Every day, patients from across the Pacific Northwest call on Oregon Health & Science University members to deliver the most complex care, treat the rarest of diseases, and tend to the most acute cases of trauma. At the same time, as Oregon’s public academic health center, the university educates the next generation of health care professionals while conducting world-class research to advance human health in Oregon and beyond.

The university’s clinicians, researchers, students and staff continue to deliver on those missions, in spite of unprecedented financial challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and compounded by supply chain disruptions and inflation.

On Monday, OHSU’s board of directors heard an update about the university’s efforts to carry out its patient care, education and research missions under a zero-balance operating annual budget, which was adopted during the board’s previous meeting on June 24. University leaders outlined measures now in place now to balance the budget, despite the continuation of financial strains that resulted in an estimated operating loss of $90 million during the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2022.

“OHSU has had an indelible impact on Oregon throughout our 135-year history,” said OHSU President Danny Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., FACS. “We will face this challenge as we have faced others: United in our mission to improve the health and well-being of Oregonians and with a commitment to support the people who carry out that mission every day.”

Other highlights the board heard include:

• An update on the work of oversight and implementation committees related to the investigation and recommendations of the law firm Covington & Burling LLP to improve OHSU’s institutional culture.
• A forthcoming institutional accreditation visit from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The site visit, on Oct. 24-26, will evaluate the university’s commitment to student learning and achievement.