Office of the Registrar records

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) traces its origins to the late 19th century, beginning with the establishment of the University of Oregon Medical Department in 1887 in Portland. This development built on earlier medical education efforts in the region, including the Willamette University School of Medicine founded in 1867 and later moved to Portland. In 1913, the University of Oregon and Willamette University consolidated their medical programs, forming the University of Oregon Medical School. Four years later, in 1919, the school relocated to its long‑term home on Marquam Hill after receiving significant land donations from the Oregon‑Washington Railroad and Navigation Company and the family of C. S. “Sam” Jackson.

Throughout the 20th century, the institution expanded its academic and clinical functions. The campus grew to include facilities for dentistry, nursing, and public health, as well as important affiliated hospitals and research institutes. Key developments included the opening of Multnomah County Hospital on the Marquam Hill campus in 1923 and the consolidation of statewide health programs under the university’s oversight. This period also saw increased emphasis on biomedical research and the creation of specialized centers focused on pediatrics, rehabilitation, and advanced scientific study.

In 1974, the institution became an independent public entity known as the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center, bringing its various schools and clinical units under one administrative structure. It was renamed Oregon Health Sciences University in 1981, reflecting its expanding research and education missions. A major milestone came in 2001 when OHSU merged with the Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and Technology, adopting its current name and further broadening its scientific and technological capabilities. Today, OHSU operates as a comprehensive public research university integrating health sciences education, clinical care, and biomedical research across multiple campuses in Oregon.