Knights give $125M to OHSU

Pres. Robertson announces to a packed CHH atrium

OHSU made a surprise announcement this afternoon, and it was HUGE!

Phil & Penny Knight are making a $125M donation to OHSU Cardiovascular Medicine. This is the biggest single gift in the history of OHSU and will be used to create a new Cardiovascular Institute.

"Led by Albert Starr, M.D., and Sanjiv Kaul, M.D., the institute will bring clinicians and researchers together to translate laboratory discoveries into new and better treatments for the world’s No. 1 killer." - OHSU site

The first recipient of an artificial heart valve, designed by OHSU researcher Albert Starr, was present and shared her story.

Read more about the gift and the key researchers involved on the OHSU site.

More coverage from lots of local media sources:
http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2012/09/new_knight_gift_launches_lofty.html
http://www.opb.org/news/article/125m-gift-will-create-ohsu-cardio-institute/
http://www.koinlocal6.com/news/local/story/Knight-donates-125M-to-OHSU-for-cardiovascular/WG8oxq71IEmMc12CV_oUog.cspx
http://www.kgw.com/news/local/Phil--Penny-Knight-donate-125M-to-OHSU-170087396.html

Dr. Oz in the House

Taking parking seriously @ OHSU CHH

Dr. Mehmet Oz stopped by OHSU today to tell us how we (Portland) are doing healthwise. 

It turns out Portland is surprisingly obese but doing better than expected in diabetes...or at least these are the highlights as told to me by an OHSU cardiologist who attended the event. Our biggest problem is high blood pressure and a bi-modal distribution -- one group with a highly active lifestyle and healthy fresh foods, and another without.

From the KATU report:

"After Oz gave a few people physicals, he delivered his diagnosis for Portland, based on the results of Monday's approximate 500 health screenings. 

Oz said the No. 1 issue in Portland is hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. he said 40 percent of the people who showed up Monday had high blood pressure, up from the 25 percent health screeners expected. 

Oz said hypertension is the No. 1 cause of aging and the No. 1 cause of death in America. He said the results were the tales of two cities. The first -- people perhaps with more money who can access the bike trails and gyms. The second? Those who cannot. Maybe they're uninsured and non connecting with a healthy lifestyle and fresh produce."

The Mirabella crew captured some very nice pictures here on their Facebook page:

Dr Oz up close and personal, via Mirabella Facebook page

Go By Tram

Go By Tram

"Get to Know the Tram" MONTH kicks off today!

More on the Portland Aerial Tram events: 

"Get to Know the Tram Month" kicks of today with Engineering and Development and the Tram, from 1:00 - 3:00 (and again tomorrow, same times). Tour the engine and control rooms, learn about TriMet's Portland-Milwaukie MAX Line, meet the Portland Streetcar team, and see the model of the forthcoming OUS/OHSU Collaborative Life Sciences Building (CLSB)..."

The Tram has launched a new website. Check it out: Go By Tram

And be sure to find and follow them on Facebook for the latest updates as well as some cool local tram-related art: Portland Aerial Tram

Tram art by Rachel Oleson of Pulse Fine Art

Another great reason to stop by: Streetcar Origami!

When is that Gibbs St Bridge going to open?!

Gibbs Bridge under construction
(circa Jan. 2012)

Here's an update from the city:

Gibbs Street Bridge Update

May 25, 2012

 

Opening Soon

We are hoping to have all work completed by mid-June so we can open the bridge: crews are currently finalizing the “punch list” items on the bridge and the elevator is nearing completion before a final inspection from the state.

 

Save the Date!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 23 between 10 am and 2 pm for a Grand Opening that include an opening ceremony, walking tours, and free Tram rides from 9 am - noon.

 

More details will be announced in a few weeks.

News this week: May 25

A few stories of interest in the news this week:

Siemens receives $73M Light Rail order - Marketwatch

Protesters don't stop signing ceremony - PortlandTribune

Portland Tram to offer free, family events in June - OregonLive

What will Portland's newest urban renewal zone around PSU do? - OregonLive

Portland Aerial Tram - PFM Reports Blog

Also, please note: @ohsutranspark: OHSU Transportation & Parking and the Portland Aerial Tram will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

Thanks to PDXPipeline & so many others for passing along the Grimm locations map love!

