Title: Professor
Company: University of Central Oklahoma
Location: Edmond, Oklahoma, United States
J. Keith Killian, MD, Professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Healthcare Professionals for dedication, achievements and leadership in Psychiatry and Higher Education.
Dr. Killian has established a noteworthy career in psychiatry and higher education, with a focus on addiction treatment, marked by significant contributions to each field. Since 2008, he has been a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he has been instrumental in developing Oklahoma’s first co-occurring master’s degree program that integrates addiction and mental health studies. This pioneering program, one of the first of its kind in the United States, was created at the university’s request after Dr. Killian advocated for legislation requiring addiction treatment providers to hold a master’s degree. Under his leadership, the program has become nationally ranked and continues to graduate 30 to 40 students annually, with hundreds of alums now working as credentialed professionals in the field.
Before his tenure in academia, Dr. Killian was the clinical director at Gateway to Prevention from 2004 to 2008, where he oversaw clinical operations and contributed to community-based prevention initiatives. His earlier experience included serving as a clinical psychiatrist and forensics specialist at Broadlawns Medical Center between 1994 and 1998, where he addressed complex psychiatric cases and worked closely with patients in crisis. From 1993 to 1994, Dr. Killian was a clinical psychiatrist at Cherokee Mental Health Institute, providing direct care and support for individuals facing acute mental health challenges.
Throughout his career, Dr. Killian has developed expertise in adult crisis intervention and psychiatry. He has presented research and insights at international conferences in Canada and South Korea, engaging with audiences of hundreds. Dr. Killian’s presentations have addressed global trends in addiction, including the high prevalence of alcohol addiction in South Korea due to strict drug laws and elevated liquor consumption rates.
Dr. Killian’s academic background is extensive and multidisciplinary. He first earned an Associate of Arts in theology/theological studies from Randall University in 1982. He then received a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1984, a master’s degree in environmental science from The University of Oklahoma in 1985, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Oklahoma State University in 1991, a Master of Science from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1992, and a Doctor of Medicine in neurology and psychiatry from Iowa State University of Science and Technology in 1994. During his studies, he completed a medical internship at Riverside Health from 1991 to 1992. In addition to his degrees, Dr. Killian is a certified medical doctor by the Kansas Medical Board and a newly certified sex therapist.
Active in his professional and civic community, Dr. Killian’s affiliations reflect his commitment to advancing standards in mental health and addiction treatment. He is an active member of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium and the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors and has served as a presenter on behalf of the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselor Association for over two decades. He has also been active on the advisory board at Oklahoma State University since 2013, a curriculum consultant at Seoul University since 2016, and has frequently volunteered at local shows, theater events, concerts and civic center activities. Notably, from 2009 to 2014, Dr. Killian was influential as the chair of the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselors.
Dr. Killian’s dedication has been recognized with several honors, such as the Vanderford Faculty Award in 2022. He attributes much of his success to the support of his family, which influenced both his career direction and his decision to transition into education upon returning to Oklahoma. Dr. Killian’s collaborative approach, working alongside psychologists, social workers, pharmacists and nursing staff, has been central throughout his career.
Proud of the profound impact his work has had on advancing addiction education and training new psychologists, Dr. Killian plans to continue advocating for improved compensation for therapists working with addictions while remaining active in supporting individuals struggling with addiction issues. He also aims to establish a private practice in the summer of 2026, focused on treating sex addiction, a field with limited certified practitioners in Oklahoma.
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