The Paul Silverstein Burn Center at INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center was the first adult burn care center in the state of Oklahoma. On Tuesday, the hospital held a special celebration to honor the center’s upcoming 50th anniversary.
The Paul Silverstein Burn Center at INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center was the first adult burn care center in the state of Oklahoma. On Tuesday, the hospital held a special celebration to honor the center’s upcoming 50th anniversary.
“INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center has always been known for being at the forefront of advancing technology and bringing the best care to our patients. The burn center is a prime example of something created 50 years ago with the dedication of a pioneering physician in the field. We continue to build on this today as the most trusted partner for your health,” says Josh Kemph, the chief hospital executive at INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center.
Since its opening in 1975, the burn center has expanded to become one of the largest burn centers in the United States, serving a six-state area. The INTEGRIS Health burn team has provided specialized care to thousands of inpatients and outpatients over the last five decades. Here is just one of the center’s countless success stories.
The First Burn Center in Oklahoma
The burn center was founded by Paul Silverstein, M.D., a surgeon and Vietnam veteran, who moved to Oklahoma in 1974.
Shortly before he died in April 2021, he indicated that the Paul Silverstein Burn Center at INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center would no doubt be his legacy, a long-lasting gift that would care for Oklahomans and those in the surrounding states for generations to come. Here is the history of the burn center in his own words.
The First Pediatric Burn Program
Christopher Lentz, M.D., is the current medical director of the Paul Silverstein Burn Center. He was recruited to Oklahoma City in 2013 to continue to build on the burn center’s already strong foundation.
“Before then, there was no place in Oklahoma providing specialized burn care for children,” he declares. “Children with severe burns were forced to go out of state for treatment. In many cases, families were torn apart, sometimes for months, as one caregiver traveled out of state with the burned child and the other stayed behind to keep working and providing care for other family members. Now, these kids can get the leading-edge care they need right here at home.”
The Mission Continues
Today, the Paul Silverstein Burn Center at INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center continues to provide care to more than 300 burn victims annually. Looking ahead, the burn center is undergoing a major infrastructure and equipment upgrade to meet growing demand and improve patient safety, infection control and outcomes thanks to support from the INTEGRIS Health Foundation.
The burn team’s mission is to not only save lives but to reach beyond survival, focusing on achieving the highest quality of life possible. The goal is always to achieve the maximum level of functionality and return them to the life they once knew.
At INTEGRIS Health, we use advanced tools for diagnosing and treating burns and non-healing wounds. Our team provides a comprehensive suite of services that include diagnostic testing and inpatient and outpatient care to aid in your recovery.
