Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend

Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend is a major tertiary care and teaching hospital located in Springfield, Oregon. Operated by the Catholic nonprofit organization PeaceHealth, it serves as the flagship facility for the region, replacing the original downtown Eugene campus. The hospital is noted for its advanced trauma center, comprehensive heart surgery program, and affiliation with the University of Oregon for medical education and research.

History and development

The development of Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend was driven by the need for a modern healthcare facility to serve the growing population of the Willamette Valley. Planning began in the early 2000s under the direction of PeaceHealth, a Washington-based health system with deep roots in the Pacific Northwest. The project represented a significant shift from the historic but constrained Eugene location on Hilyard Street. After several years of construction, the $500 million facility opened its doors to patients in August 2008, consolidating most acute care services from the older campus. This move was part of a broader trend in American healthcare toward constructing large, integrated medical campuses on suburban sites with ample room for expansion and improved patient access.

Facilities and services

The RiverBend campus encompasses a 432-bed main hospital tower and several supporting medical office buildings on a 172-acre site. Key facilities include a Level II trauma center verified by the American College of Surgeons, a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab, and the region's only neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with a critical care transport team. The hospital houses advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and CT scanners, and features dedicated units for oncology, neurosurgery, and orthopedic surgery. Support services include an on-site clinical laboratory, a comprehensive pharmacy, and a helicopter pad for Life Flight Network air ambulances.

Patient care and specialties

Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend provides a wide spectrum of specialized medical care, anchored by its nationally recognized Oregon Heart & Vascular Institute. The institute offers a full range of cardiothoracic surgery, including minimally invasive and robotic surgery techniques. Other major specialties include the PeaceHealth Oregon Region Cancer Center, which provides radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and a comprehensive stroke center certified by The Joint Commission. The hospital's women's and children's services feature a family birth center and the aforementioned NICU, while its emergency department is one of the busiest in the state, treating over 70,000 patients annually.

Recognition and affiliations

The hospital has received numerous accolades for clinical excellence and patient safety from organizations like Healthgrades and the American Heart Association. Its cardiac surgery and heart failure programs have consistently earned high ratings for outcomes. As a teaching site, Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend maintains a critical affiliation with the University of Oregon for training residents and fellows, particularly in family medicine and surgery. It is also a key clinical partner for nursing and allied health programs at schools like Lane Community College and supports ongoing medical research through collaborations with institutions such as the Oregon Health & Science University.

Location and campus

The medical center is situated on the north bank of the McKenzie River in Springfield, Oregon, directly adjacent to the Interstate 5 corridor. This strategic location in Lane County provides central access for patients across a large service area that includes Eugene, Corvallis, and communities along the Oregon Coast. The expansive campus is designed with future growth in mind, featuring ample parking, walking trails, and serene views of the river and the surrounding foothills of the Cascade Range. Its proximity to major transportation routes facilitates efficient transfers for critical patients from across Western Oregon.

Category:Hospitals in Oregon Category:Teaching hospitals in the United States Category:PeaceHealth Category:Buildings and structures in Lane County, Oregon Category:Hospitals established in 2008