And be sure to check out PDXPipeline for news and information regarding Memorial Day weekend activities around Portland: PDXPipeline

AHA Heart Walk 2012 photos

The annual Heart Walk took place this Saturday, starting at the Eastbank Esplanade and looping around the 3 mile waterfront loop. Sponsored by the American Heart Association, the event pulled in participants from a bunch of Portland organizations, including OHSU, hospitals and research centers, friends and family.

Turn-out seemed much greater than in previous years. Beautiful weather - Here are some photos from the walk:

family fun

The dress is made of coffee filters

 

 

 

finish line

Land grab in the South Waterfront?

So there is a lot of news flying these days about land purchases, expansions, Zidell, OHSU, etc. Here is a quick summary of the major headlines:

1. OHSU did buy some new land (Blocks 23 & 27), including what is currently the dahlia fields & dog park. They say that we can continue to use it for dahlias and dogs for the foreseeable future. Construction of the future OHSU patient buildings will be awhile (no immediate plans).

Block 23 & 27

2. Zidell is developing more land. They just announced a proposed apartment building under the RI Bridge. They also recently purchased the 3030 Building (office building @ 3030 Moody Ave).

Photo from OregonLive piece by Elliot Njus

3. RiverPlace is not South Waterfront, even if the DJC insists on calling it so. Developers are looking at putting a new Hyatt in at RiverPlace.

And all of it leads the Portland Business Journal to ask "Is South Waterfront coming back?" This makes me wonder, where do they think it/we went???

Waterfront happenings

Goslings are cute! 

 Construction on the east side of the river, light rail project (South Waterfront in the background):

 New OHSU building on Moody Ave - foundation is in:

Happy Birthday Tram

The OHSU Aerial Tram turned 5 this weekend. I guess Mother Nature chose to celebrate with a Happy Birthday rainbow this morning. Did you all catch it?

Yesterday, a little birthday party took place at OHSU CHH. There were Tram Artists, Tram Photographers, Tram Tour Guides, a fish stand, and cupcakes.

All about the Tram

Tram Artistry

Tram Party Tomorrow

The OHSU Aerial Tram turns 5 years old tomorrow. Party Time.

When: Saturday, 1:00-3:00pm
Where: OHSU CHH

http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2012/01/portland_aerial_tram_turns_5_f.html
"On Saturday (not Friday), the OHSU Center for Health and Healing will hold a “behind the scenes” celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. featuring:

•   Tours of the Tram engineering room and control tower with the operations team.
•   A local art and photography exhibit of the Tram.
•   Information on hiking and biking routes from the Tram’s Upper and Lower Towers.
•   Information about development in the South Waterfront District.
•   Information about "Get to Know Your Tram Month," scheduled for June 2012."

No word on whether there will be free Tram rides...

Also, did you know the Tram has a Facebook page?
https://www.facebook.com/portlandaerialtram

Gibbs & OHSU construction round-up

We aaaaalmost have touchdown on the Gibbs St pedestrian bridge.  Work was going on all night this week to add the final bridge span over I-5. (You may have noticed some late-night traffic from Macadam being diverted through the neighborhood.)

I5 overpass

East side at OHSU CHH - Moody Ave

West side at Lair Hill

South Waterfront Photos of 2011

South Waterfront in July 2011, from the Tram

January is a typical time for looking back and looking forward, introspection and of course, making resolutions. In this spirit, I have compiled a review of some of the notable South Waterfront events and favorite photos taken in 2011.

From the Tram part 2

As always, I'm open to submissions. If you have any favorite photos or memories from this past year, please drop me a line. I will gladly include them! Email me: sowablog @ gmail.com

As for resolutions, I'm still thinking about that one!

OHSU Bike Valet opens July 2011

I love the year-round colors of Elizabeth Caruthers Park - photo from Summer 2011

New event in the park - June 10, 2011

Kayaking in the Summer

Taken on one of many walks over to the Food Carts

Opening of the amazing Let's Eat Thai Food cart

"Grimm" filming the Streetcar flash mob in the South Waterfront

Movie night in the park

Groundbreaking ceremony for the new OUS building

Concerts in the Park

Holiday Bazaar for Heart Research

The annual OHSU Heart Research Holiday Bazaar is taking place today and tomorrow.

