History of Lynn Institute
Thomas Lynn M.D.
The Lynn Institutes are named after Thomas N. Lynn, M.D., a long-time medical leader in Oklahoma. Dr. Lynn graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 1955 and following post-graduate training at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO, The National Heart Institute in Bethesda, MD and chief residency in medicine at the University Hospital in Oklahoma City, he joined the faculty of the OU College of Medicine in 1961. He became professor of both medicine and preventive medicine, was named chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine and was selected Dean of the College in 1974. He is certified by both the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Preventative Medicine.
In 1980, Dr. Lynn became Vice President for Medical and Scientific Affairs at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma (Integris) and while in that position, brought William Orr, Ph. D. to Baptist to develop a sleep program and subsequently become the director of the hospital’s research efforts. From Baptist Hospital in 1995, and two years later, the program he had developed and nurtured at Baptist was transitioned into a separate nonprofit research institute. The new entity was named in honor of Dr. Lynn.
Dr. Lynn has also served as President of the Oklahoma County Medical Association, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the State Medical Association, a member of the Oklahoma City-County Board of Health and on the American Medical Association’s Residency Review Committee for Preventive Medicine and its Committee for Certification of Physical Assistant Educational Programs. He also served as a “Medical Expert” for the Social Security administration for many years.
Dr. Lynn is married to his wife Virginia and has three children, all of whom reside in Oklahoma City.
William Orr
William Orr, Ph.D., is former Senior Scientist and President Emeritus for Lynn Institute. He also occasionally serves as a primary investigator on pharmaceutical industry-sponsored clinical trials and investigator-initiated research at the Oklahoma City site.
Orr has published extensively in both sleep disorders medicine and in gastrointestinal diseases. He was a pioneer in establishing what is now the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He is also known for founding the first clinical sleep facility in the state of Oklahoma and was among the first investigators to publish a description of sleep apnea in the modern medical literature.
Dr. Orr is a graduate of the University of Delaware and holds a Ph.D. from Washington University.
Oklahoma City, Corporate Headquarters
Lynn Institute is an emerging leader introducing new medications to the market with its clinical trials program. Lynn Institute has extensive experience in a number of areas and has conducted more than 800 clinical trials, working with numerous pharmaceutical companies and contract research organizations.
Oklahoma City serves as the corporate headquarters for Lynn Institute. The Company, established July 1997, offers an ideal combination of factors for pharmaceutical companies and others seeking reliable, quality-conscious clinical trials and scientific medical research.
Since its beginning as a research division of one of the Southwest’s largest medical centers, Lynn Institute has specialized in conducting research with a highly trained professional staff. Lynn Institute staff has included MDs and PhDs who are widely known within the scientific and research communities.
Colorado Springs
Lynn Health Science Institute established Lynn Institute of the Rockies, in Colorado Springs in 2002. The site is an emerging leader introducing new medications to the market with its clinical trials program.
Denver
Lynn Institute of Denver is the newest clinical research site of Lynn Health Science Institute and was opened in 2010. It represents Lynn Institute’s most recent expansion site. Located in the heart of Denver, this site offers easy access to patients and serves a metropolitan area of 2.7 million residents.
Little Rock
Lynn Institute of the Ozarks, which opened in 2006, combines the knowledge of renowned medical professionals along with the experience of pharmaceutical trial professionals to provide improved health care service to the Little Rock area.
Norman
Lynn Institute of Norman (LION Research) has been in operation since 2005 and was developed to bring clinical trials to a more rural population. LION Research serves a population of approximately 650,000 in the southern quadrant of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, and southern region of the state. Additionally, LION (LION Research) has partnered with local community clinics such as Health for Friends to provide medical services to underserved and at-risk citizens.
