Tulsa veterans hospital to be named James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Media Contact: Sara Plummer | Communications Coordinator | 918-561-1282 | sara.plummer@okstate.edu
The much-anticipated new veterans hospital in downtown Tulsa will officially bear the name of one of Oklahoma’s most ardent supporters of U.S. men and women in uniform.
The James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center will honor the legacy of the late Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, whose unwavering support of the U.S. military, veterans and their families was a hallmark of his public service career. Legislation introduced by senators James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin and Congressman Kevin Hern passed overwhelmingly Tuesday in both houses of Congress to officially give the hospital this new name.
Construction of the hospital is a public-private partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs, Oklahoma State University and The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation.
Strong support has also been provided by the state of Oklahoma, Tulsa County, city of Tulsa and private philanthropy. Notably, the new veterans hospital was one of the first projects in the nation to utilize federal CHIP-IN Act funding, supported by Inhofe.
The act authorizes the VA to form a public-private partnership for expedited construction of its health care facilities. Local developers will turn ownership of the constructed facility over to the VA in fall 2025. It will then be outfitted and staffed for operational opening in early 2026.
“A U.S. Army veteran, Sen. Inhofe always ensured America’s armed service members were taken care of, both during and after their service. His steadfast support of the new veterans hospital in Tulsa proves his level of dedication and why the facility will soon bear his name. The example of his leadership will be an inspiration for generations to come.”
“My respect and admiration for Sen. Jim Inhofe is immeasurable,” said Dr. Kayse Shrum, Oklahoma State University president. “A U.S. Army veteran, Sen. Inhofe always ensured America’s armed service members were taken care of, both during and after their service. His steadfast support of the new veterans hospital in Tulsa proves his level of dedication and why the facility will soon bear his name. The example of his leadership will be an inspiration for generations to come.”
The 319,000-square-foot, 58-bed medical-surgical hospital will bring a new level of care for the more than 65,000 veterans who live in and near the Tulsa area. Situated downtown in the OSU Academic Medical District alongside the new Oklahoma Psychiatric Care Center and the OSU Medical Center, the James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center will offer a seamless continuity of veteran care not seen before in Oklahoma.
“Without a doubt, the support of Sen. Jim Inhofe was instrumental in making Tulsa’s new veterans hospital a reality, and it’s only fitting that we will honor him in the facility's name,” said Dr. Johnny Stephens, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences president. “He leaves a long-lasting imprint on the city of Tulsa, our state and nation, and the health of Oklahomans is better today because of his tireless dedication.“
It’s almost unheard of to have state, city, county, federal and private donor support in one project,” VHiT LLC Director Courtney Knoblock said. “But, as the team worked to secure that local support for this enormous project, the planning leadership simply had to describe Sen. Inhofe’s commitment to bring this hospital to Tulsa. Once people heard Sen. Inhofe was behind it, they absolutely knew it would happen.”
Northeast Oklahoma is currently home to more than 115,000 veterans, and an estimated two-thirds live close to Tulsa. In addition to serving more veterans, a hospital in Tulsa will reduce driving time significantly for a majority of veterans and would give access to a broader array of social services.