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Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, OR

publicgraduate

Quick Facts

“"Where Healing, Teaching and Discovery Come Together"”

Public research university
Type
788
Total Students
$1.3B
Endowment
(2025)
Special Focus Four-Year
Classification
President: Shereef Elnahal

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Oregon Health & Science University

Pioneering health sciences research and patient care, backed by monumental philanthropy.

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) stands as a prominent public research university primarily dedicated to the health sciences. With its main campus, featuring two state-of-the-art hospitals, nestled in Portland, Oregon, OHSU is a beacon for healing, teaching, and discovery. It offers a comprehensive range of programs in medicine, dentistry, nursing, and public health, making it a leading institution for future healthcare professionals and innovators.

OHSU's rich history began in 1887 as the University of Oregon Medical Department, evolving through strategic mergers and transformations, including a significant union with the Oregon Graduate Institute. This journey shaped it into the independent, self-governed institution it is today. Its present Marquam Hill campus, established through generous land donations, has continuously expanded, becoming a vibrant center for advanced medical education and groundbreaking research.

Recognized as a "Special Focus – Research Institution," OHSU is at the forefront of scientific advancement. Its academic strengths are exemplified by a nationally ranked graduate nursing program (36th by U.S. News & World Report) and a robust School of Dentistry. OHSU is also celebrated for pioneering achievements, such as conducting the world's first in-vivo Crispr-Cas9 DNA editing procedure, demonstrating its commitment to pushing the boundaries of medical science and improving patient outcomes.

The university's ambitious mission is significantly bolstered by extraordinary philanthropic support, most notably from Phil and Penny Knight, whose multi-billion-dollar pledges have transformed the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute into a global leader. With 4,123 students, OHSU provides a dynamic, research-intensive environment where aspiring healthcare professionals and scientists contribute to and benefit from cutting-edge advancements, preparing them to make a profound impact in their fields.

Key Highlights

  • ✦A leading public research university focused entirely on health sciences, headquartered in Portland, Oregon.
  • ✦Home to the globally recognized OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, significantly funded by over $3 billion in pledges from Phil and Penny Knight.
  • ✦Pioneered the world's first in-vivo Crispr-Cas9 DNA editing procedure in 2020 at the Casey Eye Institute.
  • ✦Graduate Nursing program ranked 36th nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
  • ✦Boasts a robust $1.3 billion endowment, supporting its mission of healing, teaching, and discovery.
  • ✦Educates 4,123 students across diverse health disciplines, fostering future leaders in healthcare.

Timeline

1887
Established as the University of Oregon Medical Department.
1915
Merged medical programs to form the University of Oregon Medical School.
1919
The medical school moved to its current Marquam Hill location in Southwest Portland.
1974
Became an independent institution, the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center.
2001
Merged with the Oregon Graduate Institute, becoming Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).
2008
Received a $100 million gift from Phil and Penny Knight, renaming the OHSU Cancer Institute.
2015
Achieved a $500 million matching donation goal from Phil Knight, bringing total Knight donations for cancer research to $1 billion at that time.
2020
Conducted the world's first in-vivo Crispr-Cas9 DNA editing at the Casey Eye Institute.
2025
Shereef Elnahal began his tenure as President of OHSU.
2025
Phil and Penny Knight pledged a historic $2 billion gift to the university for cancer patient care.

Schools & Colleges

3 notable schools within Oregon Health & Science University

🏫

School of Dentistry

Merged into OHSU in 1945, this accredited school offers a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program, admitting 75 students annually, and features departments across all major dental specialties. It relocated to the Collaborative Life Sciences Building in 2014.

💉

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing offers comprehensive undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Its graduate program is nationally recognized, most recently ranking 36th in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report.

🏥

School of Medicine

As a foundational pillar of OHSU, the School of Medicine encompasses a broad spectrum of medical education, research, and patient care, including advanced scientific and engineering departments following the merger with the Oregon Graduate Institute.

Leadership

Shereef Elnahal
President

Data from Wikipedia – CC BY-SA 4.0

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