11/17/2025
At 80, Billie Acree wasn't about to let stomach cancer slow her down. After 51 years working at OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center, she knew she was in the right hands when she received her diagnosis in September 2024.
"After my endoscopy, the doctors said, 'We found a mass. I'm 100% sure it's cancer,'" Billie said. "I asked, 'Well, what do I do? I want to get rid of it.'"
After four months of chemotherapy with Dr. Sagila George, OU Health hematologist/oncologist and an assistant professor in the Section of Hematology/Oncology at the OU College of Medicine, Billie underwent surgery to remove one-third of her stomach.
“Dr. George said most people with stomach cancer don't make it, especially at my age — but I did," Billie said.
This was Billie’s third battle with cancer. She had survived breast cancer in the 1980s and again in 2012. But stomach cancer is different. It’s more aggressive. More challenging. Still, the team at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center never wavered.
"I think they have more highly trained doctors and a support system that other hospitals don’t have," Billie said. "My whole treatment team treated me so well. I just felt like I was receiving miracle care."
Throughout her treatment, Billie continued working from home two days a week. She never got sick from chemotherapy and never experienced the debilitating side effects she'd heard about. When Billie rang the bell signaling the end of her treatment, the entire room erupted in cheers. About 75 people showed up to celebrate her 80th birthday in March. She's now in physical therapy, getting stronger every day, and heading back to the office.
For anyone facing a cancer diagnosis, Billie's advice is simple: "I would tell them to see our doctors at Stephenson. I don't think other hospitals have the experience that Stephenson has. Dr. George especially was such a blessing to me. She really was."
Today, at 80 years young, Billie is living proof that age is just a number, that faith and science work beautifully together, and that the team at Stephenson Cancer Center delivers more than just treatment. They deliver hope, compassion and miracles.
"It's a miracle. It really is," Billie said. "That's why I thought other people should know that there is healing."