Oklahoma Health Center Lands $167M for Campus Expansion

Bethany Children’s Health Center has received a $167 million financing package from MidFirst Bank and seven other local financial institutions. Proceeds will fund the development of a four-story, 200,000-square-foot outpatient center at the pediatric rehabilitation hospital’s campus in Bethany, Okla.

Oklahoma City-based MidFirst Bank, the largest privately owned bank in the nation, served as senior lender. Chris Altom, senior vice president of the bank’s National Healthcare Lending Division, managed the loan transaction. His team focuses on health care-related assets including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, medical office buildings and senior housing facilities.

MidFirst, which has $36.9 billion in assets, provides commercial lending, mortgage servicing, private banking and wealth management services nationally. In addition to Oklahoma, the bank has locations in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas, Utah and California, where it operates as 1st Century Bank.

Hospital expansion plans

The health center’s new Outpatient Tower and Center of Excellence will quadruple its current clinical space and address the growing demand for specialty services, therapies and continuing post-discharge care.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the $178 million project, designed by Storyland Studios and REES Architects, was held in early May. With Manhattan Construction Group serving as general contractor, delivery is expected in 2027.

Upon completion, the medical facility will house a pediatric rehabilitation center. Outpatient services also feature pediatric neurology, neuropsychology and a wide array of therapies including physical, speech, occupational, music and recreational therapy, among others.

Considered a leader in the field of pediatric rehabilitation and 24-hour complex care, the hospital provides inpatient and outpatient services for children ages 0-21 and is the only inpatient pediatric rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma. Situated on historic Route 66, the hospital is 12 miles from downtown Oklahoma City.