Enhanced Cancer Treatment Coming to Tulsa Thanks to Generous $10 Million Gift

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center has received a generous $10 million gift from Jim Norton and his family to support its expansion to the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. This donation will help establish a state-of-the-art facility, bringing advanced cancer care and clinical trials closer to home for residents of northeastern Oklahoma.

This expansion honors the memory of Jim and Ronda Norton’s late daughter, Melanie Elizabeth Norton Cheek, by providing accessible, high-quality cancer treatment to more Oklahomans. In April 2023, Melanie passed away from cervical cancer. Jim attributes the four years she lived, instead of the one year they were told, to the excellent multidisciplinary care she received at OU Health.

Jim Norton expressed his gratitude for the care his daughter received and hopes this gift will inspire others to support the cause. The new facility will make it easier for patients to receive care and screenings, improving early diagnosis and survival rates. The center's expansion to Tulsa, announced in spring 2024, fulfills a longstanding goal for OU Health and the Stephenson Family. The Tulsa expansion is a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders like the Cherokee Nation and the Oklahoma Legislature, aiming to enhance cancer care in the region.

Overall, this significant investment will positively impact patient care by reducing barriers to advanced cancer care and treatment, making them more accessible and convenient. This will improve outcomes and quality of life for many Oklahomans. The Norton’s gift supports the importance of the clinical, research, and educational missions of OU Health and the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

Read more from The University of Oklahoma about the Norton’s gift.

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center Receives $10 Million Gift to Support Expansion to Tulsa