Welcome to the Department of Neurology
The Department of Neurology at the OU College of Medicine seeks to improve the care of patients with neurologic diseases. We strive to accomplish this by fulfilling our mission to provide the highest quality service in neurologic patient care and education and to perform the highest quality research in clinical science, education, and basic science.
Notice to Patients of Dr. Steven Hoover
The University is pleased to report that Dr. Steven Hoover’s laptop was recovered on or about April 5, in the OU Neurology Department Library. It had apparently been there for quite a while, according to individuals who had been using the library over the past month, but it was not recognized as belonging to Dr. Hoover until April 5. This library is in an area not typically used by the public, but it is accessible to other employees as well as the public. The University believes that the risk that the laptop was accessed by an unauthorized person and then left in the library is very low.
The University of Oklahoma Department of Neurology reports that a laptop was stolen on or about January 29, 2013, from the medical center campus in Oklahoma City. The laptop contained documentation regarding patients seen by Dr. Steven Hoover from approximately October 2009 through October 2010. The unsecured information on the laptop included patient names, age, gender, procedure dates and reports, and diagnoses. According to Dr. Hoover, no patient credit card or Social Security numbers were on the computer. A police report was filed with local law enforcement, and additional information will be provided to patients as it becomes available.
Neither Dr. Hoover nor the University is aware of any improper use of information from the laptop. However, in an abundance of caution, patients may wish to monitor their credit. Information about free credit reports is available at http;//consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports.
“The clinic takes its responsibility to protect patient information very seriously,” said Dr. David Gordon, department chairman. “We regret any inconvenience this theft may cause these patients.” In response to this incident, all department staff have been re-trained on the policy and procedures for storing patient information, including using encrypted devices.
The University has mailed letters to affected patients, informing them of these details. However, patients who saw Dr. Hoover between October 2009 and October 2010 may also contact the clinic at (405) 271-3635 or toll-free at (866) 836-3150 if they have questions regarding this incident.