Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health

09/23/2025

When 4-year-old Tilli Estes took a tumble off the couch during playtime, she developed a sore back. Over the next week, the pain worsened and spiraled into unexplained fevers. Patricia, Tilli’s mom, took her to the doctor. Her symptoms were written off as bruising, though bloodwork revealed that little Tilli had anemia. However, when Tilli’s temperature skyrocketed, Patricia took her straight to the emergency room. It was there that she was given the diagnosis — Tilli had acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

When 4-year-old Tilli Estes was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, her family turned to Oklahoma Children’s OU Health for expert care and support. After two years of treatment, Tilli rang the bell to celebrate her recovery—marking a journey of courage, compassion, and hope.

09/21/2025

Oklahoma Children's OU Health Jimmy Everest Center provides whole-person care, including pediatric psychosocial services. Led by Carrick Carter, Psy.D, director of psychosocial services for pediatric hematology/oncology, the Jimmy Everest venter psychosocial team provides care guided by the national Standards for Psychosocial Care for Children with Cancer and their Families.

During the 2024 Society of Pediatric Psychologists Annual Convention, Dr. Carter was awarded the Carolyn S. Schroeder Award for Outstanding Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, which is the highest clinical honor for a pediatric psychologist in the American Psychological Association (APA).

09/19/2025

Oklahoma Children’s OU Health is proud to announce a groundbreaking public-private initiative to build a state-of-the art pediatric heart hospital at Oklahoma Children’s. Made possible by a transformative $20 million gift from the Presbyterian Health Foundation — the largest commitment in the foundation’s history. Together, we’re establishing the Oklahoma Children’s OU Health Presbyterian Health Foundation Heart Center.

This historic gift, combined with a $200 million legislative investment, will create a world-class, 200,500-square-foot facility that transforms pediatric cardiac care for children from all 77 Oklahoma counties and beyond.

As The University of Oklahoma’s academic health system, it’s our role to bring the most advanced research-driven treatment, innovation, and hope directly to Oklahoma families. The Oklahoma Children’s OU Health Presbyterian Health Foundation Heart Center ensures every child has access to world-class cardiac care close to home.

Together, we’re not just building a facility — we’re changing lives for generations to come.

Learn more: https://www.ouhealth.com/blog/2025/september/presbyterian-health-foundation-announces-histori/

09/17/2025

From childhood cancer patient to pediatric oncology nurse — Kelsey’s story comes full circle at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health.

Kelsey Warkentin started her fight against cancer at four years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Her treatment journey took her from Tennessee to the Jimmy Everest Center at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, but one thing stayed constant: joy in the hardest moments.

“My nurses tried to make the hard times fun and that shaped what I wanted to be,” Kelsey said. “At 8-years-old I knew I wanted to be a nurse.”

Kelsey endured more than two years of chemotherapy and cranial radiation. She looks back at that experience to connect with her patients as she now serves as an oncology nurse at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, in the same place she treated as a patient herself.

“My mom always encouraged me and said I'd be a great nurse," Kelsey said. “It's a way of giving back for the care I received and to love on our patients in some of the worst circumstances."

Kelsey’s cancer diagnosis changed everything for her and her family. Once a patient and now a survivor, she’s come full circle. Today, as a nurse, she brings hope and comfort to children facing cancer, just like her nurses did for her.

“I try to be a positive light,” she says. “The appointments aren’t fun — but I try to make them fun.”

09/15/2025

OU Health is Never Done. Never Outdone.

OU Health is Oklahoma’s healthcare powerhouse — the flagship academic health system of The University of Oklahoma, where teaching, research, and patient care come together to transform lives. Thousands of care givers, researchers, and students work as one to fight disease, search for cures, and change outcomes for all Oklahomans. This is a promise to all 77 counties.

OU Health is changing lives through discovery and healing because no one should have to leave the state to receive exceptional care. This is where breakthroughs are born, where tomorrow is possible, and where cures are for everyone. OU Health is here for every Oklahoman who asks, “What do I do now?” Because when others say, “Too late,” we say, “Let’s go.”

Learn more about our mission at OUHealth.com/NeverDone

09/12/2025

Today on National Video Game 🎮 Day we're celebrating our patient technology program under Child Life, Integrative and Creative Care. Led by our specialist Chris, this program offers fun technology as a way of positive coping and normalization for our patients while they are staying in the hospital. The program includes VR, gaming, closed circuit TV programming, live bingo, production shows and more.

🌟So, take some time to play a video game, put your VR headset on, or play bingo this week and celebrate with us!

➡️➡️Fun Fact: Our Patient Technology Program started in 2020 through the support of Child's Play, an organization that supports gaming and technology programming across the globe.

09/10/2025

When 6-year-old Michael came home with a fever, his family never imagined it would lead to a leukemia diagnosis. Thanks to the expert care at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Jimmy Everest, Michael began treatment within 24 hours — and today, he’s thriving. 💪💙

From chemotherapy to physical therapy, Michael’s journey is a powerful reminder of resilience, strength, and the impact of compassionate care.

📖 Read Michael's story: https://brnw.ch/21wVDDe

09/08/2025

🎉 Join us in celebrating 30 years of making a difference at the Oklahoma Children's OU Health Jimmy Everest Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Children!

On Sept. 9 from 10-11:30 a.m., all are welcome to attend the State of Pediatric Cancer in the Samis Family Education Center at Oklahoma Children's. You'll have the opportunity to hear clinical and research updates from Jimmy Everest Center leaders and hear more about the inspiring work that is done there.

Let’s honor the past and look forward to a brighter future for Oklahoma children fighting cancer! 🌟 Got questions? Shoot us an email at Giving@OUHealth.com! 📨✨

09/08/2025

First haircut? Nailed it. ✂️💙

Even in the hospital, life’s big moments still happen. Bennie got his very first haircut during his stay in the PICU’s transitional care unit, thanks to Barbereyes Uptown Parlor who brought their skills — and heart — right to the bedside. At Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, we’re proud to support moments like these, because childhood doesn’t stop at the hospital doors.

09/07/2025

After nearly seven years of service, Ned, our beloved facility therapy dog, has officially retired. Ned has touched the lives of thousands of patients and families and lifted the spirits of our staff every step of the way. We are fur-ever grateful for his service! 🎾🐾

09/06/2025

What a fantastic way to kick off the Oklahoma Football season! We're excited to once again team up with Flogistix by Flowco for their Takeaways for Tots program. Every time our defense turns the ball over during Oklahoma Sooners home football games, they help us score big with a donation to Oklahoma Children's OU Health. A big shoutout to FlowCo for their generous support — together, we're making a difference!

09/04/2025

National Dog Day was Aug. 26 — and we celebrated our facility dogs at Oklahoma Children's. These dogs are more than just cute faces; they have a job to make a hospital stay or clinic visit a little bit easier.

Our facility dog program, Paws for Purpose, started in 2017 with our first dog, Targa. Since then, we've had seven facility dogs, with three currently working full-time: Churro, Prince, and Duchess. These incredible dogs are trained from birth to 18 months old to work in a hospital setting. They work 40 hours a week alongside their handlers to help patients achieve their clinical goals — which could include motivating patients to move, distracting during procedures, education of diagnosis/equipment, pain management, anxiety reduction, emotional, family, and staff support.

If you'd like to help us continue making a difference in the lives of our patients, please consider making a donation to this amazing program here: https://brnw.ch/21wVteL