OSU-OKC Hosts Historic Groundbreaking for Oklahoma’s Largest Mental Health Hospital
Ground was ceremonially broken with shovels and confetti as the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) on Thursday celebrated groundbreaking for The Donahue, a new mental health hospital that will be located on the Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City (OSU-OKC) campus.
The groundbreaking was held at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024, in the Student Center on the OSU-OKC campus located at 900 N. Portland Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73107. Guest speakers for the event included U.S. Congresswoman Rep. Stephanie Bice, Oklahoma State Senator Roger Thompson, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, Oklahoma State Senior Vice President of Executive Affairs Kyle Wray, Dr. Donahue’s grandson Cullen Sweeney and ODMHSAS Commissioner Allie Friesen.
The new hospital will be on the OSU-OKC campus near I-44 and West Reno Ave. in Oklahoma City.
This cutting-edge facility will deliver innovative services tailored to both adults and children, encompassing comprehensive care options and facilitating seamless referrals to outpatient services. Equipped with the latest in acute care capabilities, the hospital will expand ODMHSAS’ psychiatric bed capacity and operational reach. The inclusion of an Urgent Recovery Center (URC) will ensure immediate access to vital services, providing walk-in availability to stabilization services.
More than $150 million have been invested into this state-of-the-art, 200,000-square-foot facility which represents a significant stride forward in meeting the needs of Oklahomans during their most critical moments. The five-year economic impact of the new hospital on the OKC metro is estimated at $447.5 million in job creation, taxes, emergency room costs and avoidance of other negative consequences. The OSU-OKC location was selected based on ease of access, community support and the opportunity to draw upon broader workforce development partnerships and support resources.
Donahue Behavioral Health will replace the Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman, which has been the state’s primary mental health hospital for over a century. The new hospital is named in honor of Dr. Hayden Donahue, who served as Oklahoma’s first director of mental health in 1953 and revolutionized mental illness treatment in the state.
Donahue Behavioral Health will replace the Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman, which has been the state’s primary mental health hospital for over a century. The new hospital is named in honor of Dr. Hayden Donahue, who served as Oklahoma’s first director of mental health in 1953 and revolutionized mental illness treatment in the state.
“Oklahoma State University is committed to transforming mental health care in Oklahoma,” said OSU President Dr. Kayse Shrum. “The location of this new, modern facility will provide better access for Oklahomans and advance OSU’s One Health mission to serve the state and address our most pressing needs.”
The announcement of the hospital highlights Oklahoma’s visionary progress in mental health treatment and care, made possible in part thanks to the State of Oklahoma, E.L and Thelma Gaylord Foundation, Oklahoma State University, City of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Inasmuch Foundation, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, Kirkpatrick Family Fund, Blue Cross Blue Shield OK and Arnall Family Foundation.