OHSU has raised more than $32 million through private philanthropy to construct the Gary & Christine Rood Family Pavilion, a five-story guest house on Portland’s South Waterfront that will provide temporary housing to patients traveling long distances to OHSU hospitals and clinics for care.
Nearly half of OHSU’s adult and pediatric patients reside in rural Oregon or neighboring states, and many struggle to find temporary housing in Portland when they travel to OHSU for complex treatments such as surgery, bone marrow transplants and participation in clinical trials. The guest house - named in honor of Gary and Christine Rood of Vancouver, Washington, who made a transformational $12 million gift to the facility in April 2016 - will meet a sizable demand for comfortable, affordable housing convenient to OHSU.
“This is a signature achievement for OHSU, and a critical step forward in assuring we can serve all who seek our expert help, no matter where they live,” said OHSU President Joe Robertson, M.D., M.B.A. “Healing doesn’t just take place inside hospital or clinic walls – patients need support from loved ones or others going through similar health experiences. All of us at OHSU are so grateful to the many generous donors who understand, as we do, the important role the comfort of home and community plays in helping patients get well.”
More than 1,900 donors contributed to the guest house construction campaign. Support was widespread, with gifts received from 32 of Oregon’s 36 counties, 18 counties in Washington, and from 38 other states.
In addition to the Roods, significant donors to the project included George and Janet Boldt of Wilsonville, Oregon; Credit Unions for Kids, a consortium of Oregon and southwest Washington credit unions; the Lematta family of Vancouver, Washington; the Silver family of Portland, Oregon; and The Ford Family Foundation of Roseburg, Oregon.
“We are thrilled that so many people have stepped up to support this unique guest house that will truly be a home for healing for thousands of children and adults and their families who travel to OHSU for specialized care,” said Gary and Christine Rood. “This project is very meaningful to us, so we are extremely pleased to know the focus can now shift completely to finishing construction and opening this beautiful building.”
OHSU broke ground on the Rood Family Pavilion in spring 2016. The facility is scheduled to open in spring 2019.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington will furnish, equip and provide programming for the pediatric portion of the guest house, and contract with OHSU to operate the entire facility.
For more information about the Gary & Christine Rood Family Pavilion, visit OnwardOHSU.org/GuestHouse.