OHSU's skyline in 2025 features the new Vista building. From the tiniest patients to the biggest breakthroughs, 2025 photos at OHSU capture more than moments: They tell stories of courage, discovery and heart. (OHSU/Christine Torres Hicks)

Oregon Health & Science University in 2025 strengthened its standing as the state’s academic health center and backstop for patients who need the complex and specialty care that OHSU uniquely provides in Oregon.

The year marked a transformation in leadership and philanthropy in support of educating the next generation of health care professionals, cutting-edge research and unmatched clinical care.

Shereef Elnahal, M.D., M.B.A. (OHSU)

“I have been deeply impressed with the mission-driven purpose I see from each of the 22,000 people who make this place achieve great things,” said OHSU president Shereef Elnahal, M.D., M.B.A., who was selected by the board of directors in June. “We hold ourselves to the discoveries we make, the professionals we train, and ultimately the health and well-being of the people we serve in Oregon and beyond.”

In 2025:

• Transformational philanthropy: In August, Phil and Penny Knight bestowed the largest single gift — $2 billion — to any university, college or academic health center in U.S. history to advance the mission of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute to end cancer as we know it.
• New leadership: OHSU marked a new era in leadership when the board of directors selected Elnahal as the sixth president since the university became an independent organization in 1974. In September, the OHSU Board of Directors selected a new chair and vice chair: Susan King, M.S., RN, CEN, FAAN, is the new chair of the, and Justin Hurley Braswell, M.B.A., is vice chair. Following a nationwide searches, OHSU selected a new chief people officer and chief executive officer of OHSU Health: Angie Sklenka is the new CPO, and Tarek Salaway, M.H.A., M.P.H., M.A., is CEO of OHSU Health. In addition, Jeff Jones, M.B.A., in December became interim chief financial officer following the departure of longtime CFO Lawrence Furnstahl. Sadly, the university also mourned the passing of Joe Robertson, M.D., M.B.A., who served as OHSU president from 2006 to 2017.
• Hospital expansion: Contractors put finishing touches on a 14-story hospital expansion project that, when it opens in April, will immediately include capacity to deliver state-of-the-art cancer treatment to 128 patients. Expanding the Marquam Hill footprint of what is already Oregon’s single largest hospital, the newly named Vista Pavilion also will free up space to meet the high demand for specialty neurological, cardiovascular and emergency care.

Following is a selection of OHSU innovations and accomplishments during 2025:

Accomplishments

OHSU sees the most complex cases from throughout the region, and clinicians continue to lead new innovations in improving the health and well-being of patients in Oregon and well beyond.

OHSU research drives FDA approval for novel use of anemia drug in brain cancer imaging

OHSU patient battles colorectal cancer on journey to Boston Marathon

OHSU first in nation to use new, incisionless surgery to treat Parkinson’s

Study suggests new approach for treatment of spinal injuries

OHSU is first in Oregon to offer new prostate cancer treatment option

After cancer diagnoses, OHSU patient says becoming a mother is ‘an amazing gift’

OHSU patient twice receives lifesaving kidney from her own family — 34 years apart

OHSU Doernbecher’s Pediatric Heart Care team provides life-saving care to infant with rare congenital condition

Discovery

OHSU scientists operate on the leading edge of research, and in 2025 researchers published important findings ranging from next-generation cancer treatments, to a remarkable new avenue for treating infertility, to new discoveries about the underappreciated importance of sleep.

