Before accepting the position at the nation’s second largest medical school, McDermott was executive director of finance at the Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center. He served as the chief financial officer for the faculty practice plan of 434 physicians and 122 other credentialed providers.
He also was employed as the senior executive associate dean for administration, planning and finance at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
McDermott received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, and his master’s degree in business administration from Oklahoma City University. He is a certified medical practice executive (CMPE) and is active in several Oklahoma state and national professional associations.