Ryan Oden has always been a true Okie at heart even though he grew up in Littleton, Colorado. His mother is from Stillwater and his dad is from Enid. So what brought him back to Oklahoma? He wanted to be an Oklahoma State Cowboy and keep the orange and black tradition alive in his family for three generations.

Dr. Oden didn't attend OSU to study medicine. It was his passion to work unusual jobs that led him to the medical field. While going to school in Stillwater, he worked at the Veterinary School in the Venom Research Lab, taking care of several species of venomous snakes and assisting in venom extraction. He also worked with sheep as part of a diabetes research project. Despite his love for animals, those experiences led him to investigate the "people" side of medicine.

In 1998, he moved to Tulsa to work for an ambulance service. He became a paramedic and the time that he spent on hospital rotations made him realize that medicine was his true calling. He finished his prerequisites at the University of Tulsa and began Medical School at the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in the fall of 2003, graduating in 2007. He did his residency with OSU Family Medicine from 2007 to 2010.

Oden will now become part of the medical team at Arbuckle Memorial Hospital when he opens his practice August 16, setting up shop at 2007 West Broadway, the former site of Dr. Antonio Lee's clinic.

Dr. Oden and his wife, Michelle, who is native of Marlow, have four children. Benjamin and Patrick live in Tulsa and the youngest son, Jacob, will become a 4th generation Cowboy this fall at OSU. Their only daughter, Chloe, will be a second grader in Davis this fall.

He and his family are excited to be in Murray County and look forward to finding a church home. When Dr. Oden isn't in the office, he enjoys fishing, hunting and backpacking. Dr. Oden and his family have settled in the perfect place where he can enjoy his hobbies close to home. He says that he occasionally will attempt a good round of golf also.

Arbuckle Memorial Hospital administrator Darin Farrell said Murray County is blessed to have Dr. Oden and his family in our area.

Email our reporter at dhudspeth@sulphurtimes.com.