Mission

For over 44 years, Children’s Health Foundation (CHF) has been dedicated to raising funds to improve the health and well-being of Oklahoma’s children by supporting pediatric research, education, and clinical care. CHF has deep roots in Oklahoma, and is committed to ensuring that physicians, programs, and services critical to Oklahoma’s children continue. Since 1982, CHF has established and funded 36 endowed chairs for the OU Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Pediatric Surgery at the OU Health Sciences Center. We are proud to continue funding vital pediatric research in 18 program areas and supporting important initiatives like the Jimmy Everest Center, Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, Child Study Center, Oklahoma Autism Center, and many others that deliver direct care to children and teens. Every dollar raised stays in Oklahoma, benefiting kids across all 77 counties. Importantly, no child is turned away from a CHF-supported program due to an inability to pay. Exciting Milestones From 2024 In October, CHF celebrated the first pediatric heart transplant in three decades performed by CHF-supported cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Harold Burkhart and his team. This achievement means that children no longer need to leave the state for this life-saving care. In 2024, CHF completed a $6 million cancer initiative, a $2 million cardiac surgery initiative, and a $1 million endowed fund to support a unique training program for professionals focused on child abuse and neglect prevention. CHF granted $1.6 million to the OU Department of Pediatrics to fund pediatric clinical trials, cystic fibrosis and pediatric diabetes research, neonatology labs, genetics research, the residency program, and many other critical needs that would not be met without our support. Looking ahead, we are excited to grow our impact. We have set big goals, including a $1 million initiative for pediatric ophthalmology at the Dean McGee Eye Institute, completing a $100,000 pledge through CowboyThon (OSU Dance Marathon) for OSU Neonatology in Tulsa, continuing our annual support to the Department of Pediatrics, and expanding our reach across Oklahoma to serve more children and families. CHF relies on the generosity of foundations, corporations, and individuals. We do not receive government or OU funding.