Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health

03/27/2026

Oklahoma Children’s OU Health is home to the largest child life team in the state — with 20+ certified child life specialists and two full‑time child life assistants dedicated to supporting kids and families

In honor of Child Life Month, we’re celebrating these incredible team members and the difference they make for children and families every day!

From play and age‑appropriate education to preparing children for medical experiences and providing comfort during procedures, child life specialists help reduce stress, build coping skills, and support emotional well‑being during hospitalization.

Please join us in celebrating our child life specialists and thanking them for the compassion, creativity and care they bring to every child’s journey. 🎉

03/24/2026

Oklahoma Children's OU Health is proud to serve as the official sponsor of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Kids Marathon and to continue our partnership with the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum to inspire Oklahomans of all ages to get up and move with purpose.

This month, we joined in on two incredible Kids Marathon rallies at Piedmont Elementary and Earlywine Elementary, where our Oklahoma Children’s Vice President of Operations, Damian Pardue, helped fire up the students, including our Oklahoma Children's Race Ambassador, Ross Helms, as they prepare for race day. Big thanks to Chick-fil-A for joining in the fun and encouragement.

From one step to one mile to one powerful moment of inspiration, we’re honored to support Oklahoma’s next generation as they move toward a healthier tomorrow. Let’s keep moving, Oklahoma!

03/24/2026

When Steffany and Ryan Decker learned they were expecting, it came as a complete surprise, and even more astonishing was the news that they were having twins.

At 29 weeks, Steffany went into sudden preterm labor on Mother’s Day 2025, delivering Everly and Haisley in Lawton. Each weighing just over 2 pounds, the babies were stabilized by a neonatal specialist before being transported to Oklahoma Children’s OU Health by Air Kids One for the highest level of care.

In our Level IV NICU, Everly and Haisley received immediate respiratory support and help with feeding, growth, and the common challenges that come with premature birth. Everly faced additional complications, but thanks to close monitoring and early treatment, she recovered without surgery. Both girls grew stronger through weeks of specialized, family-centered care.

For 71 days, the NICU became the Deckers’ second home. Steffany stayed at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City while she and Ryan built meaningful relationships with the nurses, residents, and doctors who supported them through every high and low. The care team celebrated milestones, answered every question, and made the family feel seen, encouraged, and understood.

By mid-July, both babies were thriving and ready to go home. Today, Everly and Haisley are 9 months old, healthy, and full of joy!

Their journey is a testament to their strength and the expert care provided at Oklahoma Children’s Level IV NICU. Let the Deckers’ story be a reminder that with dedicated specialists and compassionate support, even the smallest fighters can grow, heal, and flourish!

03/20/2026

In honor of the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapies Associations ​Creative Arts Therapies Week, we are celebrating our expressive therapies — music, art and dance/movement therapies. 🎹🎨🩰

Our licensed, board-certified therapists use evidence-based techniques to support our patients’ clinical goals while bringing creativity, connection, and joy to the healing process!

03/19/2026

Eight‑year‑old Keaton became the first boy in Oklahoma to receive a new fertility preservation procedure at OU Health, giving young male cancer patients hope for the future.

The procedure is called testicular tissue preservation. It is offered to young boys who have not yet reached puberty and do not have other ways to protect their future fertility before cancer treatment begins.

During the procedure, doctors safely remove a small piece of tissue while the child is under anesthesia. That tissue is frozen and stored so it may be used in the future as science continues to advance.

This care gives children like Keaton hope — not just for today — but for the life they may one day build beyond cancer.

OU Health is the first health system in Oklahoma to offer testicular tissue preservation for prepubescent boys facing cancer treatments that could affect their future fertility.

03/18/2026

After 726 days in the hospital, nearly two-year-old Fable Potter is finally home — a milestone her family once only hoped for.

Diagnosed before birth with a rare and complex heart defect, she underwent multiple high‑risk surgeries and later received a lifesaving heart transplant after more than a year and a half on the waitlist. Now thriving, she’s saying her first word (“mama”) and making developmental gains like crawling and eating on her own.

Dr. Harold Burkhart pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon and chief of pediatric cardiac surgery at The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, shared that Fable’s journey reflects the experiences of roughly 500 Oklahoma children born each year with cardiac anomalies who rely on specialized pediatric heart care.

Plans are underway for a new state‑of‑the‑art pediatric heart center, designed to bring future patients and families even more support.

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — OU Children’s Hospital is sharing the story of Fable for American Heart Month. Fable finally got to go home for the first time after 726 days in the hospital.…

03/17/2026

✨ Last week was nothing short of groovy! ✨

Our Child Life and Integrative Care team hosted the annual prom for our chronic patient populations, and this year’s disco theme had everyone shining under the shimmering lights! Kiddos and their families danced the night away, surrounded by glittering decor, funky tunes, and plenty of sparkle to go around. 🪩💫

A massive thank you to Junior League of Oklahoma City for helping us bring this disco dream to life by providing:
✨ Dazzling décor by Mood Party Rentals, Kiddie Academy, and Impressions Printing OKC that transformed our spaces into a retro dance haven
👗 Stylish outfits and accessories provided by Bella Bridesmaids, The Formal Niche Bridal & Formal, and Kendra Scott
💄 Glam opportunities including hair, makeup and nails by SP Hair Company and Mid-America Technology Center - Wayne, Oklahoma
🍽️ Delicious bites and snacks
… and so much more, all creating an unforgettable night of joy and celebration for patients and families!

