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OHSU goes where the patients are. 🏔️ On May 24 a car-size boulder had rolled on top of a climber descending Mount Hood above Timberline Lodge. The patient was alive and talking, but first responders struggled to extricate him as his condition was worsening in the cold mountain air, 6,500 feet above sea level. OHSU trauma surgeon Dr. Albert Chi and his team planned to amputate the patient’s leg to pull him off the mountain and save his life. “In dire circumstances, our patients actually need us to go to them,” OHSU trauma medical director Dr. Justin Regner said. “In these rare moments when patients cannot be extricated or extricated in a timely manner, it’s on us to save their life.” Read more about the incredible OHSU field surgical team as they fly to treat trapped patients onsite.
What’s the next step for OHSU?💡 Building on our rare strength as one university — uniting research, education, and clinical care — OHSU President Dr. Shereef Elnahal spoke at a recent conference about we’re doubling down on our mission to make Oregon the heart of health innovation. From pioneering new fields of medicine to transforming communities across the state, our impact is real and growing. With our six core values — compassion, integrity, inclusion, respect, collaboration, and adaptability — we’re shaping the clinicians, scientists, and breakthroughs of the future. Together, as One OHSU, we’re here for one purpose: advancing health for every patient, every family, every community. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4vUe3cC #OHSULife
AJ Kitt has been a patient of Dr. Brian Druker, CEO of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, since he was diagnosed 10 years ago. Druker’s research resulted in the drug Gleevec, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration 25 years ago, on May 10, 2001. Gleevec turned a cancer that was once a death sentence into a manageable condition and to date has saved an estimated 350,000 lives globally, according to the nonprofit Blood Cancer United.
The future of cancer care begins here. At 📍Vista Pavilion, we’ve created a place where breakthrough science and experts from many specialties work together to give patients and families the strongest possible support. It’s a space designed around healing, innovation, and humanity — because people deserve care that meets both their medical and emotional needs. This is more than a new facility: it’s a model for how cancer care should evolve. Vista Pavilion brings some of the most advanced cancer treatments under one roof, including stem cell transplants, CAR T‑cell therapy, complex surgery, cancer intensive care, diagnostic imaging, interventional radiology, brachytherapy and more. By bringing teams together in one purpose‑built environment, we’re making it easier for patients to receive coordinated, leading‑edge care. With 128 new beds, this space expands access for people across Oregon and beyond. Natural light, calming design, and art‑inspired surroundings help create a sense of comfort during one of life’s most challenging moments. With technology, compassion, and teamwork, we're here to support every step of your cancer journey. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3xCNmRC
This month, our new cancer care center opened its doors to its first patients. OHSU Vista Pavilion was thoughtfully crafted as a calming, light and art-filled environment where every architectural choice centers the needs of patients and their families. This new space expands access to complex specialty care close to home and creates a transformative place of healing for people in Oregon and across the country. We asked our community what they hope patients would discover in this new space, listen to what they shared:
This week, leaders from across our organizations and the state — along with staff, supporters, patients, and care teams — came together to celebrate a major milestone for the future of cancer care. Vista Pavilion, a new 14‑story building with 128 beds, was designed with patients and families at the center of every decision. Paired with advanced technology and innovative treatments, this space expands access to complex specialty care close to home and creates a transformative place of healing for cancer patients in Oregon and beyond. “This is going to be a resource that benefits generations of Oregonians,” said Dr. Shereef Elnahal, OHSU President. With thoughtfully designed patient rooms, respite spaces, advanced imaging, interventional radiology, and on‑site clinical trials, Vista Pavilion represents a major step forward in compassionate, comprehensive cancer care. It also frees up capacity across our hospital, improving access for cardiovascular, neurological, and other critical services. “What I hope for our patients when they walk through these doors is a sense of hope and also a sense that our team has them — every step of the way on their journey through cancer,” said Dr. Brian Druker, CEO of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute. As we open Vista Pavilion, we celebrate not just a building, but a commitment to world‑class care and unwavering support for every person who enters these doors.
A new era of cancer care is here. With the opening of the Vista Pavilion, Oregon Health & Science University is transforming how patients across Oregon and the region access life-saving treatment. This 14-story, state-of-the-art facility expands capacity, adds 128 specialized inpatient beds, and creates space for more patients to receive the most advanced cancer therapies available. The new Vista Pavilion, entirely dedicated to treating people with cancer, will open for patients on Tuesday, April 7.
Losing health insurance can quickly worsen health for people with diabetes as patients struggle to control the disease after coverage is interrupted, according to new research from Oregon Health & Science University, The study found increases in insulin use and other high-intensity diabetes treatments among patients who lost insurance.
A new statewide plan released this week, the 2025 Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan, offers an updated, data-driven look at the cancer landscape in Oregon, including where the disease hits the hardest and where the biggest gaps in care and prevention exist. Led by Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute and the Oregon Health Authority, or OHA, the guide identifies five priority cancer areas of focus: liver, breast, colorectal and lung cancers, and the importance of increasing the vaccination rate for human papillomavirus, or HPV. It is designed to provide information and guidance for scientists, health care providers, policymakers and community advocates.
“These scientists are tackling important challenges to human health...their awards honor bold ideas that accelerate discovery and shape the future of research and innovation.” said Dr. Bonnie Nagel, OHSU interim chief research officer and executive vice president.
