Doctors' Day profile: Questionable haircut influences Steven Treat's decision to choose the medical field

(March 30 is National Doctors’ Day. Bailey Medical Center would like to thank all of our physicians for the dedication and passion they show for their patients. In honor of National Doctors’ Day, we would like to spotlight emergency room medical director, Steven Treat, D.O.)

Steven Treat, D.O., emergency room medical director at Bailey Medical Center, is a veteran in the medical field after spending the past five decades in the industry.

Interestingly, Treat’s genesis into health care was spurred on by a questionable haircut.

Before ever picking up a stethoscope, the Skiatook native was pursuing his physiology degree at Oklahoma State when he had a memorable encounter with one of the well-respected professors in the department at the time.

“I noticed this professor had a bad haircut and he told me he cut his own hair,” Treat recalled. “I already had two kids at the time and thought it would take me 10 years to get to where he is now. So, I asked, ‘What other field (of study) would you suggest for me?’ He asked if I was interested in medicine.”

Treat then changed course in his academic pursuit. After graduating from OSU Center for Health Sciences in 1988, Treat started his career in northwest Oklahoma with an internship in Enid and later began his family practice program residency in Wakita.

Treat concluded his residency in Woodward, a stint where he had an estimated 5,000-person patient load and delivered at least 800 babies. It was during this stretch in far western Oklahoma, Treat made the decision to switch from family medicine to the ER department in an effort to spend more time with his wife and three children.

The Treat family relocated south of the Red River as he worked in Sulphur Springs, Texas, where he eventually served as the ER medical director. Treat enjoyed his time but with aging parents and his own children relocating around the Owasso area to begin their professional careers, Treat and his wife, Christy, decided to move back to Green Country.

Treat wanted to spend more time with his father, who served three tours as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. His father later worked at the Pentagon and, at one time, was the youngest member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Living in Virginia at the time, Treat visited the famed Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

“Getting to go through Walter Reed increased my interest in medicine,” Treat said.

Since moving back nearly a decade ago, Treat has been able to enjoy his family with his children, all three of which are all involved in the health care industry (see attached photo of Steve with sons, Chris and Sam), and his grandchildren. Treat credits his wife, Christy, with supporting him throughout his career.

“She grew up with me,” Treat said. “She helped me through school. She’s always allowed me to do what I do.”

Treat has spent the last few years at Bailey Medical Center where he has enjoyed the environment the Owasso-based hospital provides, an atmosphere he attributes to those around him.

“I’ve always worked at smaller hospitals. I’ve always enjoyed my little crowds,” Treat said. “I’m able to take a little more time with people. Taking the time to get that history from a patient is important.

“We’ve got a good staff and great nurses. They are really the unsung heroes. They help keep the flow going. Every good doctor is surrounded by good nurses.”