Cannabis products with more THC slightly reduce pain, cause more side effects

Insufficient sleep associated with decreased life expectancy

Rates of opioid use in pregnancy have more than doubled, OHSU study finds

Common air pollutants alters adolescent brain development

Mixed results in using lipoic acid to treat progressive multiple sclerosis

Study implicates enzyme in neurodegenerative conditions

Untreated sleep apnea raises risk of Parkinson’s, study finds

OHSU research finds persistent racial disparities in cesarean births

OHSU researchers identify new tools for early cancer detection, treatment

Study: Dangerous E. coli strain blocks gut’s defense mechanism to spread infection

OHSU researchers develop functional eggs from human skin cells

Regular sleep schedule may improve recovery from heart failure, study finds

Over-the-counter pill boosts access to contraception, OHSU study finds

Thousands of kids in mental health crisis are stuck for days in hospital emergency rooms, study finds

Study suggests long COVID is more prevalent than previously thought

Review suggests ending adult boosters for tetanus, diphtheria

OHSU discovery suggests new avenue for repairing brain function

OHSU study reveals impact of oft-overlooked cell in brain function

Evidence review raises concern about cannabis use in pregnancy

Study finds new targets needed for vaccine to prevent herpesvirus transmission to babies

OHSU study confirms link between maternal diet, risk to infant behavioral health

OHSU study identifies new method for improving lung growth and function in preterm infants

Discovery reveals protein involved in Parkinson’s disease also drives skin cancer

THC use during pregnancy could affect fetal lung development, future respiratory health

New blood test identifies hard-t-detect pancreatic cancer with 85% accuracy

OHSU scientists develop first transgenic model for hepatitis B research

OHSU researchers identify protective properties of amniotic fluid

Study provides new insight on hearing development in children

Study maps brain’s ability to comprehend sound, could lead to new hearing loss therapies

OHSU researchers discover how to mimic hibernation in non-hibernating animals

OHSU scientists develop tool that improves tissue cancer analysis

Study shows promise in targeting the parasite that causes malaria

OHSU researchers identify new tools for early cancer detection, treatment

New nanoparticle could make cancer treatment safer, more effective

Community impact

As the state’s academic health center, OHSU is a statewide resource for all Oregonians, spanning the state’s 96,000 square miles encompassing coastal beaches, Cascade peaks and high desert terrain. OHSU is the backstop for people who need the most complex specialty care and a resource for rural and urban Oregonians alike.

OHSU’s digital nursing program is a pathway for aspiring clinicians in rural communities

OHSU-led groups provide culturally specific support for NICU families across Portland

OHSU clinicians, researchers expand patient-centered approach to reduce HPV prevalence, increase vaccination rates

Doernbecher Freestyle achieves fundraising record with six new collections designed by young OHSU patients

OHSU expands addiction training reach by nearly 65%

Accolades

Despite cutbacks in federal research funding with a new presidential administration, OHSU scientists and clinicians managed to land sizable research awards to improve health and push forward discovery. OHSU scientists were recognized for being among the most accomplished in their respective fields, as their expertise and commitment attracted investment and philanthropy most notably with the largest single philanthropic award to a university, college or academic health center in U.S. history.

Knight Cancer Institute to revolutionize cancer care thanks to generous gift

OHSU part of U.K.-based initiative to transform modeling of human disease

OHSU research will examine effect of bright-light therapy on brain health

OHSU researchers develop promising drug for aggressive breast cancer

Federal funding expands OHSU telehealth, peer support project for vulnerable Oregonians

OHSU awarded $6.7 million to study effects of cannabis use during pregnancy in people with HIV

OHSU biomedical informatics expert elected to National Academy of Medicine

OHSU selected for NIH’s nationwide autism research initiative

Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at OHSU earns $22.8 million renewal

NIH awards OHSU scientists, collaborators $8.4 million to develop a cure for HIV

OHSU neuroscientist achieves rare distinction, earns $5.4 million award

$2.1 million gift enhances OHSU center’s efforts to combat diabetes

OHSU earns $7 million to study treatments for inflammatory sinus disease

New research explores links between sleep disorder, Parkinson’s disease

OHSU part of national initiative to track gene expression beginning in early development

OHSU earns $2.8 million NIH grant for national AGING Initiative

OHSU research team lands federal funding to study aggressive head and neck cancer

OHSU earns $7 million to study treatments for inflammatory sinus disease

OHSU researchers receive more than $2 million for cancer research from Kuni Foundation