Oregon Health & Science University mourns the passing of Joe Robertson, M.D., M.B.A., who spent more than four decades serving the people of Oregon as a retinal surgeon, and led OHSU as president for more than a decade of dramatic growth and change, until retiring in 2018.
Robertson became president of OHSU in September 2006 and stepped down as president following his multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2017. In recognition of his impact, the OHSU Board of Directors in 2018 renamed the Collaborative Life Sciences Building at the foot of the Tilikum Crossing to the Robertson Life Sciences Building in Robertson’s honor.
“Joe Robertson was an exemplary leader and his vision for ensuring OHSU’s reach extends far beyond the Portland-metro area to every corner of the state remains our steadfast commitment today,” said OHSU President Shereef Elnahal, M.D., M.B.A. “Our hearts go out to his family, and the extensive circle of friends, supporters and admirers around the state and well beyond.”
Robertson first joined OHSU as a resident in ophthalmology in 1979 and became a member of the OHSU faculty in 1985. He treasured the three-part mission of OHSU -- serving patients, educating the next generation of students and trainees, and advancing the frontiers of knowledge. Early in his career, he became part of an international research project that ultimately developed a treatment for retinopathy of prematurity. At the time, the condition meant blindness for premature infants but today is rare and can be successfully treated.
He was increasingly recognized for his leadership abilities, serving as director of the Casey Eye Institute and dean of the School of Medicine before being appointed president. He never gave up his clinical role at the Casey Eye Institute, reading ultrasounds on evenings and weekends to remain connected to patient care.
As president of the university, Robertson focused on the needs of all Oregonians and ensured the state’s academic health center served the entirety of Oregon’s 98,000 square miles. He set the tone by spending his first day as president in John Day, and championed OHSU’s collaboration with hospitals throughout the state.
Robertson embodied the ideals of servant leadership, learning by listening and connecting with people to understand and address problems impacting individuals and communities. As a leader, he empowered his teams to be creative and innovative in pursuit of practical solutions and meaningful change.
“Today, Oregon mourns the passing of a visionary leader, a healer, and a tireless advocate for health equity across our state,” Gov. Tina Kotek said. “Dr. Joe Robertson dedicated nearly four decades to Oregon Health & Science University, shaping the future of medicine, research, and education in Oregon and beyond. Oregon honors his legacy, not only in the institutions he helped build, but in the countless lives he touched. May we continue his mission with the same courage, vision, and heart that defined his life."
In 2018, Peter Courtney, Oregon’s longest serving Senate President, said: “We as citizens -- however you describe health care in this state -- you can’t describe it very long without mentioning Dr. Joe Robertson.”
Accomplishments
Joe Robertson, M.D., M.B.A, was appointed president of OHSU in 2006. Since that time, OHSU has undergone dramatic growth and change, driven by a strategy of collaboration and innovation. Following is a sampling of his many accomplishments:
- Increased annual research awards from $307 million to $410 million
- Added more than 4,500 additional employees and nearly 1,000 additional faculty
- Successfully concluded the $1.2 billion Knight Cancer Challenge
- Helped to secure the initial $100 million naming Knight Cancer Institute gift, the $125 million Knight Cardiovascular Institute gift, and $25 million Moore Institute gift
- Opened the Center for Health & Healing on the South Waterfront
- Opened the Collaborative Life Sciences Building and Skourtes Tower
- Opened the Portland Aerial Tram, connecting OHSU’s South Waterfront and Marquam Hill campuses
- Broke ground on the Knight Cancer Research Building, the Center for Health & Healing 2, and the Gary and Christine Rood Family Pavilion
- Established a multi-mission partnership with BDMS Health System and Mahidol University in Thailand
- Established the OHSU-PSU Strategic Alliance
- Established the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health
- Established the innovative Campus for Rural Health
- Expanded reach and impact of OHSU Global with additional collaborations in Laos and Myanmar
- Implemented and established a leadership position on interprofessional education
- Established research partnerships with Intel, FEI and GE Healthcare
- Helped establish HealthShare of Oregon, the Portland CCO (coordinated care organization)
- Established OHSU Partners, an integrated health system including OHSU, Tuality Healthcare (now Hillsboro Medical Center) and Adventist Health
- Expanded numerous clinical service line partnerships
- Served on Oregon Health Policy Board
- Served as member and Chair of the Portland Branch Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
- Served on The Ford Family Foundation board
Source: OHSU