Parkside Psychiatric Hospital Partners With OU, OSU

Staff at Parkside Psychiatric Hospital in Tulsa say there is a shortage of pediatric mental health providers in Oklahoma. Dr. Maththew Sharp is responsible for nearly 20 patients per day. He says it's a load that can sometimes be difficult to carry.

"I could have another hundred psychiatrists in this town and I wouldn't be shortworked," said Sharp.

Dr. Sharp says he's one of four child psychiatrists at Parkside and one of 80 in the entire state.

To meet the growing need for pediatric psychiatrists, more hands are now on deck at the hospital, with a little help from the future. Through a partnership with OU and OSU, medical students can now step into the world of pediatric psychiatry at Parkside.

"We've been talking about this for a long time and trying to become more engaged with the community," said Sharp.

Dr. Sharp says they will learn how to evaluate mental health concerns in children and work closely with patients to deepen their understanding.

"Not only am I helping them meet the educational demands that are expected of you just to become an adult psychiatrist, but I also get to expose them and teach them about how to take care of those things, and try to step them into being more comfortable with it," said Sharp.

He says he hopes this program fills gaps in the state's mental health system so that Oklahoma's youth get the care that they need.

"There’s so much to be done, that there's literally no reason to not have everybody try," said Sharp.