Oklahoma City, OK – May 1, 2025
Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health is proud to announce its partnership as an affiliate hub site in the Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN), significantly expanding the network’s reach to Region 6, which encompasses Oklahoma and its surrounding states. This strategic addition will help ensure that children across the region have access to critical care during times of health crises, such as pandemics, by enhancing pediatric preparedness and readiness in both urban and rural areas.
The PPN, which was established to strengthen the pediatric healthcare infrastructure in the U.S. by improving national pediatric preparedness and readiness, will now have a hub site in all 10 federal regions, with Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health leading the charge in Region 6. This expansion is pivotal in ensuring that children and their families have access to high-quality pediatric care, particularly in rural areas.
A key component of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health’s contribution to PPN is its expertise in caring for rural and Native populations, including Tribal communities. The hospital has long been dedicated to providing exceptional care for all populations in Oklahoma. As a regional healthcare leader, the hospital’s team is well-equipped to respond to the unique needs of rural communities and Native populations.
“As a leading health care provider in the state and region, we are honored to join the Pediatric Pandemic Network and expand our role in improving the care delivery system for children across Oklahoma and beyond. We are committed to ensuring that all children, including those in rural and Native communities, have access to lifesaving care when they need it most,” said Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Pediatric Emergency Medicine Section Chief Amanda Bogie, M.D., a professor of pediatrics in the OU College of Medicine and co-leader of the hospital’s participation in PPN.
The addition of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health to PPN marks a major step forward in the effort to build a more resilient pediatric healthcare system in the U.S. By strengthening regional care delivery, PPN will be better positioned to respond to future health crises, ensuring the health and safety of children across the nation.
“We are proud to welcome Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health to our network,” said Kevin McCulley, Chief Operating Officer, Pediatric Pandemic Network. “Their deep understanding of the healthcare needs of rural and Native populations, combined with their exceptional clinical expertise, will be an invaluable asset as we strengthen our national response to pediatric care during disasters, pandemics, and everyday emergencies.”
About Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health
At Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, pediatric staff blend years of training with education, research and technology to improve the lives of children throughout the region. The obstetric emergency room at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital is a regional referral center for the state, and the neonatal intensive care unit provides the highest level of newborn care in Oklahoma. Children’s is also home to the only 24/7 pediatric emergency room in Oklahoma City. With a family-centered approach to healing, Children’s offers resources from pet therapy to Certified Child Life specialists who help families cope with hospitalization and illness. From advanced surgical services to general pediatrics, oncology care and more, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital provides cutting-edge research and treatments through hospital-based and outpatient services.
About the Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN)
The Pediatric Pandemic Network is a national coalition of pediatric medical institutions, researchers, and public health professionals working together to improve pediatric preparedness and response to pandemics, emergencies and disasters. The PPN’s mission is to advance pediatric preparedness by improving clinical care protocols, and enhancing the overall healthcare infrastructure to protect children during public health emergencies.
For more information, please visit:
Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health
Media Contacts:
April Wilkerson
Media Specialist
University of Oklahoma
Phone: 405-271-2850
april-j-wilkerson@ouhsc.edu
Rachel Sarafin
Director of Communications
Pediatric Pandemic Network
Email: rachel.sarafin@pedspandemicnetwork.org