Today The Oregon Clinic announced the launch of a non-profit, private foundation, “The Oregon Clinic Foundation,” to support the region’s non-profits in advancing health and equity in the community. As healthcare providers, The Oregon Clinic is dedicated to improving health outcomes for patients throughout the region. Through this foundation, The Oregon Clinic can support community organizations that provide valuable services to those most in need of additional care outside of the doctor’s office.
“As physicians, we’ve experienced the distress of serving patients who are living on the streets, facing food insecurity, have limited access to mental healthcare, or are experiencing hardships beyond our scope as physicians. Being unable to address these problems is disheartening for us and for our staff,” said Dr. Jeff Bluhm, President of The Oregon Clinic Foundation Board and a Vice President at The Oregon Clinic. “We’re proud to launch this Foundation to help do more to address these issues.”
The Oregon Clinic Foundation will partner with non-profit organizations who provide vital services and support to patients and others in the community who have social, mental, and physical needs beyond medical care. The foundation’s priority will be to support small, local organizations that address barriers that limit access to healthcare; bias and racism in healthcare; social inequities; housing challenges; and the management of health comorbidities.
“We want to improve health outcomes in our community, and we can’t do that alone,” said Tom Sanchez, CEO of The Oregon Clinic and Treasurer of The Oregon Clinic Foundation. “Our medical services to patients will be more effective if their other critical needs are also being met, like housing, access to food, and mental health services.”
The Oregon Clinic contributed the initial funding to formalize the foundation and will continue to cover administrative costs so 100% of funds donated to The Oregon Clinic Foundation are granted to local non-profits. As a stand-alone foundation and a 501(c)(3) entity, the foundation can receive charitable gifts from patients, colleagues, family, friends, and community members and offer tax-deductible receipts.
The Foundation will be making its first round of grants in early 2025.
To make a gift to The Oregon Clinic Foundation, please visit www.orclinic.com/foundation or call 503-935-8000.