OU Medical College Honored Physicians and MidFirst Bank
The college celebrated career achievements and decades of community service at a gala in downtown Oklahoma City.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Awards
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The OU College of Medicine inducted three prominent physicians into its Hall of Fame and recognized MidFirst Bank with a community service award during a recent gala. The event at the Omni Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel highlighted significant contributions to medical research and education.
Why it matters
The ceremony honored individuals for their long-term impact on medical education and recognized corporate support that has bolstered student resources and public health initiatives over the last four decades.
Steven A. Crawford secured over $38 million in federal research funding, while MidFirst Bank has contributed more than $35 million to the university. Additionally, the bank’s mobile mammography unit has provided 200,000 screenings to the public.
The players
Steven A. Crawford
He is a physician who served the OU College of Medicine from 1982 until his retirement in 2023.
MidFirst Bank
This private bank has maintained a 40-year partnership with the University of Oklahoma and holds $42 billion in total assets.
Mary Kay Gumerlock
She is an inducted physician recognized for her career contributions to medical education.
O. Joe Hines
He is a physician who currently leads a team of 160 surgeons and 120 trainees at UCLA.
The details
Physicians Mary Kay Gumerlock, Steven A. Crawford, and O. Joe Hines were selected for their distinguished careers in medicine and research. The ceremony also spotlighted the bank's long-standing philanthropy, including the MoneyCoach program that has reached 90,000 students.
Timeline
Steven A. Crawford joined the OU College of Medicine in 1982.
Steven A. Crawford retired from the institution in 2023.
The gala was held at the Omni Oklahoma City Downtown Hotel on September 17, 2026.
Culture Shift
The collaboration highlights a shift toward university-corporate philanthropic partnership models to secure essential operational funding. This positions institutions to leverage private resources for major public health initiatives like mobile mammography and student financial coaching.
Residents benefit directly from the bank's ongoing health initiatives, such as the mobile mammography unit that has provided 200,000 screenings to the community. These programs reduce healthcare access barriers for the local population.
The takeaway
Gala events serve as critical venues for maintaining the long-term relationships that sustain regional public health programs. Recognizing such contributions helps ensure that institutional support remains a priority for local financial partners.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming regional recognitions, visit the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Journal Record.
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