It's "beautiful timing" that as Ascension St. John Medical Center ramps up to celebrate its centennial in 2026 in the growing community of Tulsa, Oklahoma, it is already celebrating its new verification as the city's first Level 1 trauma center, CEO Bo Beaudry said.
"This status really means that we can take care of anyone with any injury that walks through our doors," Beaudry said. "With trauma, you think car accidents, gun violence, issues on the oil field, or really any kind of traumatic injury — we can take care of those patients."
The verification by the American College of Surgeons became official in July. Until then, the closest Level 1 trauma center to Tulsa had been in Oklahoma City.
"You definitely hear more helicopters," Beaudry said during an interview in early September. "No kidding, I think that we hear one right now."
Five other Ascension hospitals nationwide have Level 1 trauma care verifications. The American Trauma Society says the verification means a hospital's trauma center "is capable of providing total care for every aspect of injury — from prevention through rehabilitation."
Leveling up
Beaudry started at Ascension St. John in fall 2023 as market CEO. Leaders already were talking about what it would take to reach Level 1 status as a trauma center. The hospital had operated at Level 2 since 2009.
The leaders laid out a plan to achieve the next level, making sure the hospital had surgical subspecialists available around the clock to cover emergencies in all areas, including neurosurgery, orthopedics, cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, hand surgery and obstetrics/gynecology.
The certification also required setting up a more robust research component involving trauma care, which allows doctors to share best practices with the broader medical community.
Tulsa is a growing area, with about 937,000 residents in 2010 and an estimated 1.6 million in 2024. Beaudry said Ascension St. John also gets patients from western Arkansas and southern Kansas. He said that the trauma center status could attract more growth and new business for the city.
"I think it's great for Tulsa and the broader community. Companies know that if they move here, they have access to Level 1 care for their employees and their families," he said.
Community milestone
"This achievement is not just a medical milestone, it's a community milestone," Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, said in a statement. "Access to top-tier trauma care is a critical component of a thriving city. It strengthens our region's infrastructure, supports workforce readiness, and gives families and businesses the confidence that Tulsa is a place where their health and well-being are prioritized."
Beaudry said that working for and maintaining the Level 1 status helps Ascension St. John fulfill its mission as a Catholic health care ministry. "We commit ourselves to serving all persons, with attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. This really is us opening our doors to all people across eastern Oklahoma, and adjacent states, and saying that we can take care of you," he said.
"Any patient, with any injury, on any day, at any time can receive world-class care right in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at Ascension St. John Medical Center."