Oregon Health & Science University

Oregon Health & Science University
Name	Oregon Health & Science University
Established	1887
Type	Public
President	Danny Jacobs
City	Portland, Oregon
State	Oregon
Country	United States
Campus	Urban
Affiliations	Association of American Universities

Oregon Health & Science University. It is a public academic health center and research university located primarily in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1887, it is the state's only academic health center and operates a comprehensive network of hospitals and clinics. The institution is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is renowned for its programs in medicine, nursing, dentistry, and biomedical research.

History

The institution traces its origins to the founding of the University of Oregon Medical School in 1887 in Northwest Portland, Oregon. A pivotal moment came in 1919 when it moved to its current primary location on Marquam Hill, a site donated by the family of C. S. Jackson, publisher of the Oregon Journal. It formally became an independent public corporation in 1974, adopting the name University of Oregon Health Sciences Center. The modern name was established in 2001 following the merger with the Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and Technology, consolidating its role in biomedical engineering and molecular biology. Throughout its history, it has been central to medical education in the Pacific Northwest, with key expansions including the affiliation with the Oregon National Primate Research Center and the development of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.

Academics

The university is organized into several schools, including the OHSU School of Medicine, the OHSU School of Nursing, and the OHSU School of Dentistry. It also houses the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, a joint venture with Portland State University. The institution awards professional degrees such as the Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Dental Medicine, and Doctor of Philosophy in various biomedical sciences. Its medical education programs are known for pioneering the M.D.-Ph.D. program and for community-based training partnerships across Oregon and the broader region. The School of Nursing is consistently ranked among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Healthcare system

The clinical arm, known as OHSU Health, operates a quaternary-care academic hospital on Marquam Hill that serves as a major trauma center for the region. The system includes the OHSU Hospital, the Knight Cancer Institute, the Casey Eye Institute, and the Doernbecher Children's Hospital, a nationally ranked pediatric facility. OHSU Health has a growing network of partner hospitals and clinics throughout the state, including affiliations with Adventist Health Portland and Tuality Healthcare. It provides specialized care in areas such as cancer treatment, neurosurgery, organ transplantation, and maternal-fetal medicine, serving as a referral center for complex cases from across the Pacific Northwest.

Research

Research is a central mission, with annual expenditures exceeding $500 million. It is designated as a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center through the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, led for many years by Dr. Brian Druker. The university is a world leader in cancer biology, neuroscience, and genomics, with major contributions to the development of targeted therapies like imatinib. Other significant research entities include the Vollum Institute for basic biomedical research, the Oregon National Primate Research Center, and the OHSU Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute. Researchers here were instrumental in the Human Genome Project and continue pioneering work in areas like CRISPR gene editing and Alzheimer's disease.

Campus

The main health and academic campus occupies a 116-acre site on Marquam Hill, overlooking downtown Portland, Oregon and the Willamette River. This campus is connected to the city's Portland Aerial Tram, a public transit system linking it to the South Waterfront district, where the university has significant research and clinical facilities. The South Waterfront area houses the Center for Health & Healing and the Knight Cancer Research Building. Additional campuses and facilities include the West Campus in the Hillsboro area, home to the primate research center, and the Robertson Life Sciences Building in collaboration with Portland State University.

Notable people

The university has been associated with numerous distinguished alumni and faculty. Nobel laureate Linus Pauling, a two-time winner of the Nobel Prize, earned his undergraduate degree from the institution when it was part of Oregon State University. Dr. Albert Starr co-invented the first successful artificial heart valve, the Starr-Edwards valve. Pioneering cancer researcher Brian Druker directed the development of imatinib (Gleevec). Other notable figures include former United States Senator Mark Hatfield, who served on its board, and neurosurgeon Dr. Kim Burchiel, a leader in the field of functional neurosurgery. Famed physiologist Homer W. Smith also conducted foundational research here.

Category:Universities and colleges in Oregon Category:Medical schools in the United States Category:1887 establishments in Oregon