By Ylleana Berryhill, Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY – Former Oklahoma State University President Dr. Kayse Shrum has joined the Chickasaw Nation as chief health strategy officer.
Shrum resigned in February after more than three years as OSU president.
She resigned amidst questions regarding the university’s handling of funds from the Innovation Foundation. Auditors found that $41 million was wrongly transferred into accounts that did not correspond with their agreed purpose.
Her resignation letter indicated a plan to return to OSU’s Center for Health Sciences as tenured faculty in July, per her contract.
She is separated from the university, said Lance Latham, OSU chief communications officer.
“Dr. Kayse Shrum’s qualifications in rural health care, education and collaborative system development are exemplary, and the Chickasaw Nation is happy to have her on board,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby in a press release.
Her early work will focus on the planning and development of the upcoming Newcastle medical center campus. Shrum will begin full-time employment in July 2025.
Shrum earned a doctorate in osteopathic medicine from the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.
She practiced pediatrics in Muskogee before joining the OSU medical school faculty in 2002. She became chair of the department of pediatrics, then provost of the OSU Center for Health Sciences and dean of the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Shrum also served as Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Secretary of Science and Innovation.
