Ronald Barry Saizow

Retired doctor and longtime ski enthusiast, Ron Saizow's love of life didn't come to an end with his death. Ron passed away on December 16, 2022 at the age of 68 after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.
Ron was born on August 6, 1954 to the late Robert (Bob) and Jolene Saizow, and was raised alongside his younger sister Hildy Saizow, in Tulsa, OK, where he lived the majority of his life. In 1990, Ron married Mary Jo Knecht and they had two children, Abby and Jeffrey. Along with their two children, Ron had a son-in-law, Alan Parrent, and a daughter-in-law, Dianna Saizow. Jeff and Dianna have a 15-month-old daughter named Jane, and a baby boy due in May. Although cut short, Ron lived his life his way. He had only a few close friends, but with each one he maintained a deep and lifelong relationship.
Ron was a diligent student who excelled in academics and was drawn to medicine. As a young teen, he wanted to be a veterinarian, but instead became a medical doctor, educator, researcher and lifelong learner. After graduating from Memorial High School in 1972, Ron received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1980 from the University of Oklahoma (OU) Health Sciences Center (HSC).
For his third and fourth year of medical school, Ron joined the OU Tulsa campus; it was brand new and offered an opportunity to innovate, do things differently and focus on education quality. With his Tulsa roots and a pioneering spirit, he stayed in Tulsa to complete an internal medicine residency in 1983 and become Chief Resident the following year and Chief of the Medicine Teaching Service at Hillcrest Medical Center from 1984 to 1986.
It was during medical school that Ron first met his future wife Mary Jo, who worked in the administration and finance department of the OU Tulsa Campus. His wife and children were the light of his life, his greatest priority, and with whom he was always proud. Abby grew to love medicine like her dad, and became a veterinarian at Westside Animal Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. Jeff, like his dad, found a passion for research and learning, pursuing a career in finance and accounting as a CPA at Hagerty in Traverse City, MI.
Ron dedicated his lifelong career in medicine to teaching the art of healing and comforting others. Early on, Ron found his professional passions lied in the combination of practicing medicine, building relationships with patients, while upholding quality medical education resources. During his 35-year career at OUHSC-Tulsa, Ron served as Professor of Medicine and Director of Student Programs, Department of Internal Medicine; Medical Director, Adult Medicine Clinic; Assistant Dean for Academic Services; and Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education and Designated Institutional Official.
As an educator, Ron was focused on preventive medicine, how to maintain good health, and the management of chronic diseases. In both the classroom and the clinic, Ron emphasized the importance of educating patients to take responsibility for their own health. Ron strongly believed that preventive medicine should include the patient in his/her own care. He taught the importance of a patient-centered approach for primary care medicine that empowered the patient to develop and maintain a lifestyle and behaviors that increase overall health and wellness.
In both 1999 and 2000, Ron's strong leadership, curriculum innovation and commitment to teaching quality medicine, he received the Aesculapian Award given by the graduating medical students to the most outstanding teacher in their clinical training. In 2001, he was nominated by the Dean of OU-Tulsa for the 2002 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in College/University teaching. In 2006, Ron was named the winner of the Stanton L. Young Master Teacher Award given to an OU College of Medicine faculty member who goes beyond excellence in the classroom or on clinical rounds to touch lives and change attitudes. In addition, Ron was one of 50 health care professionals chosen from across the country to attend the Harvard Macy Program for Educators in the Health Profession.
Despite all that he achieved professionally, Ron considered his greatest honor to be the husband of Mary Jo and the father of Abby and Jeff. As a devoted husband and father, Ron was especially active in his children's education at Riverfield Country Day School. He participated in weekly parent-student programs and served as both a member and Chair of the school's Board of Directors. Just as in medicine, Ron left a significant mark on Riverfield – the Head of School praised Ron as a tremendous asset and having had a "powerful, positive impact" on its program.
Upon retirement in 2019, Ron and Mary Jo fulfilled a dream by moving to the mountains of Colorado. They skied all winter, biked all summer, and gloried in the beauty and peace of the Colorado Rockies.
In remembrance of Ron Saizow and all that he accomplished and loved in life, we will hold a Memorial Service on January 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Temple Israel, 2004 E. 22nd Pl., Tulsa, OK. We ask that donations in memory of Ron be directed toward Riverfield Country Day School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at (http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/EricTuckerBoston2023), or any other charity of your choice.