Inaugural chief human resources officer selected for OU Health

After an extensive national search, Jimmy Duncan, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, has been selected as the inaugural chief human resources officer for OU Health, Oklahoma’s only integrated, comprehensive academic health system.

Duncan comes to OU Health from UC Health in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he has served as Senior Vice President/Chief Human Resources Officer since 2020. UC Health is the premier academic/research healthcare system in Cincinnati and is affiliated with the University of Cincinnati (College of Medicine and University of Cincinnati Physicians Group).

Duncan has worked extensively in human resources leadership in healthcare including Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Wellstar Health System, Tenet Healthcare Corporation and Banner Health. He will begin his role in Oklahoma City in late January. He will be responsible for developing and executing human resource strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of OU Health, specifically in the areas of talent management, total rewards, human resources operations and diversity, equity and inclusion.  

“Jimmy brings a wealth of experience to OU Health as a human resources executive in healthcare. He is uniquely qualified to take on this important role as the first-ever CHRO for the entire OU Health clinical enterprise as we focus on becoming an employer of choice statewide and nationwide. His record reflects his ability to generate transformative strategies that enhance engagement through a culture of inclusion, personal accountability and optimal operations,” said Richard Lofgren, M.D., MPH, president and CEO of OU Health. 

Duncan joins OU Health as a member of the executive team, reporting directly to Lofgren. He will have oversight of human resources for the entire healthcare enterprise and will be the first CHRO to span the newly integrated organization.

“Having a comprehensive culture and people strategic plan is an essential priority to achieving Dr. Lofgren’s vison of OU Health becoming a highly integrated, high performing academic health system for Oklahoma and the region. I am excited to join the vibrant Oklahoma community and collaboratively champion this effort with all stakeholders who support our tripartite mission of academic, research and clinical care,” said Duncan.

Duncan has a diverse background of business acumen gained from various industries including energy, healthcare, higher education, manufacturing and mining. He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in organizational management at Southern Wesleyan University. He served as adjunct professor in the School of Business at Southern Wesleyan University teaching human resources management, strategic planning, leadership development and marketing.