Mark O’Hollaren, M.D., has been named OHSU’s vice president for strategic outreach. In this new role at OHSU, Dr. O’Hollaren will focus on expanding and creating new research, education and health care partnerships in communities throughout the state.

“OHSU’s mission is to serve all 96,000 square miles of Oregon,” said OHSU President Joe Robertson, M.D., M.B.A. “As part of that mission, our physicians regularly travel to other parts of the region to provide specialized services that are otherwise unavailable in those areas. We have established satellite training sites for continuing medical education, our students do rural rotations and our School of Nursing has several campuses throughout Oregon. In this role, Dr. O’Hollaren will work to expand even further the reach of our health care, education and research programs to new areas where we are uniquely able to impact the health and well-being of Oregonians.”

For the past three years, Dr. O’Hollaren has served as OHSU’s director of clinical outreach for OHSU Healthcare while also maintaining his medical practice. During this time he has forged new health care relationships and partnerships in other Oregon communities. In doing so, OHSU was able to expand the availability of specialized services in those communities, allowing patients to receive care closer to where they live.  

One such partnership example is in the community of Astoria, where OHSU worked with local government and organizations to help build the town’s cancer program. This effort included Columbia Memorial Hospital, Dr. Sonny Park, Dr. Bill Armington, Mayor Willis Van Dusen and the Astoria City Council, Clatsop Community College, The Columbia Memorial Hospital Foundation, and many others. As part of this ongoing effort, Columbia Memorial and OHSU currently are recruiting for a full-time oncologist to further expand the program in that community.

“OHSU has many devoted and gifted individuals who have developed tremendous outreach programs across the region. While traveling around the state in my previous role in clinical outreach, it was common for both professionals and patients to suggest unique new areas where OHSU could assist in improving the health of residents, both inside and outside of our health care mission,” said Dr. O’Hollaren. “I’m excited that OHSU is willing to investigate and pursue new and creative partnerships that include our multiple missions of clinical care, education, and research. I’m also very pleased to serve as a contact point and front door for new partners.”