For nearly a century, Ascension St. John has been a trusted partner in the health and wellness of Oklahomans, serving patients across northeastern Oklahoma at seven hospitals and more than 90 clinics.
Ascension St. John is innovating and expanding access to high-quality care across Oklahoma, bringing advanced treatment options closer to the communities we serve including rural areas.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery: Minimally Invasive Care Now Available at Six Ascension St. John Hospitals
One of the most significant advancements in modern surgery is the shift toward minimally invasive procedures – and Ascension St. John is leading the way in rural Oklahoma. Our surgeons now perform robotic-assisted procedures that once required major operations with longer hospital stays and extended recovery times.
Our skilled surgical teams perform over 1,000 robotic-assisted procedures annually across six of our seven hospitals, including locations in Tulsa, Bartlesville and Sapulpa. These procedures span multiple specialties, from cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery to orthopedic care, cancer treatment, organ transplants and general surgery.
What does this mean for patients? Robotic-assisted surgeries typically result in reduced scarring and less tissue damage, lower infection rates, faster recovery times and more time at home with family. For patients in rural areas of Oklahoma, this means access to advanced surgical options without having to travel far from home.
Expanding Women's Health: New Certified Nurse Midwife Program Brings Personalized Maternity Care to Northeast Oklahoma
Ascension St. John is committed to expanding access to comprehensive women's health services in rural communities. This commitment came to life with the launch of one of northeast Oklahoma's only Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) programs.
Starting in November 2025 at St. John Owasso, the program added two Certified Nurse Midwives and an additional OB-GYN to our team. With expansion plans to Claremore in January 2026, we're bringing expert maternal and women's health care to more rural communities.
Our CNM program offers personalized, holistic care during pregnancy and labor, collaboration with obstetricians, nurses and other specialists, full-scope, evidence-based reproductive and gynecologic care and support across pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the full lifespan.
The St. John Owasso and Claremore teams now represent one of the largest OB-GYN care teams in the region, with nine personnel, including two CNMs, two nurse practitioners, one family practice obstetrician and four OB-GYNs. This expanded access means more women in rural communities have options for personalized, team-based maternity care close to home.
Critical Care, Closer to Home
Beyond surgical innovation and women's health expansion, Ascension St. John remains committed to providing the most critical care when it matters most.
Ascension St. John Medical Center is home to Tulsa's first and only ACS-nationally verified Level I Trauma Center, providing 24/7 access to board-certified trauma surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons and other surgical specialists. Our Level I Trauma Center has been verified by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma since 2009.
We're also building a patient-focused cardiovascular program offering comprehensive care in Bartlesville and Tulsa, and operating the region's only Joint Commission-certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. For patients in rural communities like Bartlesville and Broken Arrow, Primary Stroke Centers connect them to advanced, life-saving care when it matters most.
A Commitment to Oklahoma, Today and Tomorrow
These advancements reflect Ascension St. John's broader commitment: to innovate our care model, invest in the latest technology and ensure that Oklahomans – whether they live in Tulsa, Bartlesville, Sapulpa or beyond – have access to high-quality, compassionate care close to home.
With more than 6,000+ serving communities throughout northeastern Oklahoma, Ascension St. John is proud to be a partner in the health and wellness of this region. Our investments in robotic-assisted surgery, women's health expansion and critical care services demonstrate our commitment to meeting the needs of all Oklahomans, especially those in rural areas.
Learn more about Ascension St. John's services and locations at ascension.org/stjohn.