We’d also like to thank our incredible community partners:
🍦 Wondervan Pops and Crumbl for the treats
🎁 Mighty Miller for some super cozy blankets!
🎶 MoPro Entertainment for bringing the tunes
🔴⚪️ OU Pom Squad for bringing their moves to our dance floor

A heartfelt shoutout to all of our amazing volunteers. Your kindness, energy and dedication helped make this night shine bright. 💖🪩

03/16/2026

Healthy habits start early. 🏃🏻

Dr. Michael Steiner, Chair of Pediatrics at The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and physician-in-chief at Oklahoma Children’s OU Health, recently joined the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Run to Remember podcast to discuss the importance of movement, prevention and building healthy habits early in life.

As the new sponsor of the OKC Kids Marathon, Oklahoma Children’s is proud to support programs that encourage kids to stay active and discover the joy of moving their bodies. Through initiatives like the Kids Marathon, children learn more than just how to run — they build confidence, set goals and develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

Daily movement doesn’t just strengthen young bodies. It helps build a foundation for healthier futures across Oklahoma.

🎧 Tune in to hear Dr. Steiner share why prevention and staying active are some of the best investments we can make in the health of our children: https://brnw.ch/21x0Mt0

03/15/2026

With measles cases rising nationwide, Dr. Donna Tyungu, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Oklahoma Children’s OU Health is reminding Oklahoma City Public Schools parents about the serious risks for unvaccinated children.

Measles spreads quickly in schools, and unvaccinated children can become infected within hours of exposure.

Dr. Tyungu supports the school’s efforts to protect students — explaining that children with suspected or confirmed measles must stay home while contagious, and unvaccinated students may need to remain home for up to 21 days following exposure. She encourages parents to talk with their child’s healthcare provider to understand the risks and stay informed.

Amid rising measles cases, Oklahoma City Public Schools is letting parents of unvaccinated students know their children may need to be kept home if they’re exposed to the virus.

03/14/2026

As seasonal stomach viruses continue to circulate, doctors are reminding parents to watch for symptoms of viral gastrointestinal illnesses like norovirus, sapovirus and adenovirus.

Common signs include vomiting and diarrhea, which can spread easily through close contact and poor hand hygiene.

While most cases can be managed at home, it’s important to watch for signs of dehydration or worsening symptoms. If your child’s illness lasts longer than three to four days or seems to get worse, seek medical care promptly.

💧 Tip from Oklahoma Children's OU Health emergency medicine physician Dr. Max Brookman: Frequent handwashing is one of the best ways to protect your family and stop germs from spreading.

With winter GI illnesses increasing, experts from Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health explain dehydration warning signs and when parents should seek medical care for vomiting and diarrhea in children.

03/13/2026

We were honored to welcome Oklahoma First Lady Sarah Stitt to the Oklahoma Children’s OU Health Behavioral Health Center construction site. A longtime advocate for children’s mental health and honorary chair of the center’s campaign committee, First Lady Stitt is helping bring attention to the urgent mental health needs facing Oklahoma’s children and the care this center will provide.

Mental health challenges are among the most pressing and under‑addressed issues affecting children today. One in five children nationwide experiences a significant mental health condition, and in Oklahoma, su***de remains a leading cause of death among youth ages 10–24.

Opening in December 2026, the Behavioral Health Center will be the state’s first comprehensive pediatric behavioral health center. By expanding access to advanced, family‑centered care, OU Health is working to ensure every child in Oklahoma has the support they need, when they need it most.

Learn more about our state‑of‑the‑art Behavioral Health Center and how to support mental health care for Oklahoma’s children: giving.ouhealth.com/bhc

03/11/2026

During a routine ultrasound, Dillon and Jazzlynn Noland learned their baby, Axel, had a brain bleed caused by congenital cytomegalovirus, a viral infection that can severely impact a baby’s hearing, development, and overall health. After birth, Axel spent time in the Oklahoma Children’s OU Health NICU, where early testing revealed significant hearing loss along with additional challenges, including seizures, cerebral palsy, vision processing difficulties, and feeding issues.

As Axel grew, his remaining hearing continued to decline, and traditional hearing aids were no longer enough. His care team at Oklahoma Children’s, including pediatric otolaryngologist Dr. Vikram Ramjee and pediatric audiologist Dr. Natalie Dixon, recommended bilateral cochlear implants to help restore his access to sound.

At age 3, Axel underwent cochlear implant surgery, a precise, hours‑long procedure designed to give children like him the opportunity to connect with the world in a new way.

Today, Axel is experiencing sound again with the support of his OU Health specialists. His journey is a powerful reminder of the impact of early detection, advanced technology, and compassionate, multidisciplinary care.

At Oklahoma Children’s, we are proud to help kids like Axel discover brighter futures through dedicated expertise and family‑centered support.