Portland: Health Care

Portland is the center for health care in the state of Oregon, with major hospitals collaborating to offer quality care at a moderate cost. Playing a prominent role is the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), which includes the University Hospital and Doernbecher Children's Hospital as well as the Casey Eye Institute, the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center, 9 primary care clinics, more than 150 specialty clinics, and dental clinics. OHSU also operates four interdisciplinary centers that focus on aging, women's health, cancer, and interventional therapy. OHSU shares technology, personnel, and training with the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center to help keep health care costs down. Residents who seek nontraditional medical treatment have access to licensed acupuncturists and to practitioners trained at a local naturopathic college. Senior services are coordinated by the Multnomah County Aging Services Division to help senior citizens remain active in the community. Providence Health Services operates seven hospitals and medical centers in the Portland metro area. In 2003, Providence Newberg Hospital, Providence Milwaukie Hospital, and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center were named among the top 100 hospitals in the nation—and the only hospitals in Oregon—by research company Solucient. One of the Portland area's top employers, Providence hospitals specialize in cancer care, rehabilitation, cardiac care, children's emergency care, surgical services, sports medicine, and maternity care.