UHAT uses federal funds responsibly to improve the lives of Oklahomans
Dr. Joseph Harroz Jr., president of OU, shakes hands with Dr. Robyn Cowperthwaite, child and adolescent psychiatrist, as he approches the podium to speak at the children's behavioral health center groundbreaking ceremony.
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Office of Management and Enterprise Services is celebrating its partners at the University Hospitals Authority and Trust (UHAT), who recently broke ground on the new Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health Behavioral Health Center in Oklahoma City and completed a third-party single audit of federal expenditures with zero findings. Both milestones indicate UHAT is using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding responsibly and with Oklahomans in mind.
“We are excited about the groundbreaking for the Behavioral Health Center and the much-needed resources this will bring Oklahomans,” said Randy Dowell, CEO of UHAT. “We are grateful for the expertise of the OMES team and for their guidance during the ARPA process.”
Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health Behavioral Health Center
In partnership with OU Health, UHAT broke ground on a new children’s behavioral health center on the downtown OU Health Campus on Nov. 1. With an estimated cost of $140.6 million, this facility is a critical step toward addressing the urgent mental health needs of Oklahoma’s children.
Speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included G. Rainey Williams Jr., J.D., who serves as president of the OU Health Board and chairman of the UHAT board; Richard Lofgren, M.D., president of and CEO of OU Health; Oklahoma First Lady Sarah Stitt, Sen. Roger Thompson; Rep. Kyle Hilbert; Robyn Cowperthwaite, M.D., child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital; and Joseph Harroz Jr., J.D., president of the University of Oklahoma.
According to Dr. Lofgren, a staggering 1 in 5 Oklahoma children suffers from a mental health condition, but many young patients require more robust care than what the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital currently offers.
As part of the Oklahoma Legislature’s concentrated effort to improve mental and behavioral health treatment options across the state, a total of $39.4 million ARPA dollars was allocated for a first-of-its-kind pediatric behavioral health center. An additional $19.8 million came from the state’s General Revenue Fund. OU Health also launched a fundraising campaign led by First Lady Sarah Stitt and former first ladies to seek private donations for this project.
The three-story, 172,775-square-foot facility is slated for completion in late 2026. When operational, the center aims to provide 72 beds for in-patient and out-patient care, giving Oklahoma families the space and support they need without having to travel to a different state.
Federal audit results
In addition to the groundbreaking, UHAT celebrated the successful completion of a federally required audit reviewing the usage of ARPA funds. The audit, completed five months in advance of federal filing deadlines and with no findings, underscores UHAT’s commitment to transparent and responsible management of federal dollars. Additionally, the agency was likely among the first in the nation to upload their schedule of expenditures of federal awards and audit results to the new federal clearing house portal.
UHAT’s proactive measures, including collaborating closely with the OMES Grants Management Office, demonstrate diligence in ensuring compliance with federal requirements. This audit success positions UHAT as a leader in responsible fiscal management and sets a high standard for other state entities using public funds to improve the lives of Oklahomans.
"The lack of audit findings speaks for itself,” said Stephanie Spencer, a grants analyst with OMES. “UHAT is using federal dollars the right way, and it's rewarding to be part of the means that made it happen."
There's still more to come. This is an incredible accomplishment for our partners at UHAT, and OMES congratulates them on responsibly utilizing ARPA dollars to serve Oklahoma's most vulnerable. For more information on the groundbreaking or the federal audit success, please contact Randy Dowell at randy-dowell@uhat.org.
About OMES
The Office of Management and Enterprise Services provides financial, property, purchasing, human resources and information technology services to all state agencies, and assists the Governor’s Office on budgetary policy matters. Our mission: Provide excellent service, expert guidance and continuous improvement in support of our partners’ goals. For more information on the agency, visit oklahoma.gov/omes. For more information on the state’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) progress, visit oklahoma.gov/arpa.
About UHAT
The University Hospitals Authority (UHA) and University Hospitals Trust (UHT), collectively (UHAT), were created to operate the University Hospitals on the Oklahoma Health Center campus in Oklahoma City and to ensure that the hospitals support the teaching and research missions of the University of Oklahoma. Together, they support the patient care, research and educational missions of various entities such as the University of Oklahoma, OU Health, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Hearts for Hearing and the Oklahoma Dental Foundation. In 1997, legislation was enacted to privatize the operations of the hospitals via the University Hospitals Trust (UHT).
OMES Media Contact
Christa Helfrey
christa.helfrey@omes.ok.gov
