TULSA, Okla. — A new veterans hospital is coming to Tulsa.
More than 100 people took part in a groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning. The new hospital will stand on the extended OSU Medical Center Campus. The existing Kerr-Edmonson Buildings will be renovated into a 275,000 square foot building that will house a 58-bed hospital for veterans.
The project is named Veterans Hospital in Tulsa, also known as VHitT. The federal government, the state of Oklahoma, Tulsa County, the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma State University, and private philanthropists are assisting with the project.
Several prominent Oklahoma politicians attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including Gov. Kevin Stitt, Tulsa mayor G.T. Bynum, Sen. James Lankford, Sen. James Inhofe, Rep. Markwayne Mullin, and Rep. Kevin Hern.
“Our veterans deserve the best care,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “I’m grateful that U.S. Senators Inhofe and Lankford, private funders, OSU Medicine, the City of Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma came together to support the new VA hospital in Tulsa. This is another example of how public-private partnerships can make true and lasting change for the Oklahomans who faithfully served our state and country.”
Demolition is scheduled to begin in Winter of 2022. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2023.
“The VA Hospital in Downtown Tulsa will bring healthcare to thousands of veterans in Tulsa that typically would not have access otherwise. As a city, we are committed to helping our veterans through economic and healthcare opportunities and this hospital shows the support by the City of Tulsa and the fortitude of so many leaders that worked to make this a reality,” said mayor Bynum.