Dr. Joanne C. Skaggs, MD, FACP is a board-certified internist specializing in internal medicine and currently holds the position of Associate Chief Medical Officer for Adult Services at OU Health (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center) in Oklahoma City. Her clinical and administrative expertise spans patient care, medical education, and health system leadership within the OU Health network.
Current Role and Responsibilities
Dr. Skaggs serves as Associate Chief Medical Officer for Adult Services, a role that combines clinical leadership with administrative oversight aimed at advancing quality care and fostering interprofessional teamwork across adult medicine services in the system. In this capacity, she is involved in:
- Driving quality improvement and safety initiatives within adult clinical services.
- Building consensus among healthcare teams to implement sustainable care models.
- Facilitating equitable access to healthcare with a focus on collaborative care delivery.
- Leading population health management initiatives through data-driven strategies.
She also maintains a clinical practice as an internal medicine physician, treating adult patients at OU Health’s primary care and internal medicine clinics.
Education and Professional Background
Dr. Skaggs earned her medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, completing her residency in internal medicine. She is recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP).
Leadership and Influence
As a key clinical leader at OU Health, Dr. Skaggs has a documented track record of:
- Successfully building consensus and enhancing leadership engagement within multidisciplinary teams.
- Advocating for innovative care models that prioritize equity and access.
- Contributing to system-wide strategic planning and quality advancement efforts.
She has participated as a speaker in prominent healthcare leadership forums including the Becker’s Clinical Leadership Summit 2025 and various industry podcasts where she discusses challenges such as limited healthcare resources and quality improvement strategies.
Recognition and Awards
Dr. Skaggs is highly rated by patients, with an average rating of approximately 4.9 to 5.0 across multiple health review platforms, reflecting strong patient satisfaction. She has received notable accolades for excellence in both:
- Patient care, including recognition as an Outstanding Clinical Role Model.
- Medical education, further underlining her commitment to mentoring and teaching within the academic medical community at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Professional Network and Engagement
With over 500+ connections on LinkedIn, Dr. Skaggs demonstrates a broad professional network within the healthcare industry, indicative of her active engagement in both clinical and leadership circles.
She is a frequent contributor and participant in healthcare discussions related to:
- Quality and safety initiatives.
- Interprofessional education and teamwork.
- Equitable healthcare delivery models.
Relevant Insights
Dr. Skaggs emphasizes the importance of consensus-building and collaborative leadership. Given OU Health’s strategic focus on quality, equity, and innovative care delivery, her role bridges clinical expertise with organizational strategy. Her involvement in population health and adult service leadership positions her as a pivotal stakeholder in initiatives that align clinical operations with patient-centered outcomes.
Summary: Dr. Joanne Skaggs is a highly accomplished internal medicine physician and Associate Chief Medical Officer at OU Health. Her leadership centers on improving quality and equity in adult healthcare services through collaborative, data-driven approaches. Recognized for excellence in clinical care and education, she plays an influential role in shaping OU Health’s adult medicine strategy.
