OU Health is set to acquire the Dean McGee Eye Institute to enhance eye care services and strengthen educational programs in Oklahoma.

Information on the Target

OU Health, the leading academic health system in Oklahoma, has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire the Dean McGee Eye Institute (DMEI), a renowned freestanding eye institute recognized nationally for its excellence in eye care. This acquisition will result in the formation of the OU Health Dean McGee Eye Institute, thereby strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two entities while enhancing DMEI's contributions to academic health missions and honoring its legacy in eye care research and education.

Discussions and planning for the integration of DMEI into OU Health have been conducted over several months by leaders from both organizations and the University of Oklahoma. The completion of this integration is anticipated by January 1, 2026, and will further solidify DMEI’s historical association as part of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine's Department of Ophthalmology. Pending Board of Regents approval, this department will subsequently be named the Dean McGee Department of Ophthalmology.

Industry Overview in Oklahoma

The healthcare industry in Oklahoma is continuously evolving, catering to a diverse population with varying health needs. With a strong emphasis on improving health outcomes, Oklahoma has been investing in expanding