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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

OHSU: A leading public health sciences university driving healing, discovery, and cutting-edge research.

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) stands as a premier public research institution, embodying its powerful motto: "Where Healing, Teaching and Discovery Come Together." Primarily located in Portland, Oregon, its main campus features two hospitals, making it a critical hub for advanced medical care, innovative research, and the education of future health professionals across various specialized fields.

OHSU's rich history traces back to the 1860s with the Willamette University School of Medicine, formally establishing itself as the University of Oregon Medical Department in 1887. Over the decades, it evolved significantly, becoming an independent institution in 1974 and later merging with the Oregon Graduate Institute in 2001. This strategic growth has solidified OHSU's status as a "Special Focus – Research Institution," continuously pushing the boundaries of scientific inquiry and medical practice.

Students at OHSU immerse themselves in an environment of academic excellence and groundbreaking discovery. The university houses acclaimed professional schools, including a robust School of Dentistry and a nationally ranked School of Nursing. OHSU's commitment to innovation is exemplified by the world's first in-vivo use of the CRISPR-Cas9 DNA editing tool at its Casey Eye Institute in 2020. With over 4,100 students benefiting from an impressive $1.3 billion endowment and multi-billion dollar philanthropic commitments from visionaries like Phil and Penny Knight, OHSU offers unparalleled opportunities for students and faculty to contribute to transformative advancements in health and science.

Key Highlights

  • A Powerhouse of Philanthropy: Secured over $3 billion in gifts from Phil and Penny Knight, including a $1 billion match for cancer research (2015) and a $2 billion pledge (2025), supporting the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.
  • Pioneering Research: Hosted the world's first in-vivo use of the CRISPR-Cas9 DNA editing tool in 2020, aiming to reverse inherited blindness.
  • Significant Endowment: Boasts a robust $1.3 billion endowment, supporting its mission of healing, teaching, and discovery.
  • Top-Ranked Nursing: The graduate nursing program is ranked 36th nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Comprehensive Health Sciences: Offers accredited programs across dentistry, medicine, and nursing, serving over 4,100 students.
  • Established Excellence: A public research university with roots dating back to the 1860s, officially established in 1887.

Timeline

1860
Willamette University School of Medicine, OHSU's earliest predecessor, founded in Salem.
1887
Established as the University of Oregon Medical Department.
1915
Willamette University and University of Oregon medical programs merge to form the University of Oregon Medical School.
1974
Becomes an independent, self-governed institution: University of Oregon Health Sciences Center.
2001
Merges with the Oregon Graduate Institute (OGI), adopting its current name: Oregon Health & Science University.
2008
Receives a $100 million gift from Phil and Penny Knight, renaming its cancer institute the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.
2015
Successfully meets Phil Knight's $500 million matching challenge, securing a total of $1 billion for cancer research.
2020
The world's first in-vivo use of the CRISPR-Cas9 DNA editing tool is conducted at the Casey Eye Institute.
2025
Shereef Elnahal begins his tenure as president of OHSU.
2025
Phil and Penny Knight pledge a record-setting $2 billion gift to the university.

Schools & Colleges

2 notable schools within Oregon Health & Science University

🏫

School of Dentistry

OHSU's School of Dentistry, merged into the university in 1945 and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, offers a D.M.D. program admitting 75 students annually across various specialized departments.

💉

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing at OHSU provides highly-regarded undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral nursing programs, with its graduate program ranked 36th nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

Leadership

Shereef Elnahal
President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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