In memoriam: OMRF and Chamber leader Stephen Prescott

Photo: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

Oklahoma’s bioscience community lost a true legend and advocate when physician and researcher Dr. Stephen M. Prescott, M.D., passed away on May 28, 2021, due to complications from his battle with cancer. He was 73.

Prescott led the nonprofit Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation as its president for the last 15 years before announcing his retirement in April. He also served on the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s Executive Committee, which helps oversee Chamber activities.

“The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber family is saddened by the news of Steve’s passing. He was such an integral part of our organization. In fact, he was still heavily involved in the Chamber’s activities up to about a month ago when he gladly volunteered to serve as moderator for our annual State of Health event. His work and leadership at OMRF and the Chamber was a testament to his many talents, his energy and his servant-leadership mentality. Our prayers and condolences go out to his family and friends. He will be truly missed,” said Chamber President Roy Williams.

As OMRF President, Dr. Prescott led the organization to its largest-ever campus expansion, attracting additional research scientists to the OMRF facilities and enabling OMRF to become an even stronger world leader in the study of various diseases and disorders that impact people worldwide. Those discoveries have yielded hundreds of patents and several life-saving drugs that are now used in medical facilities around the world. Through his leadership and perseverance, Dr. Prescott was instrumental in helping create the Oklahoma City Innovation District, described as an epicenter for collaboration, innovation, opportunity and economic growth.

Dr. Prescott, who was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2020, is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Susan, his daughter Allison and son-in-law Jeremiah, and his son John and daughter-in-law Sheila, as well as three granddaughters.

This article originally appeared in the June 2021 edition of The POINT.