Oregon Health & Science University has opened its new Vista Pavilion, a 14-story inpatient facility dedicated to oncology care.

The project adds 128 inpatient beds initially, with plans to expand further as additional floors come online. Once fully built out, the pavilion is expected to increase OHSU Hospital’s capacity by roughly one-third.

By consolidating cancer services into a single building, OHSU aims to ease pressure on existing hospital space, allowing more capacity for cardiovascular, neurological and other complex care needs. The expansion comes as Oregon and neighboring Washington continue to rank among the lowest in hospital beds per capita nationwide.
“Today marks a milestone for OHSU and for Oregon as Vista Pavilion greatly expands the state’s overall inpatient hospital capacity,” said Dr. Shereef Elnahal, president of OHSU. “This expansion will enable people to get their care close to home, instead of traveling to Seattle or the Bay Area for complex specialty care.”

The $650 million project was approved in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when hospitals across Oregon faced capacity constraints. OHSU, which operates 576 licensed inpatient beds, has remained near full occupancy in the years since.

The 530,000-square-foot facility connects to the main hospital via three skybridges, and incorporates patient-informed design elements, including dedicated family spaces and integrated support services. Additional plans include 56 more inpatient beds and expanded interventional radiology, imaging and clinical trial infrastructure.

“We see this building as an opportunity to double down on our commitment to transform the way that cancer care is delivered,” said Brian Druker, M.D., CEO of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute.

About half of OHSU’s patients travel from outside the Portland metro area, underscoring its role as a regional referral center for specialized care.

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