’s indigent population.
Five months ago, Ardent Health Services agreed to sell the hospital for a nominal $5 million to a public trust to be set up by Oklahoma State University by June 30, 2009. The hospital and all its equipment is valued between $140 million and $150 million. Under the plan, OSU was charged with finding
a partner firm to manage the hospital but has been unable to do so.
Hargis said the residents will begin their programs July 1, 2009, the day following expiration of an agreement with Ardent Health System. Nashville-based Ardent owns Hillcrest HealthCare System, which includes OSU Medical Center.
Ardent officials were unavailable for comment Friday.
With the comic, you get the gist of what's going on politically with my hospital. Wow, I sure would like to thank the person who drew this. :)
