Longtime OSU supporter Neal Patterson passes away

Oklahoma State University - News and Communications

Oklahoma State University has expressed its sorrow and condolences on the passing of one of the university and athletic department's top alumni and donors. Neal Patterson died July 9 at the age of 67 from unexpected complications from a soft-tissue cancer that was diagnosed in January 2016. His funeral service was held today in Leawood, Ks.“The OSU family extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Neal Patterson,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “Neal was one of OSU’s most successful graduates. He was a passionate visionary who helped revolutionize the computerization of hospital records. His generosity and support of OSU extended across many interests. We will miss him dearly.”
Patterson grew up near his family's farm in Manchester, Okla. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in business from Oklahoma State. He co-founded Cerner Corporation with two colleagues in 1979. Today, Cerner is the world's largest publicly traded health information technology company. FORTUNE recently named Cerner one of the world's most admired companies.
Patterson was instrumental in the creation of the OSU Center for Health Systems Innovation with gifts totaling $6 million. The Center for Health Systems Innovation, a collaborative effort of the Spears School and the OSU Center for Health Sciences, focuses on creating a comprehensive and coherent vision for health care problem-solving through market-based solutions.
Most recently, Patterson made a major gift to completely renovate the OSU Cowgirl Soccer Complex. The new facility will be a showcase for college soccer with club seats, plaza and upper bowl gathering areas and a north end zone terrace area and seating designed specifically for OSU students. The new facility will be named after Patterson. He also made major contributions to OSU’s Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
“A little over three years ago, the Center for Health Systems Innovation was initiated through the generous financial support of Neal Patterson,” ...

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