Mercy, OU Health Team Up to Expand Neurosurgical Services in Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY — OU Health and Mercy in Oklahoma City have launched Mercy Clinic - Neurosurgery, a collaboration that provides patients with advanced medical and surgical treatments for disorders of the brain and spine.

OU Health’s existing practice of nine neurosurgeons have been performing surgeries and providing 24-hour neurosurgical coverage at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City since May. The opening of Mercy Clinic – Neurosurgery is a new addition to the growing relationship and will be the first clinic staffed by OU Health neurosurgeons exclusively dedicated to patient care at Mercy.

The new neurosurgery practice is located at Meinders Neuroscience Institute at Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City. OU Health neurosurgeon Dr. Nathaniel Stetson has already begun seeing patients at Mercy. A second neurosurgeon will join the clinic in the spring bringing the total number of OU Health neurosurgeons to 11.

“OU Health and Mercy have enjoyed a growing successful collaboration in caring for patients with neuroscience problems, and we are really excited to create a broader platform that will, together, elevate the care of Oklahomans. Dr. Stetson has an excellent reputation in the community, and we are delighted that he has joined the OU-Mercy team,” said Ian Dunn, M.D., Chief Physician Executive at OU Health and Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery in the OU College of Medicine.

“For years we’ve had a strong neurology program at Mercy offering the most advanced stroke treatment and an excellent movement disorders program, but the addition of two dedicated neurosurgeons helps us expand our program,” said Jim Gebhart, president of Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City. “We’re grateful to join OU Health to provide around-the-clock coverage for patients experiencing neurological trauma.”

Stetson, a board-certified neurosurgeon, brings significant expertise to Mercy Clinic - Neurosurgery. He has practiced in the Oklahoma City area for eight years. He holds memberships with the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association.

“There’s a real need in our community for additional neurosurgery offerings in the emergency and outpatient setting,” Stetson said. “Quality of life is a huge factor for these patients; we’re talking about restoring their ability to function and enjoy life again and I think this joint effort will help expand those options for many more patients.”

Stetson earned his medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, followed by an internship at Peninsula Hospital in Far Rockaway, New York, and residency training at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County in Chicago and at Northwell Health Neuroscience Institute in Manhasset, New York. He also earned a master’s in Healthcare Improvement and Innovation from The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Also joining Mercy Clinic – Neurosurgery is Jenna Taylor, an advanced practice registered nurse. The team will diagnose and treat a complete range of disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, spinal column, skull and peripheral nerves. Stetson and his colleagues have advanced training in numerous neurosurgical techniques, including complex and minimally invasive spinal surgery; skull-base surgical approaches; advanced techniques for glioma surgery; endovascular approaches for aneurysm and stroke; and many others.

Stetson and his colleagues will only see patients at Mercy but will remain on faculty and teach students at the OU College of Medicine. Plans are also underway for residents to train at Mercy.

“If we’ve learned anything as a health care community over the last year and a half it’s that we serve our community and our patients best when we work together instead of competing against each other,” said Matt Wright, chief operating officer of Mercy Clinic. “We’re leveraging the strength of OU Health with the mission of Mercy to create an even better program together.”

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OU HEALTH
OU Health is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. With 11,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Health is home to Oklahoma’s largest doctor network with a complete range of specialty care. OU Health serves Oklahoma and the region with the state’s only freestanding children’s hospital, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center. OU Health’s oncology program at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center was named Oklahoma’s top facility for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020-21 rankings. OU Health also was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as high performing in these specialties: Colon Surgery, COPD and Congestive Heart Failure. OU Health’s mission is to lead healthcare in patient care, education and research. To learn more, visit ouhealth.com.

Mercy
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems for four consecutive years by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy is one of the nation’s most highly integrated, multi-state health care systems, including more than 40 acute care, managed and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, convenient and urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has 900 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 2,400 Mercy Clinic physicians and more than 40,000 co-workers serving patients and families across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.