Time:  10:00-5:30
Place: OHSU CHH Atrium
What: Beautiful handmade gifts made by artisans from Handmade NW, raising funds and awareness for the OHSU Heart Research Center.

You can check out the list of vendors on the Handmade NW website.

www.burdyflyaway.etsy.com

Marquam Hill Lecture tonight @ 7:30

The November Marquam Hill lecture at OHSU takes place tonight at 7:30pm.

New Windows to Your Heart: Breakthroughs in Cardiovascular Imaging

Presented by: Jonathan Lindner, MD

Date: November 17, 2011
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: OHSU Auditorium, Marquam Hill Campus, Old Library Building

Dr Lindner will be explaining and showing new imaging breakthroughs in cardiovascular disease research.

And if you missed last month's lecture "The Hunt for Biological Mechanisms in Asthma", you can view the video online here.

Related post: Marquam Hill Lecture Series Starts Thursday (Oct. 20)

Today: Free health screenings at OHSU-CHH

OHSU is hosting a health fair today in the CHH to promote World Diabetes Day. Free health screenings are taking place until 4:30pm.

"OHSU cardiovascular medicine experts will measure:

• Blood glucose
• BMI (body mass index)
• Cholesterol
• Blood pressure

* Nurses and physicians will be on hand for consults on test results.

-- Kendall Simmons, a Superbowl XL champion and former Pittsburgh Steeler, will explain how he tackled Type 1 diabetes.

-- Certified diabetes educators from NovoNordisk will discuss carbohydrate counting and food exchanges.  

-- March wellness representatives will demonstrate their Medical Exercise Program."

KGW video was on hand interviewing several OHSU employees. 

Marquam Hill Lecture Series starts Thursday

This Thursday evening is the launch of a fascinating series of lectures at OHSU-- the Marquam Hill Lecture Series.

South Waterfront-ers, this is open to the public; hop the Tram and check it out. This week's talk will be covering the causes of asthma and possible future cures, with renowned researcher Allison Fryer, PhD.

• When: Oct. 20 @ 7:30pm
• Where: OHSU Old Library Auditorium - (Located past the ER entrance, on the right from Sam Jackson. Signs will be posted. Parking lot adjacent to the Auditorium is free.)
• Map of Marquam Hill: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/visiting/directions/marquamhill.cfm
• Signup: Attendance is free, but reservations are requested. Get more details and sign up here.

"Since 1981, the OHSU Marquam Hill Lectures Series has brought together leading members of the OHSU faculty with the public to feature innovative and cutting edge biomedical research and clinical advances that will form the basis of tomorrow's cures and treatments. The Marquam Hill Lecture Series is one of the most popular and long-standing lecture series about science by scientists in Oregon. Information about the first lecture of the 2011-2012 season is now available."

Groundbreaking Ceremony for OHSU Collaborative Science Building

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Oregon University System/OHSU Collaborative Life Sciences Building took place in the South Waterfront this morning. 

 The new building will be a collaboration involving OHSU, PSU and OSU, promoting partnerships between the schools, and housing programs from each university, including new School of Dentistry facilities. (You can find a little bit more via coverage from the Portland Tribune , Oregonian & BizJournal earlier this week.)

We are headed to that white tent below:

 It was a packed crowd, overflowing the tent.

The event kicked off with an appearance and speech by Governer Kitzhaber, highlighting the purpose and hope for this project: Innovation - Partnership - Philanthropy - Optimism.

We heard from med students, donors, and the presidents of all 3 universities.

Groundbreaking ceremony complete with lots of shovels, shovelers, and some very nice dirt trucked in for the occasion:

In blue, a representative of the Schnitzer Family, the donors of the waterfront land the new Schnitzer Campus will be built on.

 President Robertson takes an interview.

Model of the future complex:

Additional coverage:
http://www.pdx.edu/news/oregon-universities-create-jobs-and-educational-opportunities-new-collaborative-life-sciences
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2011/10/13/ground-broken-for-295m-teaching.html?page=all