February 2, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY – SSM Health and Oklahoma Spine Hospital (OSH) have entered into a joint venture partnership. The agreement was effective January 31, 2026, and the hospital will continue to operate under its existing hospital license.

Under the terms of the joint venture, SSM Health in Oklahoma has acquired a majority ownership interest in Oklahoma Spine Hospital, LLC; the physicians of OSH retain the remaining ownership interest. Governance of the joint venture will be shared by a management committee composed of equal representation from each owner.

“Partnering with SSM Health allows Oklahoma Spine Hospital to continue our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient centered care while also leveraging the operational strengths and resources of a large, integrated health system,” said Kevin Blaylock, CEO, Oklahoma Spine Hospital. “We have been impressed by SSM Health’s commitment to caring for Oklahomans since 1898 as the first hospital in the Oklahoma Territory. They employ a forward-thinking approach to innovation and operational efficiency in ways that will benefit our patients.”

“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with the physicians at Oklahoma Spine Hospital. The hospital and physicians have an outstanding reputation for providing spine and pain care specialty services to patients in north Oklahoma City and beyond,” said Joe Hodges, Lead Regional Executive, SSM Health, and Regional President, SSM Health Oklahoma. “OSH’s services and providers will further expand our Mission and complement the exceptional services and team of SSM Health physicians delivering neurosurgical, spine and pain care across Oklahoma.”

The employees in the joint venture will remain employed by OSH, and physicians will continue to practice under the existing medical staff structure at Oklahoma Spine Hospital. The name of the hospital will be changed to SSM Health Oklahoma Spine Hospital, Physician Owned.

For more information visit oklahomaspine.com and ssmhealth.com/OSH.

About SSM Health in Oklahoma

SSM Health in Oklahoma includes St. Anthony Hospital (Oklahoma City), Bone & Joint Hospital at St. Anthony (Oklahoma City), SSM Health Outpatient Center (Oklahoma City), St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee (Shawnee, Okla.), St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee, Seminole Campus (Seminole, Okla.), St. Anthony Hospital – Midwest (Midwest City, Okla.), and SSM Health Rehabilitation Hospital, an SSM Health Select Medical partnership (Oklahoma City). The SSM Health network in Oklahoma also includes five SSM Health St. Anthony Healthplex campuses, seven managed hospitals, 17 rural affiliated hospitals and SSM Health Medical Group with more than 350 physicians and providers.

About Oklahoma Spine Hospital

The Oklahoma Spine Hospital (OSH) is a physician-owned hospital established in 1999 as a collaborative effort between several spine and pain management physicians.​ Located at 14101 Parkway Commons in north Oklahoma City, OSH includes 25 licensed beds and seven operating suites. The hospital has 12 physicians and 245 employees. The hospital has been recognized with the Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence award for patient satisfaction.

For more information, contact:
April Sandefer
Marketing & Communications
405-323-8552
april.sandefer@ssmhealth.com